Job 23

₂Even to day is my complaint bitter:

My stroke is heavier than my groaning.

₃Oh that I knew where I might find him!

That I might come even to his seat!

₄I would order my cause before him,

And fill my mouth with arguments.

₅I would know the words which he would answer me,

And understand what he would say unto me.

₆Will he plead against me with his great power?

No; but he would put strength in me.

₇There the righteous might dispute with him;

So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

₈Behold, I go forward, but he is not there;

And backward, but I cannot perceive him:

₉On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him:

He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

₁₀But he knoweth the way that I take:

When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

₁₁My foot hath held his steps,

His way have I kept, and not declined.

₁₂Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips;

I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

₁₃But he is in one mind, and who can turn him?

And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

₁₄For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me:

And many such things are with him.

₁₅Therefore am I troubled at his presence:

When I consider, I am afraid of him.

₁₆For God maketh my heart soft,

And the Almighty troubleth me:

₁₇Because I was not cut off before the darkness,

Neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.