Chapter 23

¹Then Job answered,

²“Even today is my complaint rebellious.

His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

³Oh that I knew where I might find him!

That I might come even to his seat!

⁴I would set my cause in order before him,

And fill my mouth with arguments.

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

And understand what he would tell me.

⁶Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?

No, but he would listen to me.

⁷There the upright might reason with him,

So I should be delivered forever from my judge.

⁸“If I go east, he is not there;

If west, I can’t find him;

⁹He works to the north, but I can’t see him;

He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

¹⁰But he knows the way that I take.

When he has tried me, I shall come forth like gold.

¹¹My foot has held fast to his steps.

His way have I kept, and not turned aside.

¹²I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips.

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

¹³But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?

What his soul desires, even that he does.

¹⁴For he performs that which is appointed for me.

Many such things are with him.

¹⁵Therefore I am terrified at his presence.

When I consider, I am afraid of him.

¹⁶For God has made my heart faint.

The Almighty has terrified me.

¹⁷Because I was not cut off before the darkness,

Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.