23:1 Then Job replied:
23:2 “Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
23:3 If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!
23:4 I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.
23:5 I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say.
23:6 Would he oppose me with great power? No, he would not press charges against me.
23:7 There an upright man could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge.
23:8 “But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.
23:9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
23:10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
23:11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
23:12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
23:13 “But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases.
23:14 He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store.
23:15 That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him.
23:16 God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.
23:17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.
23:1 Then Job answered and said,
23:2 Today also my complaint is bitter; / My stroke is heavy because of my groaning.
23:3 Oh that I knew where I might find Him, / That I might come to His seat!
23:4 I would present my cause in order before Him, / And I would fill my mouth with arguments.
23:5 I would know the words which He would answer me, / And I would understand what He would speak to me.
23:6 Would He contend with me in the greatness of His power? / No; but He would give heed to me.
23:7 There the upright man can argue with Him; / So I would be delivered forever from my Judge.
23:8 Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; / And backward, but I do not perceive Him;
23:9 To the left, where He acts, but I cannot look on Him; / He hides Himself on the right, so I cannot see Him.
23:10 But He knows the way that I take; / Should He try me, I would come forth as gold.
23:11 My foot has held fast to His steps; / I have kept His way and have not turned aside.
23:12 As for the commandment of His lips, I have not turned back from it; / I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my apportioned food.
23:13 But He is of one mind, and who can turn Him? / And what His soul desires, that will He do.
23:14 For He performs what has been appointed to me, / And many such things are with Him.
23:15 Therefore I am terrified at His presence; / I consider and am in dread of Him.
23:16 So God has made my heart faint, / And the Almighty has terrified me;
23:17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, / Nor did He cover the deep darkness from my face.