Job 23

Darby Translation

23 And Job answered and said,

² Even to-day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

³ Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come to his seat!

⁴ I would order the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;

⁵ I would know the words he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

⁶ Would he plead against me with [his] great power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

⁷ There would an upright man reason with him; and I should be delivered for ever from my judge.

⁸ Lo, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I do not perceive him;

⁹ On the left hand, where he doth work, but I behold [him] not; he hideth himself on the right hand, and I see [him] not.

¹⁰ But he knoweth the way that I take; he trieth me, I shall come forth as gold.

¹¹ My foot hath held to his steps; his way have I kept, and not turned aside.

¹² Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have laid up the words of his mouth more than the purpose of my own heart.

¹³ But he is in one [mind], and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, that will he do.

¹⁴ For he will perform [what] is appointed for me; and many such things are with him.

¹⁵ Therefore am I troubled at his presence; I consider, and I am afraid of him.

¹⁶ For God hath made my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me;

¹⁷ Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he hidden the gloom from me.