Job 23

Job 23 – New International Version (NIV)

Then Job replied:
“Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand^[a] is heavy in spite of^[b] my groaning.
If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!
I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.
I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say to me.
Would he vigorously oppose me? No, he would not press charges against me.
There the upright can establish their innocence before him, and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.
“But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.
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.
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
“But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases.
He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store.
That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him.
God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.
Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.

a. Job 23:2 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew / the hand on me
b. Job 23:2 Or heavy on me in

Then Job answered and said,
Even 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!
I would order my cause before him, And fill my mouth with arguments.
I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me.
Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
There the righteous might dispute with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; And backward, but I cannot perceive him:
On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
But he knoweth the way that I take: When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
My foot hath held his steps, His way have I kept, and not declined.
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: And many such things are with him.
Therefore am I troubled at his presence: When I consider, I am afraid of him.
For God maketh my heart soft, And the Almighty troubleth me:
Because I was not cut off before the darkness, Neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.