23:1 And Job answered and said, |
23:2 "Even today is my complaint bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning. |
23:3 Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat! |
23:4 I would lay my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments. |
23:5 I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me. |
23:6 Will He contend against me with His great power? No, surely He would give heed to me. |
23:7 There the righteous might reason with Him; and I would be acquitted from my Judge forever. |
23:8 Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot see Him; |
23:9 On the left hand, where He works, but I cannot behold Him. He turns to the right, but I cannot see Him. |
23:10 But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. |
23:11 My foot has held fast in His steps; I have kept His way, and have not turned aside; |
23:12 Nor have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I treasured up the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. |
23:13 But He is of one mind, and who can turn Him? Yea, what He Himself desires, even that He does. |
23:14 For He performs the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with Him. |
23:15 Therefore I am terrified at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him. |
23:16 For God makes my heart weak, and the Almighty terrifies me; |
23:17 Because I was not cut off by the darkness; nor by the thick darkness covering my face." |