Chapter 23

Then Job answered⁴ and said,⁴

Even to day [is] my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier¹ than my groaning.

Oh that⁴ I knew¹ where I might find⁴ him! [that] I might come⁴ [even] to his seat!

I would order⁴ [my] cause before him, and fill¹⁷ my mouth with arguments.

I would know⁴ the words [which] he would answer⁴ me, and understand⁴ what he would say⁴ unto me.

Will he plead⁴ against me with [his] great power? No; but he would put⁴ [strength] in me.

There the righteous might dispute¹² with him; so should I be delivered¹⁷ for ever from my judge.⁶

Behold, I go⁴ forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive⁴ him:

On the left hand, where he doth work,² but I cannot behold⁴ [him]: he hideth⁴ himself on the right hand, that I cannot see⁴ [him]:

But he knoweth¹ the way that I take: [when] he hath tried¹ me, I shall come forth⁴ as gold.

My foot hath held¹ his steps, his way have I kept,¹ and not declined.⁵⁵

Neither have I gone back⁵⁵ from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed¹ the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food].

But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn⁵⁵ him? and [what] his soul desireth,¹⁴ even [that] he doeth.⁴

For he performeth⁵⁵ [the thing that is] appointed for me: and many such [things are] with him.

Therefore am I troubled¹¹ at his presence: when I consider,¹¹³ I am afraid⁴ of him.

For God maketh my heart soft,⁵² and the Almighty troubleth⁵² me:

Because I was not cut off⁸ before the darkness, [neither] hath he covered¹⁴ the darkness from my face.