Job 23:1-12

English Standard Version

² “Today also my ^(A)complaint is bitter;^[a]
    my ^(B)hand is heavy on account of my groaning.
³ Oh, ^(C)that I knew where I might find him,
    that I might come even to his ^(D)seat!
⁴ I would ^(E)lay my case before him
    and fill my mouth with arguments.
⁵ I would know what he would answer me
    and understand what he would say to me.
⁶ Would he ^(F)contend with me in the greatness of his power?
    No; he would pay attention to me.
⁷ There an upright man could argue with him,
    and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

⁸ “Behold, ^(G)I go forward, but he is not there,
    and backward, but I do not perceive him;
⁹ on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;
    he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
¹⁰ But he ^(H)knows ^(I)the way that I ^(J)take;
    when he has ^(K)tried me, I shall come out as gold.
¹¹ My foot ^(L)has held fast to his steps;
    I have kept his way and have ^(M)not turned aside.
¹² I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
    I have ^(N)treasured the words of his mouth more than my ^(O)portion of food.