23 The reply of Job:

² “My complaint today is still a bitter one, and my punishment far more severe than my fault deserves. ³ Oh, that I knew where to find God—that I could go to his throne and talk with him there. ^4-5 I would tell him all about my side of this argument, and listen to his reply, and understand what he wants. ⁶ Would he merely overpower me with his greatness? No, he would listen with sympathy. ⁷ Fair and honest men could reason with him and be acquitted by my Judge.

⁸ “But I search in vain. I seek him here, I seek him there and cannot find him. ⁹ I seek him in his workshop in the north but cannot find him there; nor can I find him in the south; there, too, he hides himself. ¹⁰ But he knows every detail of what is happening to me; and when he has examined me, he will pronounce me completely innocent—as pure as solid gold!

¹¹ “I have stayed in God’s paths, following his steps. I have not turned aside. ¹² I have not refused his commandments but have enjoyed them more than my daily food. ¹³ Nevertheless, his mind concerning me remains unchanged, and who can turn him from his purposes? Whatever he wants to do, he does. ¹⁴ So he will do to me all he has planned, and there is more ahead.^[a]

¹⁵ “No wonder I am so terrified in his presence. When I think of it, terror grips me. ^16-17 God has given me a fainting heart; he, the Almighty, has terrified me with darkness all around me, thick, impenetrable darkness everywhere.