Job 23

Modern English Version

² “Today also my complaint is bitter;
    my hand is heavy because of my groaning.
³ Oh, that I knew where I might find Him,
    that I might come even to His seat!
⁴ I would present my case before Him
    and fill my mouth with arguments.
⁵ I would know the words that He would answer me
    and understand what He would say to me.
⁶ Will He plead against me with His great power?
    No! But He would take note of me.
⁷ There the righteous might dispute with Him;
    so would I be delivered forever from my Judge.

⁸ “Look, I go forward, but He is not there,
    and backward, but I cannot perceive Him;
⁹ when He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him;
    He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.
¹⁰ But He knows the way that I take;
    when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
¹¹ My foot has held fast to His steps;
    I have kept His way and have not turned aside.
¹² I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;
    I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

¹³ “But He is resolute, and who can turn Him?
    And whatever His soul desires, that He does.
¹⁴ For He performs what is appointed for me,
    and many such things are with Him.
¹⁵ Therefore I am troubled at His presence;
    when I consider, I am afraid of Him.
¹⁶ For God makes my heart soft,
    and the Almighty troubles me;
¹⁷ because I was not cut off from the presence of darkness,
    nor has He covered the darkness from my face.