Chapter 23

  Then Job answered and said,  

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  Even to-day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.  

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  Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!  

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  I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.  

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  I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.  

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  Would he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.  

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  There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.  

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  Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:  

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  On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:  

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  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.  

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  My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.  

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  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.  

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  But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.  

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

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  Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.  

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

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  Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.  

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