Job Replies: My Complaint Is Grievous
23 Then Job answered:
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.
