Chapter 23

Job

1Then Job answered and said:

2“Today also my complaint is bitter;my hand is heavy on account of my groaning.3Oh, that I knew where I might find him,that I might come even to his seat!4I would lay my case before himand fill my mouth with arguments.5I would know what he would answer meand understand what he would say to me.6Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?No; he would pay attention to me.7There an upright man could argue with him,and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.8“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there,and backward, but I do not perceive him;9on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.10But he knows the way that I take;when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.11My foot has held fast to his steps;I have kept his way and have not turned aside.12I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.13But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back?What he desires, that he does.14For he will complete what he appoints for me,and many such things are in his mind.15Therefore I am terrified at his presence;when I consider, I am in dread of him.16God has made my heart faint;the Almighty has terrified me;17yet I am not silenced because of the darkness,nor because thick darkness covers my face.

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