1 T hen Job answered and said,

Then Job answered,

2 E ven to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

“Even today my complaining is bitter. His hand is heavy even when I cry inside myself.

3 O h that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!

If only I knew where to find Him, that I might go where He is!

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

I would tell Him how things are with me, and my mouth would be ready to argue.

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

I would know His answer, and could think about what He would say to me.

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

Would He go against me using His great power? No, He would listen to me.

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

There a man who is right could reason with Him. And I would be set free by my Judge.

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

“See, I go east, but He is not there. I go west, but I cannot see Him.

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

When He works to the left, I cannot see Him. When He turns to the right, I cannot see Him.

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

But He knows the way that I take. When He has tried me, I will come out as gold.

11 M y foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

My foot has kept close to His steps. I have kept His way and have not turned aside.

12 N either have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

I have not turned away from the words of His lips. I have stored up the words of His mouth. They are worth more to me than the food I need.

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

But He cannot be changed. Who can go against Him? He does whatever He wants.

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

For He does what He has planned for me, and many such things are in His mind.

15 T herefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

So I am afraid to be with Him. When I think about it, I am very afraid of Him.

16 F or God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

God has made my heart weak. The All-powerful has filled me with fear.

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

But I am not made quiet by the darkness or the deep shadow which covers my face.