1 T hen Job answered,

2 E ven today is my complaint rebellious and bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3 O h, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat!

4 I would lay my cause before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would learn what He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me.

6 W ould He plead against me with His great power? No, He would give heed to me.

7 T here the righteous could reason with Him; so I should be acquitted by my Judge forever.

8 B ehold, I go forward, but He is not there; I go backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

9 O n the left hand where He works, but I cannot behold Him; He turns Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.

10 B ut He knows the way that I take. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold.

11 M y foot has held fast to His steps; His ways have I kept and not turned aside.

12 I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed and treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

13 B ut He is unchangeable, and who can turn Him? And what He wants to do, that He does.

14 F or He performs planned for me, and of many such matters He is mindful.

15 T herefore am I troubled and terrified at His presence; when I consider, I am in dread and afraid of Him.

16 F or God has made my heart faint, timid, and broken, and the Almighty has terrified me,

17 B ecause I was not cut off before the darkness, neither has He covered the thick darkness from my face.