1 T hen Job answered and said,

Then Job answered and said:

2 E ven to-day is my complaint rebellious: My stroke is heavier than my groaning.

“Even today my complaint is bitter; My hand is listless because of my groaning.

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

Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat!

4 I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments.

I would present my case before Him, And fill my mouth with arguments.

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

I would know the words which He would answer me, And understand what He would say to me.

6 W ould he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

Would He contend with me in His great power? No! But He would take note of me.

7 T here the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

There the upright could reason with Him, And I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

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

“Look, I go forward, but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

9 O n the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, 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 tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 M y foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside.

My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.

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

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.

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

“But He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does.

14 F or he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him.

For He performs what is appointed for me, And many such things are with Him.

15 T herefore am I terrified at his presence; When I consider, I am afraid of him.

Therefore I am terrified at His presence; When I consider this, I am afraid of Him.

16 F or God hath made my heart faint, And the Almighty hath terrified me;

For God made my heart weak, And the Almighty terrifies me;

17 B ecause I was not cut off before the darkness, Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.

Because I was not cut off from the presence of darkness, And He did not hide deep darkness from my face.