1 A nd 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 to his seat!

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

4 I would order the 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 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 ould he plead against me with great power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

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

7 T here would an upright man reason with him; and I should 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 L o, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I do not 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 behold not; he hideth himself on the right hand, and I see not.

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; he trieth 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 to his steps; his way have I kept, and not turned aside.

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 laid up the words of his mouth more than the purpose of my own heart.

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, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, that will he do.

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

14 F or he will perform 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; I consider, and 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 hath made 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 hidden the gloom from me.

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