1 T hen Job answered and said,

¶ Then Job answered and said,

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

Today I will also speak with bitterness; 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!

Oh, that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

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

I would order judgment 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 unto me.

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

Will he plead against me with his great power? No, but rather he would put it in me.

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

There the righteous might dispute with him; and should I escape for ever from the one who condemns me.

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

¶ Behold, I shall go to the east and not find him; and to the west, but I cannot perceive 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:

if he is working to the north, I shall not see him; to the south, he hides himself, that I shall not 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 has known the way that I take; he has tried me, and I have come forth as gold.

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

My feet have held to his steps, I have kept his way, and have not departed.

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.

Neither have I separated myself from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed 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 if he determines something, who can turn him? His soul desired it, and he did it.

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

Therefore, he will finish that which is necessary for me; and there are many such things in him.

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

Therefore, I shall fear before his face; I shall consider, and I shall fear him.

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

For God has made my heart tender, and the Almighty has frightened me.

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

Why was I not cut off before the darkness, neither has he covered my face with the darkness.