1 T hen Job replied,

2 “ Even today my complaint is rebellion; His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

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

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

5 “ I would learn the words which He would answer, And perceive what He would say to me.

6 “ Would He contend with me by the greatness of His power? No, surely He would pay attention to me.

7 “ There the upright would reason with Him; And I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

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

9 W hen He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him.

10 “ But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

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

12 “ I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

13 “ But He is unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does.

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

15 “ Therefore, I would be dismayed at His presence; When I consider, I am terrified of Him.

16 “ It is God who has made my heart faint, And the Almighty who has dismayed me,

17 B ut I am not silenced by the darkness, Nor deep gloom which covers me.