1 T hen Job answered,

Then Job answered,

2 “ Even today my complaining is bitter. His hand is heavy even when I cry inside myself.

Even today is my complaint rebellious and bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

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

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

4 I would tell Him how things are with me, and my mouth would be ready to argue.

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

5 I would know His answer, and could think about what He would say to me.

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

6 W ould He go against me using His great power? No, He would listen to me.

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

7 T here a man who is right could reason with Him. And I would be set free by my Judge.

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

8 “ See, I go east, but He is not there. I go west, but I cannot see Him.

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

9 W hen He works to the left, I cannot see Him. When He turns to the right, I cannot see Him.

On 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 will come out as gold.

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

11 M y foot has kept close to His steps. I have kept His way and have not turned aside.

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

12 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.

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

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

14 F or He does what He has planned for me, and many such things are in His mind.

For He performs planned for me, and of many such matters He is mindful.

15 S o I am afraid to be with Him. When I think about it, I am very afraid of Him.

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

16 G od has made my heart weak. The All-powerful has filled me with fear.

For God has made my heart faint, timid, and broken, and the Almighty has terrified me,

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

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