1 T hen Job answered,

¶ Then Job answered and said,

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

Today I will also speak with bitterness; 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 order judgment 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 know the words which he would answer me and understand what he would say unto me.

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

Will he plead against me with his great power? No, but rather he would put it in 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 might dispute with him; and should I escape for ever from the one who condemns me.

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

¶ Behold, I shall go to the east and not find him; and to the west, 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.

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 knows the way that I take. When He has tried me, I will come out 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 has kept close to His steps. I have kept His way and have not turned aside.

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

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.

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

¶ But if he determines something, who can turn him? His soul desired it, and he did it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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