1 T hen Job answered,

Then Job replied,

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

“Even today my complaint is rebellion; His hand is heavy despite 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 to His seat!

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

“I would present my case 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 the words which He would answer, And perceive 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 contend with me by the greatness of His power? No, surely He would pay attention 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 upright would reason with Him; And I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

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, And 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.

When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, 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 I take; When He has tried me, I shall 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 foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way 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 departed from the command of His lips; I have 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 unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, 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 what is appointed for me, And many such decrees are with Him.

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

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

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

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

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

But I am not silenced by the darkness, Nor deep gloom which covers me.