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.

“Even today my complaint is bitter; My hand is listless because of 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 know the words which 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 contend with me in His great power? No! But He would take note of 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 could 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.

“Look, 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 works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, 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 tested 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 steps; 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 commandment 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 make Him change? And whatever 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 things 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 am terrified at His presence; When I consider this, I am afraid of Him.

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

For God made my heart weak, And the Almighty terrifies 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 from the presence of darkness, And He did not hide deep darkness from my face.