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23 Then Job answered and said,

Even to-day is my complaint [a]rebellious:
My stroke is heavier than my groaning.
Oh that I knew where I might find him!
That I might come even to his seat!
I would set my cause in order before him,
And fill my mouth with arguments.
I would know the words which he would answer me,
And understand what he would say unto me.
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
Nay; [b]but he would give heed unto me.
There the upright might reason with him;
So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there;
And backward, but I cannot perceive him;
On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him;
He [c]hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

10 [d]But he knoweth [e]the way that I take;
When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held fast to his steps;
His way have I kept, and turned not aside.
12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips;
I have treasured up the words of his mouth [f]more than my [g]necessary food.
13 But [h]he is in one mind, and who can turn him?
And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
14 For he performeth that which is appointed for me:
And many such things are with him.
15 Therefore am I terrified at his presence;
When I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 For God hath made my heart faint,
And the Almighty hath terrified me;
17 [i]Because I was not cut off before the darkness,
Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.

Footnotes

  1. Job 23:2 Or, bitter. Or, accounted rebellion
  2. Job 23:6 Or, he would only give heed
  3. Job 23:9 Or, turneth himself to . . . him, but
  4. Job 23:10 Or, For
  5. Job 23:10 Hebrew the way that is with me.
  6. Job 23:12 Or, more than my own law
  7. Job 23:12 Or, portion. See Prov. 30:8.
  8. Job 23:13 Or, he is one
  9. Job 23:17 Or, For I am not dismayed because of the darkness, Nor because thick darkness covereth my face