XXIII. Then Job answered and said,

2  aEven to day is my bcomplaint bitter:

* My stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3  cO that I knew where I might find him!

That I might come even to his dseat!

4  I would eorder my cause before him,

And fill my mouth with farguments.

5  I would know the words which he would answer me,

And understand what he would say unto me.

6  Will he plead against me gwith his great power?

No; but he would put strength in me.

7  There the righteous might dispute with him;

So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

8  hBehold, I go iforward, but he is not there;

And ibackward, hbut I cannot perceive him:

9  On kthe left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him:

He hideth himself on lthe right hand, that I hcannot see him:

10  But he mknoweth * the way that I take:

When nhe hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

11  oMy foot hath held his steps,

His way have I kept, and not pdeclined.

12  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips;

* I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than * my necessary food.

13  But he is in one mind, and qwho can turn him?

And what rhis soul desireth, even that he doeth.

14  For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me:

And many such things are swith him.

15  Therefore am I troubled at his tpresence:

When I consider, I am afraid of him.

16  For God umaketh my heart soft,

And the Almighty troubleth me:

17  Because I was not cut off xbefore the darkness,

Neither hath he covered the ydarkness from zmy face.