1 And Job answered and said:
2 Even today my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy over my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find Him, I would come into His seat;
4 I would order my cause before Him, and I would fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me.
6 Would He plead against me with greatness of strength? No, surely He would put it in me.
7 There the righteous might reason with Him; and I would be forever delivered from my Judge.
8 Behold, I go forward, but He is not there ; and backward, but I do not see Him;
9 to the left where He works, but I cannot see; He turns to the right, but I do not see Him .
10 But He knows the way with me. When I am tried, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot has held fast in His steps; I have kept His way and have not turned;
12 nor have I departed from the command of His lips; I treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion.
13 But He is in one mind , and who can turn Him? Yea, His soul desires, and He does it .
14 For He fulfilled my lot, and many like these are with Him.
15 On account of this I am troubled from His presence; I consider, and am in dread of Him.
16 For God makes my heart weak, and the Almighty troubles me.
17 In this I was not cut off by darkness; yea, He covered the thick darkness from my face.