Bible Gateway Job 23

Job 23

1: Then Job replied:
2: "Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand ^[1] is heavy in spite of ^[2] my groaning.
3: If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!
4: I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.
5: I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say.
6: Would he oppose me with great power? No, he would not press charges against me.
7: There an upright man could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge.
8: "But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.
9: When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
10: But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11: My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
12: I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
13: "But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases.
14: He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store.
15: That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him.
16: God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.
17: Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.