THE BOOK OF JOB
Job Chapter 23
1 ¶ Then Job replied saying,
2 My complaint is also bitter today: his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come to his seat!
4 I would lay my case before him, and have a mouth full of arguments.
5 I want to know what he would say in answer to me, and understand what he would tell me.
6 Would he prosecute me forcefully? No; he would hear me out.
7 There the righteous could reason with him; so I would be acquitted by my judge forever.
8 ¶ Behold, I go east, but he is not there; and west, but I cannot see him:
9 When he is at work in the north, I cannot see him: he hides himself in the south, so that I cannot find him:
10 But he knows the way that I go: when he has tried me, I will come forth like gold.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps, I have kept his way, and not turned aside.
12 Nor have I turned back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
13 ¶ But he decides, and who can change him? he does whatever his soul desires.
14 For he will carry out what is planned for me: and has many such things in mind.
15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider it, I am afraid of him.
16 For God has broken down my courage, and the Almighty terrifies me:
17 But the darkness has not silenced me, nor has the darkness that hides him from me.