23:1 Then Job answered and said,
23:2 Yea, I know that pleading is out of my reach; and his hand has been
made heavy upon my groaning.
23:3 Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end [of the
matter]?
23:4 And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with
arguments.
23:5 And I would know the remedies which he would speak to me, and I would
perceive what he would tell me.
23:6 Though he should come on me in [his] great strength, then he would not
threaten me;
23:7 for truth and reproof are from him; and he would bring forth my
judgment to an end.
23:8 For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know
[concerning] the latter end?
23:9 When he wrought on the left hand, then I observed [it] not: his right
hand shall encompass me but I shall not see [it].
23:10 For he knows already my way; and he has tried me as gold.
23:11 And I will go forth according to his commandments, for I have kept his
ways; and I shall not turn aside from his commandments,
23:12 neither shall I transgress; but I have hid his words in my bosom.
23:13 And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, for he
has both willed [a thing] and done it.
23:14
23:15 Therefore am I troubled at him; and when I was reproved, I thought of
him. Therefore let me take good heed before him: I will consider, and be
afraid of him.
23:16 But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has troubled me.
23:17 For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness
has covered [me] before my face. |
23:1 Then Job answered and said,
23:2 Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my
groaning.
23:3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his
seat!
23:4 I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
23:5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he
would say unto me.
23:6 Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put
strength in me.
23:7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered
for ever from my judge.
23:8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot
perceive him:
23:9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he
hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall
come forth as gold.
23:11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have
esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
23:13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul
desireth, even that he doeth.
23:14 For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such
things are with him.
23:15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid
of him.
23:16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
23:17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered
the darkness from my face. |