The Book of Job

Then Job answered and said,

“Even today my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy because of my groaning.

Oh, that I knew where I might find him! Oh, that I might come to his place!

I would lay my case in order before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would learn the words with which he would answer me and would understand what he would say to me.

Would he argue against me in the greatness of his power? No, he would pay attention to me.

There the upright person might argue with him. In this way I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

See, I go eastward, but he is not there, and westward, but I cannot perceive him.

To the north, where he is at work, but I cannot see him, and to the south, where he hides himself so that I cannot see him.

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come out like gold.

My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept to his way and turned not aside.

I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up in my heart the words of his mouth.

But he is one of a kind, who can turn him back? What he desires, he does.

For he carries out his decree against me; there are many like them.

Therefore, I am terrified in his presence; when I think about him, I am afraid of him.

For God has made my heart weak; the Almighty has terrified me.

I have not been brought to an end by darkness, because of the thick darkness that covers the gloom of my face.

Then Job answered,

“Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

“If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.

He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.