[[Job 22|<< Job 22]] | [[Job|Job]] | [[Job 24|Job 24 >>]] ### Job 23 1 THEN Job answered and said, ^1 2 Even today _is_ my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. ^2 3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! _that_ I might come _even_ to his seat! ^3 4 I would order _my_ cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. ^4 5 I would know the words _which_ he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. ^5 6 Will he plead against me with _his_ great power? No; but he would put _strength_ in me. ^6 7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge. ^7 8 Behold, I go forward, but he _is_ not _there;_ and backward, but I cannot perceive him: ^8 9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold _him:_ he hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see _him:_ ^9 10 But he knows the way that I take: _when_ he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. ^10 11 My foot has held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. ^11 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_. ^12 13 But he _is_ in one _mind_, and who can turn him? and _what_ his soul desires, even _that_ he does. ^13 14 For he performs _the_ _thing_ _that_ _is_ appointed for me: and many such _things_ _are_ with him. ^14 15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. ^15 16 For God makes my heart soft, and the Almighty troubles me: ^16 17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, _neither_ has he covered the darkness from my face. ^17