23:1 Then Job answered and said,
23:1 Then Job replied,

23:2 Even to-day is my complaint rebellious: My stroke is heavier than my groaning.
23:2 "Even today my complaint is rebellion; His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

23:3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
23:3 "Oh that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat!

23:4 I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments.
23:4 "I would present [my] case 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.
23:5 "I would learn the words [which] He would answer, And perceive what He would say to me.

23:6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.
23:6 "Would He contend with me by the greatness of [His] power? No, surely He would pay attention to me.

23:7 There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
23:7 "There the upright would reason with Him; And I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

23:8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not (there); And backward, but I cannot perceive him;
23:8 "Behold, I go forward but He is not [there,] And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

23:9 On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.
23:9 When He acts on the left, I cannot behold [Him;] He turns on the right, 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.
23:10 "But He knows the way I take; [When] He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

23:11 My foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside.
23:11 "My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside.

23:12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
23:12 "I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured 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.
23:13 "But He is unique and who can turn Him? And [what] His soul desires, that He does.

23:14 For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him.
23:14 "For He performs what is appointed for me, And many such [decrees] are with Him.

23:15 Therefore am I terrified at his presence; When I consider, I am afraid of him.
23:15 "Therefore, I would be dismayed at His presence; [When] I consider, I am terrified of Him.

23:16 For God hath made my heart faint, And the Almighty hath terrified me;
23:16 "[It is] God [who] has made my heart faint, And the Almighty [who] has dismayed me,

23:17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
23:17 But I am not silenced by the darkness, Nor deep gloom [which] covers [me.]