Job 23
1 Job replied:
2 “Even today my complaint is defiance; my hand weighs heavily on my groaning.
3 If only I knew where to find him, how to reach his dwelling!
4 I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would learn the words he would answer me with and understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he contend with me with overwhelming force? No; he himself would pay attention to me.
7 There an upright man could argue with him, and I would be forever delivered from my judge.
8 Look, I go east, and he is not there; I go west, and I cannot find him.
9 To the north, when he is at work, I do not see him; he turns south, and I cannot make him out.
10 But he knows the way I take; when he tests me, I will come out like gold.
11 My foot has stayed on his steps; I have kept to his way and have not turned aside.
12 I have not departed from the command of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my allotted portion.
13 But he is one, and who can turn him back? Whatever he desires, he does.
14 For he will carry out what is appointed for me, and he has many such things in store.
15 That is why I am terrified before him; when I think about it, I fear him.
16 God has weakened my heart; the Almighty has terrified me.
17 For I was not silenced by the darkness, nor by the gloom that covered my face.”
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