NIV

Job 23

1<pb/>Then Job replied:
2<pb/><t>“Even today my complaint is bitter;</t> <t>his hand<f>[38]</f> is heavy in spite of<f>[39]</f> my groaning.</t>
3<t>If only I knew where to find him;</t> <t>if only I could go to his dwelling!</t>
4<t>I would state my case before him</t> <t>and fill my mouth with arguments.</t>
5<t>I would find out what he would answer me,</t> <t>and consider what he would say to me.</t>
6<t>Would he vigorously oppose me?</t> <t>No, he would not press charges against me.</t>
7<t>There the upright can establish their innocence before him,</t> <t>and there I would be delivered forever from my judge. <pb/></t>
8<t>“But if I go to the east, he is not there;</t> <t>if I go to the west, I do not find him.</t>
9<t>When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;</t> <t>when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.</t>
10<t>But he knows the way that I take;</t> <t>when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.</t>
11<t>My feet have closely followed his steps;</t> <t>I have kept to his way without turning aside.</t>
12<t>I have not departed from the commands of his lips;</t> <t>I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. <pb/></t>
13<t>“But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?</t> <t>He does whatever he pleases.</t>
14<t>He carries out his decree against me,</t> <t>and many such plans he still has in store.</t>
15<t>That is why I am terrified before him;</t> <t>when I think of all this, I fear him.</t>
16<t>God has made my heart faint;</t> <t>the Almighty has terrified me.</t>
17<t>Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,</t> <t>by the thick darkness that covers my face.</t>