[1] Then Job answered and said, [2] “Even today my complaint is contentious; His hand is heavy despite my groaning. [3] Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, That I might [even] come to His seat! [4] I would present my cause before Him And fill my mouth with arguments. [5] I would learn the words which He would answer, And understand what He would say to me. [6] Would He contend against me with His great power? No, surely He would give attention to me. [7] There the righteous and upright could reason with Him; So I would be acquitted forever by my Judge. [8] “Behold, I go forward (to the east), but He is not there; I go backward (to the west), but I cannot perceive Him; [9] To the left (north) He turns, but I cannot behold Him; He turns to the right hand (south), but I cannot see Him. [10] But He knows the way that I take [and He pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I will come forth as [refined] gold [pure and luminous]. [11] My feet have carefully followed His steps; I have kept His ways and not turned aside. [12] I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have kept the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. [13] But He is unique and unchangeable, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does. [14] For He performs what is planned (appointed) for me, And He is mindful of many such things. [15] Therefore I would be terrified at His presence; When I consider [all of this], I tremble in dread of Him. [16] For God has made my heart faint, And the Almighty has terrified me, [17] But I am not silenced by the darkness [of these woes that fell on me], Nor by the thick darkness which covers my face.
