CHAPTER 23
1And Job spoke up and he said:
2Even now my complaint is defiant,
His hand lies heavy as I groan.
3Would that I knew how to find Him,
that I might come to where He dwells.
4I would lay out my case before Him
and would fill my mouth with contentions.
5I would know the words that He answered me,
and would grasp what He said to me.
6With great power would He debate me?
No! He alone would pay heed to me.
7There the upright can contend with Him,
I would get away for all time from my Judge.
8Look, to the east I go, and He is not there,
to the west, and I do not discern Him,
9To the north where He acts, and behold Him not,
He veils the south, and I do not see Him.
10For He knows the way with me,
tests me—I come out as gold.
11 To His steps my foot held fast,
His way I kept, and I did not swerve.
12From His lips’ command I did not turn,
in my bosom I stored His mouth’s dictates.
13Yet He wants but one thing—and who can divert Him?
What he desires He will do.
14For He will finish out my fixed tally,
and much more of the same is with Him.
15So I am dismayed before Him,
I look, am afraid of Him.
16And God has made my heart quail,
Shaddai has dismayed me.
17For I am not severed from darkness,