1 Then Job answered and said:

2 Even today my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy over my groaning.

3 Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come to His place!

4 I would present my case before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me.

6 Would He contend with me in His great power? No! But He would set me in place.

7 There the upright could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

8 Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

9 when He works on the left hand, I cannot see Him; when He turns to the right hand, I cannot perceive Him.

10 But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.

12 I have not departed from the Commandment of His lips; I have treasured the Words of His mouth more than my prescribed food.

13 But He is One, and who can turn Him back? And whatever His soul desires, that He does.

14 For He completes what is prescribed for me, and many such things are with Him.

15 Therefore I am terrified at His presence; when I consider this, I am in dread of Him.

16 For the Mighty God has made my heart weak, and the Almighty has terrified me.

17 But I have not been cut off by the face of darkness, and He has concealed the deep darkness from my face.