1 And Job made answer and said,

2 Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow.

3 If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat!

4 I would put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments.

5 I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me.

6 Would he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me.

7 There an upright man might put his cause before him; and I would be free for ever from my judge.

8 See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him;

9 I am looking for him on the left hand, but there is no sign of him; and turning to the right, I am not able to see him.

10 For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold.

11 My feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other.

12 I have never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart.

13 But his purpose is fixed and there is no changing it; and he gives effect to the desire of his soul.

14 For what has been ordered for me by him will be gone through to the end: and his mind is full of such designs.

15 For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.

16 For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all.

17 For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face.

1 And Job answered and said,

2 Even to-day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3 Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come to his seat!

4 I would order the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;

5 I would know the words he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

6 Would he plead against me with {his} great power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

7 There would an upright man reason with him; and I should be delivered for ever from my judge.

8 Lo, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I do not perceive him;

9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I behold {him} not; he hideth himself on the right hand, and I see {him} not.

10 But he knoweth the way that I take; he trieth me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 My foot hath held to his steps; his way have I kept, and not turned aside.

12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have laid up the words of his mouth more than the purpose of my own heart.

13 But he is in one {mind}, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, that will he do.

14 For he will perform {what} is appointed for me; and many such things are with him.

15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence; I consider, and I am afraid of him.

16 For *God hath made my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me;

17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he hidden the gloom from me.