¹ Then Job answered and said,

^{2 Ref} Even to-day is my complaint rebellious: My stroke is heavier than my groaning.

^{3 Ref} Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

^{4 Ref} I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments.

^{5 Ref} I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me.

^{6 Ref} Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

^{7 Ref} There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

^{8 Ref} Behold, I go forward, but he is not `there'; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;

^{9 Ref} On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

^{10 Ref} But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

^{11 Ref} My foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside.

^{12 Ref} I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

^{13 Ref} But he is in one `mind', and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

^{14 Ref} For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him.

^{15 Ref} Therefore am I terrified at his presence; When I consider, I am afraid of him.

^{16 Ref} For God hath made my heart faint, And the Almighty hath terrified me;

^{17 Ref} Because I was not cut off before the darkness, Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.

¹ And Job made answer and said,

^{2 Ref} Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

^{9 Ref} 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 Ref} For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold.

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

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

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

^{14 Ref} 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 Ref} For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.

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

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