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 Then Job answered,

^{2 Ref} "Even today is my complaint rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of 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 tell me.

^{6 Ref} Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

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

^{8 Ref} "If I go east, he is not there; If west, I can't find him;

^{9 Ref} He works to the north, but I can't see him; He turns south, but I can't catch a glimpse of him.

^{10 Ref} But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come forth like gold.

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

^{12 Ref} I haven't 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 stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

^{14 Ref} For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

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

^{16 Ref} For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

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