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 answereth and saith: --

^{2 Ref} Also -- to-day `is' my complaint bitter, My hand hath been heavy because of my sighing.

^{3 Ref} O that I had known -- and I find Him, I come in unto His seat,

^{4 Ref} I arrange before Him the cause, And my mouth fill `with' arguments.

^{5 Ref} I know the words He doth answer me, And understand what He saith to me.

^{6 Ref} In the abundance of power doth He strive with me? No! surely He putteth `it' in me.

^{7 Ref} There the upright doth reason with Him, And I escape for ever from my judge.

^{8 Ref} Lo, forward I go -- and He is not, And backward -- and I perceive him not.

^{9 Ref} `To' the left in His working -- and I see not, He is covered `on' the right, and I behold not.

^{10 Ref} For He hath known the way with me, He hath tried me -- as gold I go forth.

^{11 Ref} On His step hath my foot laid hold, His way I have kept, and turn not aside,

^{12 Ref} The command of His lips, and I depart not. Above my allotted portion I have laid up The sayings of His mouth.

^{13 Ref} And He `is' in one `mind', And who doth turn Him back? And His soul hath desired -- and He doth `it'.

^{14 Ref} For He doth complete my portion, And many such things `are' with Him.

^{15 Ref} Therefore, from His presence I am troubled, I consider, and am afraid of Him.

^{16 Ref} And God hath made my heart soft, And the Mighty hath troubled me.

^{17 Ref} For I have not been cut off before darkness, And before me He covered thick darkness.