Chapter 23

1

And Job answereth and saith: --

2

Also -- to-day is my complaint bitter, My hand hath been heavy because of my sighing.

3

O that I had known -- and I find Him, I come in unto His seat,

4

I arrange before Him the cause, And my mouth fill with arguments.

5

I know the words He doth answer me, And understand what He saith to me.

6

In the abundance of power doth He strive with me? No! surely He putteth it in me.

7

There the upright doth reason with Him, And I escape for ever from my judge.

8

Lo, forward I go -- and He is not, And backward -- and I perceive him not.

9

To the left in His working -- and I see not, He is covered on the right, and I behold not.

10

For He hath known the way with me, He hath tried me -- as gold I go forth.

11

On His step hath my foot laid hold, His way I have kept, and turn not aside,

12

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

13

And He is in one mind, And who doth turn Him back? And His soul hath desired -- and He doth it.

14

For He doth complete my portion, And many such things are with Him.

15

Therefore, from His presence I am troubled, I consider, and am afraid of Him.

16

And God hath made my heart soft, And the Mighty hath troubled me.

17

For I have not been cut off before darkness, And before me He covered thick darkness.