THE BOOK OF
JOB

Job 23 ©

Job complains that he is accused of obstinacy, v. 1, etc. Wishes that his cause may be brought before God, 3. Relying upon his good conscience,10. But is terrified with God’s unalterable decree, and great majesty, 13.

1

THEN Job answered and said,

2

1Even to day is my 2complaint 3bitter: 4my stroke is 5heavier than my groaning.

3

6Oh that I knew where I might find 7him! that I might 8come even to his seat!

4

I would 9order 10my cause before him, and fill my mouth 11with arguments.

5

I would know the words which 12he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

6

Will he plead against me 13with his great power? No; but he would 14put strength in me.

7

15There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever 16from my judge.

8

17Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

9

18On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

10

But he knoweth the 19way that I take: when he hath 20tried me, I shall come forth 21as gold.

11

22My foot hath 23held his 24steps, his 25way havea I kept, and not declined.

12

Neither have I gone back from the commandment 26of his lips; I have 27esteemed the words of his mouth more than my 28necessary food.

13

29But he is in 30one mind, and who can turn him? andbwhat 31his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

14

For he performeth 32the thing that is appointed for me: and many such 33things are with him.

15

Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when 34I consider, I am afraid of him.

16

For God maketh my heart 35soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

17

Because I was not 36cut off 37before the darkness, neither hath 38he covered 39the darkness 40from my face.