¹Then Job answered,

• ²“Even today my complaint is rebellious.
• His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

• ³Oh that I knew where I might find him!
• That I might come even to his seat!

• ⁴I would set my cause in order before him,
• and fill my mouth with arguments.

• ⁵I would know the words which he would answer me,
• and understand what he would tell me.

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

• ⁷There the upright might reason with him,
• so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

• ⁸“If I go east, he is not there;
• if west, I can’t find him;

• ⁹He works to the north, but I can’t see him.
• He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

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

• ¹¹My foot has held fast to his steps.
• I have kept his way, and not turned aside.

• ¹²I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips.
• I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

• ¹³But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?
• What his soul desires, even that he does.

• ¹⁴For he performs that which is appointed for me.
• Many such things are with him.

• ¹⁵Therefore I am terrified at his presence.
• When I consider, I am afraid of him.

• ¹⁶For God has made my heart faint.
• The Almighty has terrified me.

• ¹⁷Because I was not cut off before the darkness,
• neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.