1And Job answered and said,

2"Even today is my complaint bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

3Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat!

4I would lay my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me.

6Will He contend against me with His great power? No, surely He would give heed to me.

7There the righteous might reason with Him; and I would be acquitted from my Judge forever.

8Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot see Him;

9On the left hand, where He works, but I cannot behold Him. He turns to the right, but I cannot see Him.

10But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

11My foot has held fast in His steps; I have kept His way, and have not turned aside;

12Nor have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I treasured up the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

13But He is of one mind, and who can turn Him? Yea, what He Himself desires, even that He does.

14For He performs the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with Him.

15Therefore I am terrified at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.

16For God makes my heart weak, and the Almighty terrifies me;

17Because I was not cut off by the darkness; nor by the thick darkness covering my face."