1Then Job answered:

2“Even today my complaint is still bitter;
his hand is heavy despite my groaning.

3O that I knew where I might find him,
that I could come to his place of residence!

4I would lay out my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.

5I would know with what words he would answer me,
and understand what he would say to me.

6Would he contend with me with great power?
No, he would only pay attention to me.

7There an upright person
could present his case before him,
and I would be delivered forever from my judge.

The Inaccessibility and Power of God

8“If I go to the east, he is not there,
and to the west, yet I do not perceive him.

9In the north when he is at work,
I do not see him;
when he turns to the south,
I see no trace of him.

10But he knows the pathway that I take;
if he tested me, I would come forth like gold.

11My feet have followed his steps closely;
I have kept to his way and have not turned aside.

12I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my allotted portion.

13But he is unchangeable, and who can change him?
Whatever he has desired, he does.

14For he fulfills his decree against me,
and many such things are his plans.

15That is why I am terrified in his presence;
when I consider, I am afraid because of him.

16Indeed, God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me.

17Yet I have not been silent because of the darkness,
because of the thick darkness
that covered my face.