1Then Job answered and said:

2Still is my complaint bitter; But my wound is deeper than my groaning.

3O that I knew where I might find him! That I might go before his throne!

4I would order my cause before him, And fill my mouth with arguments;

5I should know what he would answer me, And understand what he would say to me.

6Would he contend with me with his mighty power? No! he would have regard to me.

7Then would an upright man contend with him, And I should be fully acquitted by my judge.

8But, behold, I go eastward, and he is not there; And westward, but I cannot perceive him;

9To the north, where he worketh, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the south, and I cannot see him.

10But he knoweth the way which is in my heart; When he trieth me, I shall come forth as gold.

11My feet have trodden in his steps; His way I have kept, and have not turned aside from it.

12I have not neglected the precepts of his lips; Above my own law have I esteemed the words of his mouth.

13But he is of one mind, and who can turn him? And what he desireth, that he doeth.

14He performeth that which is appointed for me; And many such things are in his mind!

15Therefore I am in terror on account of him; When I consider, I am afraid of him.

16For God maketh my heart faint; Yea, the Almighty terrifieth me;

17Because I was not taken away before darkness came, And he hath not hidden darkness from mine eyes.