1 Job longeth to appear before God, 6 in confidence of being heard with mercy, and acquitted. 8 God, though invisible, observeth our ways. 11 Job asserteth his own integrity; 13 but the immutable counsel of God troubleth him.
1. Then Job answered and said,
2. Even ato day is my complaint bbitter: my 1stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3. cOh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
4. I dwould order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5. I ewould know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
6. fWill he plead against me gwith his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
7. hThere the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8. Behold, iI go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9. On 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 jhe knoweth 2the way that I take: when he khath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11. My lfoot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not *declined.
12. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; m3I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than 4my nnecessary food.
13. But he is in one mind, and owho can turn him? and what phis soul desireth, even that he doeth.
14. For he performeth the thing that is qappointed for me: and rmany such things are with him.
15. Therefore sam I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
16. For God tmaketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
17. Because I was not cut off ubefore the vdarkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.
Then Job answered and said, Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge. Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.