The Book of Job

And Job answers and says:

“Also—today my complaint [is] bitter, || My hand has been heavy because of my sighing.

O that I had known—and I find Him, || I come to His seat,

I arrange the cause before Him, || And fill my mouth [with] arguments.

I know the words He answers me, || And understand what He says to me.

Does He strive with me in the abundance of power? No! Surely He puts [it] in me.

There the upright reason with Him, || And I escape from mine who is judging—forever.

Behold, I go forward—and He is not, || And backward—and I do not perceive Him.

[To] the left in His working—and I do not see, || He is covered [on] the right, and I do not behold.

For He has known the way with me, || He has tried me—I go forth as gold.

My foot has laid hold on His step, || I have kept His way, and do not turn aside,

The command of His lips, and I do not depart. I have laid up above my allotted portion || The sayings of His mouth.

And He [is] in one [mind], || And who turns Him back? And His soul has desired—and He does [it].

For He completes my portion, || And many such things [are] with Him.

Therefore, I am troubled at His presence, I consider, and am afraid of Him.

And God has made my heart soft, || And the Mighty has troubled me.

For I have not been cut off before darkness, || And before me He covered thick darkness.”

Then Job answered,

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

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

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

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

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

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

“If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.

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

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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