Job 23

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Then Job answered and said,	1 Again Job answered and said:
2 Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.	2 Though I know my complaint is bitter, his hand is heavy upon me in my groanings.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!	3 Oh, that today I might find him, that I might come to his judgment seat!
4 I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.	4 I would set out my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;
5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.	5 I would learn the words with which he would answer, and understand what he would reply to me.
6 Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.	6 Even should he contend against me with his great power, yet, would that he himself might heed me!
7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.	7 There the upright man might reason with him, and I should once and for all preserve my rights.
8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:	8 But if I go to the east, he is not there; or to the west, 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:	9 Where the north enfolds him, I behold him not; by the south he is veiled, and I see him not.
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.	10 Yet he knows my way; if he proved me, I should come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.	11 My foot has always walked in his steps; his way I have kept and have not turned aside.
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.	12 From the commands of his lips I have not departed; the words of his mouth I have treasured in my heart.
13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.	13 But he had decided, and who can say him nay? What he desires, that he does.
14 For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.	14 For he will carry out what is appointed for me; and many such things may yet be in his mind.
15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.	15 Therefore am I dismayed before him; when I take thought, I fear him.
16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:	16 Indeed God has made my courage fail; the Almighty has put me in dismay.
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.	17 Yes, would that I had vanished in darkness, and that thick gloom were before me to conceal me.