Job 23

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Again Job answered and said:	1 Then Job answered, and said:
2 Though I know my complaint is bitter, his hand is heavy upon me in my groanings.	2 Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.
3 Oh, that today I might find him, that I might come to his judgment seat!	3 Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?
4 I would set out my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;	4 I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.
5 I would learn the words with which he would answer, and understand what he would reply to me.	5 That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
6 Even should he contend against me with his great power, yet, would that he himself might heed me!	6 I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.
7 There the upright man might reason with him, and I should once and for all preserve my rights.	7 Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.
8 But if I go to the east, he is not there; or to the west, I cannot perceive him;	8 But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.
9 Where the north enfolds him, I behold him not; by the south he is veiled, and I see him not.	9 If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.
10 Yet he knows my way; if he proved me, I should come forth as gold.	10 But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:
11 My foot has always walked in his steps; his way I have kept and have not turned aside.	11 My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.
12 From the commands of his lips I have not departed; the words of his mouth I have treasured in my heart.	12 I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.
13 But he had decided, and who can say him nay? What he desires, that he does.	13 For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.
14 For he will carry out what is appointed for me; and many such things may yet be in his mind.	14 And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.
15 Therefore am I dismayed before him; when I take thought, I fear him.	15 And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.
16 Indeed God has made my courage fail; the Almighty has put me in dismay.	16 God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.
17 Yes, would that I had vanished in darkness, and that thick gloom were before me to conceal me.	17 For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.