Job 23

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