Job 23

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Again Job answered and said:	1 Then Job answered by saying:
2 Though I know my complaint is bitter, his hand is heavy upon me in my groanings.	2 Now again my conversation is in bitterness, and the force of my scourging weighs more heavily on me because of 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 that I may approach even to his throne?
4 I would set out my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;	4 I would place judgment before his eye, and my mouth would fill with criticism,
5 I would learn the words with which he would answer, and understand what he would reply to me.	5 so that I may know the words that he will answer me and understand what he will say to me.
6 Even should he contend against me with his great power, yet, would that he himself might heed me!	6 I do not want him to contend with me with much strength, nor to overwhelm me with the bulk 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 show fairness in response to me, and let my judgment reach to victory.
8 But if I go to the east, he is not there; or to the west, I cannot perceive him;	8 If I go to the east, he does not appear; if I go to the west, I will 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 I turn to the left, what can I do? I will not take hold of him. If I turn myself to the right, I will not see him.
10 Yet he knows my way; if he proved me, I should come forth as gold.	10 Truly, he knows my way and has tested me like gold that passes through fire.
11 My foot has always walked in his steps; his way I have kept and have not turned aside.	11 My feet have been following his footsteps; I have kept to his way and have not strayed 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From the commands of his lips I have not departed; the words of his mouth I have treasured in my heart.	12 I have not withdrawn from the commands of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hidden in my sinews.
13 But he had decided, and who can say him nay? What he desires, that he does.	13 For he is alone, and no one is able to disturb his intention; and whatever his spirit wills, that he accomplishes.
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 fulfills his will in me, many other similar ones will also be present with him.
15 Therefore am I dismayed before him; when I take thought, I fear him.	15 And, for this reason, I have been troubled at his presence, and, when I consider him, I am approached by fear.
16 Indeed God has made my courage fail; the Almighty has put me in dismay.	16 God has weakened my heart, and the Almighty has confused me.
17 Yes, would that I had vanished in darkness, and that thick gloom were before me to conceal me.	17 Yet I have not perished because of the threatening darkness, nor has gloom covered my face.