Job 23

¹ Job spoke next. He said:

² My lament is stil rebellious; despite my groans, his hand is just as heavy.

³ Wil no one help me to know how to travel to his dwel ing?

⁴ I should set out my case to him, advancing any number of grievances.

⁵ Then I could learn his defence, every word of it, taking note of everything he said to me.

⁶ Would he put al his strength into this debate with me? No, he would only have to give his attention tome,

⁷ to recognise his opponent as upright and so I should win my case for ever.

⁸ If I go to the east, he is not there; or to the west, I stil cannot see him.

⁹ If I seek him in the north, he is not to be found, invisible as ever, if I turn to the south.

¹⁰ And yet he knows every step I take! Let him test me in the crucible: I shall come out pure gold.

¹¹ My footsteps have fol owed close in his, I have walked in his way without swerving;

¹² I have not neglected the commandment of his lips, in my heart I have cherished the words of hismouth.

¹³ But once he has made up his mind, who can change it? Whatever he plans, that he carries out.

¹⁴ No doubt, then, but he wil carry out my sentence, like so many other decrees that he has made.

¹⁵ That is why I am ful of fear before him, and the more I think, the greater grows my dread of him.

¹⁶ God has undermined my courage, Shaddai has filled me with fear.

¹⁷ The darkness having failed to destroy me, I am plunged back into obscurity by him!