Job 23

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Then Job answered by saying:	1 Then Job answered, and said:
2 Now again my conversation is in bitterness, and the force of my scourging weighs more heavily on me because of my mourning.	2 Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.
3 Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and that I may approach even to his throne?	3 Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?
4 I would place judgment before his eye, and my mouth would fill with criticism,	4 I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.
5 so that I may know the words that he will answer me and understand what he will say to me.	5 That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
6 I do not want him to contend with me with much strength, nor to overwhelm me with the bulk of his greatness.	6 I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.
7 Let him show fairness in response to me, and let my judgment reach to victory.	7 Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.
8 If I go to the east, he does not appear; if I go to the west, I will not understand him.	8 But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.
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.	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 Truly, he knows my way and has tested me like gold that passes through fire.	10 But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:
11 My feet have been following his footsteps; I have kept to his way and have not strayed from it.	11 My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.
12 I have not withdrawn from the commands of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hidden in my sinews.	12 I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.
13 For he is alone, and no one is able to disturb his intention; and whatever his spirit wills, that he accomplishes.	13 For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.
14 And when he fulfills his will in me, many other similar ones will also be present with him.	14 And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.
15 And, for this reason, I have been troubled at his presence, and, when I consider him, I am approached by fear.	15 And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.
16 God has weakened my heart, and the Almighty has confused me.	16 God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.
17 Yet I have not perished because of the threatening darkness, nor has gloom covered my face.	17 For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.