Job 23

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Then Job answered by saying:	1 Again 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 Though I know my complaint is bitter, his hand is heavy upon me in my groanings.
3 Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and that I may approach even to his throne?	3 Oh, that today I might find him, that I might come to his judgment seat!
4 I would place judgment before his eye, and my mouth would fill with criticism,	4 I would set out my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;
5 so that I may know the words that he will answer me and understand what he will say to me.	5 I would learn the words with which he would answer, and understand what he would reply 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 Even should he contend against me with his great power, yet, would that he himself might heed me!
7 Let him show fairness in response to me, and let my judgment reach to victory.	7 There the upright man might reason with him, and I should once and for all preserve my rights.
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 is not there; or to the west, I cannot perceive 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 Where the north enfolds him, I behold him not; by the south he is veiled, and I see him not.
10 Truly, he knows my way and has tested me like gold that passes through fire.	10 Yet he knows my way; if he proved me, I should come forth as gold.
11 My feet have been following his footsteps; I have kept to his way and have not strayed from it.	11 My foot has always walked in his steps; his way I have kept and have not turned aside.
12 I have not withdrawn from the commands of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hidden in my sinews.	12 From the commands of his lips I have not departed; the words of his mouth I have treasured in my heart.
13 For he is alone, and no one is able to disturb his intention; and whatever his spirit wills, that he accomplishes.	13 But he had decided, and who can say him nay? What he desires, that he does.
14 And when he fulfills his will in me, many other similar ones will also be present with him.	14 For he will carry out what is appointed for me; and many such things may yet be in his mind.
15 And, for this reason, I have been troubled at his presence, and, when I consider him, I am approached by fear.	15 Therefore am I dismayed before him; when I take thought, I fear him.
16 God has weakened my heart, and the Almighty has confused me.	16 Indeed God has made my courage fail; the Almighty has put me in dismay.
17 Yet I have not perished because of the threatening darkness, nor has gloom covered my face.	17 Yes, would that I had vanished in darkness, and that thick gloom were before me to conceal me.