Job 23

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Then Job answered, and said:	1 Again Job answered and said:
2 Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than 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 come even to his throne?	3 Oh, that today I might find him, that I might come to his judgment seat!
4 I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.	4 I would set out my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;
5 That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.	5 I would learn the words with which he would answer, and understand what he would reply to me.
6 I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight 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 propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.	7 There the upright man might reason with him, and I should once and for all preserve my rights.
8 But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall 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 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.	9 Where the north enfolds him, I behold him not; by the south he is veiled, and I see him not.
10 But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:	10 Yet he knows my way; if he proved me, I should come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined 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 departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.	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 man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.	13 But he had decided, and who can say him nay? What he desires, that he does.
14 And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand 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 therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.	15 Therefore am I dismayed before him; when I take thought, I fear him.
16 God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.	16 Indeed God has made my courage fail; the Almighty has put me in dismay.
17 For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.	17 Yes, would that I had vanished in darkness, and that thick gloom were before me to conceal me.