The Book of Job

Then Job answered:

“Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.

I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.

Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.

Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.

When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.

Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside.

I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.

But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.

For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.

Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.

God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.

Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.

Then Job answered,

“Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

“If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.

He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.