AB - Job - 23

23:1  Then Job answered and said,

23:2  Yes, I know that pleading is out of my reach; and His hand has been made heavy upon my groaning.

23:3  Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, and come to an end of the matter!

23:4  And I would plead my own cause, and He would fill my mouth with arguments.

23:5  And I would know the remedies which He would speak to me, and I would perceive what He would tell me.

23:6  Though He should come on me in His great strength, then He would not threaten me;

23:7  for truth and reproof are from Him, and He would bring forth my judgment to an end.

23:8  For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know concerning the latter end?

23:9  When He worked on the left hand, then I observed it not: His right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see it.

23:10  For He already knows my way, and He has tried me as gold.

23:11  And I will go forth according to His commandments, for I have kept His ways; and I shall not turn aside from His commandments,

23:12  neither shall I transgress; but I have hid His words in my bosom.

23:13  And if He too has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, for He has both willed a thing and done it.

23:15  (23:14) Therefore am I troubled at Him; and when I was reproved, I thought of Him. (23:15) Therefore let me take good heed before Him: I will consider, and be terrified of Him.

23:16  But the Lord has softened my heart, and the Almighty has troubled me.

23:17  For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered me before my face.