Job, 23

¹ And Job proceeded to answer and say:

² “Even today my state of concern is rebelliousness; My own hand is heavy on account of my sighing.

³ O that I really knew where I might find him! I would come clear to his fixed place.

⁴ I would present before^*1 him a case of justice, And my mouth I would fill with counterarguments;

⁵ I would know the words with which he answers me, And I would consider what he says to me.

⁶ Would he with an abundance of power contend with me? O no! Surely he himself would pay heed to me.

⁷ There the upright one himself will certainly set matters straight with him, And I would go safe forever from my judge.^*1

⁸ Look! To the east I go, and he is not there; And back again, and I cannot discern him;

¹⁰ For he well knows the way I take. [After] he has tested me out, I shall come forth as gold itself.

¹¹ Of his steps^*1 my foot has laid hold; His way I have kept, and I do not deviate.

¹² [From] the commandment of his lips I do not move away. I have treasured up the sayings of his mouth more than what is prescribed for me.

¹³ And he is in one [mind], and who can resist him? And his own soul has a desire, and he will do [it].

¹⁴ For he will carry out completely what is prescribed for me, And things like these are many with him.

¹⁵ That is why I feel disturbed because of him; I show myself attentive and am in dread of him.

¹⁶ Even God^*1 himself has made my heart timid, And the Almighty himself has disturbed me.

¹⁷ For I have not been put to silence because of darkness, Nor because gloom has covered my own face.