¹ Then Job answered and said,

² Even to day is my complaint bitter:
My stroke is heavier than my groaning.
³ Oh that I knew where I might find him!
That I might come even to his seat!
⁴ I would order my cause before him,
And fill my mouth with arguments.
⁵ I would know the words which he would answer me,
And understand what he would say unto me.
⁶ Will he plead against me with his great power?
No; but he would put strength in me.
⁷ There the righteous might dispute with him;
So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

⁸ Behold, I go forward, but he is not there;
And backward, but I cannot perceive him:
⁹ On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him:
He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
¹⁰ But he knoweth the way that I take:
When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
¹¹ My foot hath held his steps,
His way have I kept, and not declined.
¹² Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips;
I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
¹³ But he is in one mind, and who can turn him?
And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
¹⁴ For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me:
And many such things are with him.
¹⁵ Therefore am I troubled at his presence:
When I consider, I am afraid of him.
¹⁶ For God maketh my heart soft,
And the Almighty troubleth me:
¹⁷ Because I was not cut off before the darkness,
Neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.