Job 23

World English Bible

Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)

1Then Job answered,

1Then Job answered, and said:

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

2Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning.

3Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

3Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?

4I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

4I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

5I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

5That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

6Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

6I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.

7There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

7Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

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

8But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him.

9He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

9If 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.

10But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

10But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire:

11My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.

11My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it.

12I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

12I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

13But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

13For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.

14For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

14And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

15Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.

15And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear.

16For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.

16God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.

17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.

17For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.

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