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 to 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 forever from my judge. ⁸ See, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him ⁹ On the left hand, where he does work, but I cannot see him: he hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see [him] ¹⁰ But he know the way that I take: when he has tried me, I will come forward as gold. ¹¹ My foot has 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 desires, even that he does. ¹⁴ For he performs 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 makes my heart soft, and the Almighty troubles me ¹⁷ Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither has he covered the darkness from my face.