Job 23

2 “Even now I know that the reproof is out of my hands,

and his hand has grown heavy on my groaning.

3 Who could show me how to find him,

and how to come to the end of it?

4 I would speak my own case,

and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would learn the words he would say to me,

and take in what he would tell me.

6 Even if he came at me with great strength,

he would not use threats on me.

7 For truth and reproof are with him;

let him bring my case through to the end.

8 For I will go on to what is first, and I am no more;

and what do I know of what comes last?

9 When he was at work on the left, I did not lay hold of him;

he will turn to the right, and I will not see him.

10 For he already knows my way,

and he has tested me like gold.

11 I will go out under his commands;

I have kept his ways and will not turn aside

12 from what he commands, and I will not go past them;

I have hidden his words in my breast.

13 And if he has judged it so,

who is there to answer him back?

For what he willed, he also did.

15 That is why I am in alarm before him;

when I was warned, I gave thought to him.

At this I am seized with alarm before his face;

I will think it over, and I will be afraid of him.

16 The Lord has made my heart soft,

and the Almighty has thrown me into alarm.

17 For I did not know that darkness would come on me,

and thick darkness has covered my face.”