1But Job answered, and said,
2Though my talk be this day in bitterness, and my plague greater than my groaning,
3Would God yet I knew how to find him, I would enter unto his place.
4I would plead the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5I would know the words, that he would answer me, and would understand what he would say unto me.
6Would he plead against me with his great power? No, but he would put strength in me.
7There the righteous might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my Judge.
8Behold, if I go to the East, he is not there: if to the West, yet I cannot perceive him:
9If to the North where he worketh, yet I cannot see him: he will hide himself in the South, and I cannot behold him.
10But he knoweth my way, and trieth me, and I shall come forth like gold.
11My foot hath followed his steps: his way have I kept, and have not declined:
12Neither have I departed from the commandment of his lips, and I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than mine appointed food.
13Yet he is in one mind, and who can turn him? yea, he doeth what his mind desireth.
14For he will perform that which is decreed of me, and many such things are with him.
15Therefore I am troubled at his presence, and in considering it, I am afraid of him.
16For God hath softened mine heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.
17For I am not cut off in darkness, but he hath hid the darkness from my face.