Job Responds: He Longs for God

1Then Job answered and said,

2Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

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

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

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

6Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

7There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

8Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

9On the left hand, where he does work, but I cannot behold him: he hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

10But he knows the way that I take: when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

11My foot has held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

12Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

13But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desires, even that he does.

14For he performes the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

15Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

16For God makes my heart soft, and the Almighty troubles me:

17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither has he covered the darkness from my face.