Job Longs for God

1Then Job (hated) answered:

2“Even today my complaint is bitter.

His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

3If only I knew where to find Him,

so that I could go to His seat.

4I would plead my case before Him

and fill my mouth with arguments.

5I would learn how He would answer,

and consider what He would say.

6Would He contend with me in His great power?

No, He would certainly take note of me.

7Then an upright man could reason with Him,

and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

8If I go east, He is not there,

and if I go west, I cannot find Him.

9When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him;

when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.

10Yet He knows the way I have taken;

when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

11My feet have followed in His tracks;

I have kept His way without turning aside.

12I have not departed from the command of His lips;

I have treasured the words of His mouth

more than my daily bread.

13But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him?

He does what He desires.

14For He carries out His decree against me,

and He has many such plans.

15Therefore I am terrified in His presence;

when I consider this, I fear Him.

16God has made my heart faint;

the Almighty has terrified me.

17Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,

by the thick darkness that covers my face.