(KJV) Job 23¹

⥃Job Longs for God

[1] Then Job answered and said, [2] Even to day [is] my complaint² bitter: my stroke³ is heavier⁴ than my groaning. [3] Oh that⁵ I knew where⁶ I might find him! [that] I might⁷ come [even] to his seat! [4] I would order⁸ [my] cause before him, and fill my mouth⁹ with arguments. [5] I would know¹⁰ the words [which] he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. [6] Will he plead¹¹ against me with [his] great power? No; but he would¹² put [strength] in me. [7] There¹³ the righteous might dispute with him; so should¹⁴ I be delivered for ever from my judge. [8] Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:¹⁵ [9] On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him]: he hideth himself¹⁶ on the right hand, that I cannot see [him]: [10] But he knoweth¹⁷ the way that I take¹⁸: [when] he hath¹⁹ tried me, I shall²⁰ come forth as gold. [11] My foot²¹ hath held his steps, his way²² have I kept, and not declined. [12] Neither²³ have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed²⁴ the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food²⁵]. [13] But he [is] in one [mind], and who can²⁶ turn him? and [what²⁷] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth. [14] For he performeth [the thing that is] appointed²⁸ for me: and many such²⁹ [things are] with him. [15] Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.³⁰ [16] For God³¹ maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty³² troubleth me: [17] Because I was not cut off³³ before the darkness, [neither] hath he covered the darkness from³⁴ my face.