Job Chapter 23 ESV

1Job longeth to appear before God, 6in confidence of being heard with mercy, and acquitted. 8God, though invisible, observeth our ways. 11Job asserteth his own integrity; 13but the immutable counsel of God troubleth him.
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 “Today also my 1complaint is bitter;a my 2hand is heavy on account of my groaning.
3 Oh, 1that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his 2seat!
4 I would 1lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know what he would answer me and understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he 1contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; he would pay attention to me.
7 There an upright man could argue with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.
8 “Behold, 1I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him;
9 on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
10 But he 1knows 2the way that I 3take; when he has 4tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11 My foot 1has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have 2not turned aside.
12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have 1treasured the words of his mouth more than my 2portion of food.
13 But he is unchangeable,a and 1who can turn him back? What he 2desires, that he does.
14 For he will complete what he 1appoints for me, and many such things are 2in his mind.
15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of him.
16 God has made my 1heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me;
17 yet I am not silenced because of the darkness, nor because thick darkness covers my face.

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