Job 23

₁Job said:

₂Today I complain bitterly,

because God has been cruel

and made me suffer.

₃If I knew where to find God,

I would go there

₄and argue my case.

₅Then I would discover

what he wanted to say.

₆Would he overwhelm me

with his greatness?

No! He would listen

₇because I am innocent,

and he would say,

“I now set you free!”

₈I cannot find God anywhere—

in front of or behind me,

₉to my left or my right.

God is always at work,

though I never see him.

₁₀But he knows what I am doing,

and when he tests me,

I will be pure as gold.

_11-12I have never refused to follow

any of his commands,

and I have always treasured

his teachings.

₁₃But he alone is God,

and who can oppose him?

God does as he pleases,

₁₄and he will do exactly

what he intends with me.

_15-16Merely the thought

of God All-Powerful

makes me tremble with fear.

₁₇God has covered me

with darkness,

but I refuse to be silent.