1. Then Job answered:
2. “Even today my complaint is rebellious; His hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3. If only I knew where to find Him; if only I could go to His dwelling.
4. I would lay out my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.
5. I would know with what words He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me.
6. Would He oppose me with great power? No, He would only pay attention to me.
7. There the upright can reason with Him, and there I would forever be delivered from my Judge.
8. But, if I go to the east, He is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find Him.
9. When He is in the north, I cannot perceive Him; When He turns south, I do not see Him.
10. Yet He knows the way that I take; if He tested me, I would come out as gold.
11. My foot has held closely to His steps; I have kept to His way and have not strayed.
12. I have not departed from the commands of His lips. I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.
13. He is unchangeable, and who can change Him? Whatever His soul desires, He does.
14. For He fulfills the decree against me, and many such things are with Him.
15. That is why I am terrified at His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.
16. God has made my heart faint; Shaddai has terrified me.
17. Yet I am not silenced because of the darkness, nor by the thick darkness that covers my face.”