23Job 23

CHAP. XXIII. / 1 Iob longeth to appeare before God, 6 in confidence of his mercie. 8 God who is inuisible, obserueth our wayes. 11 Iobs innocencie. 13 Gods decree is immutable.

1Then Iob answered, and said,Select Job 23:1

2Euen to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heauier then my groning.Select Job 23:2

3O that I knewe where I might find him! that I might come euen to his seate!Select Job 23:3

4I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.Select Job 23:4

5I would know the words which he would answere me, and vnderstand what he would say vnto me.Select Job 23:5

6Will he plead against me with his great power? No, but hee would put strength in me.Select Job 23:6

7There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be deliuered for euer from my Iudge.Select Job 23:7

8Behold, I goe forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceiue him:Select Job 23:8

9On the left hand where hee doeth worke, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himselfe on the right hand, that I cannot see him.Select Job 23:9

10But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.Select Job 23:10

11My foot hath held his steps, his way haue I kept, and not declined.Select Job 23:11

12Neither haue I gone backe from the commaundement of his lippes, I haue esteemed the words of his mouth more then my necessary food.Select Job 23:12

13But hee is in one minde, and who can turne him? and what his soule desireth, euen that he doeth.Select Job 23:13

14For he performeth the thing that is appointed for mee: and many such things are with him.Select Job 23:14

15Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.Select Job 23:15

16For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:Select Job 23:16

17Because I was not cut off before the darknes, neither hath he couered the darknes from my face.Select Job 23:17