| 23:1 | And Job made answer and said, |
| 23:2 | Even today my outcry is bitter; his hand is hard on my sorrow. |
| 23:3 | If only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat! |
| 23:4 | I would put my cause in order before him, and my mouth would be full of arguments. |
| 23:5 | I would see what his answers would be, and have knowledge of what he would say to me. |
| 23:6 | Would he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me. |
| 23:7 | There an upright man might put his cause before him; and I would be free for ever from my judge. |
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| 23:8 | See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him; |
| 23:9 | I am looking for him on the left hand, but there is no sign of him; and turning to the right, I am not able to see him. |
| 23:10 | For he has knowledge of the way I take; after I have been tested I will come out like gold. |
| 23:11 | My feet have gone in his steps; I have kept in his way, without turning to one side or to the other. |
| 23:12 | I have never gone against the orders of his lips; the words of his mouth have been stored up in my heart. |
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| 23:13 | But his purpose is fixed and there is no changing it; and he gives effect to the desire of his soul. |
| 23:14 | For what has been ordered for me by him will be gone through to the end: and his mind is full of such designs. |
| 23:15 | For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me. |
| 23:16 | For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all. |
| 23:17 | For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face. |
Ayub 23 - Bible in Basic English
