Job longeth for God -- God observeth our ways -- Job's innocency.

¹⁾Then Job answered and said,

²⁾Even today is my complaint bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

³⁾Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!

⁴⁾I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

⁵⁾I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

⁶⁾Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

⁷⁾There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered forever from my judge.

⁸⁾Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him;

⁹⁾On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him; he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him;

¹⁰⁾But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

¹¹⁾My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

¹²⁾Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

¹³⁾But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

¹⁴⁾For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me; and many such things are with him.

¹⁵⁾Therefore am I troubled at his presence; when I consider, I am afraid of him.

¹⁶⁾For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me;

¹⁷⁾Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.