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Job Talks

¹ Then Job answered, ² "Even today my complaining is bitter. His hand is heavy even when I cry inside myself. ³ If only I knew where to find Him, that I might go where He is! ⁴ I would tell Him how things are with me, and my mouth would be ready to argue. ⁵ I would know His answer, and could think about what He would say to me. ⁶ Would He go against me using His great power? No, He would listen to me. ⁷ There a man who is right could reason with Him. And I would be set free by my Judge.

⁸ "See, I go east, but He is not there. I go west, but I cannot see Him. ⁹ When He works to the left, I cannot see Him. When He turns to the right, I cannot see Him. ¹⁰ But He knows the way that I take. When He has tried me, I will come out as gold. ¹¹ My foot has kept close to His steps. I have kept His way and have not turned aside. ¹² I have not turned away from the words of His lips. I have stored up the words of His mouth. They are worth more to me than the food I need. ¹³ But He cannot be changed. Who can go against Him? He does whatever He wants. ¹⁴ For He does what He has planned for me, and many such things are in His mind. ¹⁵ So I am afraid to be with Him. When I think about it, I am very afraid of Him. ¹⁶ God has made my heart weak. The All-powerful has filled me with fear. ¹⁷ But I am not made quiet by the darkness or the deep shadow which covers my face.