1Then Job answered and said,
2Yea, I know that pleading is out of my reach; And his hand has been made heavy upon my groaning.
3Who would then know that I might find him, And come to an end of the matter?
4And I would plead my own cause, And he would fill my mouth with arguments.
5And I would know the remedies which he would speak to me, And I would perceive what he would tell me.
6Though he should come on me in his great strength, Then he would not threaten me;
7For truth and reproof are from him; And he would bring forth my judgment to an end.
8For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, Still what do I know concerning the latter end?
9When he wrought on the left hand, then I observed it not: His right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see it.
10For he knows already my way; And he has tried me as gold.
11And I will go forth according to his commandments, For I have kept his ways; and I shall not turn aside from his commandments,
12Neither shall I transgress; But I have hidden his words in my bosom.
13And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, For he has both willed a thing and done it.
15Therefore am I troubled at him; And when I was reproved, I thought of him. a Therefore let me take good heed before him: I will consider, and be afraid of him.
16But the Lord has softened my heart, And the Almighty has troubled me.
17For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, And thick darkness has covered me before my face.