2 “Even today my complaint is bitter;

my hand * Some copies have: his hand is heavy because of my groaning.

3 Oh, that I knew where I might find him!

Oh, that I might come to his place!

4 I would lay my case in order before him

and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would learn the words with which he would answer me

and would understand what he would say to me.

6 Would he argue against me in the greatness of his power?

No, he would pay attention to me.

7 There the upright person might argue with him.

In this way I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

8 See, I go eastward, but he is not there,

and westward, but I cannot perceive him.

9 To the north, where he is at work, but I cannot see him,

and to the south, where he hides himself so that I cannot see him.

10 But he knows the way that I take;

when he has tested me, I will come out like gold.

11 My foot has held fast to his steps;

I have kept to his way and turned not aside.

12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips;

I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.

13 But he is one of a kind, who can turn him back?

What he desires, he does.

14 For he carries out his decree against me;

there are many like them.

15 Therefore, I am terrified in his presence;

when I think about him, I am afraid of him.

16 For God has made my heart weak;

the Almighty has terrified me.

17 I have not been brought to an end by darkness,

because of the thick darkness that covers the gloom of my face.