Job. Chapter 23. Then Job answered and said, Yea, I know that pleading is out of my reach; And his hand has been made heavy upon my groaning. Who would then know that I might find him, And come to an end of the matter? And I would plead my own cause, And he would fill my mouth with arguments. And I would know the remedies which he would speak to me, And I would perceive what he would tell me. Though he should come on me in his great strength, Then he would not threaten me; For truth and reproof are from him; And he would bring forth my judgment to an end. For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, Still what do I know concerning the latter end? When he wrought on the left hand, then I observed it not: His right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see it. For he knows already my way; And he has tried me as gold. And I will go forth according to his commandments, For I have kept his ways; and I shall not turn aside from his commandments, Neither shall I transgress; But I have hidden his words in my bosom. And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, For he has both willed a thing and done it. Therefore am I troubled at him; And when I was reproved, I thought of him. Therefore let me take good heed before him: I will consider, and be afraid of him. But the Lord has softened my heart, And the Almighty has troubled me. For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, And thick darkness has covered me before my face.