2 “Even today my musing is rebellion; 23:2As in Gr and Syr; M.T. My His hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3 “Oh that I knew where I might find Him,That I might come to His seat!
4 “I would arrangemy case forjustice before HimAnd fill my mouth with arguments.
5 “I would know the wordswhichHe would 23:5 Lit answer me answer,And discern what He would say to me.
6 “Would He contend with me by the greatness ofHispower?No, surely He would pay attention to me.
7 “There the upright would argue with Him;And I 23:7 Or bring forth my justice forever would have escaped forever from my Judge.
8 ¶“Behold, I go forward but He is notthere,And backward, but I cannot discern Him;
9 When He acts on the left, I cannot beholdHim;He turns on the right, I cannot see Him.
10 “But He knows the 23:10 Lit way with me way I take;WhenHe has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 “My foot has held fast to His path;I have kept His way and not turned aside.
12 “I have not departed from the command of His lips;I have treasured the words of His mouth 23:12Some versions in my breast more than my 23:12Lit statute portionof food.
13 “But He is unique and who can turn Him?AndwhatHis soul desires, that He does.
14 “For He performs what is apportioned for me,And many suchdecreesare with Him.
15 “Therefore, I would be dismayed at His presence;I carefully consider, and I am in dread of Him.
16 “It isGodwhohas made my heart faint,And the Almightywhohas dismayed me,
17 But I am not silenced by the darkness,Nor thick darknesswhichcovers me.