1 Then Job answered: 2 “I am still complaining today. Why? Because I am still suffering. 3 I wish I knew where to find God. I wish I knew how to go to God! 4 I would explain to God my story. My mouth would be full of arguments to show I am innocent. 5 I want to know how God would answer my arguments. I want to understand God’s answers. 6 Would God use his power against me? No, he would listen to me! 7 I am an honest man. God would let me tell my story. Then my Judge would set me free! 8 “But if I go to the east, God is not there. If I go to the west, I still don’t see God. 9 When God is working in the north, I don’t see him. When God turns to the south, I still don’t see him. 10 But God knows me. He is testing me and he will see that I am as pure as gold. 11 I have always lived the way God wants. I have never stopped following God. 12 I always obey God’s commands. I love the words from God’s mouth more than I love my food. 13 “But God never changes. No person can stand against God. God does anything he wants. 14 God will do what he planned to me. And he has many other plans for me. 15 That is why I am afraid of God. I understand these things. That is why I am afraid of God. 16 God makes my heart weak, and I lose my courage. God All-Powerful makes me afraid. 17 The bad things that happened to me are like a black cloud over my face. But that darkness won’t keep me quiet.
