---
title: Joseph Smith Translation (1867 edition)
description: Job from the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), 1867 edition.
authors:
  - Smith, Joseph, Jr.
collections:
  - joseph-smith
tags:
  - translation
published: "1867"
publisher: RLDS Publication Board
publisher_place: Plano, Illinois
publisher_note: "The title page reads: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Joseph Smith, I. L. Rogers, E. Robinson, Publishing Committee; 1867."
edition: First edition (Plano, 1867)
language: en
type: book
chapter: 23
verse_count: 17
reference: "Joseph Smith Jr., *Joseph Smith Translation*, first edition (Plano, IL: RLDS Publication Board, 1867), Job, chap. 23, https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  identifier: holyscripturestr00smituoft
  scan: University of Toronto / Trinity College Library copy, Internet Archive
  transcription: "OCR text of the 1867 scans (Toronto copy and a second copy, holyscriptures00smit), reconciled word by word; Romans was also checked against the page images. Method, per-chapter validation log and known limits: docs/jst-1867-import.md."
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: 1867 US publication
  source: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  publication_year: 1867
---

# Job 23

*Job longeth for God— — God observeth our ways Job's innocency.*

**1** WHEN Job answered and said, 2
**2** Even to-day is my complaint bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
**3** Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
**4** I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
**5** I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
**6** Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
**7** There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
**8** Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him;
**9** On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him; he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him;
**10** But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
**11** My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
**12** Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
**13** But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
**14** For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me; and many such things are with him.
**15** Therefore am I troubled at his presence; when I consider, I am afraid of him.
**16** For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me;
**17** Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.