1
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'However, Job, Please hear my speech, And listen to all my words. |
2
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See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth. |
3
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My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart; That which my lips know they shall speak sincerely. |
4
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The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. |
5
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If you can, answer me; Set your words in order before me, and stand forth. |
6
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Behold, I am toward God even as you are: I am also formed out of the clay. |
7
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Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, Neither shall my pressure be heavy on you. |
8
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'Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying, |
9
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'I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me: |
10
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Behold, he finds occasions against me, He counts me for his enemy: |
11
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He puts my feet in the stocks, He marks all my paths.' |
12
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'Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just; For God is greater than man. |
13
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Why do you strive against him, Because he doesn't give account of any of his matters? |
14
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For God speaks once, Yes twice, though man pays no attention. |
15
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In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls on men, In slumbering on the bed; |
16
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Then he opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction, |
17
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That he may withdraw man from his purpose, And hide pride from man. |
18
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He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from perishing by the sword. |
19
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He is chastened also with pain on his bed, With continual strife in his bones; |
20
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So that his life abhors bread, And his soul dainty food. |
21
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His flesh is so consumed away, that it can't be seen; His bones that were not seen stick out. |
22
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Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, And his life to the destroyers. |
23
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'If there is beside him an angel, An interpreter, one among a thousand, To show to man what is right for him; |
24
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Then God is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.' |
25
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His flesh shall be fresher than a child's; He returns to the days of his youth. |
26
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He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, So that he sees his face with joy: He restores to man his righteousness. |
27
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He sings before men, and says, 'I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it didn't profit me. |
28
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He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit, My life shall see the light.' |
29
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'Behold, God works all these things, Twice, yes three times, with a man, |
30
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To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of the living. |
31
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Mark well, Job, and listen to me: Hold your peace, and I will speak. |
32
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If you have anything to say, answer me: Speak, for I desire to justify you. |
33
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If not, listen to me: Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.' |