1
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Job continued his discourse: |
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2
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“As surely as God lives, who has deprived me of justice—the Almighty, who has embittered my soul— |
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3
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as long as my breath is still within me and the breath of God remains in my nostrils, |
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4
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my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will not utter deceit. |
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5
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I will never say that you are right; I will maintain my integrity until I die. |
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6
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I will cling to my righteousness and never let go. As long as I live, my conscience will not accuse me. |
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7
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May my enemy be like the wicked and my opponent like the unjust. |
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8
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For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life? |
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9
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Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him? |
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10
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Will he delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times? |
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11
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I will instruct you in the power of God. I will not conceal the ways of the Almighty. |
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12
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Surely all of you have seen it for yourselves. Why then do you keep up this empty talk? |
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13
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This is the wicked man’s portion from God—the heritage the ruthless receive from the Almighty. |
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14
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Though his sons are many, they are destined for the sword; and his offspring will never have enough food. |
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15
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His survivors will be buried by the plague, and their widows will not weep for them. |
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16
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Though he heaps up silver like dust and piles up a wardrobe like clay, |
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17
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what he lays up, the righteous will wear, and his silver will be divided by the innocent. |
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18
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The house he built is like a moth’s cocoon, like a hut set up by a watchman. |
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19
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He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more; when he opens his eyes, all is gone. |
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20
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Terrors overtake him like a flood; a tempest sweeps him away in the night. |
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21
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The east wind carries him away, and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place. |
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22
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It hurls itself against him without mercy as he flees headlong from its power. |
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23
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It claps its hands at him and hisses him out of his place. |
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