1
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Then Elihu continued: |
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2
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“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning. |
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3
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For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food. |
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4
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Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. |
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5
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For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice. |
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6
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Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ |
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7
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What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water? |
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8
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He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men. |
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9
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For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’ |
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10
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Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly. |
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11
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For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. |
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12
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Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. |
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13
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Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world? |
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14
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If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath, |
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15
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all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. |
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16
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If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. |
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17
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Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One, |
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18
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who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ |
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19
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who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands. |
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20
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They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. |
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21
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For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step. |
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22
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There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide. |
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23
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For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment. |
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24
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He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place. |
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25
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Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. |
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26
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He strikes them for their wickedness in full view, |
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27
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because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways. |
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28
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They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted. |
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29
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But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation, |
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30
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that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people. |
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31
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Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more. |
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32
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Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’ |
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33
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Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know. |
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34
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Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say: |
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35
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‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’ |
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36
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If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man. |
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37
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For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.” |
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