1: Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken
to all my words. |
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2: Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in
my mouth. |
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3:
My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips
shall utter knowledge clearly. |
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4: The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty
hath given me life. |
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5: If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me,
stand up. |
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6: Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am
formed out of the clay. |
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7: Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my
hand be heavy upon thee. |
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8: Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the
voice of thy words, saying, |
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9: I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is
there iniquity in me. |
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10: Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for
his enemy, |
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11: He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
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12: Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that
God is greater than man. |
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13: Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account
of any of his matters. |
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14: For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
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15: In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth
upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; |
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16: Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their
instruction, |
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17: That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride
from man. |
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18: He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from
perishing by the sword. |
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19: He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the
multitude of his bones with strong pain: |
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20: So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
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21: His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his
bones that were not seen stick out. |
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22: Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to
the destroyers. |
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23: If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a
thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: |
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24: Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from
going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. |
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25: His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to
the days of his youth: |
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26: He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him:
and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his
righteousness. |
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27: He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and
perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; |
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28: He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his
life shall see the light. |
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29: Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
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30: To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with
the light of the living |
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31: Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will
speak. |
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32: If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire
to justify thee. |
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33: If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach
thee wisdom. |