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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 anything 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. |
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