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[1]Behold, mine eye has seen these things, and mine ear has heard them. |
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[2]And I know all that ye too know; and I have not less understanding than you. |
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[3]Nevertheless I will speak to the Lord, and I will reason before him, if he will. |
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[4]But ye are all bad physicians, and healers of diseases. |
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[5]But would that ye were silent, and it would be wisdom to you in the end. |
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[6]But hear ye the reasoning of my mouth, and attend to the judgment of my lips. |
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[7]Do ye not speak before the Lord, and utter deceit before him? |
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[8]Or will ye draw back? nay do, ye yourselves be judges. |
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[9]For it were well if he would thoroughly search you: for though doing all things in your power ye should attach yourselves to him, |
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[10]he will not reprove you at all the less: but if moreover ye should secretly respect persons, |
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[11]shall not his whirlpool sweep you round, and terror from him fall upon you? |
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[12]And your glorying shall prove in the end to you like ashes, and your body like a body of clay. |
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[13]Be silent, that I may speak, and cease from mine anger, |
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[14]while I may take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand. |
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[15]Though the Mighty One should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has begun, verily I will speak, and plead before him. |
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[16]And this shall turn to me for salvation; for fraud shall have no entrance before him. |
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[17]Hear, hear ye my words, for I will declare in your hearing. |
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[18]Behold, I am near my judgment: I know that I shall appear evidently just. |
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[19]For who is he that shall plead with me, that I should now be silent, and expire? |
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[20]But grant me two things: then I will not hide myself from thy face. |
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[21]Withhold thine hand from me: and let not thy fear terrify me. |
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[22]Then shalt thou call, and I will hearken to thee: or thou shalt speak, and I will give thee an answer. |
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[23]How many are my sins and my transgressions? teach me what they are. |
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[24]Wherefore hidest thou thyself from me, and deemest me thine enemy? |
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[25]Wilt thou be startled at me, as at a leaf shaken by the wind? or wilt thou set thyself against me as against grass borne upon the breeze? |
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[26]for thou hast written evil things against me, and thou hast compassed me with the sins of my youth. |
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[27]And thou hast placed my foot in the stocks; and thou hast watched all my works, and hast penetrated my heels. |
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[28]I am as that which waxes old like a bottle, or like a moth-eaten garment. |