1 "Behold, my eye has seen all this, My ear has heard and understood it.
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2 What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.
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3 "Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.
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4 But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.
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5 Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.
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6 Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.
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7 Will you speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?
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8 Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?
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9 Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?
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10 He will surely reprove you If you secretly show partiality.
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11 Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall on you?
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12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.
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13 "Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.
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14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?
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15 Behold, he will kill me; I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
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16 This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.
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17 Hear diligently my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.
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18 See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.
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19 Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.
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20 "Only don't do two things to me; Then I will not hide myself from your face:
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21 Withdraw your hand far from me; And don't let your terror make me afraid.
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22 Then call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and you answer me.
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23 How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.
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24 Why hide you your face, And hold me for your enemy?
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25 Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?
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26 For you write bitter things against me, And make me inherit the iniquities of my youth:
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27 You also put my feet in the stocks, And mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet:
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28 Though I am decaying like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.
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