| 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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