125 lines
3.1 KiB
Markdown
125 lines
3.1 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 34
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1. Then Elihu continued, saying:
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2. Hear my words, you wise ones,
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and listen to me, you knowledgeable ones.
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3. Doesn't the ear test words
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as the palate tastes food?
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4. Let us judge for ourselves what is right;
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let us decide together what is good.
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5. For Job has declared, "I am righteous,
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yet God has deprived me of justice.
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6. Would I lie about my case?
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My wound is incurable,
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though I am without transgression."
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7. What man is like Job?
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He drinks derision like water.
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8. He keeps company with evildoers
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and walks with wicked men.
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9. For he has said, "A man gains nothing
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when he becomes God's friend."
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10. Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding.
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It is impossible for God to do wrong,
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and for the Almighty to act unjustly.
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11. For he repays a person according to his deeds,
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and he gives him what his conduct deserves.
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12. Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly
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and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
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13. Who gave him authority over the earth?
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Who put him in charge of the entire world?
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14. If he put his mind to it
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and withdrew the spirit and breath he gave,
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15. every living thing would perish together
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and mankind would return to the dust.
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16. If you have understanding, hear this;
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listen to what I have to say.
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17. Could one who hates justice govern the world?
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Will you condemn the mighty Righteous One,
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18. who says to a king, "Worthless man!"
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and to nobles, "Wicked men!"?
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19. God is not partial to princes
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and does not favor the rich over the poor,
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for they are all the work of his hands.
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20. They die suddenly in the middle of the night;
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people shudder, then pass away.
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Even the mighty are removed without effort.
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21. For his eyes watch over a man's ways,
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and he observes all his steps.
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22. There is no darkness, no deep darkness,
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where evildoers can hide.
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23. God does not need to examine a person further,
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that one should approach him in court.
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24. He shatters the mighty without an investigation
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and sets others in their place.
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25. Therefore, he recognizes their deeds
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and overthrows them by night, and they are crushed.
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26. In full view of the public,
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he strikes them for their wickedness,
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27. because they turned aside from following him
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and did not understand any of his ways
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28. but caused the poor to cry out to him,
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and he heard the outcry of the needy.
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29. But when God is silent, who can declare him guilty?
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When he hides his face, who can see him?
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Yet he watches over both individuals and nations,
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30. so that godless men should not rule
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or ensnare the people.
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31. Suppose someone says to God,
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"I have endured my punishment;
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I will no longer act wickedly.
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32. Teach me what I cannot see;
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if I have done wrong, I won't do it again."
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33. Should God repay you on your terms
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when you have rejected his?
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You must choose, not I!
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So declare what you know.
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34. Reasonable men will say to me,
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along with the wise men who hear me,
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35. "Job speaks without knowledge;
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his words are without insight."
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36. If only Job were tested to the limit,
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because his answers are like those of wicked men.
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37. For he adds rebellion to his sin;
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he scornfully claps in our presence,
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while multiplying his words against God.
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