58 lines
2.3 KiB
Markdown
58 lines
2.3 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 13
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1 “Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes
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and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand.
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2 I know as much as you do.
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You are no better than I am.
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3 As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty.
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I want to argue my case with God himself.
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4 As for you, you smear me with lies.
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As physicians, you are worthless quacks.
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5 If only you could be silent!
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That’s the wisest thing you could do.
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6 Listen to my charge;
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pay attention to my arguments.
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7 “Are you defending God with lies?
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Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake?
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8 Will you slant your testimony in his favor?
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Will you argue God’s case for him?
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9 What will happen when he finds out what you are doing?
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Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?
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10 No, you will be in trouble with him
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if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.
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11 Doesn’t his majesty terrify you?
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Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?
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12 Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes.
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Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.
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13 “Be silent now and leave me alone.
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Let me speak, and I will face the consequences.
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14 Why should I put myself in mortal danger
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and take my life in my own hands?
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15 God might kill me, but I have no other hope.
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I am going to argue my case with him.
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16 But this is what will save me—I am not godless.
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If I were, I could not stand before him.
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17 “Listen closely to what I am about to say.
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Hear me out.
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18 I have prepared my case;
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I will be proved innocent.
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19 Who can argue with me over this?
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And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die.
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20 “O God, grant me these two things,
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and then I will be able to face you.
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21 Remove your heavy hand from me,
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and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.
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22 Now summon me, and I will answer!
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Or let me speak to you, and you reply.
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23 Tell me, what have I done wrong?
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Show me my rebellion and my sin.
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24 Why do you turn away from me?
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Why do you treat me as your enemy?
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25 Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind?
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Would you chase dry straw?
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26 “You write bitter accusations against me
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and bring up all the sins of my youth.
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27 You put my feet in stocks.
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You examine all my paths.
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You trace all my footprints.
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28 I waste away like rotting wood,
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like a moth-eaten coat. |