| Chapter 9 |
1 |
Then Job answered and said,
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2 |
I know it to be so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
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3 |
If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
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4 |
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
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5 |
Who removeth the mountains, and they know not: who overturneth them in his anger.
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6 |
Who shaketh the earth out of her place, and its pillars tremble.
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7 |
Who commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
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8 |
Who alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
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9 |
Who maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
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10 |
Who doeth great things past finding out; yes, and wonders without number.
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11 |
Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
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12 |
Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say to him, What doest thou?
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13 |
If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
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14 |
How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
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15 |
Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
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16 |
If I had called, and he had answered me; yet I would not believe that he had hearkened to my voice.
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17 |
For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
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18 |
He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
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19 |
If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
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20 |
If I justify myself, my own mouth will condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, that also will prove me perverse.
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21 |
Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
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22 |
This is one thing, therefore I said it, he destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
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23 |
If the scourge shall slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
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24 |
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of its judges; if not, where, and who is he?
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25 |
Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
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26 |
They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
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27 |
If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:
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28 |
I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
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29 |
If I am wicked, why then do I labor in vain?
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30 |
If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
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31 |
Yet wilt thou plunge me in the ditch, and my own clothes shall abhor me.
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32 |
For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.
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33 |
Neither is there any judge between us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
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34 |
Let him take away his rod from me, and let not his fear terrify me:
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35 |
Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.
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