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- Then Elihu said:
- "Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.
- For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.
- Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
- "Job says, 'I am innocent, but God denies me justice.
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- Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
- Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
- For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
- Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
- For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
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- Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.'
- What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
- He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with wicked men.
- For he says, 'It profits a man nothing when he tries to please God.'
- "So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.
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- Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
- What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
- Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
- For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
- Therefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
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- He repays a man for what he has done; he brings upon him what his conduct deserves.
- It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.
- Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?
- If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,
- all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust.
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- For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
- Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
- Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
- If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
- All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
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- "If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
- Can he who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
- Is he not the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless,' and to nobles, 'You are wicked,'
- who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
- They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
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- If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
- Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
- Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
- How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
- In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
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- "His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step.
- There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide.
- God has no need to examine men further, that they should come before him for judgment.
- Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.
- Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
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- For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
- There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
- For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
- He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
- Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
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- He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,
- because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.
- They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy.
- But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over man and nation alike,
- to keep a godless man from ruling, from laying snares for the people.
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- He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
- Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
- So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
- When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
- That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
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- "Suppose a man says to God, 'I am guilty but will offend no more.
- Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.'
- Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.
- "Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,
- 'Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.'
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- Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
- That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
- Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
- Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
- Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
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- Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!
- To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God."
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- My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
- For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
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