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Then Job replied:
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"Even today my complaint is bitter;
his hand 1 is heavy in spite of 2 my groaning.
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If only I knew where to find him;
if only I could go to his dwelling!
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I would state my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
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I would find out what he would answer me,
and consider what he would say to me.
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Would he vigorously oppose me?
No, he would not press charges against me.
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There the upright can establish their innocence before him,
and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.
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"But if I go to the east, he is not there;
if I go to the west, I do not find him.
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When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
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But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
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My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside.
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I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
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"But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?
He does whatever he pleases.
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He carries out his decree against me,
and many such plans he still has in store.
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That is why I am terrified before him;
when I think of all this, I fear him.
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God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me.
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Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,
by the thick darkness that covers my face.