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Then Elihu said:
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"Hear my words, you wise men;
listen to me, you men of learning.
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For the ear tests words
as the tongue tastes food.
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Let us discern for ourselves what is right;
let us learn together what is good.
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"Job says, 'I am innocent,
but God denies me justice.
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Although I am right,
I am considered a liar;
although I am guiltless,
his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.'
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Is there anyone like Job,
who drinks scorn like water?
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He keeps company with evildoers;
he associates with the wicked.
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For he says, 'There is no profit
in trying to please God.'
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"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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He repays everyone for what they have done;
he brings on them what their conduct deserves.
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It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,
that the Almighty would pervert justice.
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Who appointed him over the earth?
Who put him in charge of the whole world?
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If it were his intention
and he withdrew his spirit 1 and breath,
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all humanity would perish together
and mankind would return to the dust.
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"If you have understanding, hear this;
listen to what I say.
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Can someone who hates justice govern?
Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
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Is he not the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless,'
and to nobles, 'You are wicked,'
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who shows no partiality to princes
and does not favor the rich over the poor,
for they are all the work of his hands?
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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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"His eyes are on the ways of mortals;
he sees their every step.
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There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness,
where evildoers can hide.
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God has no need to examine people further,
that they should come before him for judgment.
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Without inquiry he shatters the mighty
and sets up others in their place.
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Because he takes note of their deeds,
he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
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He punishes them for their wickedness
where everyone can see them,
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because they turned from following him
and had no regard for any of his ways.
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They caused the cry of the poor to come before him,
so that he heard the cry of the needy.
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But if he remains silent, who can condemn him?
If he hides his face, who can see him?
Yet he is over individual and nation alike,
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to keep the godless from ruling,
from laying snares for the people.
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"Suppose someone says to God,
'I am guilty but will offend no more.
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Teach me what I cannot see;
if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.'
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Should God then reward you on your terms,
when you refuse to repent?
You must decide, not I;
so tell me what you know.
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"Men of understanding declare,
wise men who hear me say to me,
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'Job speaks without knowledge;
his words lack insight.'
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Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost
for answering like a wicked man!
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To his sin he adds rebellion;
scornfully he claps his hands among us
and multiplies his words against God."