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- Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said:
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- If one venture a word unto thee, wilt thou be weary?
But who can withhold himself from speaking?
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- Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
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- Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
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- But now it is come upon thee, and thou art weary;
it toucheth thee, and thou art affrighted.
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- Is not thy fear of God thy confidence, and thy hope the integrity of thy ways?
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- Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent?
Or where were the upright cut off?
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- According as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow mischief, reap the same.
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- By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger are they consumed.
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- The lion roareth, and the fierce lion howleth - yet the teeth of the young lions are broken.
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- The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.
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- Now a word was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a whisper thereof.
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- In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
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- Fear came upon me, and trembling, and all my bones were made to shake.
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- Then a spirit passed before my face, that made the hair of my flesh to stand up.
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- It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance thereof;
a form was before mine eyes;
I heard a still voice:
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- "Shall mortal man be just before God?
Shall a man be pure before his Maker?
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- Behold, He putteth no trust in His servants, and His angels He chargeth with folly;
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- How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!
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- Betwixt morning and evening they are shattered;
they perish for ever without any regarding it.
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- Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them?
They die, and that without wisdom."
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