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Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:
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“If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking?
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Surely you have instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands.
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Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, And you have strengthened the feeble knees;
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But now it comes upon you, and you are weary; It touches you, and you are troubled.
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Is not your reverence your confidence? And the integrity of your ways your hope?
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“Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright ever cut off?
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Even as I have seen, Those who plow iniquity And sow trouble reap the same.
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By the blast of God they perish, And by the breath of His anger they are consumed.
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The roaring of the lion, The voice of the fierce lion, And the teeth of the young lions are broken.
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The old lion perishes for lack of prey, And the cubs of the lioness are scattered.
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“Now a word was secretly brought to me, And my ear received a whisper of it.
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In disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on men,
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Fear came upon me, and trembling, Which made all my bones shake.
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Then a spirit passed before my face; The hair on my body stood up.
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It stood still, But I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; There was silence; Then I heard a voice saying:
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‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?
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If He puts no trust in His servants, If He charges His angels with error,
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How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before a moth?
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They are broken in pieces from morning till evening; They perish forever, with no one regarding.
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Does not their own excellence go away? They die, even without wisdom.’
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