Behold, mine eye has seen these things, and mine ear has heard [them].
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And I know all that ye too know; and I have not less understanding than you.
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Nevertheless I will speak to the Lord, and I will reason before him, if he will.
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But ye are all bad physicians, and healers of diseases.
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But would that ye were silent, and it would be wisdom to you in the end.
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But hear ye the reasoning of my mouth, and attend to the judgment of my lips.
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Do ye not speak before the Lord, and utter deceit before him?
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Or will ye draw back? nay, do ye yourselves be judges.
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For [it were] well if he would thoroughly search you: for though doing all things [in your power] ye should attach yourselves to him,
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he will not reprove you at all the less: but if moreover ye should secretly respect persons,
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shall not his whirlpool sweep you round, and terror from him fall upon you?
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And your glorying shall prove in the end to you like ashes, and your body [like a body] of clay.
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Be silent, that I may speak, and cease from [mine] anger,
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while I may take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
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Though the Mighty One should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has begun, verily I will speak, and plead before him.
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And this shall turn to me for salvation; for fraud shall have no entrance before him.
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Hear, hear ye my words, for I will declare in your hearing.
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Behold, I am near my judgment: I know that I shall appear evidently just.
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For who is he that shall plead with me, that I should now be silent, and expire?
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But grant me two things: then I will not hide myself from thy face.
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Withhold [thine] hand from me: and let not thy fear terrify me.
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Then shalt thou call, and I will hearken to thee: or thou shalt speak, and I will give thee an answer.
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How many are my sins and my transgressions? teach me what they are.
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Wherefore hidest thou thyself from me, and deemest me thine enemy?
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Wilt thou be startled [at me], as [at] a leaf shaken by the wind? or wilt thou set thyself against me as against grass borne upon the breeze?
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For thou hast written evil things against me, and thou hast compassed me with the sins of my youth.
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And thou hast placed my foot in the stocks; and thou hast watched all my works, and hast penetrated to my heels.
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[I am as] that which waxes old like a bottle, or like a moth-eaten garment.
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