1 Then Job answered and said:
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"Even today my a complaint is bitter;
1 My hand is listless because of my groaning.
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b Oh, that I knew where I might find Him,
That I might come to His seat!
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I would present my case before Him,
And fill my mouth with arguments.
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I would know the words which He would answer me,
And understand what He would say to me.
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c Would He contend with me in His great power?
No! But He would take note of me.
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There the upright could reason with Him,
And I would be delivered forever from my Judge.
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"Look, d I go forward, but He is not there,
And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;
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When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him;
When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.
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But e He knows the way that I take;
When f He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
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g My foot has held fast to His steps;
I have kept His way and not turned aside.
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I have not departed from the h commandment of His lips;
i I have treasured the words of His mouth
More than my 2 necessary food.
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"But He is unique, and who can make Him change?
And whatever j His soul desires, that He does.
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For He performs what is k appointed for me,
And many such things are with Him.
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Therefore I am terrified at His presence;
When I consider this, I am afraid of Him.
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For God l made my heart weak,
And the Almighty terrifies me;
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Because I was not m cut off 3 from the presence of darkness,
And He did not hide deep darkness from my face.