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The Book of Job, Chapter 23
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Then Job answered and said,
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Even to day is my complaintbitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
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Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to
his seat!
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I would order my cause 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 unto me.
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Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would
put strength in me.
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There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be
delivered for ever from my judge.
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Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I
cannot perceive him:
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On the left hand, where he doth work, but I
cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot
see him:
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But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried
me, I shall come forth as gold.
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My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not
declined.
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Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I
have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
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But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul
desireth, even that he doeth.
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For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many
such things are with him.
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Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am
afraid of him.
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For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
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Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he
covered the darkness from my face.
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