Job preserves his integrity
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Job continued his discourse:
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“As surely as God lives, who has deprived me of justice— the Almighty, who has embittered my soul—
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as long as my breath is still within me and the breath of God remains in my nostrils,
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my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will not utter deceit.
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I will never say that you are right; I will maintain my integrity until I die.
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I will cling to my righteousness and never let go. As long as I live, my conscience will not accuse me.
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May my enemy be like the wicked and my opponent like the unjust.
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For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?
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Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?
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Will he delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?
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I will instruct you in the power of God. I will not conceal the ways of the Almighty.
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Surely all of you have seen it for yourselves. Why then do you keep up this empty talk?
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This is the wicked man’s portion from God— the heritage the ruthless receive from the Almighty.
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Though his sons are many, they are destined for the sword; and his offspring will never have enough food.
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His survivors will be buried by the plague, and their widows will not weep for them.
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Though he heaps up silver like dust and piles up a wardrobe like clay,
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what he lays up, the righteous will wear, and his silver will be divided by the innocent.
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The house he built is like a moth’s cocoon, like a hut set up by a watchman.
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He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more; when he opens his eyes, all is gone.
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Terrors overtake him like a flood; a tempest sweeps him away in the night.
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The east wind carries him away, and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.
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It hurls itself against him without mercy as he flees headlong from its power.
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It claps its hands at him and hisses him out of his place.