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“Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.
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But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
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The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
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“Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed?
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‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can even a strong man be more pure than his Maker?
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The hungry consume his harvest, taking it even from among thorns, and the thirsty pant after his wealth.
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Have I ever said, ‘Give something on my behalf, pay a ransom for me from your wealth,
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You would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend.
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Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired laborer waiting to be paid,
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even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions,
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that you examine them every morning and test them every moment?
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Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant?
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If I have sinned, what have I done to you, you who see everything we do? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you?
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if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your prosperous state.
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God does not restrain his anger; even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet.
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Even if I summoned him and he responded, I do not believe he would give me a hearing.
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Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.
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Even if I washed myself with soap and my hands with cleansing powder,
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you would plunge me into a slime pit so that even my clothes would detest me.
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If I am guilty—woe to me! Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head, for I am full of shame and drowned in my affliction.
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to the land of deepest night, of utter darkness and disorder, where even the light is like darkness.”
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and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.
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In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
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But you even undermine piety and hinder devotion to God.
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“Are you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills?
