14
What then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how shall I answer Him?
15
Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?
16
"If I have kept the poor from their desire, Or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
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Or eaten my morsel by myself, So that the fatherless could not eat of it
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(But from my youth I reared him as a father, And from my mother's womb I guided the widow);
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If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor man without covering;
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If his heart has not blessed me, And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
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If I have raised my hand against the fatherless, When I saw I had help in the gate;
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Then let my arm fall from my shoulder, Let my arm be torn from the socket.
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For destruction from God is a terror to me, And because of His magnificence I cannot endure.
24
"If I have made gold my hope, Or said to fine gold, 'You are my confidence';
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If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gained much;
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If I have observed the sun when it shines, Or the moon moving in brightness,
27
So that my heart has been secretly enticed, And my mouth has kissed my hand;
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This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, For I would have denied God who is above.
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"If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, Or lifted myself up when evil found him
30
(Indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin By asking for a curse on his soul);
31
If the men of my tent have not said, 'Who is there that has not been satisfied with his meat?'
32
(But no sojourner had to lodge in the street, For I have opened my doors to the traveler);
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If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, By hiding my iniquity in my bosom,
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Because I feared the great multitude, And dreaded the contempt of families, So that I kept silence And did not go out of the door--
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Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, That my Prosecutor had written a book!
36
Surely I would carry it on my shoulder, And bind it on me like a crown;
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I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him.
38
"If my land cries out against me, And its furrows weep together;
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If I have eaten its fruit without money, Or caused its owners to lose their lives;
40
Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, And weeds instead of barley." The words of Job are ended.