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Is he not the One who says to kings, āYou are worthless,ā and to nobles, āYou are wicked,ā
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who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
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They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
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āHis eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.
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There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide.
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God has no need to examine people further, that they should come before him for judgment.
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Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.
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Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
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He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,
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because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.
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They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy.
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But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike,
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to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people.
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āSuppose someone says to God, āI am guilty but will offend no more.
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Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.ā
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Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.
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āMen of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,
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āJob speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.ā
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Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!
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To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.ā