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Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
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“Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God denies me justice.
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Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’
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Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
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He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked.
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For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’
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“So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.
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He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves.
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It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.
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Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?
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If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,
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all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
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“If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
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Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
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Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
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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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“His 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.