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or as, when a bird flies through the air, no evidence of its passage is found; the light air, lashed by the beat of its pinions and pierced by the force of its rushing flight, is traversed by the movement of its wings, and afterward no sign of its coming is found there;
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or as, when an arrow is shot at a target, the air, thus divided, comes together at once, so that no one knows its pathway.
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So we also, as soon as we were born, ceased to be, and we had no sign of virtue to show, but were consumed in our wickedness."
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Because the hope of the ungodly man is like chaff carried by the wind, and like a light hoarfrost driven away by a storm; it is dispersed like smoke before the wind, and it passes like the remembrance of a guest who stays but a day.
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But the righteous live for ever, and their reward is with the Lord; the Most High takes care of them.
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Therefore they will receive a glorious crown and a beautiful diadem from the hand of the Lord, because with his right hand he will cover them, and with his arm he will shield them.
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The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all creation to repel his enemies;
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he will put on righteousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial justice as a helmet;
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he will take holiness as an invincible shield,
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and sharpen stern wrath for a sword, and creation will join with him to fight against the madmen.
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Shafts of lightning will fly with true aim, and will leap to the target as from a well-drawn bow of clouds,