Job 27

27:1

Job continued his discourse:

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“As surely as God lives, who has deprived me of justice—the Almighty, who has embittered my soul—

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as long as my breath is still within me and the breath of God remains in my nostrils,

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my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will not utter deceit.

27:5

I will never say that you are right; I will maintain my integrity until I die.

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I will cling to my righteousness and never let go. As long as I live, my conscience will not accuse me.

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May my enemy be like the wicked and my opponent like the unjust.

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For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?

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Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?

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Will he delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?

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I will instruct you in the power of God. I will not conceal the ways of the Almighty.

27:12

Surely all of you have seen it for yourselves. Why then do you keep up this empty talk?

27:13

This is the wicked man’s portion from God—the heritage the ruthless receive from the Almighty.

27:14

Though his sons are many, they are destined for the sword; and his offspring will never have enough food.

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His survivors will be buried by the plague, and their widows will not weep for them.

27:16

Though he heaps up silver like dust and piles up a wardrobe like clay,

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what he lays up, the righteous will wear, and his silver will be divided by the innocent.

27:18

The house he built is like a moth’s cocoon, like a hut set up by a watchman.

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He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more; when he opens his eyes, all is gone.

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Terrors overtake him like a flood; a tempest sweeps him away in the night.

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The east wind carries him away, and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.

27:22

It hurls itself against him without mercy as he flees headlong from its power.

27:23

It claps its hands at him and hisses him out of his place.