3.1 KiB
God Does Not Punish the Wicked
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Then Job answered and said,
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"Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be your way of consolation.
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Bear with me that I may speak; Then after I have spoken, you may mock.
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As for me, is my musing to man? And why should I not be impatient?
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Look at me, and be appalled, And put your hand over your mouth.
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Even when I remember, I am dismayed, And horror seizes my flesh.
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Why do the wicked still live, Continue on, also become very powerful?
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Their seed is established with them in their presence, And their offspring before their eyes,
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Their houses are safe from dread, And the rod of God is not on them.
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His ox mates and does not fail; His cow calves and does not miscarry.
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They send forth their little ones like the flock, And their children skip about.
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They lift up the tambourine and harp And are glad at the sound of the pipe.
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They spend their days in prosperity, And suddenly they go down to Sheol.
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They say to God, 'Depart from us! We do not even desire the knowledge of Your ways.
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Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, And what would we profit if we entreat Him?'
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Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand; The counsel of the wicked is far from me.
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"How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, Or does their disaster fall on them? Does God apportion destruction in His anger?
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Are they as straw before the wind, And like chaff which the storm steals away?
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You say, 'God stores away a man's wickedness for his sons.' Let God repay him so that he may know it.
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Let his own eyes see his decay, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
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For what desire does he have for his household after him, When the number of his months is cut off?
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Can anyone teach God knowledge, In that He judges those on high?
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One dies in his full strength, Being wholly carefree and at ease;
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His sides are filled out with fat, And the marrow of his bones is moist,
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But another dies with a bitter soul, Never even eats anything good.
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Together they lie down in the dust, And worms cover them.
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"Behold, I know your thoughts, And the plans by which you do violence against me.
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For you say, 'Where is the house of the nobleman, And where is the tent, the dwelling places of the wicked?'
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Have you not asked those who pass by along the way, And do you not recognize their witness?
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That the wicked is reserved for the day of disaster; They will be led forth at the day of fury.
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Who will declare to his face about his actions, And who will repay him for what he has done?
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While he is led forth to the grave, Men will keep watch over his tomb.
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The clods of the valley will gently cover him; Moreover, all men will draw up after him, While countless ones go before him.
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How then will you vainly comfort me, Indeed when your answers remain full of falsehood?"