1
Eliu proceeded forth in his talking and said:
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Hold thee still a little, and I shall shew thee, what I have yet to speak on God's behalf.
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I will open unto thee yet more of mine understanding, and prove my maker righteousness.
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True are my words, and no lie: and the knowledge wherewithall I argue against thee, is perfect.
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Behold, God casteth not away the mighty, for he himself is mighty in power and wisdom.
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As for the ungodly, he preserveth them not, but helpeth the poor to their right.
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He turneth not his eyes away from the righteous, he setteth up kings in their throne, and confirmeth them, so that they alway sit therein.
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But if they be laid in prison and chains, or bound with the bonds of poverty:
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then sheweth he them their works and deeds and the sins where with they have used cruel violence.
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He with punishing and nurturing of them, roundeth |rowneth| them in the ears, warneth them to leave off from their wickedness, and to amend.
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If they now will take heed and be obedient, they shall wear out their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasure and joy.
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But if they will not obey, they shall go thorow the sword, and perish or ever they be aware. |awarre|
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As for such as be fained, dissemblers and hypocrites, they heap up wrath for themselves: for they call not upon him, though they be his prisoners.
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Thus their soul perisheth in foolishness, and their life with the condemned.
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The poor delivereth he out of his straitness, and comforteth such as be in necessity and trouble.
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Even so shall he keep thee (if thou wilt be content) from the bottomless pit that is beneath: and if thou wilt hold the quiet, he shall fill thy table with plenteousness.
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Nevertheless thou hast condemned the judgement of the ungodly, yea even such a judgment and sentence shalt thou suffer.
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For then shall not thy cause be stilled with cruelty, nor pacified with many gifts.
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Hath God ordained |ordened| then, that the glorious life of thee, and all such mighty men should not be put down?
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Prolong not thou the time, till there come a night for thee, to set other people in thy stead.
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But beware that thou turn not aside to wickedness and sin, which hither to thou hast chosen more than meekness.
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Behold, God is of a mighty high power: Where is there such a guide and law giver as he?
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Who will reprove him of his way? Who will say unto him: thou hast done wrong?
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O consider how great and excellent his works be, whom all men love and praise:
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yea |yee| wonder at him, and yet they see him but afar off.
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Behold, so great is God, that he passeth our knowledge, neither are we able to come to the experience of his years.
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He turneth the water to small drops, he driveth his clouds
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together for to rain, so that they pour down and drop upon men.
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He can spread out the clouds (a covering of his tabernacle)
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and cause his light to shine upon them, and to cover the bottom of the sea.
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By these things governeth he his people, and giveth them abundance of meat.
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In the turning of a hand he hideth the light, and at his commandment it cometh again.
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The rising up thereof sheweth he to his friends and to the cattle.