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12
Then said I unto him, It were better that we were not at all, than that we should live still in
wickedness, and to suffer, and not to know wherefore.
13
He answered me, and said, I went into a forest into a plain, and the trees took counsel,
14
And said, Come, let us go and make war against the sea that it may depart away before us,
and that we may make us more woods.
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The floods of the sea also in like manner took counsel, and said, Come, let us go up and
subdue the woods of the plain, that there also we may make us another country.
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The thought of the wood was in vain, for the fire came and consumed it.
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The thought of the floods of the sea came likewise to nought, for the sand stood up and stopped
them.
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If thou wert judge now betwixt these two, whom wouldest thou begin to justify? or whom
wouldest thou condemn?
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I answered and said, Verily it is a foolish thought that they both have devised, for the ground
is given unto the wood, and the sea also hath his place to bear his floods.
20
Then answered he me, and said, Thou hast given a right judgment, but why judgest thou not
thyself also?
21
For like as the ground is given unto the wood, and the sea to his floods: even so they that
dwell upon the earth may understand nothing but that which is upon the earth: and he that dwelleth
above the heavens may only understand the things that are above the height of the heavens.
22
Then answered I and said, I beseech thee, O Lord, let me have understanding:
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For it was not my mind to be curious of the high things, but of such as pass by us daily, namely,
wherefore Israel is given up as a reproach to the heathen, and for what cause the people whom thou
hast loved is given over unto ungodly nations, and why the law of our forefathers is brought to
nought, and the written covenants come to none effect,
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And we pass away out of the world as grasshoppers, and our life is astonishment and fear,
and we are not worthy to obtain mercy.
25
What will he then do unto his name whereby we are called? of these things have I asked.
26
Then answered he me, and said, The more thou searchest, the more thou shalt marvel; for the
world hasteth fast to pass away,
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And cannot comprehend the things that are promised to the righteous in time to come: for
this world is full of unrighteousness and infirmities.
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But as concerning the things whereof thou askest me, I will tell thee; for the evil is sown, but
the destruction thereof is not yet come.
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If therefore that which is sown be not turned upside down, and if the place where the evil is
sown pass not away, then cannot it come that is sown with good.
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For the grain of evil seed hath been sown in the heart of Adam from the beginning, and how
much ungodliness hath it brought up unto this time? and how much shall it yet bring forth until the
time of threshing come?
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KJV Bible