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[1]Then Job answered and said:
[2]Oh that my vexation were but weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances altogether!
[3]For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore are my words broken.
[4]For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof my spirit drinketh up; the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
[5]Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
[6]Can that which hath no savour be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the juice of mallows?
[7]My soul refuseth to touch them; they are as the sickness of my flesh.
[8]Oh that I might have my request, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
[9]Even that it would please God to crush me; that He would let loose His hand, and cut me off!
[10]Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would exult in pain, though He spare not; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
[11]What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is mine end, that I should be patient?
[12]Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
[13]Is it that I have no help in me, and that sound wisdom is driven quite from me?
[14]To him that is ready to fai kindness is due from his friend, even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
[15]My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that overflow,
[16]Which are black by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow hideth itself;
[17]What time they wax warm, they vanish, when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
[18]The paths of their way do wind, they go up into the waste, and are lost.
[19]The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them—
[20]They were ashamed because they had hoped; they came thither, and were confounded.
[21]For now ye are become His; ye see a terror, and are afraid.
[22]Did I say: 'Give unto me'? or: 'Offer a present for me of your substance'?
[23]Or: 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand'? or: 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors'?
[24]Teach me, and I will hold my peace; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
[25]How forcible are words of uprightness! But what doth your arguing argue?
[26]Do ye hold words to be an argument, but the speeches of one that is desperate to be wind?
[27]Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, and dig a pit for your friend.
[28]Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; for surely I shall not lie to your face.
[29]Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; yea, return again, my cause is righteous.
[30]Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern crafty devices?
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