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[1]And Job answered and said,
[2]Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
[3]For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore my words are vehement.
[4]For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, their poison drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of +God are arrayed against me.
[5]Doth the wild ass bray by the grass? loweth an ox over his fodder?
[6]Shall that which is insipid be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?
[7]What my soul refuseth to touch, that is as my loathsome food.
[8]Oh that I might have my request, and that +God would grant my desire!
[9]And 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; and in the pain which spareth not I would rejoice that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
[11]What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should have patience?
[12]Is my strength the strength of stones? is my flesh of brass?
[13]Is it not that there is no help in me, and soundness is driven away from me?
[14]For him that is fainting kindness [is meet] from his friend; or he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
[15]My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a stream, as the channel of streams which pass away,
[16]Which are turbid by reason of the ice, in which the snow hideth itself:
[17]At the time they diminish, they are dried up; when heat affecteth them, they vanish from their place:
[18]They wind about in the paths of their course, they go off into the waste and perish.
[19]The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba counted on them:
[20]They are ashamed at their hope; they come thither, and are confounded.
[21]So now ye are nothing; ye see a terrible object and are afraid.
[22]Did I say, Bring unto me, and make me a present from your substance?
[23]Or, rescue me from the hand of the oppressor, and redeem me from the hand of the violent?
[24]Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
[25]How forcible are right words! but what doth your upbraiding reprove?
[26]Do ye imagine to reprove words? The speeches of one that is desperate are indeed for the wind.
[27]Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and dig [a pit] for your friend.
[28]Now therefore if ye will, look upon me; and it shall be to your face if I lie.
[29]Return, I pray you, let there be no wrong; yea, return again, my righteousness shall be in it.
[30]Is there wrong in my tongue? cannot my taste discern mischievous things?
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