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1 But Job answered and said,
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2 Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
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3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
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4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
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5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
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6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
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7 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
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8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
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9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
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10 Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
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11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
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12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
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13 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
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14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
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15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
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16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
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17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
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18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
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19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
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20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
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21 For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
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22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
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23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
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24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
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25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
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26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
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27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
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28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
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29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
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30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
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- 1 Then Job answered,
- 2 “Oh that my grief were actually weighed And laid in the balances together with my calamity!
- 3 “For then it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; Therefore my words have been rash.
- 4 “For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, Their poison my spirit drinks; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.
- 5 “Does the wild donkey bray over his grass, Or does the ox low over his fodder?
- 6 “Can something tasteless be eaten without salt, Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
- 7 “My soul refuses to touch them; They are like loathsome food to me.
- 8 “Oh that my request might come to pass, And that God would grant my longing!
- 9 “Would that God were willing to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off!
- 10 “But it is still my consolation, And I rejoice in unsparing pain, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
- 11 “What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should endure?
- 12 “Is my strength the strength of stones, Or is my flesh bronze?
- 13 “Is it that my help is not within me, And that deliverance is driven from me?
- 14 “For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not forsake the fear of the Almighty.
- 15 “My brothers have acted deceitfully like a wadi, Like the torrents of wadis which vanish,
- 16 Which are turbid because of ice And into which the snow melts.
- 17 “When they become waterless, they are silent, When it is hot, they vanish from their place.
- 18 “The paths of their course wind along, They go up into nothing and perish.
- 19 “The caravans of Tema looked, The travelers of Sheba hoped for them.
- 20 “They were disappointed for they had trusted, They came there and were confounded.
- 21 “Indeed, you have now become such, You see a terror and are afraid.
- 22 “Have I said, 'Give me something,' Or, 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth,'
- 23 Or, 'Deliver me from the hand of the adversary,' Or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the tyrants'?
- 24 “Teach me, and I will be silent; And show me how I have erred.
- 25 “How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?
- 26 “Do you intend to reprove my words, When the words of one in despair belong to the wind?
- 27 “You would even cast lots for the orphans And barter over your friend.
- 28 “Now please look at me, And see if I lie to your face.
- 29 “Desist now, let there be no injustice; Even desist, my righteousness is yet in it.
- 30 “Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern calamities?
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