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Then Job answered and said,

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Oh that my vexation were but weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!

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For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas: Therefore have my words been rash.

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For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, The poison whereof my spirit drinketh up: The terrors of YAHUVEH do set themselves in array against me.

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Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder?

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Can that which hath no savor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

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My soul refuseth to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me.

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Oh that I might have my request; And that YAHUVEH would grant me the thing that I long for!

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Even that it would please YAHUVEH to crush me; That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

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And be it still my consolation, Yea, let me exult in pain that spareth not, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

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What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

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Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?

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Is it not that I have no help in me, And that wisdom is driven quite from me?

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To him that is ready to faint kindness should be showed from his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

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My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away;

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Which are black by reason of the ice, And wherein the snow hideth itself:

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What time they wax warm, they vanish; When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

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The caravans that travel by the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish.

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The caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them.

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They were put to shame because they had hoped; They came thither, and were confounded.

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For now ye are nothing; Ye see a terror, and are afraid.

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Did I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present for me of your substance?

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Or, Deliver me from the adversary's hand? Or, Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?

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Teach me, and I will hold my peace; And cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

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How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove?

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Do ye think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind?

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Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend.

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Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; For surely I shall not lie to your face.

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Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

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Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things?