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Then Job answered and said:
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"Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
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For then it would be heavier than 1the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.
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For 2the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
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Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass, or the ox low over his fodder?
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Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow?
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My appetite refuses to touch them; they are as food that is loathsome to me.
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"Oh that I might have my request, and that God would fulfill my hope,
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that it would 3please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!
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This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain 4unsparing, for I have not denied the words of 5the Holy One.
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What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?
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Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?
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Have I any help in me, when resource is driven from me?
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"He who 6withholds kindness from a 7friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
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My 8brothers are 9treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential 10streams that pass away,
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which are dark with ice, and where the snow hides itself.
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When they melt, they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.
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The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into 11the waste and perish.
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The caravans of 12Tema look, the travelers of 13Sheba hope.
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They are 14ashamed because they were confident; they come there and are 15disappointed.
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For you have now become nothing; you see my calamity and are afraid.
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Have I said, 'Make me a gift'? Or, 'From your wealth offer a bribe for me'?
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Or, 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand'? Or, 'Redeem me from the hand of 16the ruthless'?
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"Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.
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How forceful are upright words! But what does reproof from you reprove?
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Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is 17wind?
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You would even 18cast lots over the fatherless, and bargain over your friend.
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"But now, be pleased to look at me, for I will not lie to your face.
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19Please turn; let no injustice be done. Turn now; my vindication is at stake.
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Is there any injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?