1 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 z the sand of the sea;
therefore my words have been rash.
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For a the 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? 1
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My appetite refuses to touch them;
they are as food that is loathsome to me. 2
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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 b please 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 3 in pain c unsparing,
for I have not denied the words of d the 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 e withholds 4 kindness from a f friend
forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
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My g brothers are h treacherous as a torrent-bed,
as torrential i streams 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 j the waste and perish.
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The caravans of k Tema look,
the travelers of l Sheba hope.
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They are m ashamed because they were confident;
they come there and are m disappointed.
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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 n the 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 o wind?
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You would even p cast 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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q Please 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?