| Chapter 6 |
1 |
Then Job answered and said, --
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2 |
Oh that my vexation were but weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances! --
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3 |
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas: Therefore have my words been rash. --
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4 |
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, The poison whereof my spirit drinketh up: 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 hath no savor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? --
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7 |
My soul refuseth to touch [them]; They are as loathsome food to me. --
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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 crush me; That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! --
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10 |
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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11 |
What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient? --
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12 |
Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass? --
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13 |
Is it not that I have no help in me, And that wisdom is driven quite from me? --
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14 |
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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15 |
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away; --
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16 |
Which are black by reason of the ice, [And] wherein the snow hideth itself: --
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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 caravans [that travel] by the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish. --
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19 |
The caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them. --
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20 |
They were put to shame because they had hoped; They came thither, and were confounded. --
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21 |
For now ye are nothing; Ye see a terror, and are afraid. --
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22 |
Did I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present for me of your substance? --
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23 |
Or, Deliver me from the adversary's hand? Or, Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors? --
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24 |
Teach me, and I will hold my peace; And cause me to understand wherein I have erred. --
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25 |
How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove? --
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26 |
Do ye think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind? --
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27 |
Yea, ye would cast [lots] upon the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend. --
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28 |
Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; For surely I shall not lie to your face. --
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29 |
Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous. --
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30 |
Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things? --
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