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And Job made answer and said,
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If only my passion might be measured, and put into the scales against my trouble!
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For then its weight would be more than the sand of the seas: because of this my words have been uncontrolled.
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For the arrows of the Ruler of all are present with me, and their poison goes deep into my spirit: his army of fears is put in order against me.
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Does the ass of the fields give out his voice when he has grass?
or does the ox make sounds over his food?
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Will a man take food which has no taste without salt?
or is there any taste in the soft substance of purslain?
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My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food.
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If only I might have an answer to my prayer, and God would give me my desire!
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If only he would be pleased to put an end to me;
and would let loose his hand, so that I might be cut off!
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So I would still have comfort, and I would have joy in the pains of death, for I have not been false to the words of the Holy One.
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Have I strength to go on waiting, or have I any end to be looking forward to?
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Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh brass?
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I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me.
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He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all.
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My friends have been false like a stream, like streams in the valleys which come to an end:
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Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them;
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Under the burning sun they are cut off, and come to nothing because of the heat.
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The camel-trains go out of their way;
they go up into the waste and come to destruction.
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The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them:
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They were put to shame because of their hope;
they came and their hope was gone.
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So have you now become to me;
you see my sad condition and are in fear.
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Did I say, Give me something?
or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth?
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Or, Get me out of the power of my hater?
or, Give money so that I may be free from the power of the cruel ones?
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Give me teaching and I will be quiet;
and make me see my error.
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How pleasing are upright words!
but what force is there in your arguments?
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My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind.
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Truly, you are such as would give up the child of a dead man to his creditors, and would make a profit out of your friend.
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Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face.
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Let your minds be changed, and do not have an evil opinion of me;
yes, be changed, for my righteousness is still in me.
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Is there evil in my tongue?
is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?