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- Bvt Iob answered, and said,
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- Oh that my griefe were well weighed, and my miseries were layed together in the balance.
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- For it woulde be nowe heauier then the sande of the sea: therefore my wordes are swallowed vp.
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- For the arrowes of the Almightie are in me, the venime whereof doeth drinke vp my spirit, and the terrours of God fight against me.
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- Doeth the wilde asse bray when he hath grasse?
or loweth the oxe when he hath fodder?
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- That which is vnsauerie, shall it be eaten without salt?
or is there any taste in the white of an egge?
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- Such things as my soule refused to touch, as were sorowes, are my meate.
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- Oh that I might haue my desire, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
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- That is, that God would destroy me: that he would let his hand go, and cut me off.
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- Then should I yet haue comfort, (though I burne with sorowe, let him not spare) because I haue not denyed the wordes of the Holy one.
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- What power haue I that I should endure?
or what is mine end, if I should prolong my life?
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- Is my strength the strength of stones?
or is my flesh of brasse?
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- Is it not so, that there is in me no helpe?
and that strength is taken from me?
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- He that is in miserie, ought to be comforted of his neighbour: but men haue forsaken the feare of the Almightie.
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- My brethre haue deceiued me as a brook, and as the rising of the riuers they passe away.
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- Which are blackish with yee, and wherein the snowe is hid.
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- But in time they are dryed vp with heate and are consumed: and when it is hote they faile out of their places,
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- Or they depart from their way and course, yea, they vanish and perish.
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- They that go to Tema, considered them, and they that goe to Sheba, waited for them.
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- But they were confounded: when they hoped, they came thither and were ashamed.
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- Surely nowe are ye like vnto it: ye haue seene my fearefull plague, and are afraide.
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- Was it because I said, Bring vnto me?
or giue a rewarde to me of your substance?
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- And deliuer me from the enemies hande, or ransome me out of the hand of tyrants?
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- Teach me, and I wil hold my tongue: & cause me to vnderstande, wherein I haue erred.
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- Howe stedfast are the wordes of righteousnes?
and what can any of you iustly reproue?
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- Doe ye imagine to reproue wordes, that the talke of the afflicted should be as the winde?
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- Ye make your wrath to fall vpon the fatherlesse, and dig a pit for your friende.
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- Nowe therefore be content to looke vpon me: for I will not lie before your face.
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- Turne, I pray you, let there be none iniquitie: returne, I say, and ye shall see yet my righteousnesse in that behalfe.
- 30
- Is there iniquitie in my tongue?
doeth not my mouth feele sorowes?
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