Chapter 6

  Then Job answered,  

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  'Oh that my anguish were weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!  

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  For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, Therefore have my words been rash.  

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  For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.  

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  Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?  

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  Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?  

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  My soul refuses to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me.  

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  'Oh that I might have my request; That God would grant the thing that I long for!  

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  Even that it would please God to crush me; That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!  

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  Be it still my consolation, Yes, let me exult in pain that doesn't spare, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.  

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  What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?  

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  Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?  

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  Isn't it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me?  

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  'To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; Even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.  

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  My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away;  

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  Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself:  

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  In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.  

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  The caravans that travel beside them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish.  

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  The caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them.  

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  They were put to shame because they had hoped; They came there, and were confounded.  

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  For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.  

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  Did I say, 'Give to me?' Or, 'Offer a present for me from your substance?'  

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  Or, 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand?' Or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?'  

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  'Teach me, and I will hold my peace; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.  

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  How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?  

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  Do you intend to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?  

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  Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend.  

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  Now therefore be pleased to look at me, For surely I shall not lie to your face.  

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  Please return. Let there be no injustice; Yes, return again, my cause is righteous.  

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  Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't my taste discern mischievous things?  

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