- 1
- But Iob answered, and sayd,
- 2
- Oh that my griefe were throughly weighed, and my calamitie layd in the balances together.
- 3
- For now it would be heauier then the sand of the sea, therefore my words are swallowed vp.
- 4
- For the arrowes of the Almightie are within me, the poyson whereof drinketh vp my spirit: the terrors of God doe set themselues in aray against mee.
- 5
- Doeth the wilde asse bray when he hath grasse?
or loweth the oxe ouer his fodder?
- 6
- Can that which is vnsauery, bee eaten without salt?
or is there any taste in the white of an egge?
- 7
- The things that my soule refused to touch, are as my sorrowfull meat.
- 8
- O that I might haue my request!
and that God would graunt mee the thing that I long for!
- 9
- Euen that it would please God to destroy mee, that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off.
- 10
- Then should I yet haue comfort, yea I would harden my selfe in sorrow;
let him not spare, for I haue not concealed the words of the holy One.
- 11
- What is my strength, that I should hope?
and what is mine ende, that I should prolong my life?
- 12
- Is my strength the strength of stones?
or is my flesh of brasse?
- 13
- Is not my helpe in me?
and is wisedome driuen quite from me?
- 14
- To him that is afflicted, pitie should be shewed from his friend;
But he forsaketh the feare of the Almighty.
- 15
- My brethren haue delt deceitfully as a brooke, & as the streame of brookes they passe away,
- 16
- Which are blackish by reason of the yce, and wherein the snow is hid:
- 17
- What time they waxe warme, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
- 18
- The pathes of their way are turned aside;
they goe to nothing, and perish.
- 19
- The troupes of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
- 20
- They were confounded because they had hoped;
they came thither, and were ashamed.
- 21
- For now ye are nothing;
ye see my casting downe, and are afraid.
- 22
- Did I say, Bring vnto mee?
or giue a reward for me of your substance?
- 23
- Or deliuer me from the enemies hand, or redeeme me from the hand of the mighty?
- 24
- Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause mee to vnderstand wherein I haue erred.
- 25
- How forcible are right wordes?
but what doeth your arguing reproue?
- 26
- Do ye imagine to reproue words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as winde?
- 27
- Yea, ye ouerwhelme the fatherlesse, and you digge a pit for your friend.
- 28
- Now therefore be content, looke vpon mee, for it is euident vnto you, if I lie.
- 29
- Returne, I pray you, let it not be iniquitie;
yea returne againe: my righteousnesse is in it.
- 30
- Is there iniquitie in my tongue?
cannot my taste discerne peruerse things?
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