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For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, Their poison my spirit drinks; The horrors of God are arranged against me.
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Can something tasteless be eaten without salt, Or is there any taste in the slime of a yolk?
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Is it that there is no help within me, And that the success of sound wisdom is driven from me?
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“For the despairing man lovingkindness should be from his friend; But he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
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If I lie down I say, ‘When shall I arise?’ But the twilight continues, And I am saturated with tossing until dawn.
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My flesh is clothed with worms and a crust of dirt; My skin scabs over and flows out again.
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My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, And come to an end without hope.
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Then You frighten me with dreams And terrify me by visions,
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“Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh? Can the rushes grow without water?
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He will yet fill your mouth with laughter And your lips with shouting.
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Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, And the tent of the wicked will be no longer.”
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If one desired to contend with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand times.
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For He bruises me with a tempest And multiplies my wounds without cause.
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He will not allow me to get my breath, But saturates me with bitterness.
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If I should wash myself with snow And cleanse my hands with lye,
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Then I would speak and not fear Him; But I am not like that in myself.
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I will say to God, ‘Do not account me as wicked; Let me know why You contend with me.
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Clothe me with skin and flesh, And knit me together with bones and sinews?
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Yet these things You have concealed in Your heart; I know that this is within You:
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If I am wicked, woe to me! And if I am righteous, I dare not lift up my head. I am sated with disgrace—so see my misery!
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You renew Your witnesses against me And increase Your vexation toward me; Hardship after hardship is with me.
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Would He not cease for a few of my days? Withdraw from me that I may have a little cheer
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The land of utter gloom as the thick darkness itself, Of the shadow of death, without order, And which shines as the thick darkness.”
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Then, indeed, you could lift up your face without moral defect, And you would be steadfast and not fear.
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“Truly then you are the people, And with you wisdom will die!