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[1]Butnow they that are younger than I, mock me: yea, they whose fathers I have refused to set with the dogs of my flocks.
[2]Forwhereto should the strength of their hands have served me, seeing age perished in them?
[3]Forpoverty and famine they were solitary, fleeing into the wilderness, which is dark, desolate and waste.
[4]Theycut up nettles by the bushes, and the juniper roots was their meat.
[5]Theywere chased forth from among men: they shouted at them, as at a thief.
[6]Thereforethey dwelt in the clefts of rivers, in the holes of the earth and rocks.
[7]Theyroared among the bushes, and under the thistles they gathered themselves.
[8]Theywere the children of fools and the children of villains, which were more vile than the earth.
[9]Andnow am I their song, and I am their talk.
[10]Theyabhor me, and flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.
[11]Becausethat God hath loosed my cord and humbled me, they have loosed the bridle before me.
[12]Theyouth rise up at my right hand: they have pushed my feet, and have trode on me as on the paths of their destruction.
[13]Theyhave destroyed my paths: they took pleasure at my calamity, they had none help.
[14]Theycame as a great breach of waters, and under this calamity they come on heaps.
[15]Fearis turned upon me: and they pursue my soul as the wind, and mine health passeth away as a cloud.
[16]Thereforemy soul is now poured out upon me, and the days of affliction have taken hold on me.
[17]Itpierceth my bones in the night, and my sinews take no rest.
[18]Forthe great vehemency is my garment changed, which compasseth me about as the collar of my coat.
[19]Hehath cast me into the mire, and I am become like ashes and dust.
[20]WhenI cry unto thee, thou dost not hear me, neither regardest me, when I stand up.
[21]Thouturnest thyself cruelly against me, and art enemy unto me with the strength of thine hand.
[22]Thoutakest me up and causest me to ride upon the wind, and makest my strength to fail.
[23]SurelyI know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all the living.
[24]Doubtlessnone can stretch his hand unto the grave, though they cry in his destruction.
[25]Didnot I weep with him that was in trouble? Was not my soul in heaviness for the poor?
[26]Yetwhen I looked for good, evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
[27]Mybowels did boil without rest: for the days of affliction are come upon me.
[28]Iwent mourning without sun: I stood up in the congregation and cried.
[29]Iam a brother to the dragons, and a companion to the ostriches.
[30]Myskin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.
[31]Thereforemine harp is turned to mourning, and mine organs into the voice of them that weep.
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