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