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Then would I speak, and not fear him; for I am not so in myself.

Although thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand?

For thou sayest, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbour, a man that called upon God, and he answered him: the just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock.

What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.

Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I am righteous.

Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, like a garment that is moth-eaten.

Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?

He hath made me also a byword of the people; and I am become an open abhorring.

Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry for help, but there is no judgment.

He hath broken me down on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he plucked up like a tree.

They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.

My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.

Even when I remember I am troubled, and horror taketh hold on my flesh.

Therefore am I troubled at his presence; when I consider, I am afraid of him.

And now I am become their song, yea, I am a byword unto them.

He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.

I am a brother to jackals, and a companion to ostriches.

And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I held back, and durst not shew you mine opinion.