10 Alas, my mother, that you gave me birth,
    a man with whom the whole land strives and contends!
I have neither lent nor borrowed,
    yet everyone curses me.

11 The Lord said,

‘Surely I will deliver you for a good purpose;
    surely I will make your enemies plead with you
    in times of disaster and times of distress.

12 ‘Can a man break iron –
    iron from the north – or bronze?

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10 Alas, my mother, that you gave me birth,(A)
    a man with whom the whole land strives and contends!(B)
I have neither lent(C) nor borrowed,
    yet everyone curses(D) me.

11 The Lord said,

“Surely I will deliver you(E) for a good purpose;
    surely I will make your enemies plead(F) with you
    in times of disaster and times of distress.

12 “Can a man break iron—
    iron from the north(G)—or bronze?

Read full chapter