Study Desk

Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded,

"If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But ^(C1)who can refrain ^(F1)from speaking?

-"Behold, ^(C1)you have taught many, And you have strengthened weak hands.

-"Your words have helped the stumbling to stand, And you have strengthened ^(F1)feeble knees.

-"But now it comes to you, and you ^(C1)are impatient; It ^(C2)touches you, and you are horrified.

-"Is your ^(F1)(C1)fear of God not ^(C2)your confidence, And the integrity of your ways your hope?

"Remember now, ^(C1)who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright destroyed?

-"According to what I have seen, ^(C1)those who ^(F1)plow wrongdoing And those who sow trouble harvest it.

-"By ^(C1)the breath of God they perish, And ^(C2)by the ^(F1)blast of His anger they come to an end.

-"The ^(C1)roaring of the lion and the voice of the fierce lion, And the teeth of the young lions are broken out.

-"The ^(C1)lion perishes for lack of prey, And the ^(C2)cubs of the lioness are scattered.

"Now a word ^(C1)was brought to me secretly, And my ear received a ^(C2)whisper of it.

-"Amid disquieting ^(C1)thoughts from visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on people,

Dread came upon me, and trembling, And made ^(F1)all my bones shake.

-"Then a ^(F1)spirit passed by my face; The hair of my flesh stood up.

-"Something was standing still, but I could not recognize its appearance; A form was before my eyes; There was silence, then I heard a voice:

'Can ^(C1)mankind be righteous ^(F1)before God? Can a man be pure ^(F1)before his ^(C2)Maker?

-'^(C1)He puts no trust even in His servants; And He accuses His angels of error.

-'How much more those who live in ^(C1)houses of clay, Whose ^(C2)foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth!

-'^(C1)Between morning and evening they are broken in pieces; Unregarded, they ^(C2)perish forever.

-'Is their ^(C1)tent-cord not pulled out within them? They die, yet ^(C2)without wisdom.'