Study Desk

"Behold, happy is the person whom God disciplines, So do not reject the discipline of the Almighty.

"Behold this; we have investigated it, and so it is. Hear it, and know for yourself."

"For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not abandon the fear of the Almighty.

So I am allotted worthless months, And nights of trouble are apportioned to me.

So that my soul would choose suffocation, Death rather than my pains.

"Have I sinned? What have I done to You, Watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, So that I am a burden to myself?

"So are the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the godless will perish,

"In truth I know that this is so; But how can a person be in the right with God?

"Would He not leave my few days alone? Withdraw from me so that I may have a little cheerfulness

"Be silent before me so that I may speak; Then let come upon me what may.

"Since his days are determined, The number of his months is with You; And You have set his limits so that he cannot pass.

"Look away from him so that he may rest, Until he fulfills his day like a hired worker.

So a man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens no longer exist, He will not awake nor be woken from his sleep.

Water wears away stones, Its torrents wash away the dust of the earth; So You destroy a man's hope.

"He has blocked my way so that I cannot pass, And He has put darkness on my paths.

"Then be afraid of the sword for yourselves, For wrath brings the punishment of the sword, So that you may know there is judgment."

"You say, 'God saves up a person's wrongdoing for his sons.' Let God repay him so that he may know it.

"So how dare you give me empty comfort? For your answers remain nothing but falsehood!"

Or darkness, so that you cannot see, And a flood of water covers you.

'Clouds are a hiding place for Him, so that He cannot see; And He walks on the vault of heaven.'