Study Desk

Let the stars of twilight thereof be dark; let the people wait for light, but receive none; neither let them see the dawning of the day;

For now I should have been laid in the grave and been quiet, I should have slept; then I should have been at rest,

With kings and governors of the earth who built desolate places for themselves;

Who long for death, but it comes not, and seek it as one seeks a hidden treasure;

For my sighing comes before I eat, and my moanings are poured out like water.

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of has befallen me.

The lion perishes for the lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered.

They shall be afflicted from morning to evening, that they may not dwell for ever; yea, they shall perish.

For anger kills the foolish man, and enmity slays the silly one.

For falsehood does not come forth from the dust, nor does iniquity spring out of the ground;

For man is born for trouble, as sure as the wild birds fly.

But as for me. I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause,

So there shall be hope for the poor, but the wicked shall shut his mouth.

For it is he who wounds, and binds up; he smites, and his hands heal.

For you shall be in league with the stones of the field; and the wild beasts shall surrender to you.

Lo this thing we have searched, and it is so; we have heard it; and you know it for your good.

For then it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore my words are restrained.

For the arrows of the Almighty are in my flesh, and their poison drinks up my spirit; the terrors of God have frightened me.

Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

And to be again my comfort, so that I may be restored to my strength without measure; for I have not lied against the words of the Holy One.