Study Desk

"As a slave earnestly longs for the shade, And as a hired man eagerly awaits his wages,

"He will not return again to his house, Nor will his place know about him anymore.

For his confidence is fragile and breaks, And his trust is [like] a spider's web.

"He trusts in his house, but it does not stand; He holds tightly to it, but it does not endure.

"He thrives and prospers [like a green plant] before the sun, And his branches spread out over his garden.

"His [godless] roots are wrapped around a pile of rocks, And he gazes at a house of stones.

"If he is snatched from his place [in the garden], Then his place will forget him, saying, 'I have never seen you.'

"Behold, this is the joy of His way; And from out of the dust others will spring up and grow [to take his place].

"It is God who removes the mountains, and they do not know it, When He overturns them in His anger;

"God will not turn back His anger; The [proud] helpers of Rahab [the arrogant monster of the sea] bow under Him.

"When [His] scourge kills suddenly, He mocks at the despair of the innocent.

"There is no arbitrator between us, Who could lay his hand upon us both [would that there were].

"Let Him take His rod away from me, And let not the dread and fear of Him terrify me.

"But oh, that God would speak, And open His lips [to speak] against you,

"Can you discover the depths of God? Can you [by searching] discover the limits of the Almighty [ascend to His heights, extend to His widths, and comprehend His infinite perfection]?

"His wisdom is as high as the heights of heaven. What can you do? It is deeper than Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead). What can you know?

"Now ask the animals, and let them teach you [that God does not deal with His creatures according to their character]; And ask the birds of the air, and let them tell you;

"With Him are might and sound wisdom, The misled and the misleader are His [and in His power].

"Will not His majesty terrify you, And will not the dread of Him fall upon you?

"Even though He kills me; I will hope in Him. Nevertheless, I will argue my ways to His face.