Study Desk

Know then that God has wronged me And has closed His net around me.

"He has also kindled His anger against me And considered me as His enemy.

"His troops come together, And build up their way against me And camp around my tent.

"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.

"Though his loftiness reaches the heavens, And his head touches the clouds,

He perishes forever like his refuse; Those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?'

"The eye which saw him sees him no longer, And his place no longer beholds him.

"His sons favor the poor, And his hands give back his wealth.

"His bones are full of his youthful vigor, But it lies down with him in the dust.

"Though evil is sweet in his mouth And he hides it under his tongue,

Though he desires it and will not let it go, But holds it in his mouth,

Yet his food in his stomach is changed To the venom of cobras within him.

"He swallows riches, But will vomit them up; God will expel them from his belly.

"He returns what he has attained And cannot swallow it; As to the riches of his trading, He cannot even enjoy them.

"Nothing remains for him to devour, Therefore his prosperity does not endure.

"In the fullness of his plenty he will be cramped; The hand of everyone who suffers will come against him.

"When he fills his belly, God will send His fierce anger on him And will rain it on him while he is eating.

"It is drawn forth and comes out of his back, Even the glittering point from his gall. Terrors come upon him,

Complete darkness is held in reserve for his treasures, And unfanned fire will devour him; It will consume the survivor in his tent.

"The heavens will reveal his iniquity, And the earth will rise up against him.