Study Desk

Why do you strive against him? He will not defend his words —

to turn a person away from his action and protect a man from pride,

"He is also warned by pain when in bed, when all his bones are hurting;

His flesh wastes away, till one can't stand to look; his bones protrude and become unsightly.

His soul comes close to the pit and his life to those who bring death.

His flesh becomes fresher than that of a child, he returns to the days of his youth.

He prays to God and is accepted by him, so that he sees [God's] face with joy, and [God] repays the man for his righteousness.

For he pays people back for what they do and sees that each gets what his conduct deserves.

If he were to take back man's heart to himself, if he gathered to himself his spirit and breath;

who is neither partial toward princes nor favors the rich over the poor, since they all are the work of his hands.

For he keeps watch on a person's ways; he sees his every step.

because they turned away from following him and gave no thought to any of his ways,

"But if God is silent, who can accuse him; if he hides his face, who can see him? He may do this to nations and persons alike,

Must his rewards meet your approval? Well, you are the one who doesn't like them, so you, not I, should pick the alternative; come on, say what you think!

‘Iyov is speaking without thinking; his words lack discernment.'

For now to his sin he adds rebellion; he [mockingly] claps his hands among us and keeps adding to his words against God."

So Iyov is being futile when he opens his mouth; he is piling up words without knowledge."

"Look, God is powerful and despises no one, powerful in his strength of understanding.

He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous; but when he sets kings on their throne forever, they may become proud;

"God, with his affliction, delivers the afflicted; and he gets their attention by pressing on them.