Study Desk

And thou hast said: 'My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in Thine eyes.'

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you; yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbour, a man that called upon God, and He answered him; the just, the innocent man is a laughing-stock,

What ye know, do I know also; I am not inferior unto you.

Though I am like a wine-skin that consumeth, like a garment that is moth-eaten.

Though I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and though I forbear, what am I eased?

He hath made me also a byword of the people; and I am become one in whose face they spit.

Behold, I cry out: 'Violence!' but I am not heard; I cry aloud, but there is no justice.

He hath broken me down on every side, and I am gone; and my hope hath He plucked up like a tree.

They that dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger; I am become an alien in their sight.

My breath is abhorred of my wife, and I am loathsome to the children of my tribe.

My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.

Even when I remember I am affrighted, and horror hath taketh hold on my flesh.

Therefore am I affrighted at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.

And now I am become their song, yea, I am a byword unto them.

He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.

I am become a brother to jackals, and a companion to ostriches.

For I am full of words; the spirit within me constraineth me.

Behold, I am toward God even as thou art; I also am formed out of the clay.

'I am clean, without transgression, I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me;