Study Desk

Who is he who will contend with me? For then I would be silent, and I would pass away.

"Indeed, there is hope for a tree: if it is cut down, then it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not cease;

"O that you would conceal me in Sheol, that you would hide me until your wrath is past, that you would appoint a set time for me and remember me.

You would call, and I myself would answer you; you would long for the work of your hand.

For then you would count my steps, but you would not keep watch over my sin.

He feels only the pain of his own body, and his inner self mourns for him."

For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty.

"Are the consolations of God too small for you, a word spoken gently with you?

"All of the wicked one's days he is writhing, even through the number of years that are laid up for the tyrant.

He cannot trust that he will return from darkness, and he himself is destined for the sword.

"He is wandering for bread, saying, ‘Where is it?' He knows that a day of darkness is ready at hand.

Anguish and distress terrify him; they overpower him like a king ready for the battle.

he will dwell in desolate cities, in houses that they should not inhabit, which are destined for rubble.

Let him not trust in emptiness—he will be deceiving himself— for worthlessness will be his recompense.

for the company of the godless is barren, and fire consumes the tents of those who accept bribes.

"I was at ease, then he broke me in two, and he seized me by my neck; then he shattered me and set me up as a target for him.

"O earth, you should not cover my blood, and let there be no place for my cry for help.

So now look, my witness is in the heavens, and he who vouches for me is in the heights.

and it argues for a mortal with God, and as a human for his friend.

"My spirit is pulled down; my days are extinguished; the graveyard is for me.