Study Desk

The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause."

Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.

Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.

"May that day be darkness; Let not God above care for it, Nor light shine on it.

"As for that night, let darkness seize it; Let it not rejoice among the days of the year; Let it not come into the number of the months.

"Let the stars of its twilight be darkened; Let it wait for light but have none, And let it not see the breaking dawn;

"For now I would have lain down and been quiet; I would have slept then, I would have been at rest,

With kings and with counselors of the earth, Who rebuilt ruins for themselves;

Who long for death, but there is none, And dig for it more than for hidden treasures,

"For my groaning comes at the sight of my food, And my cries pour out like water.

"For what I fear comes upon me, And what I dread befalls me.

"The lion perishes for lack of prey, And the whelps of the lioness are scattered.

"For anger slays the foolish man, And jealousy kills the simple.

"His harvest the hungry devour And take it to a place of thorns, And the schemer is eager for their wealth.

"For affliction does not come from the dust, Nor does trouble sprout from the ground,

For man is born for trouble, As sparks fly upward.

"But as for me, I would seek God, And I would place my cause before God;

"For He inflicts pain, and gives relief; He wounds, and His hands also heal.

"For you will be in league with the stones of the field, And the beasts of the field will be at peace with you.

"You will know that your tent is secure, For you will visit your abode and fear no loss.