Study Desk

The topaz of Cush cannot be compared with it; it cannot be bought for pure gold.

for he himself looks to the end of the earth; he sees under all the heaven.

when he made a rule for the rain and a way for the thunder's lightning bolt,

when my paths were washed in sour milk, and the rock poured out streams of oil for me.

because I saved the needy who cried for help, and I saved the orphan for whom there was no helper.

The blessing of the wretched came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

"They listened to me and waited, and they kept silent for my counsel.

And they waited for me as for the rain, and they opened their mouth wide as for the spring rain.

I smiled for them when they had no confidence in anything, and they did not extinguish the light of my face.

"But now those younger than I, as far as days, laugh at me, whose fathers I rejected for setting with the dogs of my sheep and goats.

"But now I am their mocking song, and I have become a byword for them.

I cry to you for help, but you do not answer me; I stand, and you merely look at me.

Indeed, I know that you will bring me to death and to the house of assembly for all the living.

"Surely someone must not send a hand against the needy when, in his misfortune, there is a cry of help for them.

Have I not wept for the unfortunate, and grieved myself over the poor?

Indeed, I hoped for good, but evil came, and I waited for light, but darkness came.

I go about in mourning garb, but not in sunlight; I stand up in the assembly, and I cry for help.

I am a companion for the jackals and a companion for ostriches.

So my lyre came to be used for mourning, and my flute for the voice of those who weep.

Is not disaster for the evil one and ruin for the workers of mischief?