Study Desk

"For He knows false men, And He sees iniquity without investigating.

"For you would forget your trouble, As waters that have passed by, you would remember it.

"But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And there will be no escape for them; And their hope is to breathe their last."

"He who is at ease holds calamity in contempt, As prepared for those whose feet slip.

"Will you speak what is unjust for God, And speak what is deceitful for Him?

"Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for God?

"This also will be my salvation, For a godless man may not come before His presence.

"Who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.

"For You write bitter things against me And make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth.

"You put my feet in the stocks And watch all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet,

"For there is hope for a tree, When it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And its shoots will not fail.

"Oh that You would hide me in Sheol, That You would conceal me until Your wrath returns to You, That You would set a limit for me and remember me!

"You will call, and I will answer You; You will long for the work of Your hands.

"For now You number my steps, You do not observe my sin.

"But his body pains him, And he mourns only for himself."

"For your guilt teaches your mouth, And you choose the language of the crafty.

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

"The wicked man writhes in pain all his days, And numbered are the years stored up for the ruthless.

"He does not believe that he will return from darkness, And he is destined for the sword.

"He wanders about for food, saying, 'Where is it?' He knows that a day of darkness is at hand.