Study Desk

"Distress and anguish terrify him, They overpower him like a king ready for the attack,

"For he has covered his face with his fat And made his thighs heavy with flesh.

"Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself; For emptiness will be his reward.

"For the company of the godless is barren, And fire consumes the tents of the corrupt.

"O earth, do not cover my blood, And let there be no resting place for my cry.

"For when a few years are past, I shall go the way of no return.

"My spirit is broken, my days are extinguished, The grave is ready for me.

"Lay down, now, a pledge for me with Yourself; Who is there that will be my guarantor?

"For You have kept their heart from understanding, Therefore You will not exalt them.

"He who informs against friends for a share of the spoil, The eyes of his children also will languish.

"But come again all of you now, For I do not find a wise man among you.

"If I look for Sheol as my home, I make my bed in the darkness;

"How long will you hunt for words? Show understanding and then we can talk.

"O you who tear yourself in your anger— For your sake is the earth to be abandoned, Or the rock to be moved from its place?

"For he is thrown into the net by his own feet, And he steps on the webbing.

"A noose for him is hidden in the ground, And a trap for him on the path.

"Behold, I cry, 'Violence!' but I get no answer; I shout for help, but there is no justice.

"Pity me, pity me, O you my friends, For the hand of God has struck me.

"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.

"If you say, 'How shall we persecute him?' And 'What pretext for a case against him can we find?'