Study Desk

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

"Behold this; we have investigated it, and it is true. Hear and heed it, and know for yourself [for your own good]."

"For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; Therefore my words have been incoherent,

"Oh that my request would come to pass, And that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

"Then I would still have consolation, And I would jump for joy amid unsparing pain, That I have not denied or hidden the words of the Holy One.

"For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not abandon (turn away from) the fear of the Almighty.

"The caravans of Tema looked [for water], The caravans of Sheba waited for them [in vain].

"Did I ever say, 'Give me something,' Or, 'Pay a bribe for me from your wealth,'

"Now please look at me, And see if I lie to your face [for you know that I would not].

"As a slave earnestly longs for the shade, And as a hired man eagerly awaits his wages,

"I waste away and loathe my life; I will not live forever. Let me alone, for my days are but a breath [futile and without substance].

"If I have sinned, what [harm] have I done to You, O Watcher of mankind? Why have You set me as a target for You, So that I am a burden to myself?

"Why then do You not pardon my transgression And take away my sin and guilt? For now I will lie down in the dust; And You will seek me [diligently], but I will not be."

Then, if you are pure and upright, Surely now He will awaken for you And restore your righteous place.

"For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are [like] a shadow [just a breath or a vapor].

For his confidence is fragile and breaks, And his trust is [like] a spider's web.

"For though I were righteous, I could not answer. I must appeal for mercy to my Opponent and Judge.

"For He bruises me with a tempest And multiplies my wounds without cause.

"The earth is given into the hands of the wicked; He covers the faces of its judges [so that they are blind to justice]. If it is not He, then who is it [that is responsible for all this injustice]?

"For God is not a [mere] man, as I am, that I may answer Him, That we may go to court and judgment together.