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 firm to 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; May God above not care for it, Nor light shine on it.

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

"May the stars of its twilight be darkened; May it wait for light but have none, And may 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 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 encounters me.

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

"For irritation kills the fool, And jealousy brings death to the simple.

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

"For disaster 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 make my plea before God,

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

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

"You will know that your tent is secure, For you will visit your home and have nothing missing.