Study Desk

"For what is the portion I would have from God above, And what heritage from the Almighty on high?

Let my wife grind [meal, like a bond slave] for another [man], And let others kneel down over her.

"For adultery is a heinous and lustful crime; Moreover, it would be a sin punishable by the judges.

"For it is a fire which consumes to Abaddon (destruction, ruin, final torment); And [illicit passion] would burn and rage and uproot all my [life's] increase [destroying everything].

"If I have withheld from the poor what they desired, Or have caused the eyes of the widow to look in vain [for relief],

If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor person without covering,

If his loins have not thanked and blessed me [for clothing them], And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,

"For tragedy from God is a terror to me, And because of His majesty and exaltation I can do nothing [nor endure facing Him].

This also would have been [a heinous] sin calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above.

"No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin By cursing my enemy and asking for his life.

"For if my land has cried out against me, And its furrows weep together;

If I have eaten its fruits without paying for them, Or have caused its [rightful] owners to lose their lives,

Elihu's anger burned against Job's three friends because they had found no answer [and were unable to determine Job's error], and yet they had condemned Job and declared him to be in the wrong [and responsible for his own afflictions].

Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite said, "I am young, and you are aged; For that reason I was anxious and dared not tell you what I think.

"You see, I waited for your words, I listened to your [wise] reasons, While you pondered and searched out what to say.

"Beware if you say, 'We have found wisdom; God thrusts Job down [justly], not man [for God alone is dealing with him].'

"Now Job has not directed his words against me [therefore I have no reason to be offended], Nor will I answer him with arguments like yours. [I speak for truth, not for revenge.]

"For I am full of words; The spirit within me constrains me.

"I will not [I warn you] be partial to any man [that is, let my respect for you mitigate what I say]; Nor flatter any man.

"For I do not know how to flatter, [in an appropriate way, and I fear that], My Maker would soon take me away.