Study Desk

Look and listen carefully. Hear the prayer that I, your servant, am praying to you day and night for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we Israelites have done against you. My father's family and I have sinned against you.

So I sent messengers to them with this answer: "I am doing a great work, and I can't come down. I don't want the work to stop while I leave to meet you."

When the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, he saw Haman falling on the couch where Esther was lying. The king said, "Will he even attack the queen while I am in the house?" As soon as the king said that, servants came in and covered Haman's face.

when the Sabeans attacked and carried them away. They killed the servants with swords, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you!"

The messenger was still speaking when another messenger arrived and said, "Lightning from God fell from the sky. It burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you!"

The second messenger was still speaking when another messenger arrived and said, "The Babylonians sent three groups of attackers that swept down and stole your camels and killed the servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you!"

Suddenly a great wind came from the desert, hitting all four corners of the house at once. The house fell in on the young people, and they are all dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you!"

What I am saying is not wicked; I can tell the difference between right and wrong.

But I am given months that are empty, and nights of misery have been given to me.

"So I will not stay quiet; I will speak out in the suffering of my spirit. I will complain because I am so unhappy.

I am not the sea or the sea monster. So why have you set a guard over me?

"I am innocent, but I don't care about myself. I hate my own life.

Then I could speak without being afraid, but I am not able to do that.

"I hate my life, so I will complain without holding back; I will speak because I am so unhappy.

You know I am not guilty, but no one can save me from your power.

How terrible it will be for me if I am guilty! Even if I am right, I cannot lift my head. I am full of shame and experience only pain.

You say, ‘My teachings are right, and I am clean in God's sight.'

But my mind is as good as yours; you are not better than I am. Everyone knows all these things.

My friends all laugh at me when I call on God and expect him to answer me; they laugh at me even though I am right and innocent!

What you know, I also know. You are not better than I am.