Study Desk

My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind.

Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face.

Let your minds be changed, and do not have an evil opinion of me; yes, be changed, for my righteousness is still in me.

Has not man his ordered time of trouble on the earth? and are not his days like the days of a servant working for payment?

As a servant desiring the shades of evening, and a workman looking for his payment:

So I have for my heritage months of pain to no purpose, and nights of weariness are given to me.

The eye of him who sees me will see me no longer: your eyes will be looking for me, but I will be gone.

I have no desire for life, I would not be living for ever! Keep away from me, for my days are as a breath.

If I have done wrong, what have I done to you, O keeper of men? why have you made me a mark for your blows, so that I am a weariness to myself?

And why do you not take away my sin, and let my wrongdoing be ended? for now I go down to the dust, and you will be searching for me with care, but I will be gone.

If you will make search for God with care, and put your request before the Ruler of all;

(For we are but of yesterday, and have no knowledge, because our days on earth are gone like a shade:)

He is looking to his family for support, but it is not there; he puts his hope in it, but it comes to nothing.

Truly, I see that it is so: and how is it possible for a man to get his right before God?

Even if my cause was good, I would not be able to give an answer; I would make request for grace from him who was against me.

If I had sent for him to be present, and he had come, I would have no faith that he would give ear to my voice.

For I would be crushed by his storm, my wounds would be increased without cause.

I have done no wrong; I give no thought to what becomes of me; I have no desire for life.

You will not let me be clear of sin! why then do I take trouble for nothing?

For he is not a man as I am, that I might give him an answer, that we might come together before a judge.