Study Desk

He beats me down on every side until I am gone; he destroys my hope like a fallen tree.

I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.

"My troubled thoughts cause me to answer, because I am very upset.

You correct me and I am insulted, but I understand how to answer you.

When I think about this, I am terribly afraid and my body shakes.

That is why I am frightened of him; when I think of this, I am afraid of him.

But I am not hidden by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.

If this is not true, who can prove I am wrong? Who can show that my words are worth nothing?"

as long as I am alive and God's breath of life is in my nose,

I will never agree you are right; until I die, I will never stop saying I am innocent.

I will insist that I am right; I will not back down. My conscience will never bother me.

So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said this: "I am young, and you are old. That is why I was afraid to tell you what I know.

I am full of words, and the spirit in me causes me to speak.

I am like wine that has been bottled up; I am ready to burst like a new leather wine bag.

I open my mouth and am ready to speak.

My words come from an honest heart, and I am sincere in saying what I know.

I am just like you before God; I too am made out of clay.

You said, ‘I am pure and without sin; I am innocent and free from guilt.

"Job says, ‘I am not guilty, and God has refused me a fair trial.

Instead of getting a fair trial, I am called a liar. I have been seriously hurt, even though I have not sinned.'