Study Desk

For this cause I am in fear before him, my thoughts of him overcome me.

For God has made my heart feeble, and my mind is troubled before the Ruler of all.

For I am overcome by the dark, and by the black night which is covering my face.

They send away the ass of him who has no father, they take the widow's ox for debt.

Like asses in the waste land they go out to their work, looking for food with care; from the waste land they get bread for their children.

They are wet with the rain of the mountains, and get into the cracks of the rock for cover.

The child without a father is forced from its mother's breast, and they take the young children of the poor for debt.

From the town come sounds of pain from those who are near death, and the soul of the wounded is crying out for help; but God does not take note of their prayer.

And the man whose desire is for the wife of another is waiting for the evening, saying, No eye will see me; and he puts a cover on his face. And in the night the thief goes about;

For the middle of the night is as morning to them, they are not troubled by the fear of the dark.

He is not kind to the widow, and he has no pity for her child.

For a short time they are lifted up; then they are gone; they are made low, they are pulled off like fruit, and like the heads of grain they are cut off.

Is it possible for his armies to be numbered? and on whom is not his light shining?

How then is it possible for man to be upright before God? or how may he be clean who is a son of woman?

(For all my breath is still in me, and the spirit of God is my life;)

For what is the hope of the sinner when he is cut off, when God takes back his soul?

If his children are increased, it is for the sword; and his offspring have not enough bread.

When those of his house who are still living come to their end by disease, they are not put into the earth, and their widows are not weeping for them.

He may get them ready, but the upright will put them on, and he who is free from sin will take the silver for a heritage.

He goes to rest full of wealth, but does so for the last time: on opening his eyes, he sees it there no longer.