Study Desk

For what is God's reward from on high, or the heritage given by the Ruler of all from heaven?

Is it not trouble for the sinner, and destruction for the evil-doers?

Let me put seed in the earth for another to have the fruit of it, and let my produce be uprooted.

For that would be a crime; it would be an act for which punishment would be measured out by the judges:

If I kept back the desire of the poor; if the widow's eye was looking for help to no purpose;

If I kept my food for myself, and did not give some of it to the child with no father;

(For I was cared for by God as by a father from my earliest days; he was my guide from the body of my mother;)

If I saw one near to death for need of clothing, and that the poor had nothing covering him;

For the fear of God kept me back, and because of his power I might not do such things.

That would have been another sin to be rewarded with punishment by the judges; for I would have been false to God on high.

(For I did not let my mouth give way to sin, in putting a curse on his life;)

For fear of the great body of people, or for fear that families might make sport of me, so that I kept quiet, and did not go out of my door;

I said to myself, It is right for the old to say what is in their minds, and for those who are far on in years to give out wisdom.

I was waiting for your words, I was giving ear to your wise sayings; while you were searching out what to say,

For I am full of words, I am unable to keep in my breath any longer:

For I am not able to give names of honour to any man; and if I did, my Maker would quickly take me away.

See, he is looking for something against me; in his eyes I am as one of his haters;

Truly, in saying this you are wrong; for God is greater than man.

For God gives his word in one way, even in two, and man is not conscious of it:

He has no desire for food, and his soul is turned away from delicate meat;