Study Desk

I am going soon to the land of no return, the place of death and darkness—

You say to God, ‘My arguments are right, and you can see I am pure.'

But my mind is as good as yours. You aren't any smarter than I am. You haven't said anything that people don't already know.

"My friends laugh at me now. They say, ‘He prayed to God and got his answer.' I am a good, innocent man, but still they laugh at me.

I know as much as you do. I am as smart as you are.

I am ready now to defend myself. I will carefully present my arguments. I know I will be shown to be right.

If anyone can prove I am wrong, I will shut up and wait to die.

Are you trying to scare me? I am only a leaf blowing in the wind. You are attacking a piece of straw!

So I am becoming weaker and weaker, like a piece of wood rotting away, like a piece of cloth eaten by moths.

You have made me thin and weak, and people think that means I am guilty.

"I am very sad, so I wear this sackcloth. I sit here in dust and ashes, feeling defeated.

My spirit is broken; I am ready to give up. My life is almost gone; the grave is waiting for me.

He hits me on every side until I am worn out. He takes away my hope. It is like a tree pulled up by the roots.

My servant girls and visitors in my home look at me as if I am a stranger and a foreigner.

"I am so thin, my skin hangs loose on my bones. I have little life left in me.

"You upset me, so I must answer you. I must tell you what I am thinking.

You insulted me with your answers! But I am wise and know how to answer you.

"My complaint is not against people. There is a good reason why I am not patient.

"I am still complaining today. I groan because God is still making me suffer.

I would present my case to him. I would make my arguments to show that I am innocent.