Study Desk

I am ready to risk my life.

I've lost all hope, so what if God kills me? I am going to state my case to him.

I am ready to state my case, because I know I am in the right.

Are you coming to accuse me, God? If you do, I am ready to be silent and die.

What are my sins? What wrongs have I done? What crimes am I charged with?

You have seized me; you are my enemy. I am skin and bones, and people take that as proof of my guilt.

but I am not guilty of any violence, and my prayer to God is sincere.

I am being honest, God. Accept my word. There is no one else to support what I say.

You think you are better than I am, and regard my troubles as proof of my guilt.

God has made my own family forsake me; I am a stranger to those who knew me;

Listen to what I am saying; that is all the comfort I ask from you. <

Give me a chance to speak and then, when I am through, sneer if you like.

When I think of what has happened to me, I am stunned, and I tremble and shake.

I am honest; I could reason with God; he would declare me innocent once and for all.

What a big help you are to me— poor, weak man that I am! <

But men younger than I am make fun of me now! Their fathers have always been so worthless that I wouldn't let them help my dogs guard sheep.

Now they come and laugh at me; I am nothing but a joke to them.

I am overcome with terror; my dignity is gone like a puff of wind, and my prosperity like a cloud.

Now I am about to die; there is no relief for my suffering.

He throws me down in the mud; I am no better than dirt.