Study Desk

Since I am an honest man, he would let me tell my story. Then my Judge would set me free!

But God knows me. He is testing me and will see that I am as pure as gold.

That is why I am terrified to stand before him. Just thinking about it makes me afraid.

They are soaked with rain in the mountains. They stay close to the large rocks for shelter. They have no clothes, so they work naked. They carry piles of grain for others, but they go hungry. They press out olive oil and walk on grapes in the winepress, but they have nothing to drink. In the city you can hear the sad sounds of dying people. Those who are hurt cry out for help, but God does not listen. "Some people rebel against the light. They don't know what God wants. They don't live the way he wants. A murderer gets up at dawn and kills poor, helpless people. And at night he becomes a thief. A man who commits adultery waits for the night to come. He thinks, ‘No one will see me,' but still, he covers his face. When it is dark, evil people go out and break into houses. But during the day they lock themselves in their homes to avoid the light. The darkest night is their morning. They are friends with the terrors of darkness. " You say, ‘Evil people are taken away like things carried away in a flood. The land they own is cursed, so no one goes to work in their vineyards. As hot, dry weather melts away the winter snows, so the grave takes away those who have sinned. Their own mothers will forget them. Only the worms will want them. No one will remember them. They will be broken like a rotten stick! These evil people hurt women who have no children to protect them, and they refuse to help widows. By his power God removes the powerful. Even if they have a high position, they cannot be sure of their lives. They might feel safe and secure, but God is watching how they live. They might be successful for a while, but then they will be gone. Like everyone else, they will be cut down like grain.' "I swear these things are true! Who can prove that I lied? Who can show that I am wrong?"

"I swear these things are true! Who can prove that I lied? Who can show that I am wrong?"

I am shaking with fear. They chased my honor away like dust in the wind. My safety disappears like a cloud.

I am always sad and depressed, without any relief. I stand up in the public meeting and cry for help,

If God would use accurate scales, he would know that I am innocent.

So here's what Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: "I am only a young man, and you are all older. That is why I was afraid to tell you what I think.

I feel like a jar of wine that has never been opened. I am like a new wineskin ready to burst.

I am ready to speak.

‘I am pure and innocent; I did nothing wrong; I am not guilty!

Job says, ‘I am innocent, and God is not being fair to me.

I am right, but I am judged to be a liar. I have done no wrong, but I am badly hurt.'

"A person should say to God, ‘I am guilty; I will not sin anymore.

Show me the sins I am not able to see. If I have done wrong, I will not do it again.'

"Job, it is not fair for you to say, ‘I am more right than God,'

Job, I am telling the truth. I know what I am talking about.

"I am not worthy to speak! What can I say to you? I cannot answer you! I will put my hand over my mouth.

"Are you trying to show that I am unfair? Are you trying to look innocent by saying that I am guilty?