Study Desk

Remember, my God, all these things that I have done for your Temple and its worship.

This is exactly why God punished your ancestors when he brought destruction on this city. And yet you insist on bringing more of God's anger down on Israel by profaning the Sabbath."

I ordered the Levites to purify themselves and to go and guard the gates to make sure that the Sabbath was kept holy. Remember me, O God, for this also, and spare me because of your great love.

I told them, "It was foreign women that made King Solomon sin. Here was a man who was greater than any of the kings of other nations. God loved him and made him king over all of Israel, and yet he fell into this sin.

Are we then to follow your example and disobey our God by marrying foreign women?"

Remember, God, how those people defiled both the office of priest and the covenant you made with the priests and the Levites.

I arranged for the wood used for burning the offerings to be brought at the proper times, and for the people to bring their offerings of the first grain and the first fruits that ripened. Remember all this, O God, and give me credit for it.

There was a man named Job, living in the land of Uz, who worshiped God and was faithful to him. He was a good man, careful not to do anything evil.

The morning after each feast, Job would get up early and offer sacrifices for each of his children in order to purify them. He always did this because he thought that one of them might have sinned by insulting God unintentionally.

In spite of everything that had happened, Job did not sin by blaming God.

His wife said to him, "You are still as faithful as ever, aren't you? Why don't you curse God and die?"

Job answered, "You are talking nonsense! When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when he sends us trouble?" Even in all this suffering Job said nothing against God.

Job O God, put a curse on the day I was born; put a curse on the night when I was conceived! <

Turn that day into darkness, God. Never again remember that day; never again let light shine on it.

God keeps their future hidden and hems them in on every side.

You worshiped God, and your life was blameless; and so you should have confidence and hope.

Like a storm, God destroys them in his anger.

The wicked roar and growl like lions, but God silences them and breaks their teeth.

"Can anyone be righteous in the sight of God or be pure before his Creator?

God does not trust his heavenly servants; he finds fault even with his angels.