Study Desk

They forced the poor to cry out to God, and he heard their calls for help.

If God decided to do nothing at all, no one could criticize him. If he hid his face, we would be helpless.

Job, have you confessed your sins to God and promised not to sin again?

Have you asked God to show you your faults, and have you agreed to stop doing evil?

Since you object to what God does, can you expect him to do what you want? The decision is yours, not mine; tell us now what you think.

To his sins he adds rebellion; in front of us all he mocks God.

or to ask God, "How does my sin affect you? What have I gained by not sinning?"

If you sin, that does no harm to God. If you do wrong many times, does that affect him?

Do you help God by being so righteous? There is nothing God needs from you.

But they don't turn to God, their Creator, who gives them hope in their darkest hours.

They don't turn to God, who makes us wise, wiser than any animal or bird.

They cry for help, but God doesn't answer, for they are proud and evil.

It is useless for them to cry out; Almighty God does not see or hear them.

Job, you say you can't see God; but wait patiently—your case is before him.

You think that God does not punish, that he pays little attention to sin.

My knowledge is wide; I will use what I know to show that God, my Creator, is just.

How strong God is! He despises no one; there is nothing he doesn't understand.

God shows them their sins and their pride.

If they obey God and serve him, they live out their lives in peace and prosperity.

But God teaches people through suffering and uses distress to open their eyes.