Study Desk

I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said: "You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves!

Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, yet foreign women drew him into sin.

Why should we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?"

Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.

I also arranged for contributions of wood at the appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, with favor.

There once was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.

And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular practice.

One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.

Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil."

Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing?

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: "The fire of God fell from heaven. It burned and consumed the sheep and the servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you!"

In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing.

On another day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before Him.

Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him-blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause."

Then Job's wife said to him, "Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!"

"You speak as a foolish woman speaks," he told her. "Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

If only that day had turned to darkness! May God above disregard it; may no light shine upon it.

Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?

By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger they are consumed.

'Can a mortal be more righteous than God, or a man more pure than his Maker?