Study Desk

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.

And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord , and Satan also came among them.

And the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?"

Then Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason?

While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you."

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

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord , and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord .

And the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason."

Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die."

But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Let that day be darkness! May God above not seek it, nor light shine upon it.

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

Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?

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

‘Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?

"As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause,

"Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.

For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

"Oh that I might have my request, and that God would fulfill my hope,