Study Desk

The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil."

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

While he was still speaking, another also came 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."

Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

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.

The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause."

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 speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

"May that day be darkness; Let not God above care for it, Nor light shine on it.

"Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, And 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 come to an end.

'Can mankind be just before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?

"But as for me, I would seek God, And I would place my cause before God;

"Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

"For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, Their poison my spirit drinks; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

"Oh that my request might come to pass, And that God would grant my longing!

"Would that God were willing to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off!

"Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert what is right?

"If you would seek God And implore the compassion of the Almighty,