Study Desk

Behold, God will not cast away the blameless, Nor will He uphold the evildoers.

"Truly I know it is so, But how can a man be righteous before God?

God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered?

God will not withdraw His anger,The allies of the proud [fn] lie prostrate beneath Him.

I will say to God, "Do not condemn me; Show me why You contend with me.

But oh, that God would speak, And open His lips against you,

That He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your prudence. Know therefore that God exacts from you Less than your iniquity deserves.

"Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?

"I am one mocked by his friends, Who called on God, and He answered him, The just and blameless who is ridiculed.

The tents of robbers prosper, And those who provoke God are secure-- In what God provides by His hand.

But I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.

Will you speak wickedly for God, And talk deceitfully for Him?

Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for God?

Yes, you cast off fear, And restrain prayer before God.

Have you heard the counsel of God? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?

Are the consolations of God too small for you,And the word spoken gently [fn] with you?

That you turn your spirit against God, And let such words go out of your mouth?

If God puts no trust in His saints, And the heavens are not pure in His sight,

For he stretches out his hand against God, And acts defiantly against the Almighty,

God has delivered me to the ungodly, And turned me over to the hands of the wicked.