Study Desk

Their houses are safe from dread,And the rod of God is not on them.

They say to God, ‘Depart from us!We do not even desire the knowledge of Your ways.

"How often is the lamp of the wicked put out,Or does their disaster fall on them?Does God apportion destruction in His anger?

You say, ‘God stores away a man's wickedness for his sons.'Let God repay him so that he may know it.

Can anyone teach God knowledge,In that He judges those on high?

"Can a mighty man be of use to God,Or an insightful man be useful to himself?

"Is not God in the height of heaven?Look also at the distant stars, how high they are!

You say, ‘What does God know?Can He judge through the dense gloom?

They said to God, ‘Depart from us!'And ‘What can the Almighty do to them?'

For then you will delight in the AlmightyAnd lift up your face to God.

It is God who has made my heart faint,And the Almighty who has dismayed me,

From the city men groan,And the souls of the wounded cry out;Yet God does not pay attention to such offense.

How then can mortal man be right with God?Or how can he be pure who is born of woman?

"As God lives, who has removed my justice,And the Almighty, who has embittered my soul,

For as long as breath is in me,And the spirit from God is in my nostrils,

For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off,When God requires his soul?

Will God hear his cryWhen distress comes upon him?

Will he take delight in the Almighty?Will he call on God at all times?

I will instruct you in the power of God;What is with the Almighty I will not conceal.

"This is the portion of a wicked man from God,And the inheritance which the ruthless receive from the Almighty.