Study Desk

My friends scorn me; My eyes pour out tears to God.

Oh, that one might plead for a man with God, As a man pleads for his neighbor!

Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, And this is the place of him who does not know God."

Know then that God has wronged me, And has surrounded me with His net.

"Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, For the hand of God has struck me!

Why do you persecute me as God does, And are not satisfied with my flesh?

And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,

He swallows down riches And vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly.

When he is about to fill his stomach, God will cast on him the fury of His wrath, And will rain it on him while he is eating.

This is the portion from God for a wicked man, The heritage appointed to him by God."

Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them.

Yet they say to God, "Depart from us, For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways.

"How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? How often does their destruction come upon them, The sorrows God distributes in His anger?

They say, 'God lays up one's [fn] iniquity for his children';Let Him recompense him, that he may know it.

"Can anyone teach God knowledge, Since He judges those on high?

"Can a man be profitable to God, Though he who is wise may be profitable to himself?

"Is not God in the height of heaven? And see the highest stars, how lofty they are!

And you say, "What does God know? Can He judge through the deep darkness?

They said to God, 'Depart from us!What can the Almighty do to them?' [fn]

For then you will have your delight in the Almighty, And lift up your face to God.