Study Desk

"But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And they will not escape [the justice of God]; And their hope is to breathe their last [and die]."

"I am a joke to my friends; I, one whom God answered when he called upon Him— A just and blameless man is a joke [and laughed to scorn].

"The tents of the destroyers prosper; And those who provoke God are [apparently] secure, Whom God brings into their power.

"Now ask the animals, and let them teach you [that God does not deal with His creatures according to their character]; And ask the birds of the air, and let them tell you;

"But I wish to speak to the Almighty, And I desire to argue with God.

"Will you speak what is unjust for God, And speak what is deceitful for Him?

"Will you show partiality for Him [and be unjust to me so that you may gain favor with Him]? Will you contend and plead for God?

"Why should I take my flesh in my teeth And put my life in my hands [incurring the wrath of God]?

"[O God] turn your gaze from him so that he may rest, Until he fulfills his day [on earth] like a hired man.

"Indeed, you are doing away with fear, And you are diminishing meditation before God.

"Do you hear the secret counsel of God, And do you limit [the possession of] wisdom to yourself?

"Are the consolations of God [as we have interpreted them to you] too trivial for you, [Or] were we too gentle toward you [in our first speech] to be effective?

That you should turn your spirit against God And let such words [as you have spoken] go out of your mouth?

"Behold, God puts no trust in His holy ones (angels); Indeed, the heavens are not pure in His sight—

"Because he has stretched out his hand against God And behaves arrogantly against the Almighty,

And he has lived in desolate [God-forsaken] cities, In houses which no one should inhabit, Which were destined to become heaps [of ruins];

"But now God has exhausted me. You [O Lord] have destroyed all my family and my household.

"God hands me over to criminals And tosses me [headlong] into the hands of the wicked.

"My friends are scoffers [who ridicule]; My eye pours out tears to God.

"Oh, that a man would mediate and plead with God [for me] Just as a man [mediates and pleads] with his neighbor and friend.