Study Desk

"Does not God see my ways And count all my steps?

Oh, let Him weigh me with accurate scales, And let God know my integrity.

"If my step has turned away from the way [of God], Or if my heart has [covetously] followed my eyes, Or if any spot [of guilt] has stained my hands,

What then could I do when God arises [to judge me]? When He calls me to account, what will I answer Him?

"For tragedy from God is a terror to me, And because of His majesty and exaltation I can do nothing [nor endure facing Him].

This also would have been [a heinous] sin calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above.

But Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became indignant. His indignation was kindled and burned and he became upset with Job because he justified himself rather than God [and even expressed doubts about God's character].

"Beware if you say, 'We have found wisdom; God thrusts Job down [justly], not man [for God alone is dealing with him].'

"The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life [which inspires me].

"Behold, I belong to God like you; I too was formed out of the clay.

"Behold, I will not make you afraid or terrified of me [for I am only mortal and not God], Nor should any pressure from me weigh heavily upon you.

'Behold, God finds pretexts against me; He counts me as His enemy.

"Look, let me answer you, in this you are not right or just; For God is greater and far superior to man.

"For God speaks once, And even twice, yet no one notices it [including you, Job].

"If there is an angel as a mediator for him, One out of a thousand, To explain to a man what is right for him [that is, how to be in right standing with God],

"He will pray to God, and He shall be favorable to him, So that he looks at His face with joy; For God restores to man His righteousness [that is, his right standing with God—with its joys].

'God has redeemed my life from going to the pit [of destruction], And my life shall see the light.'"

[Elihu comments,] "Behold, God does all these things twice, yes, three times, with a man,

"For Job has said, 'I am righteous [and innocent], But God has taken away my right;

"For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing When he takes delight and is pleased with God and obeys Him.'