Study Desk

"I am still complaining today. I groan because God is still making me suffer.

because I helped the poor when they cried out. I helped the orphans who had no one to care for them.

Whenever I found people suffering because they didn't have clothes or saw a poor man with no coat,

Then Job's three friends gave up trying to answer him, because he was so sure that he was innocent.

But there was a young man there named Elihu son of Barakel. He was a descendant of a man named Buz. Elihu was from the family of Ram. He became very angry because Job kept saying he was innocent—that he was right and God was wrong.

Elihu was also angry with Job's three friends because they could not answer him, and yet they still considered him guilty of doing wrong.

I know this because he says, ‘You will gain nothing if you try to please God.'

He will do this because they rebelled against him and ignored what he wanted.

I think Job should be punished even more, because he answers us like someone who is evil!

because you also ask him, ‘What's the use of trying to please you? What good will it do me if I don't sin?'

"Or if evil people ask God for help, he will not answer them, because they are too proud.

"Job, tell us what we should say to God! We cannot think of what to say because of our ignorance.

That's because I did not give wisdom to the ostrich. She is foolish, and I made her that way.

But when the ostrich gets up to run, she laughs at the horse and its rider, because she can run faster than any horse.

After the Lord finished talking to Job, he spoke to Eliphaz from Teman. He said, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you did not tell the truth about me, as my servant Job did.

So now, Eliphaz, get seven bulls and seven rams. Take them to my servant Job. Kill them and offer them as a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will answer his prayer. Then I will not give you the punishment you deserve. You should be punished, because you were very foolish. You did not say what is right about me, as my servant Job did."

I can lie down to rest and know that I will wake up, because the Lord covers and protects me.

When I go to bed, I sleep in peace, because, Lord , you keep me safe.

Lord , come back and make me strong again. Save me because you are so loyal and kind.

Go away, you wicked people, because the Lord has heard my cries.