Study Desk

Because it did not shut the doors of my mother's womb, Nor hide trouble from my eyes.

Because the arrows of the Almighty are within me, My spirit drinks their poison; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

Which are dull and dirty because of ice, And into which the snow melts and hides itself;

"They were put to shame and disappointed because they had trusted [that they would find water]; They came there and were ashamed.

"For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are [like] a shadow [just a breath or a vapor].

"Then you would trust [with confidence], because there is hope; You would look around you and rest securely.

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

"My eye has grown dim (unexpressive) because of grief, And all my [body's] members are [wasted away] like a shadow.

If I call out to the pit (grave), 'You are my father'; And to the worm [that feeds on decay], 'You are my mother and my sister [because I will soon be closest to you],'

"Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me answer, Because of the uneasiness that is within me.

"Because he knew no quietness or calm within him [because of his greed], He does not retain anything he desires.

"Is it because of your fear of Him that He corrects you, That He enters into judgment against you?

"Those who survive him will be buried because of the plague, And [their] widows will not be able to weep.

Because I rescued the poor who cried for help, And the orphan who had no helper.

If I have lifted my hand against the orphan, Because I saw [that the judges would be] my help at the [council] gate,

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

If I gloated and rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my [powerful] hand [alone] had obtained so much,

"The stranger has not lodged in the street, Because I have opened my door to the traveler.

Because I feared the great multitude, And the contempt of families terrified me, So that I kept silence and did not acknowledge my sin and did not go out of the door?

So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes [and could not be persuaded otherwise by them].