Study Desk

"Indeed, I know that this is so; but how can a human win a case against God?

"I am innocent. Don't I know myself? But I've had enough of this life of mine!

If I am wicked, woe to me! — but if righteous, I still don't dare raise my head, because I am so filled with shame, so soaked in my misery.

but the eyes of the wicked will fail [to find comfort]. They will find no way to escape, and their hope will turn to complete disappointment."

But I too have a brain, as much as you, In no way am I inferior to you. Besides, who doesn't know things like these?

"But ask the animals — they will teach you — and the birds in the air — they will tell you;

But you, what you do is whitewash with lies; you are all witch doctors!

Look, he will kill me — I don't expect more, but I will still defend my ways to his face.

But when a human being grows weak and dies, he expires; and then where is he?

His children earn honor, but he doesn't know it; or they are brought low, but he doesn't notice.

"But now he has worn me out; you have desolated this whole community of mine.

For I have but few years left before I leave on the road of no return.

"But as for you all, turn around! Come back! — yet I won't find a wise man among you.

but they [try to] turn [my] night into day, [saying,] ‘Light is near!' — in the face of darkness.

You can tear yourself to pieces in your anger, but the earth won't be abandoned just for your sake; not even a rock will be moved from its place.

but know that it's God who has put me in the wrong and closed his net around me.

If I cry, ‘Violence!' no one hears me; I cry aloud, but there is no justice.

"But I know that my Redeemer lives, that in the end he will rise on the dust;

I have heard reproof that outrages me, but a spirit past my understanding gives me a reply.

but he will vanish completely, like his own dung — those who used to see him will ask, ‘Where is he?'