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3 episodes with job continues where is wisdom
3 episodes with job continues where is wisdom
3 episodes with job continues where is wisdom
3 episodes with job continues where is wisdom
3 episodes with job continues where is wisdom
3 episodes with job continues where is wisdom
2 episodes with job continues where is wisdom
Psalms and Wisdom: Psalm 139 Psalm 139 (Listen) Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 139 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,”12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. 13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.1 Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. 19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me!20 They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain.221 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?22 I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!324 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!4 Footnotes [1] 139:14 Or for I am fearfully set apart [2] 139:20 Hebrew lacks your name [3] 139:23 Or cares [4] 139:24 Or in the ancient way (compare Jeremiah 6:16) (ESV) Pentateuch and History: Job 28 Job 28 (Listen) Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,1 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Isaiah 50 Isaiah 50 (Listen) Israel's Sin and the Servant's Obedience 50 Thus says the LORD: “Where is your mother's certificate of divorce, with which I sent her away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.2 Why, when I came, was there no man; why, when I called, was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a desert; their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst.3 I clothe the heavens with blackness and make sackcloth their covering.” 4 The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.5 The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.6 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. 7 But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.8 He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.9 Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. 10 Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment. (ESV) Gospels and Epistles: Revelation 10 Revelation 10 (Listen) The Angel and the Little Scroll 10 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. 2 He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, 3 and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. 4 And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” 5 And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 6 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, 7 but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets. 8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” 9 So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” 10 And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. 11 And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.” (ESV)
Old Testament: Job 27–28 Job 27–28 (Listen) Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It1 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its2 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,3 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [2] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [3] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 55 Psalm 55 (Listen) Cast Your Burden on the Lord To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil1 of David. 55 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!2 Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan,3 because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me. 4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.5 Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;7 yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah8 I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.” 9 Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city.10 Day and night they go around it on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it;11 ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace. 12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him.13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.14 We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng.15 Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart. 16 But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.18 He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.19 God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God. 20 My companion2 stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant.21 His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. 23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you. Footnotes [1] 55:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 55:20 Hebrew He (ESV) New Testament: Luke 19 Luke 19 (Listen) Jesus and Zacchaeus 19 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” The Parable of the Ten Minas 11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants,1 he gave them ten minas,2 and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.' 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.' 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.' 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant!3 Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.' 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.' 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.' 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.' 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!' 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.'” The Triumphal Entry 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.'” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem 41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Jesus Cleanses the Temple 45 And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers.” 47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words. Footnotes [1] 19:13 Or bondservants; also verse 15 [2] 19:13 A mina was about three months' wages for a laborer [3] 19:17 Or bondservant; also verse 22 (ESV)
Old Testament: Job 27–28 Job 27–28 (Listen) Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It1 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its2 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,3 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [2] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [3] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 (Listen) 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 55 Psalm 55 (Listen) Cast Your Burden on the Lord To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil1 of David. 55 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!2 Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan,3 because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me. 4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.5 Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;7 yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah8 I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.” 9 Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city.10 Day and night they go around it on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it;11 ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace. 12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him.13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.14 We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng.15 Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart. 16 But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.18 He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.19 God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God. 20 My companion2 stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant.21 His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. 23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you. Footnotes [1] 55:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 55:20 Hebrew He (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 22:14 Proverbs 22:14 (Listen) 14 The mouth of forbidden1 women is a deep pit; he with whom the LORD is angry will fall into it. Footnotes [1] 22:14 Hebrew strange (ESV)
Morning: Job 26–28 Job 26–28 (Listen) Job Replies: God's Majesty Is Unsearchable 26 Then Job answered and said: 2 “How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength!3 How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!4 With whose help have you uttered words, and whose breath has come out from you?5 The dead tremble under the waters and their inhabitants.6 Sheol is naked before God,1 and Abaddon has no covering.7 He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them.9 He covers the face of the full moon2 and spreads over it his cloud.10 He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke.12 By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab.13 By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent.14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It3 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its4 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,5 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 26:6 Hebrew him [2] 26:9 Or his throne [3] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [4] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [5] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) Evening: Acts 11 Acts 11 (Listen) Peter Reports to the Church 11 Now the apostles and the brothers1 who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party2 criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. 6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.' 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.' 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” The Church in Antioch 19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists3 also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. 27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers4 living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. Footnotes [1] 11:1 Or brothers and sisters [2] 11:2 Or Jerusalem, those of the circumcision [3] 11:20 Or Greeks (that is, Greek-speaking non-Jews) [4] 11:29 Or brothers and sisters (ESV)
Job 24–28 Job 24–28 (Listen) 24 “Why are not times of judgment kept by the Almighty, and why do those who know him never see his days?2 Some move landmarks; they seize flocks and pasture them.3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; they take the widow's ox for a pledge.4 They thrust the poor off the road; the poor of the earth all hide themselves.5 Behold, like wild donkeys in the desert the poor1 go out to their toil, seeking game; the wasteland yields food for their children.6 They gather their2 fodder in the field, and they glean the vineyard of the wicked man.7 They lie all night naked, without clothing, and have no covering in the cold.8 They are wet with the rain of the mountains and cling to the rock for lack of shelter.9 (There are those who snatch the fatherless child from the breast, and they take a pledge against the poor.)10 They go about naked, without clothing; hungry, they carry the sheaves;11 among the olive rows of the wicked3 they make oil; they tread the winepresses, but suffer thirst.12 From out of the city the dying4 groan, and the soul of the wounded cries for help; yet God charges no one with wrong. 13 “There are those who rebel against the light, who are not acquainted with its ways, and do not stay in its paths.14 The murderer rises before it is light, that he may kill the poor and needy, and in the night he is like a thief.15 The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me'; and he veils his face.16 In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves up; they do not know the light.17 For deep darkness is morning to all of them; for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness. 18 “You say, ‘Swift are they on the face of the waters; their portion is cursed in the land; no treader turns toward their vineyards.19 Drought and heat snatch away the snow waters; so does Sheol those who have sinned.20 The womb forgets them; the worm finds them sweet; they are no longer remembered, so wickedness is broken like a tree.' 21 “They wrong the barren, childless woman, and do no good to the widow.22 Yet God5 prolongs the life of the mighty by his power; they rise up when they despair of life.23 He gives them security, and they are supported, and his eyes are upon their ways.24 They are exalted a little while, and then are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like the heads of grain.25 If it is not so, who will prove me a liar and show that there is nothing in what I say?” Bildad Speaks: Man Cannot Be Righteous 25 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: 2 “Dominion and fear are with God;6 he makes peace in his high heaven.3 Is there any number to his armies? Upon whom does his light not arise?4 How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure?5 Behold, even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure in his eyes;6 how much less man, who is a maggot, and the son of man, who is a worm!” Job Replies: God's Majesty Is Unsearchable 26 Then Job answered and said: 2 “How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength!3 How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!4 With whose help have you uttered words, and whose breath has come out from you?5 The dead tremble under the waters and their inhabitants.6 Sheol is naked before God,7 and Abaddon has no covering.7 He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them.9 He covers the face of the full moon8 and spreads over it his cloud.10 He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke.12 By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab.13 By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent.14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It9 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its10 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,11 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 24:5 Hebrew they [2] 24:6 Hebrew his [3] 24:11 Hebrew their olive rows [4] 24:12 Or the men [5] 24:22 Hebrew he [6] 25:2 Hebrew him [7] 26:6 Hebrew him [8] 26:9 Or his throne [9] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [10] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [11] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV)
Job 24–28 Job 24–28 (Listen) 24 “Why are not times of judgment kept by the Almighty, and why do those who know him never see his days?2 Some move landmarks; they seize flocks and pasture them.3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; they take the widow's ox for a pledge.4 They thrust the poor off the road; the poor of the earth all hide themselves.5 Behold, like wild donkeys in the desert the poor1 go out to their toil, seeking game; the wasteland yields food for their children.6 They gather their2 fodder in the field, and they glean the vineyard of the wicked man.7 They lie all night naked, without clothing, and have no covering in the cold.8 They are wet with the rain of the mountains and cling to the rock for lack of shelter.9 (There are those who snatch the fatherless child from the breast, and they take a pledge against the poor.)10 They go about naked, without clothing; hungry, they carry the sheaves;11 among the olive rows of the wicked3 they make oil; they tread the winepresses, but suffer thirst.12 From out of the city the dying4 groan, and the soul of the wounded cries for help; yet God charges no one with wrong. 13 “There are those who rebel against the light, who are not acquainted with its ways, and do not stay in its paths.14 The murderer rises before it is light, that he may kill the poor and needy, and in the night he is like a thief.15 The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me'; and he veils his face.16 In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves up; they do not know the light.17 For deep darkness is morning to all of them; for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness. 18 “You say, ‘Swift are they on the face of the waters; their portion is cursed in the land; no treader turns toward their vineyards.19 Drought and heat snatch away the snow waters; so does Sheol those who have sinned.20 The womb forgets them; the worm finds them sweet; they are no longer remembered, so wickedness is broken like a tree.' 21 “They wrong the barren, childless woman, and do no good to the widow.22 Yet God5 prolongs the life of the mighty by his power; they rise up when they despair of life.23 He gives them security, and they are supported, and his eyes are upon their ways.24 They are exalted a little while, and then are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like the heads of grain.25 If it is not so, who will prove me a liar and show that there is nothing in what I say?” Bildad Speaks: Man Cannot Be Righteous 25 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: 2 “Dominion and fear are with God;6 he makes peace in his high heaven.3 Is there any number to his armies? Upon whom does his light not arise?4 How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure?5 Behold, even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure in his eyes;6 how much less man, who is a maggot, and the son of man, who is a worm!” Job Replies: God's Majesty Is Unsearchable 26 Then Job answered and said: 2 “How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength!3 How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!4 With whose help have you uttered words, and whose breath has come out from you?5 The dead tremble under the waters and their inhabitants.6 Sheol is naked before God,7 and Abaddon has no covering.7 He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them.9 He covers the face of the full moon8 and spreads over it his cloud.10 He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke.12 By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab.13 By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent.14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It9 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its10 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,11 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 24:5 Hebrew they [2] 24:6 Hebrew his [3] 24:11 Hebrew their olive rows [4] 24:12 Or the men [5] 24:22 Hebrew he [6] 25:2 Hebrew him [7] 26:6 Hebrew him [8] 26:9 Or his throne [9] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [10] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [11] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV)
With family: Exodus 10; Luke 13 Exodus 10 (Listen) The Eighth Plague: Locusts 10 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them, 2 and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them, that you may know that I am the LORD.” 3 So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me. 4 For if you refuse to let my people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your country, 5 and they shall cover the face of the land, so that no one can see the land. And they shall eat what is left to you after the hail, and they shall eat every tree of yours that grows in the field, 6 and they shall fill your houses and the houses of all your servants and of all the Egyptians, as neither your fathers nor your grandfathers have seen, from the day they came on earth to this day.'” Then he turned and went out from Pharaoh. 7 Then Pharaoh's servants said to him, “How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not yet understand that Egypt is ruined?” 8 So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. And he said to them, “Go, serve the LORD your God. But which ones are to go?” 9 Moses said, “We will go with our young and our old. We will go with our sons and daughters and with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a feast to the LORD.” 10 But he said to them, “The LORD be with you, if ever I let you and your little ones go! Look, you have some evil purpose in mind.1 11 No! Go, the men among you, and serve the LORD, for that is what you are asking.” And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence. 12 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, so that they may come upon the land of Egypt and eat every plant in the land, all that the hail has left.” 13 So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day and all that night. When it was morning, the east wind had brought the locusts. 14 The locusts came up over all the land of Egypt and settled on the whole country of Egypt, such a dense swarm of locusts as had never been before, nor ever will be again. 15 They covered the face of the whole land, so that the land was darkened, and they ate all the plants in the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left. Not a green thing remained, neither tree nor plant of the field, through all the land of Egypt. 16 Then Pharaoh hastily called Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you. 17 Now therefore, forgive my sin, please, only this once, and plead with the LORD your God only to remove this death from me.” 18 So he went out from Pharaoh and pleaded with the LORD. 19 And the LORD turned the wind into a very strong west wind, which lifted the locusts and drove them into the Red Sea. Not a single locust was left in all the country of Egypt. 20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go. The Ninth Plague: Darkness 21 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt.” 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. 23 They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived. 24 Then Pharaoh called Moses and said, “Go, serve the LORD; your little ones also may go with you; only let your flocks and your herds remain behind.” 25 But Moses said, “You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. 26 Our livestock also must go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind, for we must take of them to serve the LORD our God, and we do not know with what we must serve the LORD until we arrive there.” 27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. 28 Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me; take care never to see my face again, for on the day you see my face you shall die.” 29 Moses said, “As you say! I will not see your face again.” Footnotes [1] 10:10 Hebrew before your face (ESV) Luke 13 (Listen) Repent or Perish 13 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree 6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?' 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'” A Woman with a Disabling Spirit 10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” 13 And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” 17 As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. The Mustard Seed and the Leaven 18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” 20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” The Narrow Door 22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.' 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!' 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Lament over Jerusalem 31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.' 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'” (ESV) In private: Job 28; 1 Corinthians 14 Job 28 (Listen) Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,1 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) 1 Corinthians 14 (Listen) Prophecy and Tongues 14 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. 6 Now, brothers,1 if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. 13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider2 say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign3 not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. Orderly Worship 26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. 36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order. Footnotes [1] 14:6 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 20, 26, 39 [2] 14:16 Or of him that is without gifts [3] 14:22 Greek lacks a sign (ESV)
Psalms and Wisdom: Psalm 139 Psalm 139 (Listen) Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 139 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,”12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. 13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.1 Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. 19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me!20 They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain.221 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?22 I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!324 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!4 Footnotes [1] 139:14 Or for I am fearfully set apart [2] 139:20 Hebrew lacks your name [3] 139:23 Or cares [4] 139:24 Or in the ancient way (compare Jeremiah 6:16) (ESV) Pentateuch and History: Job 28 Job 28 (Listen) Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,1 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Isaiah 50 Isaiah 50 (Listen) Israel's Sin and the Servant's Obedience 50 Thus says the LORD: “Where is your mother's certificate of divorce, with which I sent her away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.2 Why, when I came, was there no man; why, when I called, was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a desert; their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst.3 I clothe the heavens with blackness and make sackcloth their covering.” 4 The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.5 The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.6 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. 7 But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.8 He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.9 Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. 10 Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment. (ESV) Gospels and Epistles: Revelation 10 Revelation 10 (Listen) The Angel and the Little Scroll 10 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. 2 He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, 3 and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. 4 And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” 5 And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 6 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, 7 but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets. 8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” 9 So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” 10 And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. 11 And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.” (ESV)
Proper 19 First Psalm: Psalms 70–71 Psalms 70–71 (Listen) O Lord, Do Not Delay To the choirmaster. Of David, for the memorial offering. 70 Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!2 Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!3 Let them turn back because of their shame who say, “Aha, Aha!” 4 May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”5 But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay! Forsake Me Not When My Strength Is Spent 71 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me!3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you. 7 I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.10 For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together11 and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.” 12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt.14 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. 17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again. 22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt. (ESV) Second Psalm: Psalm 74 Psalm 74 (Listen) Arise, O God, Defend Your Cause A Maskil1 of Asaph. 74 O God, why do you cast us off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?2 Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt.3 Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins; the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary! 4 Your foes have roared in the midst of your meeting place; they set up their own signs for signs.5 They were like those who swing axes in a forest of trees.26 And all its carved wood they broke down with hatchets and hammers.7 They set your sanctuary on fire; they profaned the dwelling place of your name, bringing it down to the ground.8 They said to themselves, “We will utterly subdue them”; they burned all the meeting places of God in the land. 9 We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, and there is none among us who knows how long.10 How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever?11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the fold of your garment3 and destroy them! 12 Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.13 You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the sea monsters4 on the waters.14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.15 You split open springs and brooks; you dried up ever-flowing streams.16 Yours is the day, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun.17 You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter. 18 Remember this, O LORD, how the enemy scoffs, and a foolish people reviles your name.19 Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts; do not forget the life of your poor forever. 20 Have regard for the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.21 Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name. 22 Arise, O God, defend your cause; remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day!23 Do not forget the clamor of your foes, the uproar of those who rise against you, which goes up continually! Footnotes [1] 74:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 74:5 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain [3] 74:11 Hebrew from your bosom [4] 74:13 Or the great sea creatures (ESV) Old Testament: Job 28 Job 28 (Listen) Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,1 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) New Testament: Acts 16:25–40 Acts 16:25–40 (Listen) The Philippian Jailer Converted 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer1 called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. 35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed. Footnotes [1] 16:29 Greek he (ESV) Gospel: John 12:27–36 John 12:27–36 (Listen) The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” The Unbelief of the People When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. (ESV)
Old Testament: Job 27–28 Job 27–28 (Listen) Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It1 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its2 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,3 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [2] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [3] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 (Listen) 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 55 Psalm 55 (Listen) Cast Your Burden on the Lord To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil1 of David. 55 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!2 Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan,3 because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me. 4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.5 Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;7 yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah8 I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.” 9 Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city.10 Day and night they go around it on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it;11 ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace. 12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him.13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.14 We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng.15 Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart. 16 But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.18 He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.19 God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God. 20 My companion2 stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant.21 His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. 23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you. Footnotes [1] 55:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 55:20 Hebrew He (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 22:14 Proverbs 22:14 (Listen) 14 The mouth of forbidden1 women is a deep pit; he with whom the LORD is angry will fall into it. Footnotes [1] 22:14 Hebrew strange (ESV)
Old Testament: Job 27–28 Job 27–28 (Listen) Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It1 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its2 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,3 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [2] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [3] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 55 Psalm 55 (Listen) Cast Your Burden on the Lord To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil1 of David. 55 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!2 Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan,3 because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me. 4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.5 Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;7 yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah8 I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.” 9 Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city.10 Day and night they go around it on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it;11 ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace. 12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him.13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.14 We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng.15 Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart. 16 But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.18 He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.19 God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God. 20 My companion2 stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant.21 His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. 23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you. Footnotes [1] 55:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 55:20 Hebrew He (ESV) New Testament: Luke 19 Luke 19 (Listen) Jesus and Zacchaeus 19 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” The Parable of the Ten Minas 11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants,1 he gave them ten minas,2 and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.' 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.' 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.' 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant!3 Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.' 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.' 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.' 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.' 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!' 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.'” The Triumphal Entry 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.'” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem 41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Jesus Cleanses the Temple 45 And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers.” 47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words. Footnotes [1] 19:13 Or bondservants; also verse 15 [2] 19:13 A mina was about three months' wages for a laborer [3] 19:17 Or bondservant; also verse 22 (ESV)
Morning: Job 26–28 Job 26–28 (Listen) Job Replies: God's Majesty Is Unsearchable 26 Then Job answered and said: 2 “How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength!3 How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!4 With whose help have you uttered words, and whose breath has come out from you?5 The dead tremble under the waters and their inhabitants.6 Sheol is naked before God,1 and Abaddon has no covering.7 He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them.9 He covers the face of the full moon2 and spreads over it his cloud.10 He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke.12 By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab.13 By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent.14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It3 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its4 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,5 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 26:6 Hebrew him [2] 26:9 Or his throne [3] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [4] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [5] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) Evening: Acts 11 Acts 11 (Listen) Peter Reports to the Church 11 Now the apostles and the brothers1 who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party2 criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. 6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.' 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.' 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” The Church in Antioch 19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists3 also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. 27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers4 living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. Footnotes [1] 11:1 Or brothers and sisters [2] 11:2 Or Jerusalem, those of the circumcision [3] 11:20 Or Greeks (that is, Greek-speaking non-Jews) [4] 11:29 Or brothers and sisters (ESV)
Job 24–28 Job 24–28 (Listen) 24 “Why are not times of judgment kept by the Almighty, and why do those who know him never see his days?2 Some move landmarks; they seize flocks and pasture them.3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; they take the widow's ox for a pledge.4 They thrust the poor off the road; the poor of the earth all hide themselves.5 Behold, like wild donkeys in the desert the poor1 go out to their toil, seeking game; the wasteland yields food for their children.6 They gather their2 fodder in the field, and they glean the vineyard of the wicked man.7 They lie all night naked, without clothing, and have no covering in the cold.8 They are wet with the rain of the mountains and cling to the rock for lack of shelter.9 (There are those who snatch the fatherless child from the breast, and they take a pledge against the poor.)10 They go about naked, without clothing; hungry, they carry the sheaves;11 among the olive rows of the wicked3 they make oil; they tread the winepresses, but suffer thirst.12 From out of the city the dying4 groan, and the soul of the wounded cries for help; yet God charges no one with wrong. 13 “There are those who rebel against the light, who are not acquainted with its ways, and do not stay in its paths.14 The murderer rises before it is light, that he may kill the poor and needy, and in the night he is like a thief.15 The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me'; and he veils his face.16 In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves up; they do not know the light.17 For deep darkness is morning to all of them; for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness. 18 “You say, ‘Swift are they on the face of the waters; their portion is cursed in the land; no treader turns toward their vineyards.19 Drought and heat snatch away the snow waters; so does Sheol those who have sinned.20 The womb forgets them; the worm finds them sweet; they are no longer remembered, so wickedness is broken like a tree.' 21 “They wrong the barren, childless woman, and do no good to the widow.22 Yet God5 prolongs the life of the mighty by his power; they rise up when they despair of life.23 He gives them security, and they are supported, and his eyes are upon their ways.24 They are exalted a little while, and then are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like the heads of grain.25 If it is not so, who will prove me a liar and show that there is nothing in what I say?” Bildad Speaks: Man Cannot Be Righteous 25 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: 2 “Dominion and fear are with God;6 he makes peace in his high heaven.3 Is there any number to his armies? Upon whom does his light not arise?4 How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure?5 Behold, even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure in his eyes;6 how much less man, who is a maggot, and the son of man, who is a worm!” Job Replies: God's Majesty Is Unsearchable 26 Then Job answered and said: 2 “How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength!3 How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!4 With whose help have you uttered words, and whose breath has come out from you?5 The dead tremble under the waters and their inhabitants.6 Sheol is naked before God,7 and Abaddon has no covering.7 He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them.9 He covers the face of the full moon8 and spreads over it his cloud.10 He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke.12 By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab.13 By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent.14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It9 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its10 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,11 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 24:5 Hebrew they [2] 24:6 Hebrew his [3] 24:11 Hebrew their olive rows [4] 24:12 Or the men [5] 24:22 Hebrew he [6] 25:2 Hebrew him [7] 26:6 Hebrew him [8] 26:9 Or his throne [9] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [10] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [11] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV)
Job 24–28 Job 24–28 (Listen) 24 “Why are not times of judgment kept by the Almighty, and why do those who know him never see his days?2 Some move landmarks; they seize flocks and pasture them.3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; they take the widow's ox for a pledge.4 They thrust the poor off the road; the poor of the earth all hide themselves.5 Behold, like wild donkeys in the desert the poor1 go out to their toil, seeking game; the wasteland yields food for their children.6 They gather their2 fodder in the field, and they glean the vineyard of the wicked man.7 They lie all night naked, without clothing, and have no covering in the cold.8 They are wet with the rain of the mountains and cling to the rock for lack of shelter.9 (There are those who snatch the fatherless child from the breast, and they take a pledge against the poor.)10 They go about naked, without clothing; hungry, they carry the sheaves;11 among the olive rows of the wicked3 they make oil; they tread the winepresses, but suffer thirst.12 From out of the city the dying4 groan, and the soul of the wounded cries for help; yet God charges no one with wrong. 13 “There are those who rebel against the light, who are not acquainted with its ways, and do not stay in its paths.14 The murderer rises before it is light, that he may kill the poor and needy, and in the night he is like a thief.15 The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me'; and he veils his face.16 In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves up; they do not know the light.17 For deep darkness is morning to all of them; for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness. 18 “You say, ‘Swift are they on the face of the waters; their portion is cursed in the land; no treader turns toward their vineyards.19 Drought and heat snatch away the snow waters; so does Sheol those who have sinned.20 The womb forgets them; the worm finds them sweet; they are no longer remembered, so wickedness is broken like a tree.' 21 “They wrong the barren, childless woman, and do no good to the widow.22 Yet God5 prolongs the life of the mighty by his power; they rise up when they despair of life.23 He gives them security, and they are supported, and his eyes are upon their ways.24 They are exalted a little while, and then are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like the heads of grain.25 If it is not so, who will prove me a liar and show that there is nothing in what I say?” Bildad Speaks: Man Cannot Be Righteous 25 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: 2 “Dominion and fear are with God;6 he makes peace in his high heaven.3 Is there any number to his armies? Upon whom does his light not arise?4 How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure?5 Behold, even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure in his eyes;6 how much less man, who is a maggot, and the son of man, who is a worm!” Job Replies: God's Majesty Is Unsearchable 26 Then Job answered and said: 2 “How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength!3 How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!4 With whose help have you uttered words, and whose breath has come out from you?5 The dead tremble under the waters and their inhabitants.6 Sheol is naked before God,7 and Abaddon has no covering.7 He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them.9 He covers the face of the full moon8 and spreads over it his cloud.10 He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke.12 By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab.13 By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent.14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It9 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its10 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,11 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 24:5 Hebrew they [2] 24:6 Hebrew his [3] 24:11 Hebrew their olive rows [4] 24:12 Or the men [5] 24:22 Hebrew he [6] 25:2 Hebrew him [7] 26:6 Hebrew him [8] 26:9 Or his throne [9] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [10] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [11] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV)
With family: Exodus 10; Luke 13 Exodus 10 (Listen) The Eighth Plague: Locusts 10 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them, 2 and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them, that you may know that I am the LORD.” 3 So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me. 4 For if you refuse to let my people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your country, 5 and they shall cover the face of the land, so that no one can see the land. And they shall eat what is left to you after the hail, and they shall eat every tree of yours that grows in the field, 6 and they shall fill your houses and the houses of all your servants and of all the Egyptians, as neither your fathers nor your grandfathers have seen, from the day they came on earth to this day.'” Then he turned and went out from Pharaoh. 7 Then Pharaoh's servants said to him, “How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not yet understand that Egypt is ruined?” 8 So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. And he said to them, “Go, serve the LORD your God. But which ones are to go?” 9 Moses said, “We will go with our young and our old. We will go with our sons and daughters and with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a feast to the LORD.” 10 But he said to them, “The LORD be with you, if ever I let you and your little ones go! Look, you have some evil purpose in mind.1 11 No! Go, the men among you, and serve the LORD, for that is what you are asking.” And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence. 12 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, so that they may come upon the land of Egypt and eat every plant in the land, all that the hail has left.” 13 So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day and all that night. When it was morning, the east wind had brought the locusts. 14 The locusts came up over all the land of Egypt and settled on the whole country of Egypt, such a dense swarm of locusts as had never been before, nor ever will be again. 15 They covered the face of the whole land, so that the land was darkened, and they ate all the plants in the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left. Not a green thing remained, neither tree nor plant of the field, through all the land of Egypt. 16 Then Pharaoh hastily called Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you. 17 Now therefore, forgive my sin, please, only this once, and plead with the LORD your God only to remove this death from me.” 18 So he went out from Pharaoh and pleaded with the LORD. 19 And the LORD turned the wind into a very strong west wind, which lifted the locusts and drove them into the Red Sea. Not a single locust was left in all the country of Egypt. 20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go. The Ninth Plague: Darkness 21 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt.” 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. 23 They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived. 24 Then Pharaoh called Moses and said, “Go, serve the LORD; your little ones also may go with you; only let your flocks and your herds remain behind.” 25 But Moses said, “You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. 26 Our livestock also must go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind, for we must take of them to serve the LORD our God, and we do not know with what we must serve the LORD until we arrive there.” 27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. 28 Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me; take care never to see my face again, for on the day you see my face you shall die.” 29 Moses said, “As you say! I will not see your face again.” Footnotes [1] 10:10 Hebrew before your face (ESV) Luke 13 (Listen) Repent or Perish 13 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree 6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?' 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'” A Woman with a Disabling Spirit 10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” 13 And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” 17 As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. The Mustard Seed and the Leaven 18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” 20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” The Narrow Door 22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.' 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!' 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Lament over Jerusalem 31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.' 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'” (ESV) In private: Job 28; 1 Corinthians 14 Job 28 (Listen) Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,1 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) 1 Corinthians 14 (Listen) Prophecy and Tongues 14 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. 6 Now, brothers,1 if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. 13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider2 say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign3 not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. Orderly Worship 26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. 36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order. Footnotes [1] 14:6 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 20, 26, 39 [2] 14:16 Or of him that is without gifts [3] 14:22 Greek lacks a sign (ESV)
Psalms and Wisdom: Psalm 139 Psalm 139 (Listen) Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 139 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,”12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. 13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.1 Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. 19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me!20 They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain.221 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?22 I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!324 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!4 Footnotes [1] 139:14 Or for I am fearfully set apart [2] 139:20 Hebrew lacks your name [3] 139:23 Or cares [4] 139:24 Or in the ancient way (compare Jeremiah 6:16) (ESV) Pentateuch and History: Job 28 Job 28 (Listen) Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,1 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Isaiah 50 Isaiah 50 (Listen) Israel's Sin and the Servant's Obedience 50 Thus says the LORD: “Where is your mother's certificate of divorce, with which I sent her away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.2 Why, when I came, was there no man; why, when I called, was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a desert; their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst.3 I clothe the heavens with blackness and make sackcloth their covering.” 4 The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.5 The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.6 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. 7 But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.8 He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.9 Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. 10 Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment. (ESV) Gospels and Epistles: Revelation 10 Revelation 10 (Listen) The Angel and the Little Scroll 10 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. 2 He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, 3 and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. 4 And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” 5 And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 6 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, 7 but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets. 8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” 9 So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” 10 And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. 11 And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.” (ESV)
Old Testament: Job 27–28 Job 27–28 (Listen) Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It1 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its2 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,3 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [2] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [3] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 55 Psalm 55 (Listen) Cast Your Burden on the Lord To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil1 of David. 55 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!2 Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan,3 because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me. 4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.5 Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;7 yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah8 I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.” 9 Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city.10 Day and night they go around it on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it;11 ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace. 12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him.13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.14 We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng.15 Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart. 16 But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.18 He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.19 God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God. 20 My companion2 stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant.21 His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. 23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you. Footnotes [1] 55:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 55:20 Hebrew He (ESV) New Testament: Luke 19 Luke 19 (Listen) Jesus and Zacchaeus 19 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” The Parable of the Ten Minas 11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants,1 he gave them ten minas,2 and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.' 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.' 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.' 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant!3 Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.' 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.' 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.' 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.' 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!' 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.'” The Triumphal Entry 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.'” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem 41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Jesus Cleanses the Temple 45 And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers.” 47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words. Footnotes [1] 19:13 Or bondservants; also verse 15 [2] 19:13 A mina was about three months' wages for a laborer [3] 19:17 Or bondservant; also verse 22 (ESV)
Old Testament: Job 27–28 Job 27–28 (Listen) Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It1 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its2 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,3 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [2] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [3] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 (Listen) 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 55 Psalm 55 (Listen) Cast Your Burden on the Lord To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil1 of David. 55 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!2 Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan,3 because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me. 4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.5 Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;7 yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah8 I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.” 9 Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city.10 Day and night they go around it on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it;11 ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace. 12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him.13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.14 We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng.15 Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart. 16 But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.18 He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.19 God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God. 20 My companion2 stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant.21 His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. 23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you. Footnotes [1] 55:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 55:20 Hebrew He (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 22:14 Proverbs 22:14 (Listen) 14 The mouth of forbidden1 women is a deep pit; he with whom the LORD is angry will fall into it. Footnotes [1] 22:14 Hebrew strange (ESV)
Morning: Job 26–28 Job 26–28 (Listen) Job Replies: God's Majesty Is Unsearchable 26 Then Job answered and said: 2 “How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength!3 How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!4 With whose help have you uttered words, and whose breath has come out from you?5 The dead tremble under the waters and their inhabitants.6 Sheol is naked before God,1 and Abaddon has no covering.7 He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them.9 He covers the face of the full moon2 and spreads over it his cloud.10 He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke.12 By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab.13 By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent.14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It3 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its4 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,5 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 26:6 Hebrew him [2] 26:9 Or his throne [3] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [4] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [5] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV) Evening: Acts 11 Acts 11 (Listen) Peter Reports to the Church 11 Now the apostles and the brothers1 who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party2 criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. 6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.' 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.' 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” The Church in Antioch 19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists3 also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. 27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers4 living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. Footnotes [1] 11:1 Or brothers and sisters [2] 11:2 Or Jerusalem, those of the circumcision [3] 11:20 Or Greeks (that is, Greek-speaking non-Jews) [4] 11:29 Or brothers and sisters (ESV)
Job 24–28 Job 24–28 (Listen) 24 “Why are not times of judgment kept by the Almighty, and why do those who know him never see his days?2 Some move landmarks; they seize flocks and pasture them.3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; they take the widow's ox for a pledge.4 They thrust the poor off the road; the poor of the earth all hide themselves.5 Behold, like wild donkeys in the desert the poor1 go out to their toil, seeking game; the wasteland yields food for their children.6 They gather their2 fodder in the field, and they glean the vineyard of the wicked man.7 They lie all night naked, without clothing, and have no covering in the cold.8 They are wet with the rain of the mountains and cling to the rock for lack of shelter.9 (There are those who snatch the fatherless child from the breast, and they take a pledge against the poor.)10 They go about naked, without clothing; hungry, they carry the sheaves;11 among the olive rows of the wicked3 they make oil; they tread the winepresses, but suffer thirst.12 From out of the city the dying4 groan, and the soul of the wounded cries for help; yet God charges no one with wrong. 13 “There are those who rebel against the light, who are not acquainted with its ways, and do not stay in its paths.14 The murderer rises before it is light, that he may kill the poor and needy, and in the night he is like a thief.15 The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me'; and he veils his face.16 In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves up; they do not know the light.17 For deep darkness is morning to all of them; for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness. 18 “You say, ‘Swift are they on the face of the waters; their portion is cursed in the land; no treader turns toward their vineyards.19 Drought and heat snatch away the snow waters; so does Sheol those who have sinned.20 The womb forgets them; the worm finds them sweet; they are no longer remembered, so wickedness is broken like a tree.' 21 “They wrong the barren, childless woman, and do no good to the widow.22 Yet God5 prolongs the life of the mighty by his power; they rise up when they despair of life.23 He gives them security, and they are supported, and his eyes are upon their ways.24 They are exalted a little while, and then are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like the heads of grain.25 If it is not so, who will prove me a liar and show that there is nothing in what I say?” Bildad Speaks: Man Cannot Be Righteous 25 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: 2 “Dominion and fear are with God;6 he makes peace in his high heaven.3 Is there any number to his armies? Upon whom does his light not arise?4 How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure?5 Behold, even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure in his eyes;6 how much less man, who is a maggot, and the son of man, who is a worm!” Job Replies: God's Majesty Is Unsearchable 26 Then Job answered and said: 2 “How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength!3 How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!4 With whose help have you uttered words, and whose breath has come out from you?5 The dead tremble under the waters and their inhabitants.6 Sheol is naked before God,7 and Abaddon has no covering.7 He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them.9 He covers the face of the full moon8 and spreads over it his cloud.10 He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke.12 By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab.13 By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent.14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth's, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It9 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its10 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,11 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,' and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.'15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” Footnotes [1] 24:5 Hebrew they [2] 24:6 Hebrew his [3] 24:11 Hebrew their olive rows [4] 24:12 Or the men [5] 24:22 Hebrew he [6] 25:2 Hebrew him [7] 26:6 Hebrew him [8] 26:9 Or his throne [9] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [10] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [11] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV)
Job 24–28 Job 24–28 (Listen) 24 “Why are not times of judgment kept by the Almighty, and why do those who know him never see his days?2 Some move landmarks; they seize flocks and pasture them.3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; they take the widow’s ox for a pledge.4 They thrust the poor off the road; the poor of the earth all hide themselves.5 Behold, like wild donkeys in the desert the poor1 go out to their toil, seeking game; the wasteland yields food for their children.6 They gather their2 fodder in the field, and they glean the vineyard of the wicked man.7 They lie all night naked, without clothing, and have no covering in the cold.8 They are wet with the rain of the mountains and cling to the rock for lack of shelter.9 (There are those who snatch the fatherless child from the breast, and they take a pledge against the poor.)10 They go about naked, without clothing; hungry, they carry the sheaves;11 among the olive rows of the wicked3 they make oil; they tread the winepresses, but suffer thirst.12 From out of the city the dying4 groan, and the soul of the wounded cries for help; yet God charges no one with wrong. 13 “There are those who rebel against the light, who are not acquainted with its ways, and do not stay in its paths.14 The murderer rises before it is light, that he may kill the poor and needy, and in the night he is like a thief.15 The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me’; and he veils his face.16 In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves up; they do not know the light.17 For deep darkness is morning to all of them; for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness. 18 “You say, ‘Swift are they on the face of the waters; their portion is cursed in the land; no treader turns toward their vineyards.19 Drought and heat snatch away the snow waters; so does Sheol those who have sinned.20 The womb forgets them; the worm finds them sweet; they are no longer remembered, so wickedness is broken like a tree.’ 21 “They wrong the barren, childless woman, and do no good to the widow.22 Yet God5 prolongs the life of the mighty by his power; they rise up when they despair of life.23 He gives them security, and they are supported, and his eyes are upon their ways.24 They are exalted a little while, and then are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like the heads of grain.25 If it is not so, who will prove me a liar and show that there is nothing in what I say?” Bildad Speaks: Man Cannot Be Righteous 25 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: 2 “Dominion and fear are with God;6 he makes peace in his high heaven.3 Is there any number to his armies? Upon whom does his light not arise?4 How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure?5 Behold, even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure in his eyes;6 how much less man, who is a maggot, and the son of man, who is a worm!” Job Replies: God’s Majesty Is Unsearchable 26 Then Job answered and said: 2 “How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength!3 How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!4 With whose help have you uttered words, and whose breath has come out from you?5 The dead tremble under the waters and their inhabitants.6 Sheol is naked before God,7 and Abaddon has no covering.7 He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them.9 He covers the face of the full moon8 and spreads over it his cloud.10 He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke.12 By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab.13 By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent.14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity 27 And Job again took up his discourse, and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,3 as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.5 Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.8 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?10 Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough bread.15 Those who survive him the pestilence buries, and his widows do not weep.16 Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay,17 he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.18 He builds his house like a moth’s, like a booth that a watchman makes.19 He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a whirlwind carries him off.21 The east wind lifts him up and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.22 It9 hurls at him without pity; he flees from its10 power in headlong flight.23 It claps its hands at him and hisses at him from its place. Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? 28 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore.3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,11 and it has dust of gold. 7 “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon’s eye has not seen it.8 The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots.10 He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?13 Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’ and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’15 It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.22 Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’ 23 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” Footnotes [1] 24:5 Hebrew they [2] 24:6 Hebrew his [3] 24:11 Hebrew their olive rows [4] 24:12 Or the men [5] 24:22 Hebrew he [6] 25:2 Hebrew him [7] 26:6 Hebrew him [8] 26:9 Or his throne [9] 27:22 Or He (that is, God); also verse 23 [10] 27:22 Or his; also verse 23 [11] 28:6 Or lapis lazuli; also verse 16 (ESV)
Magyar Biblia - Ószövetség (Non-dramatizált) - Hungarian Bible - Old Testament (Non-Dramatized)
Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom? - Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom?
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