Job Tells of Earth’s Treasures

28 “Certainly there is a [a]mine for silver
And a place [b]for refining gold.
Iron is taken from the dust,
And copper is smelted from rock.
Man puts an end to darkness,
And (A)to the farthest limit he searches out
The rock in gloom and deep shadow.
He [c]sinks a shaft away from [d]inhabited areas,
Forgotten by the foot;
They hang and swing, away from people.
[e]From the earth comes food,
And underneath, it is turned over like fire.
Its rocks are the [f]source of sapphires,
And its dust contains gold.
No bird of prey knows the path,
Nor has the falcon’s eye caught sight of it.
The [g]proud animals have not trodden it,
Nor has the lion passed over it.
He puts his hand on the flint;
He overturns the mountains at the [h]base.
10 He carves out channels through the rocks,
And his eye sees anything precious.
11 He dams up the streams from [i]flowing,
And brings to light what is hidden.

The Search for Wisdom Is Harder

12 “But (B)where can wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
13 (C)Mankind does not know its value,
Nor is it found in the land of the living.
14 The ocean depth says, ‘It is not in me’;
And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
15 (D)Pure gold cannot be given in exchange for it,
Nor can silver be weighed as its price.
16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,
In precious onyx, or sapphire.
17 (E)Gold or glass cannot equal it,
Nor can it be exchanged for articles of pure gold.
18 Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned;
And the acquisition of (F)wisdom is more valuable than pearls.
19 The topaz of [j]Cush cannot equal it,
Nor can it be valued in (G)pure gold.
20 (H)Where then does wisdom come from?
And where is this place of understanding?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living creature,
And concealed from the birds of the sky.
22 [k](I)Abaddon and Death say,
‘With our ears we have heard a report of it.’

23 (J)God understands its way,
And He knows its place.
24 For He (K)looks to the ends of the earth;
He sees everything under the heavens.
25 When He imparted (L)weight to the wind,
And (M)assessed the waters by measure,
26 When He made a (N)limit for the rain,
And a course for the (O)thunderbolt,
27 Then He saw it and declared it;
He established it and also searched it out.
28 And to mankind He said, ‘Behold, the (P)fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;
And to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Job’s Past Was Glorious

29 Job again took up his (Q)discourse and said,

“Oh that I were as in months gone by,
As in the days when God (R)watched over me;
When (S)His lamp shone over my head,
And (T)by His light I walked through darkness;
Just as I was in the days of my youth,
When the (U)protection of God was over my tent;
When [l]the Almighty was still with me,
And my children were around me;
When my steps were bathed in (V)cream,
And the (W)rock poured out streams of oil for me!
When I went out to (X)the gate of the city,
When I [m]took my seat in the public square,
The young men saw me and hid themselves,
And the old men arose and stood.
The leaders (Y)stopped talking
And (Z)put their hands on their mouths;
10 The voices of the prominent people were [n](AA)hushed,
And their (AB)tongues stuck to their palates.
11 For when (AC)an ear heard, it called me blessed,
And when an eye saw, it testified in support of me,
12 Because I saved (AD)the poor who cried for help,
And the (AE)orphan who had no helper.
13 The blessing of the one who (AF)was about to perish came upon me,
And I made the (AG)widow’s heart sing for joy.
14 I (AH)put on righteousness, and it clothed me;
My justice was like a robe and a headband.
15 I was (AI)eyes to those who were blind,
And feet to those who [o]could not walk.
16 I was a father to (AJ)the poor,
And I investigated the case which I did not know.
17 I (AK)broke the jaws of the wicked
And rescued the prey from his teeth.
18 Then I [p]thought, ‘I will die with my [q]family,
And I will multiply my days as the sand.
19 My (AL)root is spread out to the waters,
And (AM)dew lies on my branch all night.
20 My glory is ever new with me,
And my (AN)bow is renewed in my hand.’

21 “To me (AO)they listened and waited,
And they kept silent for my advice.
22 After my words (AP)they did not speak again,
And (AQ)my speech dropped on them.
23 They waited for me as for the rain,
And opened their mouths as for the late rain.
24 I smiled at them when they did not believe,
And they did not look at [r]my kindness ungraciously.
25 I chose a way for them and sat as (AR)chief,
And lived as a king among the troops,
As one who (AS)comforted the mourners.

Footnotes

  1. Job 28:1 Lit source
  2. Job 28:1 Lit for gold they refine
  3. Job 28:4 Lit breaks open
  4. Job 28:4 Lit sojourning
  5. Job 28:5 Lit Earth, from it
  6. Job 28:6 Or place
  7. Job 28:8 Lit sons of pride
  8. Job 28:9 Lit root
  9. Job 28:11 Lit weeping
  10. Job 28:19 Or Ethiopia
  11. Job 28:22 I.e., Destruction
  12. Job 29:5 Heb Shaddai
  13. Job 29:7 Lit set up
  14. Job 29:10 Lit hidden
  15. Job 29:15 Or limped
  16. Job 29:18 Lit said
  17. Job 29:18 Lit nest
  18. Job 29:24 Lit the light of my face

Interlude: Where Wisdom Is Found

28 There is a mine for silver
    and a place where gold is refined.(A)
Iron is taken from the earth,
    and copper is smelted from ore.(B)
Mortals put an end to the darkness;(C)
    they search out the farthest recesses
    for ore in the blackest darkness.(D)
Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft,(E)
    in places untouched by human feet;
    far from other people they dangle and sway.
The earth, from which food comes,(F)
    is transformed below as by fire;
lapis lazuli(G) comes from its rocks,
    and its dust contains nuggets of gold.(H)
No bird of prey knows that hidden path,
    no falcon’s eye has seen it.(I)
Proud beasts(J) do not set foot on it,
    and no lion prowls there.(K)
People assault the flinty rock(L) with their hands
    and lay bare the roots of the mountains.(M)
10 They tunnel through the rock;(N)
    their eyes see all its treasures.(O)
11 They search[a] the sources of the rivers(P)
    and bring hidden things(Q) to light.

12 But where can wisdom be found?(R)
    Where does understanding dwell?(S)
13 No mortal comprehends its worth;(T)
    it cannot be found in the land of the living.(U)
14 The deep(V) says, “It is not in me”;
    the sea(W) says, “It is not with me.”
15 It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
    nor can its price be weighed out in silver.(X)
16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,(Y)
    with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.(Z)
17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,(AA)
    nor can it be had for jewels of gold.(AB)
18 Coral(AC) and jasper(AD) are not worthy of mention;
    the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.(AE)
19 The topaz(AF) of Cush(AG) cannot compare with it;
    it cannot be bought with pure gold.(AH)

20 Where then does wisdom come from?
    Where does understanding dwell?(AI)
21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
    concealed even from the birds in the sky.(AJ)
22 Destruction[b](AK) and Death(AL) say,
    “Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.”
23 God understands the way to it
    and he alone(AM) knows where it dwells,(AN)
24 for he views the ends of the earth(AO)
    and sees everything under the heavens.(AP)
25 When he established the force of the wind
    and measured out the waters,(AQ)
26 when he made a decree for the rain(AR)
    and a path for the thunderstorm,(AS)
27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;
    he confirmed it and tested it.(AT)
28 And he said to the human race,
    “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
    and to shun evil(AU) is understanding.”(AV)

Job’s Final Defense

29 Job continued his discourse:(AW)

“How I long for the months gone by,(AX)
    for the days when God watched over me,(AY)
when his lamp shone on my head
    and by his light I walked through darkness!(AZ)
Oh, for the days when I was in my prime,
    when God’s intimate friendship(BA) blessed my house,(BB)
when the Almighty was still with me
    and my children(BC) were around me,(BD)
when my path was drenched with cream(BE)
    and the rock(BF) poured out for me streams of olive oil.(BG)

“When I went to the gate(BH) of the city
    and took my seat in the public square,
the young men saw me and stepped aside(BI)
    and the old men rose to their feet;(BJ)
the chief men refrained from speaking(BK)
    and covered their mouths with their hands;(BL)
10 the voices of the nobles were hushed,(BM)
    and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.(BN)
11 Whoever heard me spoke well of me,
    and those who saw me commended me,(BO)
12 because I rescued the poor(BP) who cried for help,
    and the fatherless(BQ) who had none to assist them.(BR)
13 The one who was dying blessed me;(BS)
    I made the widow’s(BT) heart sing.
14 I put on righteousness(BU) as my clothing;
    justice was my robe and my turban.(BV)
15 I was eyes(BW) to the blind
    and feet to the lame.(BX)
16 I was a father to the needy;(BY)
    I took up the case(BZ) of the stranger.(CA)
17 I broke the fangs of the wicked
    and snatched the victims(CB) from their teeth.(CC)

18 “I thought, ‘I will die in my own house,
    my days as numerous as the grains of sand.(CD)
19 My roots will reach to the water,(CE)
    and the dew will lie all night on my branches.(CF)
20 My glory will not fade;(CG)
    the bow(CH) will be ever new in my hand.’(CI)

21 “People listened to me expectantly,
    waiting in silence for my counsel.(CJ)
22 After I had spoken, they spoke no more;(CK)
    my words fell gently on their ears.(CL)
23 They waited for me as for showers
    and drank in my words as the spring rain.(CM)
24 When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it;
    the light of my face(CN) was precious to them.[c](CO)
25 I chose the way for them and sat as their chief;(CP)
    I dwelt as a king(CQ) among his troops;
    I was like one who comforts mourners.(CR)

Footnotes

  1. Job 28:11 Septuagint, Aquila and Vulgate; Hebrew They dam up
  2. Job 28:22 Hebrew Abaddon
  3. Job 29:24 The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.

Introduction

Paul, (A)an apostle ((B)not sent from men nor through human agency, but (C)through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who (D)raised Him from the dead), and all (E)the brothers who are with me,

To (F)the churches of Galatia:

(G)Grace to you and peace from [a]God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who (H)gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from (I)this present evil [b]age, according to the will of (J)our God and Father, (K)to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.

Distortion of the Gospel

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting (L)Him who called you [c]by the grace of Christ, for a (M)different gospel, which is not just another account; but there are some who are (N)disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or (O)an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be [d](P)accursed! As we (Q)have said before, even now I say again: (R)if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be [e](S)accursed!

10 For am I now (T)seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a (U)bond-servant of Christ.

Paul Defends His Ministry

11 For (V)I would have you know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel which was preached by me is (W)not [f]of human invention. 12 For (X)I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a (Y)revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of (Z)my former way of life in Judaism, how I (AA)used to persecute (AB)the church of God beyond measure and (AC)tried to destroy it; 14 and I (AD)was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my [g]countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my (AE)ancestral traditions. 15 But when [h]He who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and (AF)called me through His grace was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might (AG)preach Him among the Gentiles, (AH)I did not immediately consult with [i](AI)flesh and blood, 17 (AJ)nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to (AK)Damascus.

18 Then (AL)three years later I went up (AM)to Jerusalem to [j]become acquainted with [k](AN)Cephas, and stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 But I did not see another one of the apostles except [l](AO)James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now in what I am writing to you, [m]I assure you (AP)before God that I am not lying.) 21 Then (AQ)I went into the regions of (AR)Syria and (AS)Cilicia. 22 I was still unknown by [n]sight to (AT)the churches of Judea which are (AU)in Christ; 23 but they only kept hearing, “The man who once persecuted us is now preaching (AV)the faith which he once (AW)tried to destroy.” 24 And they (AX)were glorifying God [o]because of me.

The Council at Jerusalem

Then after an interval of fourteen years I (AY)went up again to Jerusalem with (AZ)Barnabas, taking (BA)Titus along also. [p]It was because of a (BB)revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the (BC)gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that somehow I might be (BD)running, or had run, in vain. But not even (BE)Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was (BF)compelled to be circumcised. Yet it was a concern because of the (BG)false brothers secretly brought in, who (BH)had sneaked in to spy on our (BI)freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to (BJ)enslave us. But we did not yield in subjection to them, even for an hour, so that (BK)the truth of the gospel would remain with you. But from those who [q]were of considerable (BL)repute (what they were makes no difference to me; (BM)God shows no favoritism)—well, those who were of repute contributed nothing to me. But on the contrary, seeing that I had been (BN)entrusted with the (BO)gospel [r]to the uncircumcised, just as (BP)Peter had been [s]to the circumcised (for He who was at work for Peter in his (BQ)apostleship [t]to the circumcised was at work for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing (BR)the grace that had been given to me, [u](BS)James and [v](BT)Cephas and John, who were (BU)reputed to be (BV)pillars, gave to me and (BW)Barnabas the (BX)right [w]hand of fellowship, so that we might (BY)go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 They only asked us to remember the poor—(BZ)the very thing I also was eager to do.

Peter (Cephas) Opposed by Paul

11 But when (CA)Cephas came to (CB)Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he [x]stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of some men from [y](CC)James, he used to (CD)eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself, (CE)fearing those from the circumcision. 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even (CF)Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they (CG)were not [z]straightforward about (CH)the truth of the gospel, I said to (CI)Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, (CJ)live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?[aa]

15 “We are (CK)Jews by nature and not (CL)sinners from the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless, knowing that (CM)a person is not justified by works of [ab]the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by (CN)faith in Christ and not by works of [ac]the Law; since (CO)by works of [ad]the Law no [ae]flesh will be justified. 17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found (CP)sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? [af](CQ)Far from it! 18 For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I (CR)prove myself to be a wrongdoer. 19 For through [ag]the Law I (CS)died to [ah]the Law, so that I might live for God. 20 I have been (CT)crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but (CU)Christ lives in me; and [ai]the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in (CV)the Son of God, who (CW)loved me and (CX)gave Himself up for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for (CY)if righteousness comes through [aj]the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 1:3 One early ms God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ
  2. Galatians 1:4 Or world
  3. Galatians 1:6 Lit in
  4. Galatians 1:8 Gr anathema
  5. Galatians 1:9 Gr anathema
  6. Galatians 1:11 Lit according to man
  7. Galatians 1:14 Lit race
  8. Galatians 1:15 One early ms God who
  9. Galatians 1:16 I.e., people
  10. Galatians 1:18 Or visit
  11. Galatians 1:18 I.e., Peter
  12. Galatians 1:19 Or Jacob
  13. Galatians 1:20 Lit behold before God
  14. Galatians 1:22 Lit face
  15. Galatians 1:24 Lit in me
  16. Galatians 2:2 Lit according to revelation I went up
  17. Galatians 2:6 Lit reputed as being something
  18. Galatians 2:7 Lit of the uncircumcision; i.e., to Gentiles
  19. Galatians 2:7 Lit of the circumcision; i.e., to Jews
  20. Galatians 2:8 See note 2 v 7
  21. Galatians 2:9 Or Jacob
  22. Galatians 2:9 I.e., Peter
  23. Galatians 2:9 Lit hands
  24. Galatians 2:11 Or was to be condemned; lit was one who was condemned; or was self-condemned
  25. Galatians 2:12 Or Jacob
  26. Galatians 2:14 Or progressing toward; lit walking straightly
  27. Galatians 2:14 Some close the direct quotation here, others extend it through v 21
  28. Galatians 2:16 Or law
  29. Galatians 2:16 Or law
  30. Galatians 2:16 Or law
  31. Galatians 2:16 Or mortal man
  32. Galatians 2:17 Lit May it never happen!
  33. Galatians 2:19 Or law
  34. Galatians 2:19 Or law
  35. Galatians 2:20 Or insofar as I
  36. Galatians 2:21 Or law

Paul, an apostle(A)—sent not from men nor by a man,(B) but by Jesus Christ(C) and God the Father,(D) who raised him from the dead(E) and all the brothers and sisters[a] with me,(F)

To the churches in Galatia:(G)

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,(H) who gave himself for our sins(I) to rescue us from the present evil age,(J) according to the will of our God and Father,(K) to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(L)

No Other Gospel

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called(M) you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel(N) which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion(O) and are trying to pervert(P) the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you,(Q) let them be under God’s curse!(R) As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted,(S) let them be under God’s curse!

10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?(T) If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Paul Called by God

11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters,(U) that the gospel I preached(V) is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man,(W) nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation(X) from Jesus Christ.(Y)

13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,(Z) how intensely I persecuted the church of God(AA) and tried to destroy it.(AB) 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous(AC) for the traditions of my fathers.(AD) 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb(AE) and called me(AF) by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles,(AG) my immediate response was not to consult any human being.(AH) 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.(AI)

18 Then after three years,(AJ) I went up to Jerusalem(AK) to get acquainted with Cephas[b] and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James,(AL) the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God(AM) that what I am writing you is no lie.(AN)

21 Then I went to Syria(AO) and Cilicia.(AP) 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea(AQ) that are in Christ.(AR) 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith(AS) he once tried to destroy.”(AT) 24 And they praised God(AU) because of me.

Paul Accepted by the Apostles

Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem,(AV) this time with Barnabas.(AW) I took Titus(AX) along also. I went in response to a revelation(AY) and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.(AZ) I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race(BA) in vain. Yet not even Titus,(BB) who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.(BC) This matter arose because some false believers(BD) had infiltrated our ranks to spy on(BE) the freedom(BF) we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel(BG) might be preserved for you.

As for those who were held in high esteem(BH)—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism(BI)—they added nothing to my message.(BJ) On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task(BK) of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised,[c](BL) just as Peter(BM) had been to the circumcised.[d] For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle(BN) to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle(BO) to the Gentiles. James,(BP) Cephas[e](BQ) and John, those esteemed as pillars,(BR) gave me and Barnabas(BS) the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.(BT) They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles,(BU) and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor,(BV) the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

Paul Opposes Cephas

11 When Cephas(BW) came to Antioch,(BX) I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James,(BY) he used to eat with the Gentiles.(BZ) But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.(CA) 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas(CB) was led astray.

14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel,(CC) I said to Cephas(CD) in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew.(CE) How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?(CF)

15 “We who are Jews by birth(CG) and not sinful Gentiles(CH) 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law,(CI) but by faith in Jesus Christ.(CJ) So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[f] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.(CK)

17 “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners,(CL) doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!(CM) 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.

19 “For through the law I died to the law(CN) so that I might live for God.(CO) 20 I have been crucified with Christ(CP) and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.(CQ) The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,(CR) who loved me(CS) and gave himself for me.(CT) 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law,(CU) Christ died for nothing!”[g]

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 11; and in 3:15; 4:12, 28, 31; 5:11, 13; 6:1, 18.
  2. Galatians 1:18 That is, Peter
  3. Galatians 2:7 That is, Gentiles
  4. Galatians 2:7 That is, Jews; also in verses 8 and 9
  5. Galatians 2:9 That is, Peter; also in verses 11 and 14
  6. Galatians 2:16 Or but through the faithfulness of … justified on the basis of the faithfulness of
  7. Galatians 2:21 Some interpreters end the quotation after verse 14.