Job Trusts in His Redeemer

19 Then Job answered and said:

“How long will you torment my soul,
And break me in pieces with words?
These ten times you have [a]reproached me;
You are not ashamed that you [b]have wronged me.
And if indeed I have erred,
My error remains with me.
If indeed you (A)exalt yourselves against me,
And plead my disgrace against me,
Know then that (B)God has wronged me,
And has surrounded me with His net.

“If I cry out concerning [c]wrong, I am not heard.
If I cry aloud, there is no justice.
(C)He has [d]fenced up my way, so that I cannot pass;
And He has set darkness in my paths.
(D)He has stripped me of my glory,
And taken the crown from my head.
10 He breaks me down on every side,
And I am gone;
My (E)hope He has uprooted like a tree.
11 He has also kindled His wrath against me,
And (F)He counts me as one of His enemies.
12 His troops come together
And build up their road against me;
They encamp all around my tent.

13 “He(G) has removed my brothers far from me,
And my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.
14 My relatives have failed,
And my close friends have forgotten me.
15 Those who dwell in my house, and my maidservants,
Count me as a stranger;
I am an alien in their sight.
16 I call my servant, but he gives no answer;
I beg him with my mouth.
17 My breath is offensive to my wife,
And I am [e]repulsive to the children of my own body.
18 Even (H)young children despise me;
I arise, and they speak against me.
19 (I)All my close friends abhor me,
And those whom I love have turned against me.
20 (J)My bone clings to my skin and to my flesh,
And I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.

21 “Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends,
For the hand of God has struck me!
22 Why do you (K)persecute me as God does,
And are not satisfied with my flesh?

23 “Oh, that my words were written!
Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!
24 That they were engraved on a rock
With an iron pen and lead, forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
26 And after my skin is [f]destroyed, this I know,
That (L)in my flesh I shall see God,
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my [g]heart yearns within me!

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Footnotes

  1. Job 19:3 shamed or disgraced
  2. Job 19:3 A Jewish tradition make yourselves strange to me
  3. Job 19:7 violence
  4. Job 19:8 walled off my way
  5. Job 19:17 Lit. strange
  6. Job 19:26 Lit. struck off
  7. Job 19:27 Lit. kidneys

Job

19 Then Job replied:

“How long will you torment(A) me
    and crush(B) me with words?
Ten times(C) now you have reproached(D) me;
    shamelessly you attack me.
If it is true that I have gone astray,
    my error(E) remains my concern alone.
If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me(F)
    and use my humiliation against me,
then know that God has wronged me(G)
    and drawn his net(H) around me.(I)

“Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response;(J)
    though I call for help,(K) there is no justice.(L)
He has blocked my way so I cannot pass;(M)
    he has shrouded my paths in darkness.(N)
He has stripped(O) me of my honor(P)
    and removed the crown from my head.(Q)
10 He tears me down(R) on every side till I am gone;
    he uproots my hope(S) like a tree.(T)
11 His anger(U) burns against me;
    he counts me among his enemies.(V)
12 His troops advance in force;(W)
    they build a siege ramp(X) against me
    and encamp around my tent.(Y)

13 “He has alienated my family(Z) from me;
    my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.(AA)
14 My relatives have gone away;
    my closest friends(AB) have forgotten me.
15 My guests(AC) and my female servants(AD) count me a foreigner;
    they look on me as on a stranger.
16 I summon my servant, but he does not answer,
    though I beg him with my own mouth.
17 My breath is offensive to my wife;
    I am loathsome(AE) to my own family.
18 Even the little boys(AF) scorn me;
    when I appear, they ridicule me.(AG)
19 All my intimate friends(AH) detest me;(AI)
    those I love have turned against me.(AJ)
20 I am nothing but skin and bones;(AK)
    I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth.[a]

21 “Have pity on me, my friends,(AL) have pity,
    for the hand of God has struck(AM) me.
22 Why do you pursue(AN) me as God does?(AO)
    Will you never get enough of my flesh?(AP)

23 “Oh, that my words were recorded,
    that they were written on a scroll,(AQ)
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool(AR) on[b] lead,
    or engraved in rock forever!(AS)
25 I know that my redeemer[c](AT) lives,(AU)
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.[d]
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
    yet[e] in[f] my flesh I will see God;(AV)
27 I myself will see him
    with my own eyes(AW)—I, and not another.
    How my heart yearns(AX) within me!

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Footnotes

  1. Job 19:20 Or only by my gums
  2. Job 19:24 Or and
  3. Job 19:25 Or vindicator
  4. Job 19:25 Or on my grave
  5. Job 19:26 Or And after I awake, / though this body has been destroyed, / then
  6. Job 19:26 Or destroyed, / apart from

31 (A)He who oppresses the poor reproaches (B)his Maker,
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

32 The wicked is banished in his wickedness,
But (C)the righteous has a refuge in his death.

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But (D)what is in the heart of fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalts a (E)nation,
But sin is a [a]reproach to any people.

35 (F)The king’s favor is toward a wise servant,
But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath

15 A (G)soft answer turns away wrath,
But (H)a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
(I)But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

(J)The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

A [b]wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

(K)A fool despises his father’s instruction,
(L)But he who [c]receives correction is prudent.

In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

The lips of the wise [d]disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so.

(M)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But He loves him who (N)follows righteousness.

10 (O)Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way,
And (P)he who hates correction will die.

11 (Q)Hell[e] and [f]Destruction are before the Lord;
So how much more (R)the hearts of the sons of men.

12 (S)A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
Nor will he go to the wise.

13 (T)A merry heart makes a cheerful [g]countenance,
But (U)by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
(V)But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

16 (W)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,
Than great treasure with trouble.
17 (X)Better is a dinner of [h]herbs where love is,
Than a fatted calf with hatred.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:34 shame or disgrace
  2. Proverbs 15:4 Lit. healing
  3. Proverbs 15:5 Lit. keeps
  4. Proverbs 15:7 spread
  5. Proverbs 15:11 Or Sheol
  6. Proverbs 15:11 Heb. Abaddon
  7. Proverbs 15:13 face
  8. Proverbs 15:17 Or vegetables

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(A)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(B)

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(C)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(D)

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(E)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[a]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(F)
    but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(G)

15 A gentle answer(H) turns away wrath,(I)
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,(J)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.(K)

The eyes(L) of the Lord are everywhere,(M)
    keeping watch on the wicked and the good.(N)

The soothing tongue(O) is a tree of life,(P)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.(Q)

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(R)

The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(S)
    but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(T)

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(U)
    but the hearts of fools are not upright.

The Lord detests the sacrifice(V) of the wicked,(W)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(X)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,(Y)
    but he loves those who pursue righteousness.(Z)

10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
    the one who hates correction will die.(AA)

11 Death and Destruction[b] lie open before the Lord(AB)
    how much more do human hearts!(AC)

12 Mockers resent correction,(AD)
    so they avoid the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(AE)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(AF)

14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(AG)
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(AH)

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.(AI)

17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
    than a fattened calf with hatred.(AJ)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
  2. Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon

21 And you, (A)who once were alienated and enemies in your mind (B)by wicked works, yet now He has (C)reconciled 22 (D)in the body of His flesh through death, (E)to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue (F)in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are (G)not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, (H)which was preached to every creature under heaven, (I)of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Sacrificial Service for Christ

24 (J)I now rejoice in my sufferings (K)for you, and fill up in my flesh (L)what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for (M)the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to (N)the [a]stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 (O)the [b]mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, (P)but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 (Q)To them God willed to make known what are (R)the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: [c]which is (S)Christ in you, (T)the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, (U)warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, (V)that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me (W)mightily.

Not Philosophy but Christ

For I want you to know what a great (X)conflict[d] I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, [e]both of the Father and of Christ, (Y)in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Now this I say (Z)lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. For (AA)though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing [f]to see (AB)your good order and the (AC)steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

(AD)As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, (AE)rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding [g]in it with thanksgiving.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:25 dispensation or administration
  2. Colossians 1:26 secret or hidden truth
  3. Colossians 1:27 M who
  4. Colossians 2:1 struggle
  5. Colossians 2:2 NU omits both of the Father and
  6. Colossians 2:5 Lit. and seeing
  7. Colossians 2:7 NU omits in it

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies(A) in your minds(B) because of[a] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled(C) you by Christ’s physical body(D) through death to present you(E) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation(F) 23 if you continue(G) in your faith, established(H) and firm, and do not move from the hope(I) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,(J) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.(K)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

24 Now I rejoice(L) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,(M) for the sake of his body, which is the church.(N) 25 I have become its servant(O) by the commission God gave me(P) to present to you the word of God(Q) in its fullness— 26 the mystery(R) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known(S) among the Gentiles the glorious riches(T) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,(U) the hope of glory.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing(V) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,(W) so that we may present everyone fully mature(X) in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously(Y) contend(Z) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.(AA)

I want you to know how hard I am contending(AB) for you and for those at Laodicea,(AC) and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart(AD) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery(AE) of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.(AF) I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.(AG) For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit(AH) and delight to see how disciplined(AI) you are and how firm(AJ) your faith in Christ(AK) is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,(AL) continue to live your lives in him, rooted(AM) and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,(AN) and overflowing with thankfulness.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:21 Or minds, as shown by

Beware of Hypocrisy(A)

12 In (B)the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, (C)“Beware of the [a]leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (D)For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Jesus Teaches the Fear of God(E)

(F)“And I say to you, (G)My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, (H)fear Him!

“Are not five sparrows sold for two [b]copper coins? And (I)not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Confess Christ Before Men(J)

(K)“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me (L)before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who (M)denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

10 “And (N)anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.

11 (O)“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will (P)teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 But He said to him, (Q)“Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 And He said to them, (R)“Take heed and beware of [c]covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, (S)“Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; (T)eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night (U)your soul will be required of you; (V)then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, (W)and is not rich toward God.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 12:1 yeast
  2. Luke 12:6 Gr. assarion, a coin worth about 1⁄16 of a denarius
  3. Luke 12:15 NU all covetousness

Warnings and Encouragements(A)

12 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be[a] on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.(B) There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.(C) What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

“I tell you, my friends,(D) do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.(E) Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.(F) Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.(G)

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.(H) But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned(I) before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man(J) will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.(K)

11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say,(L) 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”(M)

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”(N)

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool!(O) This very night your life will be demanded from you.(P) Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’(Q)

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”(R)

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 12:1 Or speak to his disciples, saying: “First of all, be