Job Deplores His Birth

After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. And Job [a]spoke, and said:

“May(A) the day perish on which I was born,
And the night in which it was said,
‘A male child is conceived.’
May that day be darkness;
May God above not seek it,
Nor the light shine upon it.
May darkness and (B)the shadow of death claim it;
May a cloud settle on it;
May the blackness of the day terrify it.
As for that night, may darkness seize it;
May it not [b]rejoice among the days of the year,
May it not come into the number of the months.
Oh, may that night be barren!
May no joyful shout come into it!
May those curse it who curse the day,
Those (C)who are ready to arouse Leviathan.
May the stars of its morning be dark;
May it look for light, but have none,
And not see the [c]dawning of the day;
10 Because it did not shut up the doors of my mother’s womb,
Nor hide sorrow from my eyes.

11 “Why(D) did I not die at birth?
Why did I not [d]perish when I came from the womb?
12 (E)Why did the knees receive me?
Or why the breasts, that I should nurse?
13 For now I would have lain still and been quiet,
I would have been asleep;
Then I would have been at rest
14 With kings and counselors of the earth,
Who (F)built ruins for themselves,
15 Or with princes who had gold,
Who filled their houses with silver;
16 Or why was I not hidden (G)like a stillborn child,
Like infants who never saw light?
17 There the wicked cease from troubling,
And there the [e]weary are at (H)rest.
18 There the prisoners [f]rest together;
(I)They do not hear the voice of the oppressor.
19 The small and great are there,
And the servant is free from his master.

20 “Why(J) is light given to him who is in misery,
And life to the (K)bitter of soul,
21 Who (L)long[g] for death, but it does not come,
And search for it more than (M)hidden treasures;
22 Who rejoice exceedingly,
And are glad when they can find the (N)grave?
23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden,
(O)And whom God has hedged in?
24 For my sighing comes before [h]I eat,
And my groanings pour out like water.
25 For the thing I greatly (P)feared has come upon me,
And what I dreaded has happened to me.
26 I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;
I have no rest, for trouble comes.”

Eliphaz: Job Has Sinned

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:

If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary?
But who can withhold himself from speaking?
Surely you have instructed many,
And you (Q)have strengthened weak hands.
Your words have upheld him who was stumbling,
And you (R)have strengthened the [i]feeble knees;
But now it comes upon you, and you are weary;
It touches you, and you are troubled.
Is not (S)your reverence (T)your confidence?
And the integrity of your ways your hope?

“Remember now, (U)who ever perished being innocent?
Or where were the upright ever cut off?
Even as I have seen,
(V)Those who plow iniquity
And sow trouble reap the same.
By the blast of God they perish,
And by the breath of His anger they are consumed.
10 The roaring of the lion,
The voice of the fierce lion,
And (W)the teeth of the young lions are broken.
11 (X)The old lion perishes for lack of prey,
And the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

12 “Now a word was secretly brought to me,
And my ear received a whisper of it.
13 (Y)In disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night,
When deep sleep falls on men,
14 Fear came upon me, and (Z)trembling,
Which made all my bones shake.
15 Then a spirit passed before my face;
The hair on my body stood up.
16 It stood still,
But I could not discern its appearance.
A form was before my eyes;
There was silence;
Then I heard a voice saying:
17 ‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God?
Can a man be more pure than his Maker?
18 If He (AA)puts no trust in His servants,
If He charges His angels with error,
19 How much more those who dwell in houses of clay,
Whose foundation is in the dust,
Who are crushed before a moth?
20 (AB)They are broken in pieces from morning till evening;
They perish forever, with no one regarding.
21 Does not their own excellence go away?
They die, even without wisdom.’

Eliphaz: Job Is Chastened by God

“Call out now;
Is there anyone who will answer you?
And to which of the holy ones will you turn?
For wrath kills a foolish man,
And envy slays a simple one.
(AC)I have seen the foolish taking root,
But suddenly I cursed his dwelling place.
His sons are (AD)far from safety,
They are crushed in the gate,
And (AE)there is no deliverer.
Because the hungry eat up his harvest,
[j]Taking it even from the thorns,
[k]And a snare snatches their [l]substance.
For affliction does not come from the dust,
Nor does trouble spring from the ground;
Yet man is (AF)born to [m]trouble,
As the sparks fly upward.

“But as for me, I would seek God,
And to God I would commit my cause—
Who does great things, and unsearchable,
Marvelous things without number.
10 (AG)He gives rain on the earth,
And sends waters on the fields.
11 (AH)He sets on high those who are lowly,
And those who mourn are lifted to safety.
12 (AI)He frustrates the devices of the crafty,
So that their hands cannot carry out their plans.
13 He catches the (AJ)wise in their own craftiness,
And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them.
14 They meet with darkness in the daytime,
And grope at noontime as in the night.
15 But (AK)He saves the needy from the sword,
From the mouth of the mighty,
And from their hand.
16 (AL)So the poor have hope,
And injustice shuts her mouth.

17 “Behold,(AM) happy is the man whom God corrects;
Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
18 (AN)For He bruises, but He binds up;
He wounds, but His hands make whole.
19 (AO)He shall deliver you in six troubles,
Yes, in seven (AP)no evil shall touch you.
20 (AQ)In famine He shall redeem you from death,
And in war from the [n]power of the sword.
21 (AR)You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue,
And you shall not be afraid of destruction when it comes.
22 You shall laugh at destruction and famine,
And (AS)you shall not be afraid of the (AT)beasts of the earth.
23 (AU)For you shall have a covenant with the stones of the field,
And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.
24 You shall know that your tent is in peace;
You shall visit your dwelling and find nothing amiss.
25 You shall also know that (AV)your descendants shall be many,
And your offspring (AW)like the grass of the earth.
26 (AX)You shall come to the grave at a full age,
As a sheaf of grain ripens in its season.
27 Behold, this we have (AY)searched out;
It is true.
Hear it, and know for yourself.”

Footnotes

  1. Job 3:2 Lit. answered
  2. Job 3:6 LXX, Syr., Tg., Vg. be joined
  3. Job 3:9 eyelids of the dawn
  4. Job 3:11 expire
  5. Job 3:17 Lit. weary of strength
  6. Job 3:18 are at ease
  7. Job 3:21 Lit. wait
  8. Job 3:24 Lit. my bread
  9. Job 4:4 Lit. bending
  10. Job 5:5 LXX They shall not be taken from evil men; Vg. And the armed man shall take him by violence
  11. Job 5:5 LXX The might shall draw them off; Vg. And the thirsty shall drink up their riches
  12. Job 5:5 wealth
  13. Job 5:7 labor
  14. Job 5:20 Lit. hand

Job Speaks

After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.(A) He said:

“May the day of my birth perish,
    and the night that said, ‘A boy is conceived!’(B)
That day—may it turn to darkness;
    may God above not care about it;
    may no light shine on it.
May gloom and utter darkness(C) claim it once more;
    may a cloud settle over it;
    may blackness overwhelm it.
That night—may thick darkness(D) seize it;
    may it not be included among the days of the year
    nor be entered in any of the months.
May that night be barren;
    may no shout of joy(E) be heard in it.
May those who curse days[a] curse that day,(F)
    those who are ready to rouse Leviathan.(G)
May its morning stars become dark;
    may it wait for daylight in vain
    and not see the first rays of dawn,(H)
10 for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me
    to hide trouble from my eyes.

11 “Why did I not perish at birth,
    and die as I came from the womb?(I)
12 Why were there knees to receive me(J)
    and breasts that I might be nursed?
13 For now I would be lying down(K) in peace;
    I would be asleep and at rest(L)
14 with kings and rulers of the earth,(M)
    who built for themselves places now lying in ruins,(N)
15 with princes(O) who had gold,
    who filled their houses with silver.(P)
16 Or why was I not hidden away in the ground like a stillborn child,(Q)
    like an infant who never saw the light of day?(R)
17 There the wicked cease from turmoil,(S)
    and there the weary are at rest.(T)
18 Captives(U) also enjoy their ease;
    they no longer hear the slave driver’s(V) shout.(W)
19 The small and the great are there,(X)
    and the slaves are freed from their owners.

20 “Why is light given to those in misery,
    and life to the bitter of soul,(Y)
21 to those who long for death that does not come,(Z)
    who search for it more than for hidden treasure,(AA)
22 who are filled with gladness
    and rejoice when they reach the grave?(AB)
23 Why is life given to a man
    whose way is hidden,(AC)
    whom God has hedged in?(AD)
24 For sighing(AE) has become my daily food;(AF)
    my groans(AG) pour out like water.(AH)
25 What I feared has come upon me;
    what I dreaded(AI) has happened to me.(AJ)
26 I have no peace,(AK) no quietness;
    I have no rest,(AL) but only turmoil.”(AM)

Eliphaz

Then Eliphaz the Temanite(AN) replied:

“If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?
    But who can keep from speaking?(AO)
Think how you have instructed many,(AP)
    how you have strengthened feeble hands.(AQ)
Your words have supported those who stumbled;(AR)
    you have strengthened faltering knees.(AS)
But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged;(AT)
    it strikes(AU) you, and you are dismayed.(AV)
Should not your piety be your confidence(AW)
    and your blameless(AX) ways your hope?

“Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished?(AY)
    Where were the upright ever destroyed?(AZ)
As I have observed,(BA) those who plow evil(BB)
    and those who sow trouble reap it.(BC)
At the breath of God(BD) they perish;
    at the blast of his anger they are no more.(BE)
10 The lions may roar(BF) and growl,
    yet the teeth of the great lions(BG) are broken.(BH)
11 The lion perishes for lack of prey,(BI)
    and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.(BJ)

12 “A word(BK) was secretly brought to me,
    my ears caught a whisper(BL) of it.(BM)
13 Amid disquieting dreams in the night,
    when deep sleep falls on people,(BN)
14 fear and trembling(BO) seized me
    and made all my bones shake.(BP)
15 A spirit glided past my face,
    and the hair on my body stood on end.(BQ)
16 It stopped,
    but I could not tell what it was.
A form stood before my eyes,
    and I heard a hushed voice:(BR)
17 ‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God?(BS)
    Can even a strong man be more pure than his Maker?(BT)
18 If God places no trust in his servants,(BU)
    if he charges his angels with error,(BV)
19 how much more those who live in houses of clay,(BW)
    whose foundations(BX) are in the dust,(BY)
    who are crushed(BZ) more readily than a moth!(CA)
20 Between dawn and dusk they are broken to pieces;
    unnoticed, they perish forever.(CB)
21 Are not the cords of their tent pulled up,(CC)
    so that they die(CD) without wisdom?’(CE)

“Call if you will, but who will answer you?(CF)
    To which of the holy ones(CG) will you turn?
Resentment(CH) kills a fool,
    and envy slays the simple.(CI)
I myself have seen(CJ) a fool taking root,(CK)
    but suddenly(CL) his house was cursed.(CM)
His children(CN) are far from safety,(CO)
    crushed in court(CP) without a defender.(CQ)
The hungry consume his harvest,(CR)
    taking it even from among thorns,
    and the thirsty pant after his wealth.
For hardship does not spring from the soil,
    nor does trouble sprout from the ground.(CS)
Yet man is born to trouble(CT)
    as surely as sparks fly upward.

“But if I were you, I would appeal to God;
    I would lay my cause before him.(CU)
He performs wonders(CV) that cannot be fathomed,(CW)
    miracles that cannot be counted.(CX)
10 He provides rain for the earth;(CY)
    he sends water on the countryside.(CZ)
11 The lowly he sets on high,(DA)
    and those who mourn(DB) are lifted(DC) to safety.
12 He thwarts the plans(DD) of the crafty,
    so that their hands achieve no success.(DE)
13 He catches the wise(DF) in their craftiness,(DG)
    and the schemes of the wily are swept away.(DH)
14 Darkness(DI) comes upon them in the daytime;
    at noon they grope as in the night.(DJ)
15 He saves the needy(DK) from the sword in their mouth;
    he saves them from the clutches of the powerful.(DL)
16 So the poor(DM) have hope,
    and injustice shuts its mouth.(DN)

17 “Blessed is the one whom God corrects;(DO)
    so do not despise the discipline(DP) of the Almighty.[b](DQ)
18 For he wounds, but he also binds up;(DR)
    he injures, but his hands also heal.(DS)
19 From six calamities he will rescue(DT) you;
    in seven no harm will touch you.(DU)
20 In famine(DV) he will deliver you from death,
    and in battle from the stroke of the sword.(DW)
21 You will be protected from the lash of the tongue,(DX)
    and need not fear(DY) when destruction comes.(DZ)
22 You will laugh(EA) at destruction and famine,(EB)
    and need not fear the wild animals.(EC)
23 For you will have a covenant(ED) with the stones(EE) of the field,
    and the wild animals will be at peace with you.(EF)
24 You will know that your tent is secure;(EG)
    you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.(EH)
25 You will know that your children will be many,(EI)
    and your descendants like the grass of the earth.(EJ)
26 You will come to the grave in full vigor,(EK)
    like sheaves gathered in season.(EL)

27 “We have examined this, and it is true.
    So hear it(EM) and apply it to yourself.”(EN)

Footnotes

  1. Job 3:8 Or curse the sea
  2. Job 5:17 Hebrew Shaddai; here and throughout Job

Breakfast by the Sea

21 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the (A)Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, (B)Thomas called the Twin, (C)Nathanael of (D)Cana in Galilee, (E)the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”

They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and [a]immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples (F)did not know that it was Jesus. Then (G)Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”

They answered Him, “No.”

And He said to them, (H)“Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some. So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

Therefore (I)that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them, (J)“Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.

14 This is now (K)the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

Jesus Restores Peter

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of [b]Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [c]love You.”

He said to him, (L)“Feed My lambs.”

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of [d]Jonah, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [e]love You.”

(M)He said to him, “Tend My (N)sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of [f]Jonah, do you [g]love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”

And he said to Him, “Lord, (O)You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 (P)Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying (Q)by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, (R)“Follow Me.”

The Beloved Disciple and His Book

20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple (S)whom Jesus loved following, (T)who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”

22 Jesus said to him, “If I [h]will that he remain (U)till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who (V)testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.

25 (W)And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, (X)I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. John 21:3 NU omits immediately
  2. John 21:15 NU John
  3. John 21:15 have affection for
  4. John 21:16 NU John
  5. John 21:16 have affection for
  6. John 21:17 NU John
  7. John 21:17 have affection for
  8. John 21:22 desire

Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish

21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples,(A) by the Sea of Galilee.[a](B) It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas(C) (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael(D) from Cana in Galilee,(E) the sons of Zebedee,(F) and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.(G)

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.(H)

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.(I)

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved(J) said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[c] When they landed, they saw a fire(K) of burning coals there with fish on it,(L) and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.(M) 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples(N) after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus Reinstates Peter

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”(O)

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”(P)

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”(Q)

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”(R) He said, “Lord, you know all things;(S) you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.(T) 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death(U) by which Peter would glorify God.(V) Then he said to him, “Follow me!”(W)

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved(X) was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)(Y) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return,(Z) what is that to you? You must follow me.”(AA) 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers(AB) that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things(AC) and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.(AD)

25 Jesus did many other things as well.(AE) If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Footnotes

  1. John 21:1 Greek Tiberias
  2. John 21:2 Thomas (Aramaic) and Didymus (Greek) both mean twin.
  3. John 21:8 Or about 90 meters

Assurance of God’s Victory over Enemies(A)

A Song. A Psalm of David.

108 O (B)God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
(C)Awake, lute and harp!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples,
And I will sing praises to You among the nations.
For Your mercy is great above the [a]heavens,
And Your truth reaches to the clouds.

(D)Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
And Your glory above all the earth;
(E)That Your beloved may be delivered,
Save with Your right hand, and [b]hear me.

God has spoken in His holiness:
“I will rejoice;
I will divide Shechem
And measure out the Valley of Succoth.
Gilead is Mine; Manasseh is Mine;
Ephraim also is the [c]helmet for My head;
(F)Judah is My lawgiver.
Moab is My washpot;
Over Edom I will cast My shoe;
Over Philistia I will triumph.”

10 (G)Who will bring me into the strong city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
11 Is it not You, O God, who cast us off?
And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies?
12 Give us help from trouble,
For the help of man is useless.
13 (H)Through God we will do valiantly,
For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 108:4 skies
  2. Psalm 108:6 Lit. answer
  3. Psalm 108:8 Lit. protection

Psalm 108[a](A)(B)

A song. A psalm of David.

My heart, O God, is steadfast;(C)
    I will sing(D) and make music with all my soul.
Awake, harp and lyre!(E)
    I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love,(F) higher than the heavens;
    your faithfulness(G) reaches to the skies.(H)
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;(I)
    let your glory be over all the earth.(J)

Save us and help us with your right hand,(K)
    that those you love may be delivered.
God has spoken(L) from his sanctuary:(M)
    “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem(N)
    and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.(O)
Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine;
    Ephraim is my helmet,
    Judah(P) is my scepter.
Moab(Q) is my washbasin,
    on Edom(R) I toss my sandal;
    over Philistia(S) I shout in triumph.”

10 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
    Who will lead me to Edom?
11 Is it not you, God, you who have rejected us
    and no longer go out with our armies?(T)
12 Give us aid against the enemy,
    for human help is worthless.(U)
13 With God we will gain the victory,
    and he will trample down(V) our enemies.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 108:1 In Hebrew texts 108:1-13 is numbered 108:2-14.