Job 17

New International Version

17 ¹My spirit^(A) is broken,
    my days are cut short,^(B)
    the grave awaits me.^(C)
²Surely mockers^(D) surround me;^(E)
    my eyes must dwell on their hostility.

³“Give me, O God, the pledge you demand.^(F)
    Who else will put up security^(G) for me?^(H)
⁴You have closed their minds to understanding;^(I)
    therefore you will not let them triumph.
⁵If anyone denounces their friends for reward,^(J)
    the eyes of their children will fail.^(K)

⁶“God has made me a byword^(L) to everyone,^(M)
    a man in whose face people spit.^(N)
⁷My eyes have grown dim with grief;^(O)
    my whole frame is but a shadow.^(P)
⁸The upright are appalled at this;
    the innocent are aroused^(Q) against the ungodly.
⁹Nevertheless, the righteous^(R) will hold to their ways,
    and those with clean hands^(S) will grow stronger.^(T)

¹⁰“But come on, all of you, try again!
    I will not find a wise man among you.^(U)
¹¹My days have passed,^(V) my plans are shattered.
    Yet the desires of my heart^(W)
¹²turn night into day;^(X)
    in the face of the darkness light is near.^(Y)
¹³If the only home I hope for is the grave,^(Z)
    if I spread out my bed^(AA) in the realm of darkness,^(AB)
¹⁴if I say to corruption,^(AC) ‘You are my father,’
    and to the worm,^(AD) ‘My mother’ or ‘My sister,’
¹⁵where then is my hope—^(AE)
    who can see any hope for me?^(AF)
¹⁶Will it go down to the gates of death?^(AG)
    Will we descend together into the dust?”^(AH)

Ephesians 3

New International Version

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner^(A) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

²Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me^(B) for you, ³that is, the mystery^(C) made known to me by revelation,^(D) as I have already written briefly. ⁴In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight^(E) into the mystery of Christ, ⁵which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.^(F) ⁶This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs^(G) together with Israel, members together of one body,^(H) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.^(I)

⁷I became a servant of this gospel^(J) by the gift of God’s grace given me^(K) through the working of his power.^(L) ⁸Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,^(M) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles^(N) the boundless riches of Christ,^(O) ⁹and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,^(P) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God^(Q) should be made known^(R) to the rulers and authorities^(S) in the heavenly realms,^(T) ¹¹according to his eternal purpose^(U) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹²In him and through faith in him we may approach God^(V) with freedom and confidence.^(W) ¹³I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴For this reason I kneel^(X) before the Father, ¹⁵from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches^(Y) he may strengthen you with power^(Z) through his Spirit in your inner being,^(AA) ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts^(AB) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted^(AC) and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,^(AD) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep^(AE) is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge^(AF)—that you may be filled^(AG) to the measure of all the fullness of God.^(AH)

²⁰Now to him who is able^(AI) to do immeasurably more than all we ask^(AJ) or imagine, according to his power^(AK) that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.^(AL)

Footnotes

Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).

Psalm 143

New International Version

Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

¹Lord, hear my prayer,^(A)
    listen to my cry for mercy;^(B)
in your faithfulness^(C) and righteousness^(D)
    come to my relief.
²Do not bring your servant into judgment,
    for no one living is righteous^(E) before you.
³The enemy pursues me,
    he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness^(F)
    like those long dead.^(G)
⁴So my spirit grows faint within me;
    my heart within me is dismayed.^(H)
⁵I remember^(I) the days of long ago;
    I meditate^(J) on all your works
    and consider what your hands have done.
⁶I spread out my hands^(K) to you;
    I thirst for you like a parched land.^[a]

⁷Answer me quickly,^(L) Lord;
    my spirit fails.^(M)
Do not hide your face^(N) from me
    or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
⁸Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,^(O)
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way^(P) I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.^(Q)
⁹Rescue me^(R) from my enemies,^(S) Lord,
    for I hide myself in you.
¹⁰Teach me^(T) to do your will,
    for you are my God;^(U)
may your good Spirit
    lead^(V) me on level ground.^(W)

¹¹For your name’s sake,^(X) Lord, preserve my life;^(Y)
    in your righteousness,^(Z) bring me out of trouble.
¹²In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;^(AA)
    destroy all my foes,^(AB)
    for I am your servant.^(AC)