Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Job Answers the Lord
42 Then Job answered the Lord, and said, 2 “I know that You can do all things. Nothing can put a stop to Your plans. 3 ‘Who is this that hides words of wisdom without much learning?’ I have said things that I did not understand, things too great for me, which I did not know. 4 ‘Hear now, and I will speak. I will ask you, and you answer Me.’ 5 I had heard of You only by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. 6 So I hate the things that I have said. And I put dust and ashes on myself to show how sorry I am.”
10 The Lord returned to Job all the things that he had lost, when he prayed for his friends. The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before came to him, and ate bread with him in his house. They showed pity and comforted him for all the trouble the Lord had brought upon him. Each one gave him one piece of money and a gold ring. 12 The Lord brought more good to Job in his later years than in his beginning. He had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 2,000 oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 13 He had seven sons and three daughters also. 14 He gave the first the name Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. 15 No women were found in all the land who were as beautiful as Job’s daughters. And their father gave them a share among their brothers. 16 After this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, his grandsons, and even their sons. 17 Then Job died, an old man having lived many days.
Those Who Trust in God Are Happy
34 I will honor the Lord at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth. 2 My soul will be proud to tell about the Lord. Let those who suffer hear it and be filled with joy. 3 Give great honor to the Lord with me. Let us praise His name together.
4 I looked for the Lord, and He answered me. And He took away all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and their faces shined with joy. Their faces will never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him. And He saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord stays close around those who fear Him, and He takes them out of trouble.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who trusts in Him!
19 A man who does what is right and good may have many troubles. But the Lord takes him out of them all. 20 He keeps all his bones safe. Not one of them is broken. 21 Sin will kill the sinful. And those who hate God’s people will be held guilty and punished forever. 22 The Lord saves the soul of those who work for Him. None of those who trust in Him will be held guilty.
23 There had to be many religious leaders during the time of the Old Way of Worship. They died and others had to keep on in their work. 24 But Jesus lives forever. He is the Religious Leader forever. It will never change. 25 And so Jesus is able, now and forever, to save from the punishment of sin all who come to God through Him because He lives forever to pray for them.
26 We need such a Religious Leader Who made the way for man to go to God. Jesus is holy and has no guilt. He has never sinned and is different from sinful men. He has the place of honor above the heavens. 27 Christ is not like other religious leaders. They had to give gifts every day on the altar in worship for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. Christ did not have to do that. He gave one gift on the altar and that gift was Himself. It was done once and it was for all time. 28 The Law makes religious leaders of men. These men are not perfect. After the Law was given, God spoke with a promise. He made His Son a perfect Religious Leader forever.
Healing of the Blind Man (A)
46 Then they came to the city of Jericho. When He was leaving the city with His followers and many people, a blind man was sitting by the road. He was asking people for food or money as they passed by. His name was Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus. 47 He heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. He began to speak with a loud voice, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!” 48 Many people spoke sharp words to the blind man telling him not to call out like that. But he spoke all the more. He said, “Son of David, take pity on me.” 49 Jesus stopped and told them to call the blind man. They called to him and said, “Take hope! Stand up, He is calling for you!” 50 As he jumped up, he threw off his coat and came to Jesus. 51 Jesus said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Lord, I want to see!” 52 Jesus said, “Go! Your faith has healed you.” At once he could see and he followed Jesus down the road.
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