JOB 31

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Job’s Final Appeal31:1

“I have made a covenant with my eyes;

how then could I gaze at a virgin? 2

What would be my portion from God above

and my heritage from the Almighty on high? 3

Is not calamity for the unrighteous,

and disaster for the workers of iniquity? 4

Does not he see my ways

and number all my steps?
5

“If I have walked with falsehood

and my foot has hastened to deceit; 6

(Let me be weighed in a just balance,

and let God know my integrity!) 7

if my step has turned aside from the way

and my heart has gone after my eyes,

and if any spot has stuck to my hands, 8

then let me sow, and another eat,

and let what grows for me be rooted out.
9

“If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,

and I have lain in wait at my neighbor’s door, 10

then let my wife grind for another,

and let others bow down on her. 11

For that would be a heinous crime;

that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges; 12

for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,

and it would burn to the root all my increase.
13

“If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,

when they brought a complaint against me, 14

what then shall I do when God rises up?

When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him? 15

Did not he who made me in the womb make him?

And did not one fashion us in the womb?
16

“If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,

or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, 17

or have eaten my morsel alone,

and the fatherless has not eaten of it 18

(for from my youth the fatherless grew up with me as with a father,

and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow), 19

if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,

or the needy without covering, 20

if his body has not blessed me,

and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep, 21

if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,

because I saw my help in the gate, 22

then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,

and let my arm be broken from its socket. 23

For I was in terror of calamity from God,

and I could not have faced his majesty.
24

“If I have made gold my trust

or called fine gold my confidence, 25

if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant

or because my hand had found much, 26

if I have looked at the sun when it shone,

or the moon moving in splendor, 27

and my heart has been secretly enticed,

and my mouth has kissed my hand, 28

this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,

for I would have been false to God above.
29

“If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,

or exulted when evil overtook him 30

(I have not let my mouth sin

by asking for his life with a curse), 31

if the men of my tent have not said,

‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?’ 32

(the sojourner has not lodged in the street;

I have opened my doors to the traveler), 33

if I have concealed my transgressions as others do

by hiding my iniquity in my heart, 34

because I stood in great fear of the multitude,

and the contempt of families terrified me,

so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors— 35

Oh, that I had one to hear me!

(Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)

Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary! 36

Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;

I would bind it on me as a crown; 37

I would give him an account of all my steps;

like a prince I would approach him.
38

“If my land has cried out against me

and its furrows have wept together, 39

if I have eaten its yield without payment

and made its owners breathe their last, 40

let thorns grow instead of wheat,

and foul weeds instead of barley.”
    The words of Job are ended.

JOB 32

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Elihu Rebukes Job’s Three Friends  32:1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.
    6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:

“I am young in years,

and you are aged;

therefore I was timid and afraid

to declare my opinion to you. 7

I said, ‘Let days speak,

and many years teach wisdom.’ 8

But it is the spirit in man,

the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. 9

It is not the old who are wise,

nor the aged who understand what is right. 10

Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;

let me also declare my opinion.’
11

“Behold, I waited for your words,

I listened for your wise sayings,

while you searched out what to say. 12

I gave you my attention,

and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job

or who answered his words. 13

Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;

God may vanquish him, not a man.’ 14

He has not directed his words against me,

and I will not answer him with your speeches.
15

“They are dismayed; they answer no more;

they have not a word to say. 16

And shall I wait, because they do not speak,

because they stand there, and answer no more? 17

I also will answer with my share;

I also will declare my opinion. 18

For I am full of words;

the spirit within me constrains me. 19

Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;

like new wineskins ready to burst. 20

I must speak, that I may find relief;

I must open my lips and answer. 21

I will not show partiality to any man

or use flattery toward any person. 22

For I do not know how to flatter,

else my Maker would soon take me away.

PROVERBS 21

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21:1

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;

he turns it wherever he will. 2

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,

but the Lord weighs the heart. 3

To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. 4

Haughty eyes and a proud heart,

the lamp of the wicked, are sin. 5

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,

but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. 6

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue

is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. 7

The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,

because they refuse to do what is just. 8

The way of the guilty is crooked,

but the conduct of the pure is upright. 9

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. 10

The soul of the wicked desires evil;

his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. 11

When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;

when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge. 12

The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;

he throws the wicked down to ruin. 13

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor

will himself call out and not be answered. 14

A gift in secret averts anger,

and a concealed bribe, strong wrath. 15

When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous

but terror to evildoers. 16

One who wanders from the way of good sense

will rest in the assembly of the dead. 17

Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;

he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. 18

The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,

and the traitor for the upright. 19

It is better to live in a desert land

than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. 20

Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling,

but a foolish man devours it. 21

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness

will find life, righteousness, and honor. 22

A wise man scales the city of the mighty

and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. 23

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue

keeps himself out of trouble. 24

“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man

who acts with arrogant pride. 25

The desire of the sluggard kills him,

for his hands refuse to labor. 26

All day long he craves and craves,

but the righteous gives and does not hold back. 27

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;

how much more when he brings it with evil intent. 28

A false witness will perish,

but the word of a man who hears will endure. 29

A wicked man puts on a bold face,

but the upright gives thought to his ways. 30

No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel

can avail against the Lord. 31

The horse is made ready for the day of battle,

but the victory belongs to the Lord.

LUKE 22

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The Plot to Kill Jesus  22:1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people. Judas to Betray Jesus3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. The Passover with the Disciples7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” 9 They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. Institution of the Lord’s Supper14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. Who Is the Greatest?24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
    28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” Scripture Must Be Fulfilled in Jesus35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Peter Denies Jesus54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly. Jesus Is Mocked63 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. 64 They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 65 And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him. Jesus Before the Council66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”