Job 35, Psalm 43, Proverbs 15 - ESV Online

JOB 35

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Elihu Condemns Job

35:1 And Elihu answered and said:
2

“Do you think this to be just?

Do you say, ‘It is my right before God,’ 3

that you ask, ‘What advantage have I?

How am I better off than if I had sinned?’ 4

I will answer you

and your friends with you. 5

Look at the heavens, and see;

and behold the clouds, which are higher than you. 6

If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him?

And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? 7

If you are righteous, what do you give to him?

Or what does he receive from your hand? 8

Your wickedness concerns a man like yourself,

and your righteousness a son of man.
9

“Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out;

they call for help because of the arm of the mighty. 10

But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker,

who gives songs in the night, 11

who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth

and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’ 12

There they cry out, but he does not answer,

because of the pride of evil men. 13

Surely God does not hear an empty cry,

nor does the Almighty regard it. 14

How much less when you say that you do not see him,

that the case is before him, and you are waiting for him! 15

And now, because his anger does not punish,

and he does not take much note of transgression, 16

Job opens his mouth in empty talk;

he multiplies words without knowledge.”

PSALM 43

« Psalm 42 | Psalm 43 | Psalm 44 »

Send Out Your Light and Your Truth

43:1

Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause

against an ungodly people,

from the deceitful and unjust man

deliver me! 2

For you are the God in whom I take refuge;

why have you rejected me?

Why do I go about mourning

because of the oppression of the enemy?
3

Send out your light and your truth;

let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy hill

and to your dwelling! 4

Then I will go to the altar of God,

to God my exceeding joy,

and I will praise you with the lyre,

O God, my God.
5

Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my salvation and my God.

PROVERBS 15

« Proverbs 14 | Proverbs 15 | Proverbs 16 »

15:1

A soft answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,

but the mouths of fools pour out folly. 3

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4

A gentle tongue is a tree of life,

but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. 5

A fool despises his father’s instruction,

but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. 6

In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,

but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. 7

The lips of the wise spread knowledge;

not so the hearts of fools. 8

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,

but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. 9

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,

but he loves him who pursues righteousness. 10

There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;

whoever hates reproof will die. 11

Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;

how much more the hearts of the children of man! 12

A scoffer does not like to be reproved;

he will not go to the wise. 13

A glad heart makes a cheerful face,

but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. 14

The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,

but the mouths of fools feed on folly. 15

All the days of the afflicted are evil,

but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. 16

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord

than great treasure and trouble with it. 17

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is

than a fattened ox and hatred with it. 18

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,

but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. 19

The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,

but the path of the upright is a level highway. 20

A wise son makes a glad father,

but a foolish man despises his mother. 21

Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,

but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. 22

Without counsel plans fail,

but with many advisers they succeed. 23

To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,

and a word in season, how good it is! 24

The path of life leads upward for the prudent,

that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. 25

The Lord tears down the house of the proud

but maintains the widow’s boundaries. 26

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,

but gracious words are pure. 27

Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household,

but he who hates bribes will live. 28

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. 29

The Lord is far from the wicked,

but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 30

The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,

and good news refreshes the bones. 31

The ear that listens to life-giving reproof

will dwell among the wise. 32

Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,

but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. 33

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,

and humility comes before honor.