August 24, 2013

From Gary... Happy


Think she is happy?  I do!!!  And the cause of this joy? Simple running water.  Wait, I was wrong; she isn't happy- SHE IS VERY, VERY HAPPY!!!!  And she doesn't even have that new electronic toy or fancy outfit that all the toddlers are raving about!!!  We think we know happiness and then along comes this picture. I think I know happiness, then God gives me children and grandchildren and last of all -  dogs.  In thinking about happiness, it is impossible for me to think of the subject without the following...

Matthew, Chapter 5

  1 Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.  2 He opened his mouth and taught them, saying, 
  3  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, 
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 
  4  Blessed are those who mourn, 
for they shall be comforted. 
  5  Blessed are the gentle, 
for they shall inherit the earth. 
  6  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, 
for they shall be filled. 
  7  Blessed are the merciful, 
for they shall obtain mercy. 
  8  Blessed are the pure in heart, 
for they shall see God. 
  9  Blessed are the peacemakers, 
for they shall be called children of God. 
  10  Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, 
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 


  11  “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.


Like I said, we think we know happiness (blessed, above) and then Jesus redefines everything!!!  Many people have written books on this portion of Scripture, so I won't boor you with my limited understanding. However, just one thought comes to my mind:  If you really want to know happiness- let Jesus define it for you.  The beauty of its sincerity is in its simplicity. Well, we are back to the picture again.  Enjoy this wonderful August morning andBE HAPPY!!!

Your Friend,
Gary

From Mark Copeland... The Ministry Of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)



                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                The Ministry Of Reconciliation (5:18-21)

INTRODUCTION

1. An important concept fundamental to the gospel of Christ is that of
   "reconciliation"

2. In 2Co 5:18-21, Paul expounds upon this subject...
   a. He discusses how there is some sort of reconciliation between God
      and man
   b. He describes the role he played in what he calls the "ministry" 
      of reconciliation

3. There are a couple of questions I would like to address in this
   lesson...
   a. Exactly what is the nature of the reconciliation between God and
      man?
   b. What roles might we play in the gospel of Christ as the "ministry
      of reconciliation"?

[It is important that we first properly understand the meaning of
"reconciliation" and its concept as it relates to God and man...]

I. THE PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION

   A. DEFINING RECONCILIATION...
      1. Vine's definition of "reconcile" (Grk., katallasso)...
         a. "It properly denotes to change, exchange (esp. of money)"
         b. "Hence, of persons, to change from enmity to friendship,
            to reconcile"
      2. He goes on to add:  "With regard to the relationship between
         God and man, the use of this and connected words show that 
         primarily reconciliation is what GOD (emphasis mine, MAC)
         accomplishes..."
         a. I.e., there is enmity between God and man (because of man's
            sin, cf. Isa 59:1-2)
         b. Yet the gospel proclaims how GOD has taken the initiative 
            to reconcile man back to Himself
      3. We should note this fine distinction:
         a. God is not reconciled to man, as though God were partly to
            blame for the enmity
         b. Rather, man is reconciled to God, for it is man who moved
            away from God!
      4. Thus the reconciliation between man and God is slightly 
         different, though the difference is important!
         a. When people need to be reconciled to one another, it 
            normally involves a situation where fault lies on both 
            sides to some degree
         b. Not so with the case between man and God; man has moved 
            away from God, and it is man who needs to be reconciled
            back to God, not God back to man!

   B. HOW RECONCILIATION IS MADE POSSIBLE...
      1. It is possible because of the initiatives that GOD took first!
      2. It is possible through Jesus Christ, in particular by His
         death for our sins!
         a. Note these verses that teach reconciliation comes through 
            Jesus - 2Co 5:18; Col 1:19-20a
         b. Note these verses that teach reconciliation comes through
            Jesus' death on the cross - 2Co 5:19,21; Ro 5:10; Col 1:
            20b-22
         c. In other words...
            1) God took Christ, who knew no sin, to represent our sin
               and to receive the punishment due for sin in His death
               on the cross
            2) So that we, who were enemies, alienated from God by our
               sins, might be reconciled back to God!
            3) And through Christ's death:
               a) We might become the righteousness of God in Him 
                  - 2Co 5:21a
               b) We might be holy, blameless and irreproachable in His
                  sight, because our trespasses are not imputed to us 
                  - Col 1:22; 2Co 5:19; cf. Ro 4:6-8
      3. Indeed, reconciliation is possible because God has offered 
         Jesus as a "propitiation" for our sins!
         a. The word "propitiation" describes a sacrifice that is 
            designed to appease for sins
         b. It was used to describe those sacrifices that Gentiles 
            offered to their gods
         c. But in the NT, it is GOD who offers the "propitiation", not
            man!
            1) Cf. 1Jn 2:1-2; 4:10
            2) This illustrates the great love God has for us, and how
               far He has gone in trying to reconcile man back to 
               Himself!

[It is when we understand the meaning and process of "reconciliation"
(along with "propitiation") that we begin to appreciate the wonderful
extent of God's grace and His love for mankind.

But God went beyond just sending His Son to die on the cross as a 
propitiation designed to reconcile man back to God; He has also 
developed...]

II. THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

   A. GOD SENT "AMBASSADORS"...
      1. Note that Paul says God:
         a. "...has given to us the ministry of reconciliation"
            - 2Co 5:18b
         b. "...has committed to us the word of reconciliation"
            - 2Co 5:19b
         -- There is a ministry (service) in which the word of 
            reconciliation is to be made known to others!
      2. The apostles in particular had this "ministry"...
         a. The word apostle means "one sent"
         b. In a special way they were sent to serve as Christ's 
            "ambassadors" to the world! - 2Co 5:20
      3. Therefore, through the apostles...through their word...
         a. God is pleading with us...
         b. Christ is imploring us...
         ...be reconciled to God! - 2Co 5:20
      -- Thus God's great love is manifest in the fact that He also 
         sent ambassadors to tell the world what He has done to 
         reconcile man back to Himself

   B. HIS "AMBASSADORS" TODAY...
      1. The "ministry of reconciliation" continues today!
         a. For people are still lost in their sins
         b. And God still loves those who are lost
      2. But who are God's "ambassadors" today?
         a. Who will take the "word of reconciliation" to others?
         b. Who along with God and Christ will plead and implore:  "Be 
            reconciled to God!"?
      3. While there may not be "formal" ambassadors like the apostles
         were, Christ still has His ambassadors:
         a. The people of God, who proclaim His praises - 1Pe 2:9-10
         b. Faithful individuals, who properly taught can teach others 
            - 2Ti 2:2
         c. In fact, ALL Christians should be involved in "the ministry
            of reconciliation"!
            1) Some may "go", while others may "send" - Ro 10:14-15
            2) Some may "teach", while others may "invite" - Jn 1:45-46
      4. In whatever way we serve, we must remember that we play an 
         important role in God's ministry of reconciliation today!

CONCLUSION

1. How important is "reconciliation" and "the ministry of 
   reconciliation"?
   a. If God is "pleading" and Christ is "imploring", then it must be
      very important!
   b. Indeed, the eternal destiny of one's soul depends upon whether he
      or she has been reconciled to God!

2. Does this not move us?
   a. First to be reconciled ourselves?
   b. And then to participate in the ministry of reconciliation for the
      sake of others?

3. A final thought:  The fact that God "pleads" and Christ "implores"
   us to be reconciled tell us some things that are very important for
   us to realize...
   a. Reconciliation is not unconditional (we must respond!)
   b. Reconciliation is not universal (some will be lost!)

Indeed, the grace and mercy of God offered in the death of His Son must
not be received in vain!  As Paul goes on to say:

   "We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not 
   to receive the grace of God in vain." (2Co 6:1)

Only through an obedient faith can we be sure to receive God's grace, 
and have Jesus as the author of our eternal salvation! - cf. He 5:9

Have YOU been reconciled to God?


Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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From Mark Copeland... Hearts Wide Open (2 Corinthians 6:11-13)


                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                       Hearts Wide Open (6:11-13)

INTRODUCTION

1. The apostle Paul was a man who loved his brethren...
   a. He loved his CO-WORKERS - 2Ti 1:2; Phm 1-2
   b. He loved the CONGREGATIONS he worked with - 2Co 11:28
   -- Because of his love, he was willing to give of himself and become
      close to them - e.g., 1Th 2:7-12; 2Co 12:14-15

2. The passage in 2Co 12:15 indicates that sometimes Paul's affection
   was one-sided; he elaborated on this in 2Co 6:11-13...
   a. Paul's heart was "wide open" towards the Corinthians - 11
   b. But their love for him was "restricted" - 12
   c. His exhortation, therefore, was "be open"! - 13

3. In our study, I would like to...
   a. Offer reasons why we all need to have "Hearts Wide Open"
   b. Explain why some may have "restricted hearts"
   c. Suggest how we can be sure to have our "Hearts Wide Open"

[Let's first examine...]

I. WHY WE NEED "HEARTS WIDE OPEN"

   A. BROTHERLY LOVE IS A MARK OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP...
      1. Note what Jesus said about brethren loving one another in 
         Jn 13:34-35
      2. Such love would be a visible sign by which the world would
         know Christ's true disciples
      3. People with "restricted hearts" would have a difficult time 
         displaying a visible love!

   B. BROTHERLY LOVE IS AN INDICATION OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH...
      1. Peter lists brotherly kindness (and love) among those graces
         involved in growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ - 2Pe 1:5-8
      2. Whereas having a "restricted heart" is an indication of:
         a. Spiritual immaturity - cf. 2Co 6:13
         b. Or spiritual ailments (short-sighted, even to blindness) 
            - 2Pe 1:9

   C. BROTHERLY LOVE IS AN ASSURANCE OF OUR SALVATION...
      1. It is one way that we know we have passed from death to live 
         - 1Jn 3:16-19
      2. The one who truly loves is one who is born of God - 1Jn 4:7-8
      3. Having "restricted hearts" would not be very reassuring in
         light of such verses!

[Notice 2Pe 1:10-11...If we want assurance, if we want to convince
the world, we need to have "Hearts Wide Open"! Now let's consider some
reasons...]

II. WHY SOME HAVE "RESTRICTED HEARTS"

   A. IT  MIGHT BE DUE TO "IGNORANCE"...
      1. Some Christians may not have been give proper "follow-up"
      2. Their follow-up may have been "unbalanced"
         a. With an emphasis upon the externals 
         b. To the neglect of the internals 
      3. This cannot be our excuse any longer - 1Jn 4:20-21

   B. IT MIGHT BE THE RESULT OF "SPIRITUAL AMNESIA"...
      1. As Peter indicated in 2Pe 1:9
      2. Which occurs when we...
         a. Forget God's love for us in purging us from our sins - 2 Pe 1:9
         b. Do not apply "all diligence" - 2Pe 1:5,10
      3. With the passing of time, we may simply forget how important
         love is in the mind of God - cf. 1Co 13:13

   C. IT MIGHT BE WE HAVE "SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET"...
      1. Some people refuse to get close to others for fear some hidden
         secret may became known
      2. If we have such "skeletons in the closet", we had better get
         rid of them!
         a. For they will eventually become known - cf. Num 32:23
         b. It may be now or later, but it will come out - 1Ti 5:24
      3. With skeletons removed, we won't mind how well people know us
         a. Besides, no one is perfect, and we can use the help
            brethren can give - Ga 6:1-2
         b. Of course, this requires that brethren be trustworthy and
            not gossip!

   D. IT MIGHT BE WE HAVE A "FEAR OF GETTING HURT"...
      1. Loving does involve the "risk of rejection"
      2. Paul experienced rejection, not only at Corinth, but also at
         Rome - 2Ti 4:16
      3. But the joy of true fellowship and love can more than make up
         for the few times some may reject us
         a. The apostle John had experienced both love and rejection 
            - cf. 3Jn 1-4,9-11
         b. But if he had never taken the risk of running into a 
            "Diotrophes", he would have never found a "Gaius"!

   E. IT MIGHT BE THAT "TRUE CONVERSION HAS NOT TAKEN PLACE"...
      1. As indicated before, brotherly love is an assurance of 
         salvation; similarly, it is an indication of true conversion!
         - cf. 1Jn 3:14-15
      2. Unfortunately, some people simply go through the "form" of 
         conversion
         a. Conforming, not converted
         b. Out of convenience, not conviction
         -- When this happens, there is no "life" to begin with!
      3. Those with "restricted hearts" might need to examine 
         themselves
         a. A process that all Christians should undergo periodically 
            - 2Co 13:5
         b. While there are reasons why true Christians may not love as
            they should (see above), we can't discount the possibility
            that the problem may be more serious!

[Whatever the reason, there is really no excuse for having "restricted
hearts". What can be done to "open wide" our hearts?  Here are some...]

III. SUGGESTIONS FOR HAVING "HEARTS WIDE OPEN"

   A. LET GOD'S LOVE TEACH YOU...
      1. This is what enabled the Thessalonians to excel in love 
         - 1Th 4:9
      2. So take to contemplate upon God's love for you!
         a. As manifested through the blessings He has bestowed upon
            you
         b. Especially the blessing of being His child! - 1Jn 3:1
         c. And the blessing of Jesus as our propitiation - 1Jn 4:9-10
      3. This will help motivate us to love as we ought - 1Jn 4:11

   B. NEVER BE CONTENT WITH THE PRESENT STATE OF YOUR LOVE...
      1. Paul did not let the Thessalonians rest on their laurels 
         - 1Th 4:10
      2. The key idea is to "increase more and more"; or as Peter would
         say, "abound" - 2Pe 1:8
      3. So we need to look for more people and more ways to express 
         our love

   C. LOVE TAKES TIME, SO TAKE TIME TO LOVE...
      1. Take advantage of opportunities to be with brethren
         a. I.e., ACCEPT invitations
         b. E.g., to people's homes, potlucks, church services, gospel
            meetings, etc.
      2. Make opportunities to be with brethren
         a. I.e., OFFER invitations
         b. E.g., practice hospitality - 1Pe 4:8-9

CONCLUSION

1. What is the condition of our hearts?
   a. Are they "restricted", suffering from "spiritual hardening of the
      arteries"?
      1) Where the love of God is hindered from freely flowing?
      2) By the "plaques" of ignorance, selfishness, hypocrisy?
   b. Or are they "wide open"?
      1) Where God's love flows freely
      2) Nourishing not only our own lives, but the lives of those 
         around us!
   -- May we all be "taught of God" to have "Hearts Wide Open"!

2. For those who may not yet be Christians...
   a. Consider God's love for you, which is wide open in Jesus Christ
      - Jn 3:16
   b. Why not open wide your love for God...by keeping His
      commandments? - cf. 1Jn 5:3; Jn 14:15

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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From Mark Copeland... True Repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9-11)


                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                        True Repentance (7:9-11)

INTRODUCTION

1. A prominent theme in the preaching of the Gospel is the call to 
   repent...
   a. Jesus wanted it to be preached in His name to all nations - Lk 24:46-47
   b. Peter proclaimed the call to repent in his first two sermons 
      - Ac 2:36-38; 3:19
   c. Paul spoke of repentance to philosophers and kings - Ac 17:30-31;
      26:19-20

2. However, the call to repentance is often neglected in modern day 
   preaching...
   a. By some who preach "faith only"
   b. By some who in reaction stress "baptism"

3. One cannot truly preach the gospel of Christ without the call to 
   repent; and yet...
   a. What is repentance?
   b. How is it produced?
   c. What are some indications that repentance has occurred?

[Perhaps the most elaborate discussion on repentance is found in 2Co 
7:9-11, which serves as the text for this lesson entitled "True 
Repentance".  Let's begin by...]

I. DEFINING "TRUE REPENTANCE"

   A. SOME MISCONCEPTIONS OF REPENTANCE...
      1. That repentance is "sorrow"
         a. 2Co 7:9-10 shows that repentance is an OUTCOME of sorrow
         b. Sorrow leads to repentance; sorrow itself is not repentance
      2. That repentance is "a changed life"
         a. Some understand that repentance is a converted life
         b. But Ac 3:19 reveals that repentance and conversion are two
            separate things
            1) Peter says "Repent therefore and be converted"
            2) If repentance is the same as conversion, then Peter is 
               being redundant
         c. As we shall see, the order is actually this:
            1) First, sorrow
            2) Then, repentance
            3) Finally, a changed life

   B. A PROPER DEFINITION OF REPENTANCE...
      1. W. E. Vine's definition ...
         a. "change of mind"
         b. "involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God"
      2. So think of repentance as simply "a change of mind" in which 
         we DECIDE to "turn from sin and turn to God"
         a. Which is PRECEDED by sorrow
         b. And is FOLLOWED by a changed life

[Repentance is therefore a decision of the mind in which one decides to
change their life;  but what prompts one to make such decision?]

II. PRODUCING "TRUE REPENTANCE"

   A. IT IS "GODLY SORROW" THAT PRODUCES REPENTANCE...
      1. This we glean from our text (2Co 7:9-10); but note carefully:
         a. It is not simply "sorrow", but sorrow that is "godly"
         b. For there is a sorrow that is "of the world"
      2. Note the difference between "godly sorrow" and "worldly 
         sorrow"...
         a. "Worldly sorrow" is a SELFISH kind of sorrow
            1) E.g., when one is sorry because HE got caught
            2) E.g., when one is sorry because what one did made HIM 
               look bad
            -- In "worldly sorrow", one is more concerned about SELF!
         b. "Godly sorrow" is sorrow directed toward GOD ("godly" is
            lit. "according to God")
            1) I.e., one is sorry because their actions are sins 
               against a Holy God -cf. Ps 51:4
            2) Also, one is sorry for the price GOD must pay to have 
               our sins removed
            -- In "godly sorrow", one is more concerned with GOD than
               self!
      3. Some more differences...
         a. "Worldly sorrow" produces regret; "godly sorrow" suffers
            loss in nothing
         b. "Worldly sorrow" produces death; "godly sorrow" produces
            repentance to salvation

   [If "godly sorrow" leads to repentance, how best to produce this
   "godly sorrow" in others?]

   B. PRODUCING "GODLY SORROW" THAT LEADS TO REPENTANCE...
      1. Nathan's rebuke to David in 2Sa 12:7-12 provides some 
         insight...
         a. He made an appeal to God's love (7-8)
         b. He revealed the sin (9)
         c. He warned of the consequences (10-12)
      2. The Gospel of Christ, when properly taught, is designed to so
         produce "godly sorrow", and in turn, repentance...
         a. It appeals to God's love as a basis for repentance - Ro 2:4
         b. It reveals our sin - Ro 3:23
         c. It warns of the consequences - Ro 2:5-11
      3. Our best hope for producing repentance in others that leads to
         salvation is proclaim the gospel in its entirety
         a. Not just the "commands" (believe, repent, be baptized)
         b. Nor just the "promises" (remission of sins, eternal life,
            gift of the Holy Spirit)
         b. But also the "facts" (man's sin, God's love, the coming
            judgment)

[If people are not responding to the "commands" of the gospel, perhaps
we need to consider whether we are providing proper emphasis to the 
"facts" of the gospel.  Finally, consider the...]

III. INDICATIONS OF "TRUE REPENTANCE"

   A. OUR TEXT (2 CO 7:11) MENTIONS SEVERAL...
      1. "diligence" (KJV, carefulness)
         a. This can be defined as "earnestness, zeal, sometimes with
            haste accompanying it"
         b. I.e., being quick to do what is right!
         c. Examples of conversion in ACTS demonstrate this diligence
            in that every case described in detail shows people obeying
            the gospel after just one lesson!
      2. "clearing of yourselves"
         a. To clear one's self of blame
         b. E.g., quick to stop doing what is wrong, if such is the
            case
         c. E.g., quick to respond to the offer of forgiveness when one
            realizes their guilt
      3. "indignation"
         a. This involves a sort of anger, or moral outrage
         b. I.e., toward the SIN which required the repentance
      4. "fear"
         a. Lest the sin should be repeated
         b. Lest the sin should not be entirely removed
      5. "vehement desire"
         a. I.e., a fervent wish
         b. Especially to be right in God's eyes
      6. "zeal"
         a. This involves an "eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit
            of something"
         b. In this case, to turn from sin and turn to God
      7. "vindication" (KJV, revenge)
         a. As the NIV puts it, "what readiness to see justice done"
         b. I.e., to do the right thing!

   B. SUCH ARE THE "SIGNS" OF TRUE REPENTANCE...
      1. Not apathy, not half-hearted service
      2. But a desire to do "works befitting repentance" - Ac 26:20

CONCLUSION

1. Is this indicative of OUR repentance?
   a. Can we look at our lives and see signs that we have really had "a
      change of mind"?
   b. That we have truly made "a decision to turn from sin and to turn
      to God"?
      1) If we have not yet obeyed the gospel ...we have not repented!
      2) If we have become slack in our service...we are in need of
         repentance!

2. If so, then we are in need of a healthy dose of "godly sorrow", 
   brought about by realizing...
   a. God's love for us
   b. The fact we have all sinned
   c. And the consequences if we do not repent!

May the love of God and the reality of the coming judgment move us all
to "True Repentance"! The blessings for those who do repent are 
wonderful... - cf. Ac 2:38-39; 3:19



Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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From Jim McGuiggan... Rough justice or none at all!

Rough justice or none at all!

Here’s Harriet, she’s a single mother and a cocaine addict and she abuses her children severely and often. Here’s Henry, he’s ill and mentally challenged. He carries an iron bar and has taken to beating people with it.
What are we to do with them? We may not be sure but we are sure that we should do something to protect the defenceless and innocent and it doesn’t matter that Henry and Harriet are not in (complete) control of their actions. Harriet’s horrific background and Henry’s mental disability matter—of course—but these things have to be put aside until we deal with the very real threat these two people are to others.
“The standards of the law are standards of general application. The law takes no account of the infinite varieties of temperament, intellect, and education, which make the internal character of a given act so different in different men. It does not attempt to see men as God sees them, for more than one sufficient reason. In the first place, the impossibility of nicely measuring a man’s powers and limitations is far clearer than that of ascertaining his knowledge of law…When men live in society, a certain average of conduct, a sacrifice of individual peculiarities going beyond a certain point, is necessary to the general welfare. If, for instance, a man is born hasty and awkward, is always having accidents and hurting himself or his neighbors, no doubt his congenital defects will be allowed for in the courts of Heaven, but his slips are no less troublesome to his neighbors than if they sprang from guilty neglect. His neighbors accordingly require him, at his proper peril, to come up to their standard, and the courts which they establish decline to take his personal equation into account.” Oliver Wendell Holmes said that.
There must come a point when we render judgment because however disabled a transgressor is we simply can’t allow him to hurt his neighbour at will. At one level our response against sin (or crime) must ignore what motivates or what shaped the sinner/criminal. We have to develop, as Walter Moberly would put it, “a certain myopia” and get on with dealing with the case. He who knows all and knows how to judge all does not hold us responsible because we are not him and he expects us to judge within our limitations.
Explain it how we will, or for as long as we might, there are in fact those who are predators that hunt the defenceless. What the predator might have been or what he might be under other circumstances who can say? The man/woman before us is the one we have to deal with and not the one who might have been or might later be. When we deal severely (as we sometimes must) with transgressors we recognize our limits but we can do no other than to think that dispensing a rough sort of justice is better than dispensing no justice at all. And if we're sensitive to the fact that we too are under the Holy Father who judges all persons and takes into accountall the factors that conspire to make a life then we’ll bear Matthew 7:1-5 in mind.
Aren’t we pleased that Christ is a great Saviour?! The more complex and convoluted the entire human situation becomes to our eyes the more wondrous he has to be in order to save any of us. “For such a high priest is suited to our needs,” the Hebrew writer said. Pascal had good reason to say, “It is equally dangerous for man to know God without knowing his own wretchedness as it is to know his own wretchedness without knowing the Redeemer who can free him from it.”
But in saying Jesus Christ has to be great to save “any” of us I'm not suggesting we’re all equally bogged down in sins (plural) for manifestly we’re not. Or that we were all equally bogged down in sins (plural) because I know my record is in every way more littered with failures and positive trespasses than many I know. But whatever our individual differences are they came to us because we are part of a single human family. Neither sin nor righteousness began with me—they continue with me and whatever differences there are in the number of our sins or the grossness of our particular sins we’ve all been involved in the same uprising against God at some point and bear the sign of rebel on our forehead.
But I suspect if we had a richer biblical anthropology and a richer sense of human solidarity and if we were more enlightened about our limits as judges we could live more contentedly with “rough justice” and think we were being treated as well as is possible. Maybe resentment would be less of a hazard and we’d “do our time” with a freer heart.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Jim McGuiggan... Shakespeare and dangerous men

Shakespeare and dangerous men

You don't have to be a Shakespeare specialist to know that he must have been a great observer of men because in his plays he entered into the depths of so many diverse hearts. And he did it with such convincing power and sensitivity that his name continues to live despite the centuries that have passed. He has Julius Caesar say to Mark Antony:
"Let me have about me men that are fat,
Sleek-headed men and such as sleep at nights.
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look!
He thinks too much; such men are dangerous.
He reads much; he is a great observer and he looks
Quite through the deeds of men: he loves no plays…he hears no music;
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort
As if he mock'd himself and scorned his spirit
That could be moved to smile at anything
Such men as he be never at heart's ease."
Is there not too little joy, even where there is good reason to believe that joy should be? Are we not too solemn? Is gloominess really the same as depth of character and thought? Cannot a grinning, life-and-soul-of-the-party type not also be a deep thinker and a sensitive soul?
Must the awful hurt of this world paralyse us so that we can't be thankful for our comfort? Must their hunger make us feel guilty for having good food sitting there before us? Must we hate ourselves for having loving families because so many poor souls are abandoned? Is it true that the only way we can prove our sadness at their poverty is to be miserable because we are richly blessed?
There is a gospel for the sad and those in misery; is there no gospel for the happy? Must we despise happy endings? Must we hear no music, love no plays and must we scorn the spirit that could be moved to smile at anything?
Men like Cassius are dangerous, especially if they are Christians.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Jim McGuiggan... Since Hanna moved away

Since Hanna moved away

In a lovely little poem Judith Voist expresses marvellously the ache of a child's heart; but she really means to speak for all our hearts when we lose someone very dear to us, doesn't she? Read this and tell me it doesn't do that very thing. You've known times like these haven't you and you might even be going through one now.
The tires on my bike are flat
the sky is grouchy gray
At least it sure feels like that
since Hanna moved away
Chocolate ice cream tastes like prunes
December's come to stay
They've taken back the Mays and Junes
since Hanna moved away
Flowers smell like halibut.
Velvet feels like hay.
Every handsome dog's a mutt
since Hanna moved away. 
Nothing's fun to laugh about.
Nothing's fun to play.
They call me, but I won't come out
Since Hanna moved away

 This is one of the things Christians love about knowing that God is around and that in Jesus Christ he has given assurance that no relationship committed to his care is ever finally lost. It doesn't matter how long it's been out of sight or beyond our reach; doesn't matter how profoundly lost it feels; one day because we're all together in Jesus Christ we'll turn a corner in a better world and there she'll be, there he'll be, there they'll be—all smiles and well and as warm as ever you knew them.
William Cowper took comfort in knowing that and ended a letter to a beloved family friend like this: "There is not room enough for friendship to unfold itself in full bloom in such a nook of life as this. Therefore I am, and must, and will be, Yours for ever."

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Gary... Bible Reading and Study August 24



Bible Reading and Study
August 24


The World English Bible

Aug. 24
Job 30-35

Job 30:1 "But now those who are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to put with my sheep dogs.
Job 30:2 Of what use is the strength of their hands to me, men in whom ripe age has perished?
Job 30:3 They are gaunt from lack and famine. They gnaw the dry ground, in the gloom of waste and desolation.
Job 30:4 They pluck salt herbs by the bushes. The roots of the broom are their food.
Job 30:5 They are driven out from the midst of men. They cry after them as after a thief;
Job 30:6 So that they dwell in frightful valleys, and in holes of the earth and of the rocks.
Job 30:7 Among the bushes they bray; and under the nettles they are gathered together.
Job 30:8 They are children of fools, yes, children of base men. They were flogged out of the land.
Job 30:9 "Now I have become their song. Yes, I am a byword to them.
Job 30:10 They abhor me, they stand aloof from me, and don't hesitate to spit in my face.
Job 30:11 For he has untied his cord, and afflicted me; and they have thrown off restraint before me.
Job 30:12 On my right hand rise the rabble. They thrust aside my feet, They cast up against me their ways of destruction.
Job 30:13 They mar my path, They set forward my calamity, without anyone's help.
Job 30:14 As through a wide breach they come, in the midst of the ruin they roll themselves in.
Job 30:15 Terrors have turned on me. They chase my honor as the wind. My welfare has passed away as a cloud.
Job 30:16 "Now my soul is poured out within me. Days of affliction have taken hold on me.
Job 30:17 In the night season my bones are pierced in me, and the pains that gnaw me take no rest.
Job 30:18 By great force is my garment disfigured. It binds me about as the collar of my coat.
Job 30:19 He has cast me into the mire. I have become like dust and ashes.
Job 30:20 I cry to you, and you do not answer me. I stand up, and you gaze at me.
Job 30:21 You have turned to be cruel to me. With the might of your hand you persecute me.
Job 30:22 You lift me up to the wind, and drive me with it. You dissolve me in the storm.
Job 30:23 For I know that you will bring me to death, To the house appointed for all living.
Job 30:24 "However doesn't one stretch out a hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help?
Job 30:25 Didn't I weep for him who was in trouble? Wasn't my soul grieved for the needy?
Job 30:26 When I looked for good, then evil came; When I waited for light, there came darkness.
Job 30:27 My heart is troubled, and doesn't rest. Days of affliction have come on me.
Job 30:28 I go mourning without the sun. I stand up in the assembly, and cry for help.
Job 30:29 I am a brother to jackals, and a companion to ostriches.
Job 30:30 My skin grows black and peels from me. My bones are burned with heat.
Job 30:31 Therefore my harp has turned to mourning, and my pipe into the voice of those who weep.
Job 31:1 "I made a covenant with my eyes, how then should I look lustfully at a young woman?
Job 31:2 For what is the portion from God above, and the heritage from the Almighty on high?
Job 31:3 Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, and disaster to the workers of iniquity?
Job 31:4 Doesn't he see my ways, and number all my steps?
Job 31:5 "If I have walked with falsehood, and my foot has hurried to deceit
Job 31:6 (let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity);
Job 31:7 if my step has turned out of the way, if my heart walked after my eyes, if any defilement has stuck to my hands,
Job 31:8 then let me sow, and let another eat. Yes, let the produce of my field be rooted out.
Job 31:9 "If my heart has been enticed to a woman, and I have laid wait at my neighbor's door,
Job 31:10 then let my wife grind for another, and let others sleep with her.
Job 31:11 For that would be a heinous crime. Yes, it would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges:
Job 31:12 For it is a fire that consumes to destruction, and would root out all my increase.
Job 31:13 "If I have despised the cause of my male servant or of my female servant, when they contended with me;
Job 31:14 What then shall I do when God rises up? When he visits, what shall I answer him?
Job 31:15 Didn't he who made me in the womb make him? Didn't one fashion us in the womb?
Job 31:16 "If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
Job 31:17 or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it
Job 31:18 (no, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, her have I guided from my mother's womb);
Job 31:19 if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or that the needy had no covering;
Job 31:20 if his heart hasn't blessed me, if he hasn't been warmed with my sheep's fleece;
Job 31:21 if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate,
Job 31:22 then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder blade, and my arm be broken from the bone.
Job 31:23 For calamity from God is a terror to me. Because his majesty, I can do nothing.
Job 31:24 "If I have made gold my hope, and have said to the fine gold, 'You are my confidence;'
Job 31:25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gotten much;
Job 31:26 if I have seen the sun when it shined, or the moon moving in splendor,
Job 31:27 and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth,
Job 31:28 this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges; for I should have denied the God who is above.
Job 31:29 "If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him;
Job 31:30 (yes, I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse);
Job 31:31 if the men of my tent have not said, 'Who can find one who has not been filled with his meat?'
Job 31:32 (the foreigner has not lodged in the street, but I have opened my doors to the traveler);
Job 31:33 if like Adam I have covered my transgressions, by hiding my iniquity in my heart,
Job 31:34 because I feared the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and didn't go out of the door--
Job 31:35 oh that I had one to hear me! (behold, here is my signature, let the Almighty answer me); let the accuser write my indictment!
Job 31:36 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; and I would bind it to me as a crown.
Job 31:37 I would declare to him the number of my steps. as a prince would I go near to him.
Job 31:38 If my land cries out against me, and its furrows weep together;
Job 31:39 if I have eaten its fruits without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life,
Job 31:40 let briars grow instead of wheat, and stinkweed instead of barley." The words of Job are ended.
Job 32:1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
Job 32:2 Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.
Job 32:3 Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
Job 32:4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were elder than he.
Job 32:5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.
Job 32:6 Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, "I am young, and you are very old; Therefore I held back, and didn't dare show you my opinion.
Job 32:7 I said, 'Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.'
Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.
Job 32:9 It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.
Job 32:10 Therefore I said, 'Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.'
Job 32:11 "Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.
Job 32:12 Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.
Job 32:13 Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom, God may refute him, not man;'
Job 32:14 for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.
Job 32:15 "They are amazed. They answer no more. They don't have a word to say.
Job 32:16 Shall I wait, because they don't speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?
Job 32:17 I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.
Job 32:18 For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.
Job 32:19 Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.
Job 32:20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.
Job 32:21 Please don't let me respect any man's person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.
Job 32:22 For I don't know how to give flattering titles; or else my Maker would soon take me away.

Job 33:1 "However, Job, Please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
Job 33:2 See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.
Job 33:3 My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.
Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:5 If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand forth.
Job 33:6 Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.
Job 33:7 Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy on you.
Job 33:8 "Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
Job 33:9 'I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
Job 33:10 Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.
Job 33:11 He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.'
Job 33:12 "Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.
Job 33:13 Why do you strive against him, because he doesn't give account of any of his matters?
Job 33:14 For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.
Job 33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed;
Job 33:16 Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
Job 33:17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
Job 33:18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
Job 33:19 He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones;
Job 33:20 So that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.
Job 33:21 His flesh is so consumed away, that it can't be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.
Job 33:22 Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.
Job 33:23 "If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him;
Job 33:24 then God is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.'
Job 33:25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's. He returns to the days of his youth.
Job 33:26 He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.
Job 33:27 He sings before men, and says, 'I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn't profit me.
Job 33:28 He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life shall see the light.'
Job 33:29 "Behold, God works all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man,
Job 33:30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
Job 33:31 Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.
Job 33:32 If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.
Job 33:33 If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom."
Job 34:1 Moreover Elihu answered,
Job 34:2 "Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
Job 34:3 For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.
Job 34:4 Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.
Job 34:5 For Job has said, 'I am righteous, God has taken away my right:
Job 34:6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.'
Job 34:7 What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,
Job 34:8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?
Job 34:9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.'
Job 34:10 "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
Job 34:11 For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
Job 34:12 Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
Job 34:13 Who put him in charge of the earth? or who has appointed him over the whole world?
Job 34:14 If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,
Job 34:15 all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.
Job 34:16 "If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
Job 34:17 Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?--
Job 34:18 Who says to a king, 'Vile!' or to nobles, 'Wicked!'?
Job 34:19 Who doesn't respect the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor; for they all are the work of his hands.
Job 34:20 In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.
Job 34:21 "For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.
Job 34:22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
Job 34:23 For he doesn't need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
Job 34:24 He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.
Job 34:25 Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
Job 34:26 He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
Job 34:27 because they turned aside from following him, and wouldn't pay attention to any of his ways,
Job 34:28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.
Job 34:29 When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man,
Job 34:30 that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
Job 34:31 "For has any said to God, 'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
Job 34:32 Teach me that which I don't see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?
Job 34:33 Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.
Job 34:34 Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:
Job 34:35 'Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.'
Job 34:36 I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
Job 34:37 For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."
Job 35:1 Moreover Elihu answered,
Job 35:2 "Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, 'My righteousness is more than God's,'
Job 35:3 That you ask, 'What advantage will it be to you? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?'
Job 35:4 I will answer you, and your companions with you.
Job 35:5 Look to the heavens, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.
Job 35:6 If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
Job 35:7 If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?
Job 35:8 Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.
Job 35:9 "By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.
Job 35:10 But none says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,
Job 35:11 who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?'
Job 35:12 There they cry, but none gives answer, because of the pride of evil men.
Job 35:13 Surely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will the Almighty regard it.
Job 35:14 How much less when you say you don't see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!
Job 35:15 But now, because he has not visited in his anger, neither does he greatly regard arrogance.

Job 35:16 Therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge." 


The Composite Bible
The World English Bible
Darby's Translation
Young's Literal Translation

The Composite Bible is a effort to understand the Bible by considering it from different perspectives and different levels of literalcy. First, read the World English Bible (the least literal-black text) for comprehension of the text. Next, read both the World English Bible with the Darby Translation (more literal-blue text)to make comparisons and lastly, read all three versions (Young's is the most literal translation- red text) at one time to obtain an overview of the text. Doing this will make you think about what the Scriptures are actually saying and avoid reading in a superficial manner.

Job


Job 30 4
They pluck salt herbs by the bushes. The roots of the broom are their food.
They gather the salt-wort among the bushes, and the roots of the broom for their food.
Those cropping mallows near a shrub, And broom-roots [is] their food.
Job 30 5
They are driven forth from the midst of men; They cry after them as after a thief;
They are driven forth from among [men] -- they cry after them as after a thief --
From the midst they are cast out, (They shout against them as a thief),
Job 30 6
So that they dwell in frightful valleys, And in holes of the earth and of the rocks.
To dwell in gloomy gorges, in caves of the earth and the rocks:
In a frightful place of valleys to dwell, Holes of earth and clefts.
Job 30 7
Among the bushes they bray; And under the nettles they are gathered together.
They bray among the bushes; under the brambles they are gathered together:
Among shrubs they do groan, Under nettles they are gathered together.
Job 30 8
They are children of fools, yes, children of base men. They were flogged out of the land.
Sons of fools, and sons of nameless sires, they are driven out of the land.
Sons of folly -- even sons without name, They have been smitten from the land.
Job 30 9
"Now I have become their song. Yes, I am a byword to them.
And now I am their song, yea, I am their byword.
And now, their song I have been, And I am to them for a byword.
Job 30 10
They abhor me, they stand aloof from me, And don`t hesitate to spit in my face.
They abhor me, they stand aloof from me, yea, they spare not to spit in my face.
They have abominated me, They have kept far from me, And from before me have
not spared to spit.
Job 30 11
For he has loosed his cord, and afflicted me; And they have thrown off restraint before me.
For he hath loosed my cord and afflicted me; so they cast off the bridle before me.
Because His cord He loosed and afflicteth me, And the bridle from before me, They
have cast away.
Job 30 12
On my right hand rise the rabble. They thrust aside my feet, They cast up against me their
ways of destruction.
At [my] right hand rise the young brood; they push away my feet, and raise up against me
their pernicious ways;
On the right hand doth a brood arise, My feet they have cast away, And they raise
up against me, Their paths of calamity.
Job 30 13
They mar my path, They set forward my calamity, Without anyone`s help.
They mar my path, they set forward my calamity, without any to help them;
They have broken down my path, By my calamity they profit, `He hath no helper.`
Job 30 14
As through a wide breach they come, In the midst of the ruin they roll themselves in.
They come in as through a wide breach: amid the confusion they roll themselves onward.
As a wide breach they come, Under the desolation have rolled themselves.
Job 30 15
Terrors are turned on me. They chase my honor as the wind. My welfare has passed away as a
cloud.
Terrors are turned against me; they pursue mine honour as the wind; and my welfare is
passed away like a cloud.
He hath turned against me terrors, It pursueth as the wind mine abundance, And
as a thick cloud, Hath my safety passed away.
Job 30 16
"Now my soul is poured out within me. Days of affliction have taken hold on me.
And now my soul is poured out in me; days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
And now, in me my soul poureth itself out, Seize me do days of affliction.
Job 30 17
In the night season my bones are pierced in me, And the pains that gnaw me take no rest.
The night pierceth through my bones [and detacheth them] from me, and my gnawing
pains take no rest:
At night my bone hath been pierced in me, And mine eyelids do not lie down.
Job 30 18
By great force is my garment disfigured. It binds me about as the collar of my coat.
By their great force they have become my raiment; they bind me about as the collar of my
coat.
By the abundance of power, Is my clothing changed, As the mouth of my coat it
doth gird me.
Job 30 19
He has cast me into the mire. I have become like dust and ashes.
He hath cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes.
Casting me into mire, And I am become like dust and ashes.
Job 30 20
I cry to you, and you do not answer me. I stand up, and you gaze at me.
I cry unto thee, and thou answerest me not; I stand up, and thou lookest at me.
I cry unto Thee, And Thou dost not answer me, I have stood, and Thou dost consider
me.
Job 30 21
You have turned to be cruel to me. With the might of your hand you persecute me.
Thou art changed to a cruel one to me; with the strength of thy hand thou pursuest me.
Thou art turned to be fierce to me, With the strength of Thy hand, Thou oppresest
me.
Job 30 22
You lift me up to the wind, and drive me with it. You dissolve me in the storm.
Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to be borne away, and dissolvest my
substance.
Thou dost lift me up, On the wind Thou dost cause me to ride, And Thou meltest --
Thou levellest me.
Job 30 23
For I know that you will bring me to death, To the house appointed for all living.
For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and into the house of assemblage for all
living.
For I have known To death Thou dost bring me back, And [to] the house appointed
for all living.
Job 30 24
"However doesn`t one stretch out a hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help?
Indeed, no prayer [availeth] when he stretcheth out [his] hand: though they cry when he
destroyeth.
Surely not against the heap Doth He send forth the hand, Though in its ruin they
have safety.
Job 30 25
Didn`t I weep for him who was in trouble? Wasn`t my soul grieved for the needy?
Did not I weep for him whose days were hard? was not my soul grieved for the needy?
Did not I weep for him whose day is hard? Grieved hath my soul for the needy.
Job 30 26
When I looked for good, then evil came; When I waited for light, there came darkness.
For I expected good, and there came evil; and I waited for light, but there came darkness.
When good I expected, then cometh evil, And I wait for light, and darkness cometh.
Job 30 27
My heart is troubled, and doesn`t rest. Days of affliction have come on me.
My bowels well up, and rest not; days of affliction have confronted me.
My bowels have boiled, and have not ceased, Gone before me have days of affliction.
Job 30 28
I go mourning without the sun. I stand up in the assembly, and cry for help.
I go about blackened, but not by the sun; I stand up, I cry in the congregation.
Mourning I have gone without the sun, I have risen, in an assembly I cry.
Job 30 29
I am a brother to jackals, And a companion to ostriches.
I am become a brother to jackals, and a companion of ostriches.
A brother I have been to dragons, And a companion to daughters of the ostrich.
Job 30 30
My skin grows black and peels from me. My bones are burned with heat.
My skin is become black [and falleth] off me, and my bones are parched with heat.
My skin hath been black upon me, And my bone hath burned from heat,
Job 30 31
Therefore is my harp turned to mourning, And my pipe into the voice of those who weep.
My harp also is [turned] to mourning, and my pipe into the voice of weepers.
And my harp doth become mourning, And my organ the sound of weeping.
Job 31 1
"I made a covenant with my eyes, How then should I look lustfully at a young woman?
I made a covenant with mine eyes; and how should I fix my regard upon a maid?
A covenant I made for mine eyes, And what -- do I attend to a virgin?
Job 31 2
For what is the portion from God above, And the heritage from the Almighty on high?
For what would have been [my] portion of +God from above, and what the heritage of the
Almighty from on high?
And what [is] the portion of God from above? And the inheritance of the Mighty
from the heights?
Job 31 3
Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, And disaster to the workers of iniquity?
Is not calamity for the unrighteous? and misfortune for the workers of iniquity?
Is not calamity to the perverse? And strangeness to workers of iniquity?
Job 31 4
Doesn`t he see my ways, And number all my steps?
Doth not he see my ways, and number all my steps?
Doth not He see my ways, And all my steps number?
Job 31 5
"If I have walked with falsehood, And my foot has hurried to deceit
If I have walked with falsehood, and my foot hath hasted to deceit,
If I have walked with vanity, And my foot doth hasten to deceit,
Job 31 6
(Let me be weighed in an even balance, That God may know my integrity);
(Let me be weighed in an even balance, and +God will take knowledge of my
blamelessness;)
He doth weigh me in righteous balances, And God doth know my integrity.
Job 31 7
If my step has turned out of the way, If my heart walked after my eyes, If any defilement has
stuck to my hands,
If my step have turned out of the way, and my heart followed mine eyes, and if any blot
cleaveth to my hands;
If my step doth turn aside from the way, And after mine eyes hath my heart gone,
And to my hands cleaved hath blemish,
Job 31 8
Then let me sow, and let another eat; Yes, let the produce of my field be rooted out.
Let me sow, and another eat; and let mine offspring be rooted out.
Let me sow -- and another eat, And my products let be rooted out.
Job 31 9
"If my heart has been enticed to a woman, And I have laid wait at my neighbor`s door;
If my heart have been enticed unto a woman, so that I laid wait at my neighbour`s door,
If my heart hath been enticed by woman, And by the opening of my neighbour I
laid wait,
Job 31 10
Then let my wife grind for another, And let others sleep with her.
Let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down upon her.
Grind to another let my wife, And over her let others bend.
Job 31 11
For that would be a heinous crime; Yes, it would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges:
For this is an infamy; yea, it is an iniquity [to be judged by] the judges:
For it [is] a wicked thing, and a judicial iniquity;
Job 31 12
For it is a fire that consumes to destruction, And would root out all my increase.
For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.
For a fire it [is], to destruction it consumeth, And among all mine increase doth
take root,
Job 31 13
"If I have despised the cause of my man-servant Or of my maid-servant, When they contended
with me;
If I have despised the cause of my bondman or of my bondmaid, when they contended with
me,
If I despise the cause of my man-servant, And of my handmaid, In their contending
with me,
Job 31 14
What then shall I do when God rises up? When he visits, what shall I answer him?
What then should I do when ·God riseth up? and if he visited, what should I answer him?
Then what do I do when God ariseth? And when He doth inspect, What do I answer
Him?
Job 31 15
Didn`t he who made me in the womb make him? Didn`t one fashion us in the womb?
Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not One fashion us in the womb?
Did not He that made me in the womb make him? Yea, prepare us in the womb
doth One.
Job 31 16
"If I have withheld the poor from their desire, Or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
If I have withheld the poor from [their] desire, or caused the eyes of the widow to fail;
If I withhold from pleasure the poor, And the eyes of the widow do consume,
Job 31 17
Or have eaten my morsel alone, And the fatherless has not eaten of it
Or have eaten my morsel alone, so that the fatherless ate not thereof,
And I do eat my morsel by myself, And the orphan hath not eat of it,
Job 31 18
(No, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, Her have I guided from my mother`s
womb);
(For from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, and I have guided the [widow]
from my mother`s womb;)
(But from my youth He grew up with me as [with] a father, And from the belly of
my mother I am led.)
Job 31 19
If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, Or that the needy had no covering;
If I have seen any perishing for want of clothing, or any needy without covering;
If I see [any] perishing without clothing, And there is no covering to the needy,
Job 31 20
If his heart hasn`t blessed me, If he hasn`t been warmed with my sheep`s fleece;
If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my lambs;
If his loins have not blessed me, And from the fleece of my sheep He doth not warm
himself,
Job 31 21
If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, Because I saw my help in the gate:
If I have lifted up my hand against an orphan, because I saw my help in the gate:
If I have waved at the fatherless my hand, When I see in [him] the gate of my court,
Job 31 22
Then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder-blade, And my arm be broken from the bone.
[Then] let my shoulder fall from the shoulder-blade, and mine arm be broken from the
bone!
My shoulder from its blade let fall, And mine arm from the bone be broken.
Job 31 23
For calamity from God is a terror to me, By reason of his majesty I can do nothing.
For calamity from ·God was a terror to me, and by reason of his excellency I was powerless.
For a dread unto me [is] calamity [from] God, And because of His excellency I am
not able.
Job 31 24
"If I have made gold my hope, And have said to the fine gold, `You are my confidence;`
If I have made gold my hope, or said to the fine gold, My confidence!
If I have made gold my confidence, And to the pure gold have said, `My trust,`
Job 31 25
If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gotten much;
If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gotten much;
If I rejoice because great [is] my wealth, And because abundance hath my hand
found,
Job 31 26
If I have seen the sun when it shined, Or the moon moving in splendor,
If I beheld the sun when it shone, or the moon walking in brightness,
If I see the light when it shineth, And the precious moon walking,
Job 31 27
And my heart has been secretly enticed, My hand threw a kiss from my mouth:
And my heart have been secretly enticed, so that my mouth kissed my hand:
And my heart is enticed in secret, And my hand doth kiss my mouth,
Job 31 28
This also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges; For I should have denied the God
who is above.
This also would be an iniquity for the judge, for I should have denied the ·God who is
above.
It also [is] a judicial iniquity, For I had lied to God above.
Job 31 29
"If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, Or lifted up myself when evil found
him;
If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, and exulted when evil befell him;
If I rejoice at the ruin of my hater, And stirred up myself when evil found him,
Job 31 30
(Yes, I have not allowed my mouth to sin By asking his life with a curse);
(Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse;)
Yea, I have not suffered my mouth to sin, To ask with an oath his life.
Job 31 31
If the men of my tent have not said, `Who can find one who has not been filled with his meat?`
If the men of my tent said not, Who shall find one that hath not been satisfied with his
meat? --
If not -- say ye, O men of my tent, `O that we had of his flesh, we are not satisfied.`
Job 31 32
(The sojourner has not lodged in the street; But I have opened my doors to the traveler);
The stranger did not lodge without; I opened my doors to the pathway.
In the street doth not lodge a stranger, My doors to the traveller I open.
Job 31 33
If like Adam I have covered my transgressions, By hiding my iniquity in my heart,
If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom,
If I have covered as Adam my transgressions, To hide in my bosom mine iniquity,
Job 31 34
Because I feared the great multitude, And the contempt of families terrified me, So that I
kept silence, and didn`t go out of the door--
Because I feared the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I
kept silence, and went not out of the door, ...
Because I fear a great multitude, And the contempt of families doth affright me,
Then I am silent, I go not out of the opening.
Job 31 35
Oh that I had one to hear me! (Behold, here is my signature, let the Almighty answer me); Let
the accuser write my indictment!
Oh that I had one to hear me! Behold my signature: let the Almighty answer me! And let
mine opponent write an accusation!
Who giveth to me a hearing? lo, my mark. The Mighty One doth answer me, And a
bill hath mine adversary written.
Job 31 36
Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; And I would bind it to me as a crown.
Would I not take it upon my shoulder? I would bind it on to me [as] a crown;
If not -- on my shoulder I take it up, I bind it a crown on myself.
Job 31 37
I would declare to him the number of my steps. As a prince would I go near to him.
I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I come near to him.
The number of my steps I tell Him, As a leader I approach Him.
Job 31 38
If my land cries out against me, And the furrows of it weep together;
If my land cry out against me, and its furrows weep together;
If against me my land doth cry out, And together its furrows weep,
Job 31 39
If I have eaten the fruits of it without money, Or have caused the owners of it to lose their life:
If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, and have tormented to death the souls of
its owners:
If its strength I consumed without money, And the life of its possessors, I have
caused to breathe out,
Job 31 40
Let briars grow instead of wheat, And stinkweed instead of barley." The words of Job are
ended.
Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and tares instead of barley. The words of Job are
ended.
Instead of wheat let a thorn go forth, And instead of barley a useless weed! The
words of Job are finished.
Job 32 1
So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
And these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
And these three men cease from answering Job, for he [is] righteous in his own
eyes,
Job 32 2
Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled
against Job. His wrath was kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
Then was kindled the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram:
against Job was his anger kindled, because he justified himself rather than God;
and burn doth the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram;
against Job hath his anger burned, because of his justifying himself more than
Job 32 3
Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet
had condemned Job.
and against his three friends was his anger kindled, because they found no answer, and
[yet] condemned Job.
and against his three friends hath his anger burned, because that they have not
found an answer, and condemn Job.
Job 32 4
Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were elder than he.
But Elihu had waited till Job had finished speaking, because they were older than he.
And Elihu hath waited earnestly beside Job with words, for they are older than he
in days.
Job 32 5
When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was
kindled.
And Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, and his anger was
kindled.
And Elihu seeth that there is no answer in the mouth of the three men, and his
anger burneth.
Job 32 6
Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, "I am young, and you are very old; Therefore I
held back, and didn`t dare show you my opinion.
And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are aged;
wherefore I was timid, and feared to shew you what I know.
And Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answereth and saith: -- Young I [am] in days,
and ye [are] age Therefore I have feared, And am afraid of shewing you my opinion.
Job 32 7
I said, `Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.`
I said, Let days speak, and multitude of years teach wisdom.
I said: Days do speak, And multitude of years teach wisdom.
Job 32 8
But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.
But there is a spirit which is in man; and the breath of the Almighty giveth them
understanding.
Surely a spirit is in man, And the breath of the Mighty One Doth cause them to
understand.
Job 32 9
It is not the great who are wise, Nor the aged who understand justice.
It is not the great that are wise; neither do the aged understand judgment.
The multitude are not wise, Nor do the aged understand judgment.
Job 32 10
Therefore I said, `Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.`
Therefore I say, Hearken to me; I also will shew what I know.
Therefore I have said: Hearken to me, I do shew my opinion -- even I.
Job 32 11
"Behold, I waited for your words, And I listened for your reasoning, While you searched out
what to say.
Lo, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasonings, until ye searched out what to
say.
Lo, I have waited for your words, I give ear unto your reasons, Till ye search out
sayings.
Job 32 12
Yes, I gave you my full attention, But there was no one who convinced Job, Or who answered
his words, among you.
Yea, I gave you mine attention, and behold, there was none of you that confuted Job, that
answered his words;
And unto you I attend, And lo, there is no reasoner for Job, [Or] answerer of his
sayings among you.
Job 32 13
Beware lest you say, `We have found wisdom, God may refute him, not man:`
That ye may not say, We have found out wisdom; ·God will make him yield, not man.
Lest ye say, We have found wisdom, God doth thrust him away, not man.
Job 32 14
For he has not directed his words against me; Neither will I answer him with your speeches.
Now he hath not directed [his] words against me; and I will not answer him with your
speeches. ...
And he hath not set in array words for me, And with your sayings I do not answer
him.
Job 32 15
"They are amazed. They answer no more. They don`t have a word to say.
They were amazed, they answered no more; words failed them.
(They have broken down, They have not answered again, They removed from
themselves words.
Job 32 16
Shall I wait, because they don`t speak, Because they stand still, and answer no more?
And I waited, for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no more; --
And I have waited, but they do not speak, For they have stood still, They have not
answered any more.)
Job 32 17
I also will answer my part, And I also will show my opinion.
I will answer, I also in my turn, I also will shew what I know:
I answer, even I -- my share, I shew my opinion -- even I.
Job 32 18
For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.
For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
For I have been full of words, Distressed me hath the spirit of my breast,
Job 32 19
Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; Like new wineskins it is ready to burst.
Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; like new flasks, it is ready to burst.
Lo, my breast [is] as wine not opened, Like new bottles it is broken up.
Job 32 20
I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.
I will speak, that I may find relief; I will open my lips and answer.
I speak, and there is refreshment to me, I open my lips and answer.
Job 32 21
Please don`t let me respect any man`s person, Neither will I give flattering titles to any man.
Let me not, I pray you, accept any man`s person; neither will I give flattery to man.
Let me not, I pray you, accept the face of any, Nor unto man give flattering titles,
Job 32 22
For I don`t know how to give flattering titles; Or else my Maker would soon take me away.
For I know not how to flatter; my Maker would soon take me away.
For I have not known to give flattering titles, In a little doth my Maker take me
away.
Job 33 1
"However, Job, Please hear my speech, And listen to all my words.
Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear mine utterances, and hearken to all my words.
And yet, I pray thee, O Job, Hear my speech and [to] all my words give ear.
Job 33 2
See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.
Behold now, I have opened my mouth, my tongue speaketh in my palate,
Lo, I pray thee, I have opened my mouth, My tongue hath spoken in the palate.
Job 33 3
My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart; That which my lips know they shall speak
sincerely.
My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart, and my lips shall utter knowledge
purely.
Of the uprightness of my heart [are] my sayings, And knowledge have my lips
clearly spoken.
Job 33 4
The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
The Spirit of ·God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Mighty doth quicken me.
Job 33 5
If you can, answer me; Set your words in order before me, and stand forth.
If thou canst, answer me; array [thy words] before me: take thy stand.
If thou art able -- answer me, Set in array before me -- station thyself.
Job 33 6
Behold, I am toward God even as you are: I am also formed out of the clay.
Behold, before ·God I am as thou; I also am formed out of the clay.
Lo, I [am], according to thy word, for God, From the clay I -- I also, have been
formed.
Job 33 7
Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, Neither shall my pressure be heavy on you.
Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, nor my burden be heavy upon thee.
Lo, my terror doth not frighten thee, And my burden on thee is not heavy.
Job 33 8
"Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of [thy] words: --
Surely -- thou hast said in mine ears, And the sounds of words I hear:
Job 33 9
`I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me:
I am clean without transgression; I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me;
`Pure [am] I, without transgression, Innocent [am] I, and I have no iniquity.
Job 33 10
Behold, he finds occasions against me, He counts me for his enemy:
Lo, he findeth occasions of hostility against me, he counteth me for his enemy;
Lo, occasions against me He doth find, He doth reckon me for an enemy to Him,
Job 33 11
He puts my feet in the stocks, He marks all my paths.`
He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
He doth put in the stocks my feet, He doth watch all my paths.`
Job 33 12
"Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just; For God is greater than man.
Behold, I will answer thee in this, thou art not right; for +God is greater than man.
Lo, [in] this thou hast not been righteous, I answer thee, that greater is God than
man.
Job 33 13
Why do you strive against him, Because he doesn`t give account of any of his matters?
Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
Wherefore against Him hast thou striven, When [for] all His matters He answereth
not?
Job 33 14
For God speaks once, Yes twice, though man pays no attention.
For ·God speaketh once, and twice, -- [and man] perceiveth it not --
For once doth God speak, and twice, (He doth not behold it.)
Job 33 15
In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls on men, In slumbering on the bed;
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings
upon the bed;
In a dream -- a vision of night, In the falling of deep sleep on men, In slumberings
on a bed.
Job 33 16
Then he opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction,
Then he openeth men`s ears, and sealeth their instruction,
Then He uncovereth the ear of men, And for their instruction sealeth:
Job 33 17
That he may withdraw man from his purpose, And hide pride from man.
That he may withdraw man [from his] work, and hide pride from man.
To turn aside man [from] doing, And pride from man He concealeth.
Job 33 18
He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from perishing by the sword.
He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from passing away by the sword.
He keepeth back his soul from corruption, And his life from passing away by a
dart.
Job 33 19
He is chastened also with pain on his bed, With continual strife in his bones;
He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and with constant strife in his bones;
And he hath been reproved With pain on his bed, And the strife of his bones [is]
enduring.
Job 33 20
So that his life abhors bread, And his soul dainty food.
And his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty food;
And his life hath nauseated bread, And his soul desirable food.
Job 33 21
His flesh is so consumed away, that it can`t be seen; His bones that were not seen stick out.
His flesh is consumed away from view, and his bones that were not seen stick out;
His flesh is consumed from being seen, And high are his bones, they were not seen!
Job 33 22
Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, And his life to the destroyers.
And his soul draweth near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.
And draw near to the pit doth his soul, And his life to those causing death.
Job 33 23
"If there is beside him an angel, An interpreter, one among a thousand, To show to man what
is right for him;
If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto
man his duty;
If there is by him a messenger, An interpreter -- one of a thousand, To declare for
man his uprightness:
Job 33 24
Then God is gracious to him, and says, `Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found
a ransom.`
Then he will be gracious unto him, and say, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I
have found a ransom.
Then He doth favour him and saith, `Ransom him from going down to the pit, I
have found an atonement.`
Job 33 25
His flesh shall be fresher than a child`s; He returns to the days of his youth.
His flesh shall be fresher than in childhood; he shall return to the days of his youth.
Fresher [is] his flesh than a child`s, He returneth to the days of his youth.
Job 33 26
He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, So that he sees his face with joy: He restores to
man his righteousness.
He shall pray unto +God, and he will receive him with favour; and he shall see his face
with shoutings, and he will render unto man his righteousness.
He maketh supplication unto God, And He accepteth him. And he seeth His face
with shouting, And He returneth to man His righteousness.
Job 33 27
He sings before men, and says, `I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it
didn`t profit me.
He will sing before men, and say, I have sinned, and perverted what was right, and it
hath not been requited to me;
He looketh on men, and saith, `I sinned, And uprightness I have perverted, And it
hath not been profitable to me.
Job 33 28
He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit, My life shall see the light.`
He hath delivered my soul from going into the pit, and my life shall see the light.
He hath ransomed my soul From going over into the pit, And my life on the light
looketh.`
Job 33 29
"Behold, God works all these things, Twice, yes three times, with a man,
Lo, all these [things] worketh ·God twice, thrice, with man,
Lo, all these doth God work, Twice -- thrice with man,
Job 33 30
To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
To bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the
living.
To bring back his soul from the pit, To be enlightened with the light of the living.
Job 33 31
Mark well, Job, and listen to me: Hold your peace, and I will speak.
Mark well, Job, hearken unto me; be silent, and I will speak.
Attend, O Job, hearken to me, Keep silent, and I -- I do speak.
Job 33 32
If you have anything to say, answer me: Speak, for I desire to justify you.
If thou hast anything to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify thee.
If there are words -- answer me, Speak, for I have a desire to justify thee.
Job 33 33
If not, listen to me: Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom."
If not, hearken thou unto me; be silent, and I will teach thee wisdom.
If there are not -- hearken thou to me, Keep silent, and I teach thee wisdom.
Job 34 1
Moreover Elihu answered,
Moreover Elihu answered and said,
And Elihu answereth and saith:
Job 34 2
"Hear my words, you wise men; Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
Hear my words, ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
Hear, O wise men, my words, And, O knowing ones, give ear to me.
Job 34 3
For the ear tries words, As the palate tastes food.
For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food.
For the ear doth try words, And the palate tasteth to eat.
Job 34 4
Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.
Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good!
Judgment let us choose for ourselves, Let us know among ourselves what [is] good.
Job 34 5
For Job has said, `I am righteous, God has taken away my right:
For Job hath said, I am righteous, and ·God hath taken away my judgment:
For Job hath said, `I have been righteous, And God hath turned aside my right,
Job 34 6
Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar; My wound is incurable, though I am without
disobedience.`
Should I lie against my right? My wound is incurable without transgression.
Against my right do I lie? Mortal [is] mine arrow -- without transgression.`
Job 34 7
What man is like Job, Who drinks up scoffing like water,
What man is like Job? he drinketh up scorning like water,
Who [is] a man like Job? He drinketh scoffing like water,
Job 34 8
Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, And walks with wicked men?
And goeth in company with workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
And he hath travelled for company With workers of iniquity, So as to go with men
of wickedness.
Job 34 9
For he has said, `It profits a man nothing That he should delight himself with God.`
For he hath said, It profiteth not a man if he delight himself in God.
For he hath said, `It doth not profit a man, When he delighteth himself with God.`
Job 34 10
"Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do
wickedness, From the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be wickedness from ·God, and
wrong from the Almighty!
Therefore, O men of heart, hearken to me; Far be it from God to do wickedness,
And [from] the Mighty to do perverseness:
Job 34 11
For the work of a man will he render to him, And cause every man to find according to his
ways.
For a man`s work will he render to him, and cause every one to find according to [his]
way.
For the work of man he repayeth to him, And according to the path of each He
doth cause him to find.
Job 34 12
Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
Yea, surely, ·God acteth not wickedly, and the Almighty perverteth not judgment.
Yea, truly, God doth not do wickedly, And the Mighty doth not pervert judgment.
Job 34 13
Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who has appointed him over the whole world?
Who hath entrusted to him the earth? and who hath disposed the whole world?
Who hath inspected for Himself the earth? And who hath placed all the habitable
world?
Job 34 14
If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath;
If he only thought of himself, [and] gathered unto him his spirit and his breath,
If He doth set on him His heart, His spirit and his breath unto Him He gathereth.
Job 34 15
All flesh would perish together, And man would turn again to dust.
All flesh would expire together, and man would return to the dust.
Expire doth all flesh together, And man to dust returneth.
Job 34 16
"If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: give ear to the voice of my words!
And if [there is] understanding, hear this, Give ear to the voice of my words.
Job 34 17
Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?--
Should he that hateth right indeed govern? and wilt thou condemn the All-just?
Yea, doth one hating justice govern? Or the Most Just dost thou condemn?
Job 34 18
Who says to a king, `Vile!` Or to nobles, `Wicked!`
Shall one say to a king, Belial? to nobles, Wicked?
Who hath said to a king -- `Worthless,` Unto princes -- `Wicked?`
Job 34 19
Who doesn`t respect the persons of princes, Nor regards the rich more than the poor; For
they all are the work of his hands.
[How then to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich man
more than the poor? for they are all the work of his hands.
That hath not accepted the person of princes, Nor hath known the rich before the
poor, For a work of His hands [are] all of them.
Job 34 20
In a moment they die, even at midnight; The people are shaken and pass away, The mighty
are taken away without hand.
In a moment they die, even at midnight the people are convulsed and pass away; and the
strong are taken away without hand.
[In] a moment they die, and at midnight Shake do people, and they pass away, And
they remove the mighty without hand.
Job 34 21
"For his eyes are on the ways of a man, He sees all his goings.
For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his steps.
For His eyes [are] on the ways of each, And all his steps He doth see.
Job 34 22
There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide
themselves.
There is no darkness nor death-shade, For workers of iniquity to be hidden there;
Job 34 23
For he doesn`t need to consider a man further, That he should go before God in judgment.
For he doth not long consider a man, to bring him before ·God in judgment.
For He doth not suffer man any more, To go unto God in judgment,
Job 34 24
He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, And sets others in their place.
He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and setteth others in their stead;
He breaketh the mighty -- no searching! And He appointeth others in their stead.
Job 34 25
Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are
destroyed.
Since he knoweth their actions; and he overthroweth [them] in the night, and they are
crushed.
Therefore He knoweth their works, And He hath overturned by night, And they
are bruised.
Job 34 26
He strikes them as wicked men In the open sight of others;
He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others,
As wicked He hath stricken them, In the place of beholders.
Job 34 27
Because they turned aside from following him, And wouldn`t have regard in any of his ways:
Because they have turned back from him, and would consider none of his ways;
Because that against right They have turned aside from after Him, And none of
His ways have considered wisely,
Job 34 28
So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, He heard the cry of the afflicted.
So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the
afflicted.
To cause to come in unto Him The cry of the poor, And the cry of the afflicted He
heareth.
Job 34 29
When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see
him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man:
When he giveth quietness, who then will disturb? and when he hideth [his] face, who
shall behold him? and this towards a nation, or towards a man alike;
And He giveth rest, and who maketh wrong? And hideth the face, and who
beholdeth it? And in reference to a nation and to a man, [It is] the same.
Job 34 30
That the godless man may not reign, That there be no one to ensnare the people.
That the ungodly man reign not, that the people be not ensnared.
From the reigning of a profane man, From the snares of a people;
Job 34 31
"For has any said to God, `I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
For hath he said unto ·God, I bear [chastisement], I will not offend;
For unto God hath any said: `I have taken away, I do not corruptly,
Job 34 32
Teach me that which I don`t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more`?
What I see not, teach thou me; if I have done wrong, I will do so no more?
Besides [that which] I see, shew Thou me, If iniquity I have done -- I do not add?`
Job 34 33
Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I.
Therefore speak what you know.
Shall he recompense according to thy mind? for thou hast refused [his judgment]; for
thou so choosest, and not I; speak then what thou knowest.
By thee doth He recompense, That thou hast refused -- That thou dost choose, and
not I? And what thou hast known, speak.
Job 34 34
Men of understanding will tell me, Yes, every wise man who hears me:
Men of understanding will say to me, and a wise man who heareth me:
Let men of heart say to me, And a wise man is hearkening to me.
Job 34 35
`Job speaks without knowledge, His words are without wisdom.`
Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were not with intelligence.
Job -- not with knowledge doth he speak, And his words [are] not with wisdom.
Job 34 36
I wish that Job were tried to the end, Because of his answering like wicked men.
Would that Job may be tried unto the end, because of [his] answers after the manner of
evil men!
My Father! let Job be tried -- unto victory, Because of answers for men of iniquity,
Job 34 37
For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, And multiplies his words
against God."
For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth
his words against ·God.
For he doth add to his sin, Transgression among us he vomiteth, And multiplieth
his sayings to God.
Job 35 1
Moreover Elihu answered,
Moreover Elihu answered and said,
And Elihu answereth and saith: --
Job 35 2
"Do you think this to be your right, Or do you say, `My righteousness is more than God`s,`
Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than ·God`s?
This hast thou reckoned for judgment: Thou hast said -- `My righteousness [is]
more than God`s?`
Job 35 3
That you ask, `What advantage will it be to you? What profit shall I have, more than if I had
sinned?`
For thou hast asked of what profit it is unto thee: what do I gain more than if I had
sinned?
For thou sayest, `What doth it profit Thee! What do I profit from my sin?`
Job 35 4
I will answer you, And your companions with you.
I will reply to thee in words, and to thy companions with thee.
I return thee words, and thy friends with thee,
Job 35 5
Look to the heavens, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.
Look unto the heavens and see; and survey the skies: they are higher than thou.
Behold attentively the heavens -- and see, And behold the clouds, They have been
higher than thou.
Job 35 6
If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied,
what do you do to him?
If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? If thy transgressions be multiplied, what
doest thou unto him?
If thou hast sinned, what dost thou against Him? And thy transgressions have
been multiplied, What dost thou to Him?
Job 35 7
If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?
If thou be righteous, what givest thou to him? or what doth he receive of thy hand?
If thou hast been righteous, What dost thou give to Him? Or what from thy hand
doth He receive?
Job 35 8
Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are; And your righteousness may profit a son of man.
Thy wickedness [may affect] a man as thou [art], and thy righteousness a son of man.
For a man like thyself [is] thy wickedness, And for a son of man thy righteousness.
Job 35 9
"By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; They cry for help by reason of the arm
of the mighty.
By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry; they cry out by reason of the arm of
the mighty:
Because of the multitude of oppressions They cause to cry out, They cry because of
the arm of the mighty.
Job 35 10
But none says, `Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night,
But none saith, Where is +God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night,
And none said, `Where [is] God my maker? Giving songs in the night,
Job 35 11
Who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, And makes us wiser than the birds of the
sky?`
Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowl of
the heavens?
Teaching us more than the beasts of the earth, Yea, than the fowl of the heavens He
maketh us wiser.`
Job 35 12
There they cry, but none gives answer, Because of the pride of evil men.
There they cry, and he answereth not, because of the pride of evil men.
There they cry, and He doth not answer, Because of the pride of evil doers.
Job 35 13
Surely God will not hear an empty cry, Neither will the Almighty regard it.
Surely ·God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.
Surely vanity God doth not hear, And the Mighty doth not behold it.
Job 35 14
How much less when you say you don`t see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!
Although thou sayest thou dost not see him, judgment is before him, therefore wait for
him.
Yea, though thou sayest thou dost not behold Him, Judgment [is] before Him, and
stay for Him.
Job 35 15
But now, because he has not visited in his anger, Neither does he greatly regard arrogance.
But now, because he hath not visited in his anger, doth not [Job] know [his] great
arrogancy?
And, now, because there is not, He hath appointed His anger, And He hath not
known in great extremity.
Job 35 16
Therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, And he multiplies words without knowledge."
For Job hath opened his mouth in vanity, and made words abundant without knowledge.
And Job [with] vanity doth open his mouth, Without knowledge words he

multiplieth.

Study Questions

Job made a covenant with? 31:1

Who made Job? 31:15

Where is God? 31:28

Job was __________________? 32:1

The Almighty gives? 32:8

God is __________ __________ __________? 33:12

What did Job say? 34:5

God will not do.. ? 34:12

God sees? 34:21

God gives? 35:10


The World English Bible

Aug. 24
Romans 5

Rom 5:1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
Rom 5:2 through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Rom 5:3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance;
Rom 5:4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope:
Rom 5:5 and hope doesn't disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Rom 5:6 For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
Rom 5:7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die.
Rom 5:8 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God's wrath through him.
Rom 5:10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.
Rom 5:11 Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Rom 5:12 Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned.
Rom 5:13 For until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged when there is no law.
Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren't like Adam's disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come.
Rom 5:15 But the free gift isn't like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
Rom 5:16 The gift is not as through one who sinned: for the judgment came by one to condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses to justification.
Rom 5:17 For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.
Rom 5:18 So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.
Rom 5:19 For as through the one man's disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous.
Rom 5:20 The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly;
Rom 5:21 that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.





The Composite Bible
The World English Bible
Darby's Translation
Young's Literal Translation

The Composite Bible is a effort to understand the Bible by considering it from different perspectives and different levels of literalcy. First, read the World English Bible (the least literal-black text) for comprehension of the text. Next, read both the World English Bible with the Darby Translation (more literal-blue text)to make comparisons and lastly, read all three versions (Young's is the most literal translation- red text) at one time to obtain an overview of the text. Doing this will make you think about what the Scriptures are actually saying and avoid reading in a superficial manner.

Romans
Romans 5 1
Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
Therefore having been justified on the principle of faith, we have peace towards God
through our Lord Jesus Christ;
Having been declared righteous, then, by faith, we have peace toward God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Romans 5 2
through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in
hope of the glory of God.
by whom we have also access by faith into this favour in which we stand, and we boast in
hope of the glory of God.
through whom also we have the access by the faith into this grace in which we
have stood, and we boast on the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5 3
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance;
And not only [that], but we also boast in tribulations, knowing that tribulation works
endurance;
And not only [so], but we also boast in the tribulations, knowing that the
tribulation doth work endurance;
Romans 5 4
and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope:
and endurance, experience; and experience, hope;
and the endurance, experience; and the experience, hope;
Romans 5 5
and hope doesn`t disappoint us, because God`s love has been poured out into our hearts through
the Holy Spirit which was given to us.
and hope does not make ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by
[the] Holy Spirit which has been given to us:
and the hope doth not make ashamed, because the love of God hath been poured
forth in our hearts through the Holy Spirit that hath been given to us.
Romans 5 6
For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
for we being still without strength, in [the] due time Christ has died for [the] ungodly.
For in our being still ailing, Christ in due time did die for the impious;

Romans 5 7
For one will hardly die for a righteous man. For perhaps for a righteous person someone would
even dare to die.
For scarcely for [the] just [man] will one die, for perhaps for [the] good [man] some one
might also dare to die;
for scarcely for a righteous man will any one die, for for the good man perhaps
some one also doth dare to die;

Romans 5 8
But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
but God commends *his* love to us, in that, we being still sinners, Christ has died for us.
and God doth commend His own love to us, that, in our being still sinners, Christ
did die for us;
Romans 5 9
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God`s wrath through
him.
Much rather therefore, having been now justified in [the power of] his blood, we shall be
saved by him from wrath.
much more, then, having been declared righteous now in his blood, we shall be
saved through him from the wrath;
Romans 5 10
For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much
more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.
For if, being enemies, we have been reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much
rather, having been reconciled, we shall be saved in [the power of] his life.
for if, being enemies, we have been reconciled to God through the death of His
Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved in his life.
Romans 5 11
Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now
received the reconciliation.
And not only [that], but [we are] making our boast in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom now we have received the reconciliation.
And not only [so], but we are also boasting in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom now we did receive the reconciliation;

Romans 5 12
Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death
passed to all men, because all sinned.
For this [cause], even as by one man sin entered into the world, and by sin death; and thus
death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
because of this, even as through one man the sin did enter into the world, and
through the sin the death; and thus to all men the death did pass through, for that
all did sin;
Romans 5 13
For until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged when there is no law.
(for until law sin was in [the] world; but sin is not put to account when there is no law;
for till law sin was in the world: and sin is not reckoned when there is not law;

Romans 5 14
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren`t like
Adam`s disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come.
but death reigned from Adam until Moses, even upon those who had not sinned in the
likeness of Adam`s transgression, who is [the] figure of him to come.
but the death did reign from Adam till Moses, even upon those not having sinned
in the likeness of Adam`s transgression, who is a type of him who is coming.
Romans 5 15
But the free gift isn`t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much
more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the
many.
But [shall] not the act of favour [be] as the offence? For if by the offence of one the many
have died, much rather has the grace of God, and the free gift in grace, which [is] by the
one man Jesus Christ, abounded unto the many.
But, not as the offence so also [is] the free gift; for if by the offence of the one the
many did die, much more did the grace of God, and the free gift in grace of the
one man Jesus Christ, abound to the many;
Romans 5 16
The gift is not as through one who sinned: for the judgment came by one to condemnation, but
the free gift came of many trespasses to justification.
And [shall] not as by one that has sinned [be] the gift? For the judgment [was] of one to
condemnation, but the act of favour, of many offences unto justification.
and not as through one who did sin [is] the free gift, for the judgment indeed [is]
of one to condemnation, but the gift [is] of many offences to a declaration of
`Righteous,`

Romans 5 17
For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who
receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one,
Jesus Christ.
For if by the offence of the one death reigned by the one, much rather shall those who
receive the abundance of grace, and of the free gift of righteousness, reign in life by the
one Jesus Christ:)
for if by the offence of the one the death did reign through the one, much more
those, who the abundance of the grace and of the free gift of the righteousness are
receiving, in life shall reign through the one -- Jesus Christ.

Romans 5 18
So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of
righteousness, all men were justified to life.
so then as [it was] by one offence towards all men to condemnation, so by one
righteousness towards all men for justification of life.
So, then, as through one offence to all men [it is] to condemnation, so also through
one declaration of `Righteous` [it is] to all men to justification of life;
Romans 5 19
For as through the one man`s disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the
obedience of the one will many be made righteous.
For as indeed by the disobedience of the one man the many have been constituted
sinners, so also by the obedience of the one the many will be constituted righteous.
for as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted
sinners: so also through the obedience of the one, shall the many be constituted
righteous.
Romans 5 20
The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did
abound more exceedingly;
But law came in, in order that the offence might abound; but where sin abounded grace
has overabounded,
And law came in, that the offence might abound, and where the sin did abound,
the grace did overabound,
Romans 5 21
that as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness to eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
in order that, even as sin has reigned in [the power of] death, so also grace might reign
through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
that even as the sin did reign in the death, so also the grace may reign, through

righteousness, to life age-during, through Jesus Christ our Lord.


Study Questions

Justified by _______________? 5:1

At what time did Christ die? 5:6


How did God demonstrate his love for us? 5:8