Job 11 Cross References - NSB

¹ ZOPHAR THE NAAMATHITE REPLIED: ² »Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated? ³ »Should your idle talk reduce men to silence? Should no one rebuke you when you mock? ⁴ »You say to God: ‘My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.’ ⁵ »How I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you ⁶ and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin. ⁷ »Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? ⁸ »They are higher than the heavens. What can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave. What can you know? ⁹ »Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. ¹⁰ »Who can oppose the one who passes by and confines you in prison and convenes a court? ¹¹ »He recognizes deceitful men. When he sees evil, does he not take note? ¹² »An empty headed man can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born a man. ¹³ »Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, ¹⁴ if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, ¹⁵ then you will lift up your face without shame. You will stand firm without fear. ¹⁶ »You will forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. ¹⁷ »Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. ¹⁸ »You will be secure because there is hope. You will look about you and take your rest in safety. ¹⁹ »You will lie down and no one will make you afraid. Many will entreat your favor. ²⁰ »But the eyes of the wicked will fail and they will not escape. Their hope will become a dying gasp.«

⁵ He did not look with favor on Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his face was downcast (he had a bad attitude). ⁶ Jehovah said to Cain: »Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?

¹¹ »I establish my covenant with you: Never again will the waters of a flood destroy all life. Never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.«

²⁶ Abimelech came from Gerar with Ahuzzath, his friend (companion), and Phicol, the commander of his army, to see Isaac. ²⁷ Isaac asked: »Why have you now come to see me? You were so unfriendly to me before and made me leave your country.« ²⁸ They answered: »Now we know that Jehovah is with you. We think that there should be a solemn agreement between us. We want you to promise ²⁹ »that you will not harm us. We did not harm you. We were kind to you and let you go peacefully. Now it is clear that Jehovah has blessed you.« ³⁰ Isaac prepared a feast for them, and they ate and drank. ³¹ Early the next morning each man made his promise and sealed it with a vow. Isaac said good-bye to them. They parted as friends.

⁵¹ Joseph named his firstborn son Manasseh, because God helped him forget all his troubles and all about his father’s family.

⁵ »‘Your crops will be so plentiful that you will still be harvesting grain when it is time to pick grapes. You will still be picking grapes when it is time to plant grain. You will have all you want to eat and you will live in safety in your land. ⁶ »‘I will give you peace in your land. You can sleep without being afraid of anyone. I will get rid of the dangerous animals in the land. And there will be no more war there.

⁶ »‘I will give you peace in your land. You can sleep without being afraid of anyone. I will get rid of the dangerous animals in the land. And there will be no more war there.

¹⁶ then this is what I will do to you: I will terrorize you with disease and fever. You will suffer from eye problems and depression. You will plant your crops and get nothing because your enemies will eat them.

⁶⁵ »You will find no peace among those nations. There will be no place to call your own. There Jehovah will give you an unsettled mind, failing eyesight, and despair.

²⁹ »Some secret things are hidden. They belong to Jehovah our God. The things that have been revealed in these teachings belong to us and to our children forever. We must obey every word of this Law.

³⁰ »Why were a thousand defeated by one? Why ten thousand by only two? Jehovah their God abandoned them! Their mighty God gave them up.

³ Samuel told the entire nation of Israel: »If you return to Jehovah with all your hearts you must get rid of the foreign gods you have, including the statues of the goddess Astarte. You must dedicate your lives to Jehovah and serve him only. Then he will rescue you from the Philistines.«

¹⁰ »There in front of the whole assembly King David praised Jehovah. He said: Jehovah, God of our father (ancester) Israel. May you be praised forever and ever!

¹⁸ »Does God really live on earth with people? If heaven and the highest heaven cannot hold you, then how can this Temple that I have built?

¹⁴ He did evil because he did not seriously dedicate his life to Jehovah.

³ »Regardless of this, there is some good in you. You have removed all the symbols of the goddess Asherah that people worshiped. You have tried to follow God’s will.«

¹³ »After all this and because of our evil-doing and our great sin, and seeing that the punishment that you, O God, have given us, is less than the measure of our sins, and that you have kept from death those of us who are here;

¹¹ Job's three friends heard about all the terrible things that happened to him. Each of them came from his home: Eliphaz of Teman, Bildad of Shuah, and Zophar of Naama. They agreed they would go together to sympathize with Job and comfort him.

⁷ »Now think about this: Which innocent person ever died an untimely death? Find me a decent person who has been destroyed.

⁸ »As for me, I would seek God's help and present my case to him. ⁹ »He does great things that we cannot understand and miracles that we cannot count.

¹³ »He catches the wise with their own craftiness. The plans of schemers are quickly halted.

¹⁸ »God inflicts wounds and he bandages. He strikes but his hands make you well.

⁵ »Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder?

¹⁰ »Then I would still have this consolation, my joy in unrelenting pain, that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. ¹¹ »What strength do I have, that I should wait and hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?

¹⁵ »But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow

²⁹ »Relent and do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my integrity is at stake. ³⁰ »Is there any wickedness on my lips? Can my mouth not discern destructive malice?«

⁶ »My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle flying back and forth. They end without hope.

²⁰ »Have I sinned? What have I done to you, O watcher of all humanity? Why have you made me your target? Am I a burden to you?

² »How long will you say such things? Your words are a blustering wind.

⁵ »But if you will look to God and plead with the Almighty, ⁶ if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your rightful place.

¹³ »Such is the destiny of all who forget God. The hope of the godless will perish. ¹⁴ »What he trusts in is fragile and what he relies on is like a spider’s web.

² »Truly I know it is so, but how can a man be righteous before God? ³ »If one wished to argue with God, he could not answer or respond to him once in a thousand times. ⁴ »God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against him and prospered?

¹² »He takes away and who can hinder God? Who can say to God: ‘What are you doing?’ ¹³ »God will not withdraw his anger. The allies of the proud lie thrown down beneath him.

⁷ »‘You know that I am not guilty and that no one can force me from your hand!

¹⁵ »‘If I am wicked, woe to me! Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head, for I am full of shame and aware of my affliction.

² »Doubtless you are the people, and wisdom will die with you! ³ »I have a mind as well as you! I am not inferior to you! Who does not know all these things?

² »Should a wise man answer with empty notions or be filled with the hot east wind? ³ »Would he reason with useless words, with speeches that have no value?

⁵ »Your sin inspires your mouth. You choose the tongue of the crafty.

⁸ »Have you heard God’s council? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?

¹¹ »Are God’s consolations not enough for you, words spoken gently to you?

¹⁴ »What is man, that he could be pure? Or he who is born of woman, that he could be righteous?

³ »Is there no limit to windy words? Or what provokes you that you answer?

² »Mockers surrounded me. My eye dwells on their provocation.

⁵ »Whoever turns in friends to get their property should have his children's eyesight fail.

³ »Bear with me, and I will speak. Then after I have spoken, mock on.

⁵ »Is not your wickedness great? There is no end to your iniquities.

⁴ »I have become a laughingstock to my friends! I called upon God and he answered. Yet I am a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!

¹⁴ »What he tears down cannot be rebuilt. The man he imprisons cannot be released.

⁴ »You are smearing me with lies. As doctors you are worthless, all of you!

⁹ »Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive men?

⁴ »Who can bring what is pure from the impure? No one!

² »When will you end these speeches? Be sensible, and then we can talk.

¹⁴ »He is torn from the security of his tent and marched off to the king of terrors.

¹ ZOPHAR THE NAAMATHITE SPEAKS:

¹¹ »There is darkness so you cannot see. A flood of water covers you. ¹² »Is not God high in the heavens? See the highest stars, how eminent they are! ¹³ »So you say: ‘What does God know? Can he judge through the thick darkness? ¹⁴ »‘Thick clouds enwrap him, so that he does not see, and he walks on the dome of the heavens.’«

²¹ »Agree with God, and be at peace. In this way good will come to you. ²² »Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. ²³ »If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored. You must remove unrighteousness from your tents,

²⁶ you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God. ²⁷ »You will pray to him and he will hear you! You will pay your vows. ²⁸ »You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you. The light of God’s favor will shine on your ways. ²⁹ »When others are humiliated, you say it is pride for he saves the humble.

³ »Oh that I knew where I might find him that I might come to his seat! ⁴ »I would present my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. ⁵ »I would learn what he would answer and perceive what he would say to me. ⁶ »Would He contend with me using his great power? No, surely He would pay attention to me. ⁷ »There the upright would reason with him. I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

²⁵ »If it is not so, who will prove me a liar, and show that there is nothing in what I say?«

¹⁶ »If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,

³⁵ »Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me! Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!

⁶ »I am just like you before God. I too have been taken from clay! ⁷ »No fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy upon you. ⁸ »You have said in my hearing, I heard the very words: ⁹ »I am pure and without sin! I am clean and free from guilt. ¹⁰ »Yet God has found fault with me. He considers me his enemy! ¹¹ »He fastens my feet in shackles and he keeps close watch on all my paths. ¹² »But I tell you, Job, in this you are not right, for God is greater than man. ¹³ »Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man’s words? ¹⁴ »God does speak, now one-way and then another, though man may not perceive it. ¹⁵ »In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds, ¹⁶ he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, ¹⁷ that turn man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride.

²³ »We cannot find the Almighty. He is exalted in power but will not do violence to justice and abundant righteousness.

¹ JEHOVAH ANSWERED JOB OUT OF THE WINDSTORM: ² »Who is this that conceals (hides) counsel using words without knowledge?

⁸ »Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb?

⁵ I spoke once, but I cannot answer twice. I will proceed no further.«

⁸ »Would you undo my justice? Would you condemn me so that you can be righteous?

⁷ »I am angry with you and your two friends, because you did not speak correctly about me, as my servant Job has. ⁸ »So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You did not speak correctly about me, as my servant Job has.« ⁹ So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what Jehovah told them. And Jehovah accepted Job’s prayer.

¹¹ All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble Jehovah allowed to come upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. ¹² Jehovah blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. ¹³ He also had seven sons and three daughters.

¹¹ He says in his heart (to himself): »God has forgotten. He has hidden his face. He will never see it!«

¹⁴ You have seen trouble and grief and placed them under your control. The victim entrusts himself to you. You alone have been the helper of orphans.

⁶ »The grave is naked before God, and destruction has no covering.

¹⁴ »These are indeed but the outskirts of his ways. How small a whisper do we hear from him! But who can understand the thunder of his power?

⁸ »What hope doe the godless have when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?

²² »It hurls itself against him without mercy as he flees headlong from its power.

²⁴ »He can see to the ends of the earth and observe everything under heaven. ²⁵ »When he gave the wind its force and measured the water in the sea,

²⁸ »To man he said: ‘Respect for Jehovah is wisdom! To stay away from evil is understanding.’«

¹⁸ »It is to preserve him from the pit and keep his life from perishing by the sword.

⁵ »Job has said: ‘I am innocent, and God has taken away my right. ⁶ »‘In spite of being right I am counted a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ ⁷ »Who is there like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water?

²¹ »God's eyes are on a person's ways. He sees all his steps. ²² There is no darkness or deep shadow where troublemakers can hide.

²² There is no darkness or deep shadow where troublemakers can hide. ²³ »He does not have to set a time for a person in order to bring him to divine judgment.

²⁹ »If God decided to do nothing at all, no one could criticize him. If he hid his face (refused to assist), we would be helpless.

³² »Have you asked God to show you your faults, and have you agreed to stop doing evil?

² »Do you think this to be just? You say: ‘I am in the right before God.’

⁵ Look at the heavens, observe the clouds and see. They are higher than you.

⁵ »Who has let the wild donkey go free? Who has loosed the bonds of the swift donkey? ⁶ »Whose home I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwelling? ⁷ »He scorns the tumult of the city. He does not heed the shouts of the driver. ⁸ »The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searches after every green thing.

¹ JEHOVAH SPEAKS TO JOB: ² »Will the person who finds fault with the Almighty correct him? Will the person who argues with God answer him?« ³ JOB ANSWERED JEHOVAH: ⁴ »I am so insignificant. How can I answer you? I will put my hand over my mouth.

¹⁴ The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. ¹⁵ Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters. Their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers. ¹⁶ After this Job lived a hundred and forty years. He saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. ¹⁷ He died a very old man.

⁵ I lie down and sleep. I wake up again because Jehovah continues to sustain me.

⁸ In peace I will both lie down and sleep. For you alone, O Jehovah, make my dwelling safe and secure.

¹ ([Psalm of David]) Jehovah is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the stronghold of my life. Who is there to be afraid of?

⁸ You have not handed me over to the hand of the enemy. You have set my feet in a large place.

¹⁴ Jehovah is intimate with those who respect him. He reveals the intent of his covenant to them.

¹⁶ With godless and abusive mockers, they grit their teeth at me.

²² Now you see it, O Jehovah. Do not remain silent. O Jehovah, do not be so far away from me.

⁶ He will cause your righteousness to shine like a light, your just cause like the noonday sun.

⁵ Why am I in despair? Why am I so deeply disturbed within me? I will put my hope in God, for I will praise him as my salvation and my God.

¹² The daughter of Tyre will come with a gift. The rich among the people will seek your favor.

¹ ([Sons of Korah]) God is our refuge and strength, a ready help in times of trouble.

³¹ Ambassadors will come from Egypt. Sudan will stretch out its hands to God in prayer.

³ I am weary with my crying. My throat is dry. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

²² I was so foolish and ignorant: I was like a beast before you.

⁵ Indeed, I was born in perversity (mischief) (evil). I was a sinner when my mother conceived me.

⁹ Common people are only a vapor in the wind. Important people are only a delusion. When all of them are weighed on a scale, they amount to nothing. They are less than a vapor in the wind. ¹⁰ Do not count on extortion to make you rich. Do not hope to gain anything through robbery. When riches increase, do not depend on them.

⁵ By awesome deeds you answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation. You are trusted to the ends of the earth and the farthest sea. ⁶ He established the mountains with his power. He is girded (fortified) (surrounded) with mighty strength. ⁷ He stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples. ⁸ They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of your signs. You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.

¹⁹ Your way was through the sea; your paths through the great waters. Your footsteps were not known.

⁸ They should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not prepare its heart and whose spirit was not faithful to God.

⁹ My eyes grow weak because of my suffering. All day long I call out to you, O Jehovah. I stretch out my hands to you in prayer.

⁶ A stupid (senseless) person cannot know and a fool cannot understand.

¹⁴ Even when they are old, they still bear fruit. They are always healthy and fresh.

¹¹ Jehovah knows the thoughts of man. He knows that they a mere vanity.

¹⁶ Fill their faces with confusion that they may seek your name, Jehovah.

² I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

¹⁰ He has not dealt with us according to our sins. He has not requited us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is his mercy toward those who reverence him.

⁴³ He rescued them many times, but they continued to plot rebellion against him and to sink deeper because of their sin. ⁴⁴ He saw that they were suffering when he heard their cry for help. ⁴⁵ He remembered his promise to them. In keeping with his rich mercy, he changed his plans. ⁴⁶ He let them find compassion from all those who held them captive.

⁴ Light shines in the darkness for the upright. He is gracious, compassionate, and fair.

⁶ He will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered. ⁷ He is not afraid of bad news. His heart remains secure, full of confidence in Jehovah. ⁸ His heart is steady, and he is not afraid. In the end he will look triumphantly at his enemies.

⁶ I will not be ashamed when I look upon all your commandments. ⁷ I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.

⁶ I stretch out my hands to you for I long for you, like a parched land.

³ Great is Jehovah, and highly to be praised. His greatness is unsearchable (beyond human calculation).

²⁴ When you lie down you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. ²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden fear or trouble from the wicked when it comes. ²⁶ Jehovah will be your confidence. He will keep your foot from stumbling.

¹⁸ The path of the righteous is like the shining light of dawn that shines brighter and brighter until the more perfect day.

¹⁹ Sin does not hide from a multitude of words. The wise controls his lips.

²⁴ The fear of the wicked will come upon him. The desire of the righteous will be granted.

⁶ Knowing this is too wonderful for me! It is too high, I cannot attain to it. ⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? ⁸ If I ascend to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in the grave, behold, you are there. ⁹ If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, ¹⁰ Even there your hand will lead me. Your right hand will lay hold of me.

¹¹ Do not let slanderers prosper on earth. Let evil hunt down violent people with one blow after another.

¹³ Let them praise the name of Jehovah because his name is high above all others. His glory is above heaven and earth.

²⁶ Respect for Jehovah builds strong confidence. Your children will have a place of refuge.

³² The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous has hope in his death.

⁶ Many ask favors of the prince. Every man is a friend of a person who gives gifts.

²⁰ He who curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in obscure darkness.

² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. ³ The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unreachable.

¹ The wicked run when no man pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

² Surely I am more stupid then any man, and do not have the understanding of a man. ³ I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. ⁴ Who ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who gathered the wind in his hands? Who bound the waters in a garment? Who established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you can tell me?

⁷ Let him drink and forget his poverty. Let him remember his misery no more.

¹¹ He made everything appropriate (beautiful) (good) in its time. God placed eternity in the heart of man. For man is unable to see the works of God from the first to the last.

¹⁸ I said in my heart concerning the condition of the sons of men, »God tested them that they might see that they are like animals.«

⁸ If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the country, do not be shocked at the sight. One official watches over another official and there are higher officials over them.

²⁰ He will not often remember the years of his life. This is because God keeps him occupied with the gladness (pleasure) of his heart.

¹ In that day you will say: »I will praise you, O Jehovah. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. ² »Truly God is my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid. Jehovah… Jehovah is my strength and my song! He has become my salvation.«

¹⁵ »When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you. Even though you offer many prayers, I will not listen because your hands are full of blood.

⁴ »Do not be afraid. You will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace. You will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.«

⁹ »To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again.

⁹ »As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

²⁸ »Do you not know? Have you not heard? JEHOVAH IS THE EVERLASTING GOD, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and no one can measure (find out) his understanding.

²⁷ I was the first to tell Zion: »Look, here they are!« I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good news.

¹⁴ This is what Jehovah says: »The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and those tall Sabeans will come over to you and will be yours. They will walk behind you. They will come to you in chains. They will bow down before you and plead with you. They will say: ‘God is with you and there is no other. There is no other god!’

⁸ »Your light will break out like the dawn. Your recovery will speedily spring forth. Your righteousness will go before you and the glory of Jehovah will be your rear guard. ⁹ »‘Then you will call, and Jehovah will answer! You will cry and he will say: ‘Here I am.’ If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, ¹⁰ and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will be like midday.

¹⁶ Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of (amen, so be it) truth; he who takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes.

²⁴ »You are like a wild donkey accustomed to the desert. You sniff at the wind while in heat. All who seek you will not get tired. They will find you during your monthly period.

¹⁴ »The sons of those who oppress you will bow in front of you. All who loathe you will bow at your feet. They will call you the city of Jehovah, Zion, the city of the Holy One of Israel.

¹⁷ »I did not spend my time with other people laughing and having a good time. In obedience to your orders I stayed by myself and was filled with anger.

⁹ »The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately corrupt. Who can understand it? ¹⁰ »I, Jehovah, search the heart and examine the mind (inner man). I give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.

²² We have not come to destruction because of Jehovah’s loving kindness. His mercies are without end.

¹⁷ Our eyes are still wasting away in looking for our false help. We watch for a nation unable to give salvation.

³⁰ ‘»That is why I will judge each of you by what you have done, people of Israel, declares the Lord Jehovah. Change the way you think and act. (Repent!) Turn away from all the rebellious things that you have done so that you will not fall into sin. ³¹ ‘»Give up all the evil you have been doing. Get yourselves new minds and hearts. Why do you Israelites want to die?

²⁸ »There is a God in heaven that reveals secrets. He made known to king Nebuchadnezzar what will be in days to come. Your dream and visions are these:

⁴⁷ The king spoke to Daniel: »It is true, your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing you were able to reveal this secret.«

³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are considered as nothing. He does according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth. None can stop him, or say to him: ‘What do you do?’

³ »Let us get to know Jehovah! Let us press on (run after) (follow) to get to know him. As surely as the sun rises he will appear. He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.«

² »It never enters their hearts that I will remember all this evil. But their sins surround them, and I cannot avoid seeing them.

¹⁴ »Flight will perish from the swift! The strong will not increase his strength. The mighty will not save himself.

¹⁹ »Like a man who ran from a lion, and a bear met him! So he went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. ²⁰ »Will the day of Jehovah be darkness with no light? Will it be very dark, and no brightness in it?

¹ I saw Jehovah standing beside the altar. He said: »Strike the capitals that the thresholds may shake! Break them in pieces on the head of all of them and I will slay the last of them with the sword. Not one of them will get away. Not one of them will escape! ² »Though they dig into the grave my hand will take them. Though they climb to heaven I will bring them down.

² »Though they dig into the grave my hand will take them. Though they climb to heaven I will bring them down. ³ »Though they hide on top of Mount Carmel I will search and find them and take them from there. Though they hide from my sight on the bottom of the sea I will command the serpent to bite them.

⁸ Do not rejoice against me, O my enemy! When I fall, I will arise. When I sit in darkness, Jehovah will be a light to me. ⁹ I will bear the indignation of Jehovah, because I have sinned against him. He will plead my cause, and execute judgment for me. He will bring me forth to the light and I will see his righteousness.

¹³ Your eyes are too pure to look at evil. You cannot look at perversity. Why do you look at treacherous persons and not act? Why do you keep quiet when the wicked destroy the man who is more righteous?

³ He continued: »This is the curse that is upon the land. Every one who steals will be acquitted. Every one who swears falsely will be innocent.« ⁴ »I will cause it to happen,« said Jehovah of Hosts, »and it will enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of he who swears falsely by my name. The curse will abide in the midst of his house and will consume it with the timber and the stones of the house.«

⁶ »It will happen! There will be no light for the bright ones will withdraw themselves! ⁷ »It will be a day known to Jehovah. It will not be day and it will not be night, but there will light in the evening.

² »The sun of righteousness with it’s healing will shine on you who respect my name and obey me. You will be free and paw the ground like fat calves.«

³⁵ That which was spoken through the prophet was fulfilled, saying: »I will open my mouth in illustrations. I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.«

²⁷ »All things have been delivered to me from my Father. Only the Father knows the Son, and only the Son knows the Father. The Son tells others about the Father so that they can know him too.

²⁶ Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not die before he saw the Christ of God. ²⁷ Under the power of the spirit he came to the temple. The parents brought in the child Jesus, that they obey the custom of the law. ²⁸ He received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: ²⁹ »Let your servant depart according to your word in peace. ³⁰ »My eyes have seen your salvation. ³¹ »That which you prepared before the peoples. ³² »It is a light of revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.«

⁴⁷ »The unfaithful servant who knew what his master wanted and did not do it will be beaten.

²³ »He was in great torment in the grave (hades). He looked up and saw Abraham, far away, with Lazarus at his side. ²⁴ »He called out: Father Abraham! Take pity on me! Please send Lazarus to dip his finger in some water and cool off my tongue. I am in torment in this fire! ²⁵ »Abraham said: Remember, my son, in your lifetime you were given good things, while Lazarus got all the bad things. Now he is enjoying himself while you are in torment. ²⁶ »There is a deep pit lying between us, so that those who want to cross over from here to you cannot do so. And no one can cross over to us from where you are.

²⁴ Jesus did not trust his security to them for he understood all men. ²⁵ He did not need evidence about men for he knew what was in man.

²¹ »A woman in tribulation has sorrow, because her hour to give birth has come. When she delivers the child, she remembers no more anguish, because of the joy that a man is born into the world.

¹⁸ The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. Some said: What is this babbler saying? Others: He seems to be advocating strange gods because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.

²² Claiming to be wise, they became fools.

³³ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments. His ways are beyond human understanding!

¹⁶ Be of the same mind as others. Do not think lofty things but be led along by lowly things. Do not be wise in your own conceit (self-love) (vanity) (estimation).

²⁵ Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my good news, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the secret, which was kept secret since the world began. ²⁶ It is now made known by the Scriptures of the prophets according to the commandment of the everlasting God. It is made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.

⁹ It is written: »Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, and it has not entered into the heart of man, the things God prepared for those who love him.« (Isaiah 64:4) ¹⁰ But God revealed them to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit investigates (searches) all things, yes even the deep things of God.

¹⁰ But God revealed them to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit investigates (searches) all things, yes even the deep things of God. ¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man, except the mental disposition that is in man? Even so no one knows the things of God, but the Spirit of God.

³ Not only that, but we also rejoice in our tribulations knowing that tribulation produces endurance. ⁴ Tribulation produces an approved condition and an approved condition produces hope. ⁵ Hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts. It comes through Holy Spirit, which is God’s gift to us.

¹⁶ »Who has understood the mind of Jehovah, or has instructed him, as his counselor?« (Isaiah 40:13) But we do have the mind (purpose) (feelings) (thoughts) (understanding) of Christ.

¹⁸ Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this age is foolishness with God. It is written: »He catches the wise in their own craftiness (deception).« (Job 5:13) ²⁰ And again: »Jehovah knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain (useless) (empty).« (Psalm 94:11)

¹² This is our pride and testimony of conscience. In holiness and Godly sincerity we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you. It was not by fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God.

³ We all once lived in the lust of our flesh, indulging the desires (lusts) of the flesh and of the mind. We were by nature children of anger and violent passion, like everyone else.

⁵ It was not made known to other generations of the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

⁸ To me, the very least of all the holy ones, was given grace (loving divine influence) to preach to the people of the nations the untraceable riches of Christ.

¹⁸ May you be able to comprehend with all the holy ones the breadth and length and height and depth. ¹⁹ And may you know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. May you be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁷ It was God’s will to make known his secret to the people of the nations, this rich and glorious secret that he has for people. The secret is that Christ is in union with you, which means that you will share in his glory.

³ How shall we escape, if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first presented by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

¹⁴ If anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.

⁸ I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.

⁸ Have sound speech that cannot be condemned so the man opposing us may be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. All things are uncovered and laid bare before him. We must account to him. (Romans 2:16; 14:12)

¹⁹ You know this, my beloved brothers. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

²⁰ Are you willing to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is useless (barren) (lifeless)?

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his works are from meekness because of wisdom. ¹⁴ If you have bitter jealousy (envy) and greedy ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom is not a wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and devilish. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfishness are, there is confusion and every evil deed. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable (yielding), full of mercy and good fruits, without discord (partiality), without hypocrisy.

⁸ Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded (uncertain) (doubter) (skeptic).

¹⁵ Sanctify the Christ as Lord (kurios: master) in your hearts. Always be ready to answer every man who asks you a reason for your hope, yet with meekness (mildness) and respect!

²⁸ Now, my little children dwell (Greek: meno: stay, dwell, be present) with him. If he shall be made known we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming (presence) (being near).

¹⁹ By this we shall know we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before him. ²⁰ If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. ²¹ Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us we have confidence toward God. ²² Whatever we ask we receive from Him because we obey His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

¹⁸ They said to you: In the last time there will be mockers (scoffers), walking after their own ungodly lusts.

²³ »'I will kill her children with deadly plague. Then all the congregations will know that I am the one who searches hearts and minds. I will reward each of you for what you have done.

⁷ »To the angel of the congregation in Philadelphia write: He says these things. He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no man shuts, and shuts and no man opens.

⁹ »'I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, and are not, for they lie; I will make them come and bow down before your feet. They will know that I have loved you.

¹⁴ I said to him: »Sir, you know.« He said to me: »These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ »Because of this they are before the throne of God. They serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over (dwell among) them. ¹⁶ »They will hunger no more, nor thirst any more; neither shall the sunlight beat down on them, nor any heat. ¹⁷ »The Lamb who is in the middle of the throne will feed them and lead them to living fountains of water. God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.«