Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Job 12:1–15:35; 1 Corinthians 15:29-58; Psalm 39:1-13; and Proverbs 21:30-31. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Job 12-15:35 (Contemporary English Version)
Job 12
Job's Reply to Zophar
You Think You Are So Great
1Job said to his friends: 2You think you are so great,
with all the answers.
3But I know as much as you do,
and so does everyone else.
4I have always lived right,
and God answered my prayers;
now friends make fun of me.
5It's easy to condemn
those who are suffering,
when you have no troubles.
6Robbers and other godless people
live safely at home
and say,
"God is in our hands!" [a]
with all the answers.
3But I know as much as you do,
and so does everyone else.
4I have always lived right,
and God answered my prayers;
now friends make fun of me.
5It's easy to condemn
those who are suffering,
when you have no troubles.
6Robbers and other godless people
live safely at home
and say,
"God is in our hands!" [a]
If You Want To Learn
7If you want to learn, then go and ask
the wild animals and the birds,
8the flowers and the fish.
9Any of them can tell you
what the LORD has done. [b] 10Every living creature
is in the hands of God.
11We hear with our ears,
taste with our tongues,
12and gain some wisdom from those
who have lived a long time.
13But God is the real source
of wisdom and strength.
14No one can rebuild
what he destroys,
or release
those he has imprisoned.
15God can hold back the rain
or send a flood,
16just as he rules over liars
and those they lie to.
17God destroys counselors,
turns judges into fools,
18and makes slaves of kings.
19God removes priests and others
who have great power--
20he confuses wise,
experienced advisors,
21puts mighty kings to shame,
and takes away their power.
22God turns darkness to light;
23he makes nations strong,
then shatters their strength.
24God strikes their rulers senseless,
then leaves them to roam
through barren deserts,
25lost in the dark, staggering
like someone drunk.
the wild animals and the birds,
8the flowers and the fish.
9Any of them can tell you
what the LORD has done. [b] 10Every living creature
is in the hands of God.
11We hear with our ears,
taste with our tongues,
12and gain some wisdom from those
who have lived a long time.
13But God is the real source
of wisdom and strength.
14No one can rebuild
what he destroys,
or release
those he has imprisoned.
15God can hold back the rain
or send a flood,
16just as he rules over liars
and those they lie to.
17God destroys counselors,
turns judges into fools,
18and makes slaves of kings.
19God removes priests and others
who have great power--
20he confuses wise,
experienced advisors,
21puts mighty kings to shame,
and takes away their power.
22God turns darkness to light;
23he makes nations strong,
then shatters their strength.
24God strikes their rulers senseless,
then leaves them to roam
through barren deserts,
25lost in the dark, staggering
like someone drunk.
Job 13
Job Continues
I Know and Understand
1I know and understand every bit of this.
2None of you are smarter
than I am;
there's nothing you know
that I don't.
3But I prefer to argue my case
with God All-Powerful--
4you are merely useless doctors,
who treat me with lies.
5The wisest thing you can do
is to keep quiet
6and listen
to my argument.
7Are you telling lies for God
8and not telling the whole truth
when you argue his case?
9If he took you to court,
could you fool him,
just as you fool others?
10If you were secretly unfair,
he would correct you,
11and his glorious splendor
would make you terrified.
12Your wisdom and arguments
are as delicate as dust.
2None of you are smarter
than I am;
there's nothing you know
that I don't.
3But I prefer to argue my case
with God All-Powerful--
4you are merely useless doctors,
who treat me with lies.
5The wisest thing you can do
is to keep quiet
6and listen
to my argument.
7Are you telling lies for God
8and not telling the whole truth
when you argue his case?
9If he took you to court,
could you fool him,
just as you fool others?
10If you were secretly unfair,
he would correct you,
11and his glorious splendor
would make you terrified.
12Your wisdom and arguments
are as delicate as dust.
Be Quiet While I Speak
13Be quiet while I speak, then say what you will.
14I will be responsible
for what happens to me.
15God may kill me, but still
I will trust him [c] and offer my defense.
16This may be what saves me,
because no guilty person
would come to his court.
17Listen carefully to my words!
18I have prepared my case well,
and I am certain to win.
19If you can prove me guilty,
I will give up and die.
14I will be responsible
for what happens to me.
15God may kill me, but still
I will trust him [c] and offer my defense.
16This may be what saves me,
because no guilty person
would come to his court.
17Listen carefully to my words!
18I have prepared my case well,
and I am certain to win.
19If you can prove me guilty,
I will give up and die.
Job Prays
I Ask Only Two Things
20I ask only two things of you, my God,
and I will no longer
hide from you--
21stop punishing
and terrifying me!
22Then speak, and I will reply;
or else let me speak,
and you reply.
23Please point out my sins,
so I will know them.
24Why have you turned your back
and count me your enemy?
25Do you really enjoy
frightening a fallen leaf?
26Why do you accuse me
of horrible crimes
and make me pay for sins
I did in my youth?
27You have tied my feet down
and keep me surrounded;
28I am rotting away like cloth
eaten by worms.
and I will no longer
hide from you--
21stop punishing
and terrifying me!
22Then speak, and I will reply;
or else let me speak,
and you reply.
23Please point out my sins,
so I will know them.
24Why have you turned your back
and count me your enemy?
25Do you really enjoy
frightening a fallen leaf?
26Why do you accuse me
of horrible crimes
and make me pay for sins
I did in my youth?
27You have tied my feet down
and keep me surrounded;
28I am rotting away like cloth
eaten by worms.
Job 14
Job Continues his Prayer
Life Is Short and Sorrowful
1Life is short and sorrowful for every living soul.
2We are flowers that fade
and shadows that vanish.
3And so, I ask you, God,
why pick on me?
4There's no way a human
can be completely pure.
5Our time on earth is brief;
the number of our days
is already decided by you.
6Why don't you leave us alone
and let us find some happiness
while we toil and labor?
2We are flowers that fade
and shadows that vanish.
3And so, I ask you, God,
why pick on me?
4There's no way a human
can be completely pure.
5Our time on earth is brief;
the number of our days
is already decided by you.
6Why don't you leave us alone
and let us find some happiness
while we toil and labor?
When a Tree Is Chopped Down
7When a tree is chopped down, there is always the hope
that it will sprout again.
8Its roots and stump may rot,
9but at the touch of water,
fresh twigs shoot up.
10Humans are different--
we die, and that's the end.
11We are like streams and lakes
after the water has gone;
12we fall into the sleep of death,
never to rise again,
until the sky disappears.
13Please hide me, God,
deep in the ground--
and when you are angry no more,
remember to rescue me.
that it will sprout again.
8Its roots and stump may rot,
9but at the touch of water,
fresh twigs shoot up.
10Humans are different--
we die, and that's the end.
11We are like streams and lakes
after the water has gone;
12we fall into the sleep of death,
never to rise again,
until the sky disappears.
13Please hide me, God,
deep in the ground--
and when you are angry no more,
remember to rescue me.
Will We Humans Live Again?
14Will we humans live again? I would gladly suffer
and wait for my time.
15My Creator, you would want me;
you would call out,
and I would answer.
16You would take care of me,
but not count my sins--
17you would put them in a bag,
tie it tight,
and toss them away.
18But in the real world,
mountains tumble,
and rocks crumble;
19streams wear away stones
and wash away soil.
And you destroy our hopes!
20You change the way we look,
then send us away,
wiped out forever.
21We never live to know
if our children are praised
or disgraced.
22We feel no pain but our own,
and when we mourn,
it's only for ourselves.
and wait for my time.
15My Creator, you would want me;
you would call out,
and I would answer.
16You would take care of me,
but not count my sins--
17you would put them in a bag,
tie it tight,
and toss them away.
18But in the real world,
mountains tumble,
and rocks crumble;
19streams wear away stones
and wash away soil.
And you destroy our hopes!
20You change the way we look,
then send us away,
wiped out forever.
21We never live to know
if our children are praised
or disgraced.
22We feel no pain but our own,
and when we mourn,
it's only for ourselves.
Job 15
Eliphaz's Second Speech
If You Had Any Sense
1Eliphaz from Teman [d] said: 2Job, if you had any sense, 3you would stop spreading
all of this hot air.
4Your words are enough
to make others turn from God
and lead them to doubt.
5And your sinful, scheming mind
is the source of all you say.
6I am not here as your judge;
your own words are witnesses
against you.
7Were you the first human?
Are you older than the hills?
8Have you ever been present
when God's council [e] meets? Do you alone have wisdom?
9Do you know and understand
something we don't?
10We have the benefit of wisdom
older than your father.
11And you have been offered
comforting words from God.
Isn't this enough?
12Your emotions are out of control,
making you look fierce;
13that's why you attack God
with everything you say.
14No human is pure and innocent,
15and neither are angels--
not in the sight of God.
If God doesn't trust his angels,
16what chance do humans have?
We are so terribly evil
that we thirst for sin.
all of this hot air.
4Your words are enough
to make others turn from God
and lead them to doubt.
5And your sinful, scheming mind
is the source of all you say.
6I am not here as your judge;
your own words are witnesses
against you.
7Were you the first human?
Are you older than the hills?
8Have you ever been present
when God's council [e] meets? Do you alone have wisdom?
9Do you know and understand
something we don't?
10We have the benefit of wisdom
older than your father.
11And you have been offered
comforting words from God.
Isn't this enough?
12Your emotions are out of control,
making you look fierce;
13that's why you attack God
with everything you say.
14No human is pure and innocent,
15and neither are angels--
not in the sight of God.
If God doesn't trust his angels,
16what chance do humans have?
We are so terribly evil
that we thirst for sin.
Just Listen to What I Know
17Just listen to what I know, and you will learn
18wisdom known by others
since ancient times.
19Those who gained such insights
also gained the land,
and they were not influenced
by foreign teachings.
20But suffering is in store
each day for those who sin.
21Even in times of success,
they constantly hear
the threat of doom.
22Darkness, despair, and death
are their destiny.
23They scrounge around for food,
all the while dreading
the approaching darkness.
24They are overcome with despair,
like a terrified king
about to go into battle.
25This is because they rebelled
against God All-Powerful
26and have attacked him
with their weapons.
27They may be rich and fat,
28but they will live in the ruins
of deserted towns.
29Their property and wealth
will shrink and disappear.
30They won't escape the darkness,
and the blazing breath of God
will set their future aflame.
31They have put their trust
in something worthless;
now they will become worthless
32like a date palm tree
without a leaf. [f] 33Or like vineyards or orchards
whose blossoms and unripe fruit
drop to the ground.
34Yes, the godless and the greedy
will have nothing but flames
feasting on their homes,
35because they are the parents
of trouble and vicious lies.
Footnotes:- Job 12:6 God is in our hands: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Job 12:9 Any. . . done: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Job 13:15 God. . . trust him: Or "God will surely kill me; I have lost all hope."
- Job 15:1 Teman: See the note at 2.11.
- Job 15:8 God's council: The angels and others who gather to discuss matters with God (see 1.6; 2.1).
- Job 15:32 leaf: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of Verse 32.
18wisdom known by others
since ancient times.
19Those who gained such insights
also gained the land,
and they were not influenced
by foreign teachings.
20But suffering is in store
each day for those who sin.
21Even in times of success,
they constantly hear
the threat of doom.
22Darkness, despair, and death
are their destiny.
23They scrounge around for food,
all the while dreading
the approaching darkness.
24They are overcome with despair,
like a terrified king
about to go into battle.
25This is because they rebelled
against God All-Powerful
26and have attacked him
with their weapons.
27They may be rich and fat,
28but they will live in the ruins
of deserted towns.
29Their property and wealth
will shrink and disappear.
30They won't escape the darkness,
and the blazing breath of God
will set their future aflame.
31They have put their trust
in something worthless;
now they will become worthless
32like a date palm tree
without a leaf. [f] 33Or like vineyards or orchards
whose blossoms and unripe fruit
drop to the ground.
34Yes, the godless and the greedy
will have nothing but flames
feasting on their homes,
35because they are the parents
of trouble and vicious lies.
Footnotes:
- Job 12:6 God is in our hands: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Job 12:9 Any. . . done: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Job 13:15 God. . . trust him: Or "God will surely kill me; I have lost all hope."
- Job 15:1 Teman: See the note at 2.11.
- Job 15:8 God's council: The angels and others who gather to discuss matters with God (see 1.6; 2.1).
- Job 15:32 leaf: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of Verse 32.
1 Corinthians 15:29-58 (Contemporary English Version)
29If the dead are not going to be raised to life, what will people do who are being baptized for them? Why are they being baptized for those dead people? 30And why do we always risk our lives 31and face death every day? The pride that I have in you because of Christ Jesus our Lord is what makes me say this. 32What do you think I gained by fighting wild animals in Ephesus? If the dead are not raised to life,
"Let's eat and drink.
Tomorrow we die."
33Don't fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you. 34Be sensible and stop sinning. You should be embarrassed that some people still don't know about God.
"Let's eat and drink.
Tomorrow we die."
33Don't fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you. 34Be sensible and stop sinning. You should be embarrassed that some people still don't know about God.
What Our Bodies Will Be Like
35Some of you have asked, "How will the dead be raised to life? What kind of bodies will they have?" 36Don't be foolish. A seed must die before it can sprout from the ground. 37Wheat seeds and all other seeds look different from the sprouts that come up. 38This is because God gives everything the kind of body he wants it to have. 39People, animals, birds, and fish are each made of flesh, but none of them are alike. 40Everything in the heavens has a body, and so does everything on earth. But each one is very different from all the others. 41The sun isn't like the moon, the moon isn't like the stars, and each star is different. 42That's how it will be when our bodies are raised to life. These bodies will die, but the bodies that are raised will live forever. 43These ugly and weak bodies will become beautiful and strong. 44As surely as there are physical bodies, there are spiritual bodies. And our physical bodies will be changed into spiritual bodies.
45The first man was named Adam, and the Scriptures tell us that he was a living person. But Jesus, who may be called the last Adam, is a life-giving spirit. 46We see that the one with a spiritual body did not come first. He came after the one who had a physical body. 47The first man was made from the dust of the earth, but the second man came from heaven. 48Everyone on earth has a body like the body of the one who was made from the dust of the earth. And everyone in heaven has a body like the body of the one who came from heaven. 49Just as we are like the one who was made out of earth, we will be like the one who came from heaven.
50My friends, I want you to know that our bodies of flesh and blood will decay. This means that they cannot share in God's kingdom, which lasts forever. 51I will explain a mystery to you. Not every one of us will die, but we will all be changed. 52It will happen suddenly, quicker than the blink of an eye. At the sound of the last trumpet the dead will be raised. We will all be changed, so that we will never die again. 53Our dead and decaying bodies will be changed into bodies that won't die or decay. 54The bodies we now have are weak and can die. But they will be changed into bodies that are eternal. Then the Scriptures will come true,
"Death has lost the battle!
55Where is its victory?
Where is its sting?"
56Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin. 57But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!
58My dear friends, stand firm and don't be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.
45The first man was named Adam, and the Scriptures tell us that he was a living person. But Jesus, who may be called the last Adam, is a life-giving spirit. 46We see that the one with a spiritual body did not come first. He came after the one who had a physical body. 47The first man was made from the dust of the earth, but the second man came from heaven. 48Everyone on earth has a body like the body of the one who was made from the dust of the earth. And everyone in heaven has a body like the body of the one who came from heaven. 49Just as we are like the one who was made out of earth, we will be like the one who came from heaven.
50My friends, I want you to know that our bodies of flesh and blood will decay. This means that they cannot share in God's kingdom, which lasts forever. 51I will explain a mystery to you. Not every one of us will die, but we will all be changed. 52It will happen suddenly, quicker than the blink of an eye. At the sound of the last trumpet the dead will be raised. We will all be changed, so that we will never die again. 53Our dead and decaying bodies will be changed into bodies that won't die or decay. 54The bodies we now have are weak and can die. But they will be changed into bodies that are eternal. Then the Scriptures will come true,
"Death has lost the battle!
55Where is its victory?
Where is its sting?"
56Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin. 57But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!
58My dear friends, stand firm and don't be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.
Psalm 39:1-13 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 39
(A psalm by David for Jeduthun, the music leader.)
A Prayer for Forgiveness
1I told myself, "I'll be careful not to sin by what I say,
and I'll muzzle my mouth
when evil people are near."
2I kept completely silent,
but it did no good, [a] and I hurt even worse.
3I felt a fire burning inside,
and the more I thought,
the more it burned,
until at last I said:
4"Please, LORD,
show me my future.
Will I soon be gone?
5You made my life short,
so brief that the time
means nothing to you.
"Human life is but a breath,
6and it disappears
like a shadow.
Our struggles are senseless;
we store up more and more,
without ever knowing
who will get it all.
7"What am I waiting for?
I depend on you, Lord!
8Save me from my sins.
Don't let fools sneer at me.
9You treated me like this,
and I kept silent,
not saying a word.
10"Won't you stop punishing me?
You have worn me down.
11You punish us severely
because of our sins.
Like a moth, you destroy
what we treasure most.
We are as frail as a breath.
12"Listen, LORD, to my prayer!
My eyes are flooded with tears,
as I pray to you.
I am merely a stranger
visiting in your home
as my ancestors did.
13Stop being angry with me
and let me smile again
before I am dead and gone."
Footnotes:- Psalm 39:2 but. . . good: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
and I'll muzzle my mouth
when evil people are near."
2I kept completely silent,
but it did no good, [a] and I hurt even worse.
3I felt a fire burning inside,
and the more I thought,
the more it burned,
until at last I said:
4"Please, LORD,
show me my future.
Will I soon be gone?
5You made my life short,
so brief that the time
means nothing to you.
"Human life is but a breath,
6and it disappears
like a shadow.
Our struggles are senseless;
we store up more and more,
without ever knowing
who will get it all.
7"What am I waiting for?
I depend on you, Lord!
8Save me from my sins.
Don't let fools sneer at me.
9You treated me like this,
and I kept silent,
not saying a word.
10"Won't you stop punishing me?
You have worn me down.
11You punish us severely
because of our sins.
Like a moth, you destroy
what we treasure most.
We are as frail as a breath.
12"Listen, LORD, to my prayer!
My eyes are flooded with tears,
as I pray to you.
I am merely a stranger
visiting in your home
as my ancestors did.
13Stop being angry with me
and let me smile again
before I am dead and gone."
Footnotes:
- Psalm 39:2 but. . . good: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Proverbs 21:30-31 (Contemporary English Version)
30No matter how much you know
or what plans you make,
you can't defeat the LORD.
31Even if your army has horses
ready for battle,
the LORD will always win.
or what plans you make,
you can't defeat the LORD.
31Even if your army has horses
ready for battle,
the LORD will always win.
Thought for the Day
“I love you, LORD! You answered my prayers. You paid attention to me, and so I will pray to you as long as I live.” (Psalm 116:1-2 - Contemporary English Version) The Lord is always close and constantly listening to us. And if some of our prayers aren't answered in the way we think they should be answered, the problem may be with us and not Him.
Quote for the Day
English novelist and poet, A. S. Byatt wrote, “I am a profound pessimist both about life and about human relations and about politics and ecology. Humans are inadequate and stupid creatures who sooner or later make a mess, and those who are trying to do good do a lot more damage than those who are muddling along.”
Joke for Today
A mother, accompanied by her small daughter, was in New York City. The mother was trying to hail a cab, when her daughter noticed several wildly dressed women who were loitering on a nearby street corner.
The mother finally hailed her cab and they both climbed in, at which point the young daughter asks her mother, "Mommy, what are all those ladies waiting for by that corner?"
The mother replies, "Those ladies are waiting for their husbands to come by and pick them up on the way home from work."
The cabby, upon hearing this exchange, turns to the mother and says, "Ah, C'mon lady! Tell your daughter the truth! For crying out loud... They're hookers!"
A brief period of silence follows, and the daughter then asks, "Mommy, do the hooker ladies have any children?"
The mother replies, "Of course, Dear. Where do you think cabbies come from?"
A Prayer Request
As Christians, we can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Below is the need that we're laying before God today.
That we strengthen our global unity rather than casting blame and sowing divisions.
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