Job 9 Cross References - LEB

¹ Then* Job answered and said, ² "Truly I know that it is so, but* how can a human being be just before God? ³ If he wants to contend with him, he cannot answer him one time in a thousand. ⁴ He is wise in* heart and mighty in* strength; who has resisted him and succeeded?* ⁵ "He is the one who moves mountains, and they do not know how, who overturns them in his anger. ⁶ He is the one who shakes the earth from its place, and its pillars tremble. ⁷ He is the one who commands the sun, and it does not rise, _⌊and he seals up the stars_⌋.* ⁸ He is the one who alone stretches out the heavens and who tramples on the waves of the sea. ⁹ He is the one who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south. ¹⁰ He is the one who does great things _⌊beyond understanding_⌋* and marvelous things _⌊beyond number_⌋.* ¹¹ "_⌊If_⌋* he passes by me, _⌊I would not see him_⌋;* and if he should move on, _⌊I would not recognize him_⌋.* ¹² _⌊If_⌋* he would snatch away, who could turn him? Who could say to him, 'What are you doing?' ¹³ God will not turn back his anger; beneath him the helpers of Rahab bow. ¹⁴ _⌊How much less_⌋* can I myself* answer him? How can I choose my words with him, ¹⁵ whom I cannot answer, even though I am righteous? From* my judge I must implore grace. ¹⁶ If I summon him, and he should answer me, I do not believe that he will listen to my voice— ¹⁷ who crushes me with a tempest and multiplies* my wounds without cause. ¹⁸ He will not allow me to _⌊catch_⌋* my breath; rather, he will fill me with bitterness. ¹⁹ If _⌊it is a matter of_⌋* strength, look, he is mighty. But* if _⌊it is a matter of_⌋* justice, who can summon me?* ²⁰ Even though I am righteous, my mouth will condemn me; even though I am blameless, yet* it would pronounce me guilty. ²¹ "I am blameless; I do not care about myself;* I loathe my life. ²² It is all one; therefore I say, 'He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.' ²³ When the whip* kills suddenly, he mocks at the despair of the innocent. ²⁴ The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; he covers the face of its judge— if it is not he, then who is it? ²⁵ "And my days are swifter than a runner; they flee away; they do not see good. ²⁶ They go by like papyrus skiffs, like an eagle swoops down on its prey. ²⁷ Though* _⌊I say_⌋,* 'I will forget my complaint; I will change my expression, and I will rejoice,' ²⁸ I become afraid of all my sufferings; I know that you do not consider me innocent. ²⁹ If I shall be declared guilty, why then should I labor in vain? ³⁰ If I wash myself with soap,* and I cleanse my hands with lye, ³¹ then you plunge me into the slime pit, and my clothes abhor me. ³² "For* he is not a mortal like me that I can answer him, that _⌊we can come to trial together_⌋.* ³³ There is no arbiter between us that he might lay his hand on both of us. ³⁴ May he remove his rod from me, and let his dread not terrify me; ³⁵ then I would speak and not fear him,* for _⌊in myself I am not fearful_⌋.*

⁴⁶ "If they sin against you (for there is not a person who does not sin) and you are angry with them and you give them to an enemy and they take them captive to the land of the enemy far or near,

¹⁷ 'Can a human being be more righteous than God, or can a man be more pure than his Maker?

³ Even on such a one you fix your eyes, and you bring me into judgment with you. ⁴ "Who can bring a clean thing from an unclean thing? No one!*

⁴ "Indeed,* how can a human being be righteous before God? And how will he who is born of a woman be pure?

² So Elihu the son of Barakel the Buzite, from the clan of Ram, _⌊became angry_⌋.* _⌊He became angry_⌋* at Job because he justified himself rather than God,

⁹ 'I am clean, without transgression; I am pure, and there is no guilt in me.

⁵ for Job has said, 'I am righteous, but God has taken away my justice.

³ If you, O Yah,* should _⌊keep track of_⌋* iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?

² And do not enter into judgment with your servant, because no one alive is righteous before you.

²⁰ For by the works of the law _⌊no person will be declared righteous_⌋* before him, for through the law comes knowledge of sin.

²⁰ Even though I am righteous, my mouth will condemn me; even though I am blameless, yet* it would pronounce me guilty.

³² "For* he is not a mortal like me that I can answer him, that _⌊we can come to trial together_⌋.* ³³ There is no arbiter between us that he might lay his hand on both of us.

² I will say to God, 'You should not condemn me; let me know why you contend against me.

³ _⌊O that_⌋* I knew and that I might find him; O that I might come to his dwelling. ⁴ I would lay my case _⌊before him_⌋,* and I would fill my mouth with arguments. ⁵ I want to know the words with which he would answer me, and I want to understand what he would say to me. ⁶ Would he contend with me in the greatness of his strength? No, but he himself* would give heed to me. ⁷ There an upright person could reason with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

³⁵ _⌊O that_⌋* _⌊I had_⌋* someone hearing me! Here is my signature; let Shaddai answer me! _⌊As for_⌋* the written communication that _⌊my adversary_⌋* has written, ³⁶ I would _⌊surely_⌋* carry it on my shoulder; I would bind it on me like a crown. ³⁷ I would give him an account of my steps; I would approach him like a noble.

¹³ Why do you contend against him, that he will not answer all a person's words?

¹⁴ If he should set his heart to it, and he should gather his spirit and his breath to himself, ¹⁵ all flesh would perish together, and humankind would return to dust.

² "Shall a faultfinder contend with Shaddai? Anyone who argues with God must answer it."

¹² Who can perceive his errors? Acquit me from hidden faults.

¹² For evils without number have encompassed me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.

¹⁵ For thus says the high and lofty one who resides forever, and whose name is holy:
"I reside in a high and holy place, and with the _⌊contrite_⌋* and humble of spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the _⌊contrite_⌋.* ¹⁶ For I will not attack forever, and I will not be angry forever, for the spirit will grow faint before me, and the breaths that I myself I have made.

²⁰ On the contrary, O man, who are you who answers back to God? Will what is molded say to the one who molded it, "Why did you make me like this"?*

⁸ If we say that we do not have sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

²⁰ that* if our heart condemns us, that God is greater than our heart and knows all things.

¹⁴ For at this time I am sending all of my plagues _⌊to you personally_⌋* and among your servants and among your people so that you will know that there is no one like me in all the earth. ¹⁵ For now I could have stretched out my hand, and I could have struck you and your people with the plague, and you would have perished from the earth. ¹⁶ But for the sake of this I have caused you to stand—for the sake of showing you my strength and in order to proclaim my name in all the earth. ¹⁷ Still you are behaving haughtily to my people by not releasing them.

¹⁷ And as for me, look, I am about to harden the heart of the Egyptians so that they come after them, and I will display my glory through Pharaoh and through all of his army, through his chariots and through his charioteers. ¹⁸ And the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh when I display my glory through Pharaoh, through his chariots, and through his charioteers."

¹² And look, God is with us at the head, and his priests have the trumpets for sounding blasts against you, O sons of Israel. Do not fight against Yahweh, the God of your ancestors,* for you will not succeed."

¹⁰ But* it will still be my consolation, and I would recoil in _⌊unrelenting_⌋* pain, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

¹⁹ If _⌊it is a matter of_⌋* strength, look, he is mighty. But* if _⌊it is a matter of_⌋* justice, who can summon me?*

⁶ and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom, for _⌊insight has many sides_⌋.* And know that God _⌊on your behalf_⌋* has forgotten _⌊some of_⌋* your guilt.

¹³ "With him are wisdom and powerful deeds, and to him belong counsel and understanding.

²³ "He is wandering for bread, saying, 'Where is it?' He knows that a day of darkness is ready _⌊at hand_⌋.* ²⁴ Anguish and distress terrify him; they* overpower him like a king ready for the battle. ²⁵ Because he stretched out his hand against God, and he was arrogant to Shaddai; ²⁶ he _⌊stubbornly_⌋* runs against him _⌊with his thick-bossed shield_⌋.* ²⁷ "Because he has covered his face with his fat and has gathered fat upon his loins,

⁵ Look, God is mighty but* does not despise anyone; he is mighty and _⌊good in understanding_⌋.*

⁹ Or do you have an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his?

²⁴ How many are your works, O Yahweh; all of them you have done in wisdom. The earth is full of your creatures.

⁵ To him who made the heavens with skill,* for his loyal love endures forever.

¹⁴ Happy is the person who fears continuously, but he who is stubborn of heart,* will fall into calamity.

¹ A man who is reproved, being stubborn of neck— suddenly he will be broken, and there will not be healing.

²⁰ Daniel _⌊said_⌋:*
"Let his name, the name of God,* be blessed _⌊throughout the ages_⌋,* for the wisdom and the power _⌊are his_⌋.*

³⁴ "But at the end of _⌊that period_⌋,* I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and then my reason returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and _⌊the one who lives forever_⌋* I praised and I honored.
"For his sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty, and his kingdom continues from generation to generation. ³⁵ And all the dwellers of the earth are regarded as nothing, and he does _⌊according to_⌋* his desire in the host of heaven and among the dwellers of earth, and there is not one who can hold back his hand, or _⌊ask him_⌋,* 'What are you doing?' ³⁶ "_⌊At that time_⌋* my reason returned to me, and also the glory of my kingdom and my majesty and splendor returned to me, and my advisers and my lords* searched me out, and I was established over my kingdom and abundant greatness was added to me. ³⁷ Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and honor the king of heaven, for all his works are truth,* and his ways are justice and that he is able to humble those who walk in pride."

²⁰ But _⌊when_⌋* his heart became arrogant and his spirit became hard so as to act proudly, he was deposed from the throne of his kingdom and the* glory _⌊was taken away from him_⌋.* ²¹ And he was driven away _⌊from human society_⌋* and his mind was made like the animals* and his dwelling was with the wild asses; and _⌊he was given_⌋* grass like oxen to eat, and with* the dew of heaven his body was bathed, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over the kingdom of humankind, and _⌊whoever_⌋* he wants he sets over it. ²² "But you his _⌊successor_⌋,* Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart _⌊even though_⌋* you knew all this. ²³ And now you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven, and the vessels of his temple you have brought in before you, and you and your lords,* your wives and your concubines, have been drinking wine from* them, and you have praised the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone* that do not see and do not hear and do not know, but the God _⌊who holds your life in his hand_⌋* and all of your ways _⌊come from him_⌋,* you have not honored. ²⁴ So then the palm of the hand was sent out from his presence and this writing was inscribed. ²⁵ "Now this was the writing that was inscribed: 'Mene, Mene, Tekel and Parsin.' ²⁶ "This is the explanation of the matter:* 'Mene'—God has numbered your kingdom and brought an end to it. ²⁷ " 'Tekel'—you have been weighed on scales and you have been found wanting.* ²⁸ " 'Peres'—your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.'" ²⁹ Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple and placed a necklace of gold around his neck, and they made a proclamation concerning him that he would be the third ruler in authority in the kingdom. ³⁰ _⌊That same night_⌋* Belshazzar, the Chaldean king, was killed.

³³ Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how incomprehensible are his ways!

²² Or are we attempting to provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than he is, are we?*

⁸ that he caused to abound to us in all wisdom and insight,

¹⁹ and what is the surpassing greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty strength

¹⁰ in order that the many-sided wisdom of God might be made known now to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places through the church,

²⁰ Now to the one who is able to do beyond all measure more than all that we ask or think, according to the power that is at work in us,

²⁴ Now to the one who is able to protect you from stumbling and make you to stand before his glory blameless* with exultation, ²⁵ to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time and now and for all eternity. Amen.

⁵ And these are the names of the men who will _⌊assist you_⌋:* from Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; ⁶ from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai;

⁹ He puts his hand on the hard rock; he overturns mountains by the roots.

² Therefore we will not fear though the earth change, and though the mountains totter into the _⌊midst_⌋* of the sea,

⁸ the earth shook; the heavens also dripped rain at the presence of God who was at Sinai, at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

⁶ O mountains, that you skipped like rams? O hills, like lambs?

¹² Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, comprehended the dust of the earth in a third of a measure and weighed out the mountains in the scales,* and the hills in a balance?

⁶ He stood and measured the earth; he looked and made the nations tremble. Then the mountains of old were shattered; the hills of old collapsed. The ways of old belong to him.

¹⁰ When the mountains saw you they writhed; a torrent of waters swept by; the deep gave its voice; it raised its hands on high.

⁷ 'Who are you O great mountain? _⌊Before_⌋* Zerubbabel you will become level ground, and he will bring out the top stone amid the shouts of "Grace, grace to it!" '"

⁴ On that day his feet will stand on _⌊the Mount of Olives_⌋,* which faces Jerusalem on the east; and _⌊the Mount of Olives_⌋* will be split _⌊in half_⌋,* from east to west, by a very great valley; and half of the mountain will withdraw toward the north, and the other half toward the south. ⁵ And you will flee by the valley of my mountains, because the valley of the mountains will reach to Azal, and you will flee like you fled from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. And Yahweh my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.*

²¹ And Jesus answered and* said to them, "Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will do not only what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea," it will happen!

⁵¹ And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook and the rocks were split.

¹¹ There will be great earthquakes and famines and plagues in various places. There will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven.

² And if I have the gift of prophecy and I know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

¹⁴ And the sky was split apart like a scroll that is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved from their place.

¹³ And at that hour a great earthquake took place, and a tenth of the city collapsed, and seven thousand _⌊people_⌋* were killed by the earthquake, and the rest became terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

¹⁸ And there were lightnings and sounds and thunders, and there was a great earthquake, as has not happened from the time humanity has been on the earth—so great in this way was the earthquake. ¹⁹ And the great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of his furious wrath.* ²⁰ And every island fled, and mountains were not found.

⁸ He raises up the poor from the dust. From the ash heap he lifts up the needy, to cause them to sit with noble people and to cause them to inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth belong to Yahweh and he has set the inhabited world on them.

¹¹ "The pillars of heaven tremble, and they are astounded at his rebuke.

⁴ "Where were you at my laying the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you possess understanding. ⁵ Who determined its measurement? Yes, you do know. Or who stretched the measuring line upon it? ⁶ On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, ⁷ when the morning stars were singing together and all the sons of God* shouted for joy?

³ The earth and all its inhabitants are shaking;* I steady* its columns. Selah

⁷ At the presence of the Lord writhe, O earth,* at the presence of the God of Jacob,

¹⁹ and they will enter into the caves of the rocks and into the holes of the ground from the presence of the terror of Yahweh and from the glory of his majesty _⌊when he rises_⌋* to terrify the earth.

²¹ to enter into the crevices of the rocks and into the clefts of the crags from the presence of the terror of Yahweh and from the glory of his majesty, _⌊when he rises_⌋* to terrify the earth.

¹³ Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will quake from its place because of the wrath of Yahweh of hosts, and in the day his anger burns. ¹⁴ And this shall happen:
like a hunted gazelle or sheep _⌊with none to gather them_⌋,* they will each turn to his own people, and they will each flee to his own land.

¹ Look! Yahweh is about to lay the earth waste and is about to devastate it, and he will twist her surface, and he will scatter her inhabitants.

¹⁹ The earth is utterly broken; the earth is torn asunder; the earth is shaken violently. ²⁰ The earth staggers to and fro like the drunkard, and it sways like a hut, and its transgression is heavy upon it, and it falls and does not rise again.

²⁴ I looked at the mountains, and behold, they were quaking, and all of the hills were jolted to and fro.

¹⁰ _⌊Before them_⌋* the earth quakes; the heavens tremble; the sun and the moon grow dark, and the stars _⌊have withheld_⌋* their splendor

⁶ For thus says Yahweh of hosts: 'Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and dry land.

²¹ "Say to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah: I am going to shake the heavens and the earth,

²⁶ whose voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, saying,
"Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven."*

¹¹ And I saw a great white throne and the one who was seated on it, _⌊from whose presence_⌋* earth and heaven fled, and a place was not found for them.

²¹ And Yahweh said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the heavens so that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt and so that a person can feel darkness." ²² And Moses stretched out his hand toward the heavens, and there was darkness of night in all the land of Egypt for three days.

¹² Then Joshua spoke to Yahweh, on the day Yahweh gave the Amorites* over to the _⌊Israelites_⌋,* and he said in the sight of Israel,
"Sun in Gibeon, stand still, and moon, in the valley of Aijalon."

⁷ _⌊he stops all human beings from working_⌋* _⌊so that everyone whom he has made may know it_⌋.*

¹² "Have you _⌊ever in your life_⌋* commanded the morning? Have you made the dawn know its place, ¹³ to take hold of the earth's skirts so that* the wicked might be shaken off from it? ¹⁴ It is changed like clay under a seal, and they appear like a garment. ¹⁵ And their light is withheld from the wicked, and their uplifted arm is broken.

¹⁹ "Where then* is the way where the light dwells? And where then* is its place, ²⁰ that you may take it to its territory, and that you might discern the paths to its home?

¹⁰ For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not flash forth their light; the sun will keep back when it comes out, and the moon will not cause its light to shine.

⁷ And I will cover you at* extinguishing your heavens, and I will make dark their stars, and I will cover the sun with the cloud, and the moon will not give its light. ⁸ All* sources of light in the heavens, I will make them dark over you, and I will put* darkness on your land,'"
_⌊declares_⌋* the Lord Yahweh.

³⁵ And all the dwellers of the earth are regarded as nothing, and he does _⌊according to_⌋* his desire in the host of heaven and among the dwellers of earth, and there is not one who can hold back his hand, or _⌊ask him_⌋,* 'What are you doing?'

¹³ Yes, here is the one who forms the mountains, and the one who creates the wind, and the one who reveals to humans what his thoughts are, and the one who treads on the heights of the earth; Yahweh, the God of hosts, is his name!"

⁹ And then in that day," _⌊declares_⌋* my Lord Yahweh, "I* will make the sun go down at noon and I will darken the land on a day of light.

²⁹ "And immediately after the tribulation of those days,
'the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken.'*

²⁵ "And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity from the noise of the sea and its surging, ²⁶ people fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.*

⁶ And God said, "Let there be a vaulted dome* in the midst of the waters, and _⌊let it cause a separation between the waters_⌋."* ⁷ So* God made the vaulted dome,* and he caused a separation between the waters which were under the vaulted dome* and between the waters which were over the vaulted dome.* And it was so.

¹⁸ with him can you spread out the skies, hard as a molten mirror?

¹¹ and I said, 'You shall come up to here, but* you shall not go further, and here it will set a boundary _⌊for your proud surging waves_⌋'?*

¹⁶ "Have you entered into the sea's sources? Or have you walked around in the recesses of the deep?

⁶ By the word of Yahweh the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

¹⁹ Your way was through the sea, and your path* through many waters. Yet your footprints were not discerned.*

³ The rivers have lifted up, O Yahweh; the rivers have lifted up their _⌊rumbling_⌋;* the rivers have lifted up their pounding. ⁴ Mightier than the rumblings of many waters, mightier than the mighty breakers of the sea, Yahweh on high is mighty.

² you who cover yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a tent curtain, ³ the one who sets beams in the waters for his upper chambers, who makes clouds his chariot, who rides* on the wings of the wind,

²² He is the one who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; the one who stretches out the heavens like a veil and spreads them out like a tent to live in,

⁵ Thus says the God, Yahweh, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it.

²⁴ Thus says Yahweh, your redeemer, and he who formed you in* the womb: "I am Yahweh, who made everything, who stretched out the heavens alone, who spread out the earth—who was with me?—

¹¹ "_⌊Thus_⌋* you shall say to them,
'Gods who did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under these heavens.

¹ An oracle. The word of Yahweh concerning Israel. "_⌊Thus declares_⌋* Yahweh, who stretches out the heavens, founds the earth, and forms the spirit of humankind in its midst:*

²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ But the disciples, when they* saw him walking on the sea, were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Have courage, I am he! Do not be afraid!" ²⁸ And Peter answered him and* said, "Lord, if _⌊it is you_⌋,* command me to come to you on the water!" ²⁹ So he said, "Come!" And getting out of the boat, Peter walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he* saw the strong wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"

¹⁹ Then when they* had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia,* they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were afraid.

¹⁶ And God made two lights,* the greater light* to rule* the day and the smaller light* to rule* the night, and the stars.

⁹ "The storm wind comes from its chamber and cold from the north wind.

³¹ "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, or can you loosen the cords of Orion? ³² Can you lead forth the southern constellations at their appointed time, or* can you lead the Bear with its children? ³³ Do you know heaven's statutes, or can you establish their rule on the earth? ³⁴ Can you lift up your voice to the clouds so that* a flood of water may cover you? ³⁵ Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go? And will they say to you, 'Here we are'? ³⁶ Who has put wisdom in the ibis,* or who has given understanding to the rooster?* ³⁷ Who can number the clouds with wisdom? Or* who can tilt heaven's jars, ³⁸ at the flowing of the dust into a cast and the clods cling together? ³⁹ "Can you hunt prey for the lion? And can you satisfy the hunger of strong lions ⁴⁰ when they are crouched in the dens, when they lie in the thicket in an ambush? ⁴¹ Who prepares for the crow its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and they wander around _⌊for lack of food_⌋?*

³ the one who sets beams in the waters for his upper chambers, who makes clouds his chariot, who rides* on the wings of the wind,

¹³ You are the one who _⌊waters_⌋* the mountains from his upper chambers. The earth is full* with the fruit of your labors:

⁴ He counts the number of the stars; he gives names to all of them.

⁸ The one who made the Pleiades and Orion and who turns deep darkness into the morning and darkens day into night, the one who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the surface of the earth, Yahweh is his name!

¹³ From there we got underway* and* arrived at Rhegium, and after one day a south wind came up and* on the second day we came to Puteoli,

¹¹ Who is like you among the gods, Yahweh? Who is like you—glorious in holiness, awesome in praiseworthy actions, doing wonders?*

⁹ He is doing great and _⌊unsearchable_⌋* things, marvelous things _⌊without number_⌋*—

¹² By his power he stilled the sea, and by his understanding he struck down Rahab. ¹³ By his breath _⌊the heavens were made clear_⌋;* his hand pierced the fleeing snake. ¹⁴ Look, these are the outer fringes of his ways, and _⌊how faint is the word_⌋* that we hear of him! But* who can understand the thunder of his power?"

²³ As for Shaddai, we cannot attain him; he is exalted in power, and he does not oppress justice and abundant righteousness.

¹⁵ My mouth will tell of your righteousness, your salvation _⌊all day long_⌋,* though I do not know the full sum of them.

¹⁸ Blessed be Yahweh God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful things.

⁴ To him who alone does great wonders, for his loyal love endures forever.

¹¹ He has made everything suitable in its time. He also has put _⌊the past_⌋* in their hearts, yet no one can grasp what God does from the beginning to the end.

²⁶ Lift your eyes up on high, and see! Who created these? The one who brings out their host by number. He calls all them by name. Because he is great of power and mighty of power, no man is missing. ²⁷ _⌊Why_⌋* do you say, Jacob, and you speak, Israel, "My way is hidden from Yahweh, and my judgment is passed over by my God?" ²⁸ Have you not known, or have you not heard? Yahweh is the God of eternity, the creator of the ends of the earth! He is not faint, and he does not grow weary! There is no searching his understanding.

² It is pleasing to me to recount the signs and wonders that the Most High God worked for me. ³ How great are his signs and wonders, how strong is his kingdom, _⌊an everlasting kingdom_⌋;* and his sovereignty is from generation to generation.

⁸ "When I go forward, _⌊he is not there_⌋,* or* backward, I cannot see him.* ⁹ _⌊When he works_⌋* on the left, _⌊I cannot perceive_⌋* him; he turns to the right, but* I cannot see him.

¹⁴ _⌊How much less_⌋* when you say that you do not see him, that the case is _⌊before him_⌋,* and you are waiting for him!

¹⁶ the one who alone possesses immortality, who lives in unapproachable light, whom no human being has seen nor is able to see, to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.

¹⁰ "If he passes through and imprisons someone* _⌊and summons the assembly_⌋,* then* who can hinder him?

¹³ "But* he is _⌊alone_⌋,* and who can dissuade him? And _⌊whatever he desires_⌋,* _⌊indeed_⌋,* he does it.

²⁹ but he remains quiet, and who can condemn? And he hides his face, and who can behold him? Yet* he is over a nation and over a person alike,

⁹ Woe to the one who strives with his _⌊maker_⌋,* a potsherd among* potsherds of earth! Does the clay say to the one who fashions it, 'What are you making?' and 'Your work has no hands'?

⁶ "Like this potter, am I not able to do to you, O house of Israel?" _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh. "Look, like the clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

²⁶ Yes, Father, for to do so _⌊was your gracious will_⌋.*

¹⁵ Is it not* permitted for me to do whatever I want with what is mine? Or is your eye evil because I am generous?'

¹⁸ Consequently therefore, he has mercy on whomever he wishes, and he hardens whomever he wishes. ¹⁹ Therefore you will say to me, "Why then does he still find fault? For who has resisted* his will? ²⁰ On the contrary, O man, who are you who answers back to God? Will what is molded say to the one who molded it, "Why did you make me like this"?*

³⁴ "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?*

¹¹ in whom also we were chosen, having been predestined according to the purpose of the One who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

¹² By his power he stilled the sea, and by his understanding he struck down Rahab.

⁹ Or do you have an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his? ¹⁰ Adorn* yourself with pride and dignity, and clothe yourself with splendor. ¹¹ Pour out the overflowing of your anger, and look at all the proud, and humble them.

¹⁰ _⌊You yourself crushed_⌋* Rahab like one who is slain; you scattered your enemies with your strong arm.

⁷ For* _⌊Egyptians_⌋* help with vanity and emptiness, therefore I have called this one "Rahab, they are sitting."

² And indeed, he is wise, and he brings disaster, and he does not remove his words, and he will rise against the house of evildoers and against the help of workers of iniquity. ³ And the Egyptians are human and not God, and their horses are flesh and not spirit. And Yahweh stretches out his hand, and the helper will stumble, and the one being helped will fall, and together all of them will come to an end.*

⁹ Awake! Awake; put on strength, O arm of Yahweh! Awake as in days of long ago, the generations of a long time back! Are you not the one who cut Rahab in pieces, the one who pierced the sea-dragon?

⁶ But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says,
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."* ⁷ Therefore subject yourselves to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

²⁷ For will God really dwell on the earth? Behold, the heavens and the heaven of heavens could not contain you! _⌊How could_⌋* this house that I have built?

¹⁹ How much more dwellers in clay houses, whose foundation is in the dust? They are crushed like a moth.

³ If he wants to contend with him, he cannot answer him one time in a thousand.

⁴ For you say, 'My teaching is pure, and I am clean in your sight.' ⁵ But,* _⌊O that_⌋* God might speak, and that he would open his lips to you,

⁴ I would lay my case _⌊before him_⌋,* and I would fill my mouth with arguments.

⁷ There an upright person could reason with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

⁶ _⌊How much less_⌋* for a human being who is a maggot, and _⌊a human_⌋* who is a worm?"

⁵ "If you are able, answer me. Present your argument _⌊before me_⌋;* take your stand.

³⁸ any prayer or any plea which is offered by any person for all of your people Israel, who each knows the infestation of his own heart and spreads out his palms to this house, ³⁹ then you shall hear in heaven the place of your dwelling, and you shall forgive and act and give to the man whose heart you know, according to all his ways, for you alone know the heart of all the sons of man.

¹³ and prayed to him. And God responded to him and heard his plea and let him return to Jerusalem to his kingdom. And Manasseh knew that Yahweh was God.

⁸ "But I myself* will seek God, and to God I would commit my cause.

⁵ If you yourself* would seek God, then* you would plead to Shaddai for grace.

¹⁵ If I am guilty, woe to me! But* if I am righteous, I dare not lift my head; I am filled with shame, and just look at my misery!

²⁷ You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will pay your vows.

³¹ "Indeed, does anyone say to God, 'I have endured chastisement; I will not act corruptly again; ³² teach me yourself _⌊what I cannot see_⌋;* if I have done wrong, I will not repeat it'?

⁹ With weeping they will come, and with pleas for mercy I will bring them; I will let them walk by streams of water in a straight path. They will not stumble in it, for I have become to Israel a father, and Ephraim, he is my firstborn."

³ Then I turned my face to the Lord God to seek him by prayer and pleas for mercy,* in fasting and in sackcloth and ashes.

¹⁸ Incline your ear, my God, and listen; open your eyes and look at our desolation and the city that is called by your name, for we are not presenting our pleas for mercy _⌊before you_⌋* because of our righteousness, but rather because of your great compassion.

⁴ For I am conscious of nothing against myself, but not by this am I vindicated. But the one who judges me is the Lord.

²³ who when he* was reviled, did not revile in return; when* suffering, he did not threaten, but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly,

⁹ And Moses spoke thus to the _⌊Israelites_⌋,* but they did not listen to Moses, because of _⌊discouragement_⌋* and because of hard work.

¹³ Gideon said to him, "Excuse me, my lord. If Yahweh is with us, why then has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonderful deeds that our ancestors* recounted to us, saying, 'Did not Yahweh bring us up from Egypt?' But now Yahweh has forsaken us; he has given us into the palm of Midian."

²⁴ I smiled for them when they had no confidence in anything, and they did not extinguish the light of my face.

⁶ In my trouble I called on Yahweh, and to my God I cried for help. He heard my voice from his temple, and my cry for help came up before his presence into his ears.

¹⁸ If I had considered evil in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. ¹⁹ However, God has listened; he has attended to the sound of my prayer. ²⁰ Blessed be God, who has not turned aside my prayer, or his loyal love from me.

¹ I love him, because Yahweh has heard _⌊the voice of my supplications_⌋.* ² Because he has inclined his ear to me, I will call _⌊all my days_⌋.*

¹ A song of ascents.*
When Yahweh restored the fortunes* of Zion,* we were like dreamers.

⁴¹ And while* they were still disbelieving because of joy and were marveling, he said to them, "Do you have anything _⌊to eat_⌋* here?"

¹⁴ And recognizing Peter's voice, because of her* joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and* announced that Peter was standing at the gate. ¹⁵ But they said to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she kept insisting* it was so. And they kept saying,* "It is his angel!" ¹⁶ But Peter was continuing to knock, and when they* opened the door* they saw him and were astonished.

¹⁴ And a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing, and the female donkeys were feeding _⌊beside them_⌋.* ¹⁵ Then* the Sabeans _⌊attacked_⌋,* and they took them, and they slew the servants _⌊by the edge of the sword_⌋.* But* I escaped, even I alone, to tell you." ¹⁶ While this one was still speaking, _⌊another_⌋* came and said, "The fire of God fell from the heavens, and it blazed up against the sheep and goats and against the servants, and it consumed them. But I escaped, even I alone, to tell you." ¹⁷ While this one was still speaking, _⌊another_⌋* came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three divisions, and they made a raid on the camels, and they carried them away, and they struck your servants _⌊by the edge of the sword_⌋,* but I escaped, even I alone, to tell you." ¹⁸ At the time* this one was speaking, _⌊another_⌋* came and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their firstborn brother's house. ¹⁹ And behold,* a great wind came from across the desert, and it struck the four corners of the house _⌊so that_⌋* it fell upon the young people, and they died. But I escaped, even I alone, to tell you."

³ So* Yahweh _⌊asked_⌋* Satan,* "Have you _⌊considered_⌋* my servant Job? Indeed,* there is no one like him on the earth—a blameless man and upright and God-fearing and turning away from evil. And still he persists in his blamelessness _⌊even though_⌋* you incited me against him to destroy him for nothing."

⁷ So* Satan* went out from _⌊Yahweh's presence_⌋,* and he inflicted Job with loathsome skin sores from the sole of his foot up to the crown of his head.

¹³ Then* they sat with him on the ground for seven days and seven nights, but* no one spoke* a word to him because they saw that _⌊his_⌋* suffering was very great.

¹² "I was at ease, then* he broke me in two, and he seized me by my neck; then* he shattered me and set me up as a target for him.

¹⁴ He breached me _⌊breach upon breach_⌋;* he rushes at me like a warrior.

¹⁷ _⌊although_⌋* violence is not on my hands, and my prayer is pure.

²² You lift me up to the wind—you make me ride it, and you toss me about in the storm.

⁶ Should I lie concerning my justice? Though I am without transgression, my wound caused by an arrow is incurable.'

³ Indeed, none who wait for you should be put to shame. Those who betray without cause should be put to shame.

⁵ The voice of Yahweh breaks the cedars. Yahweh shatters even the cedars of Lebanon.

⁷ Deep is calling to deep at* the thunder of your waterfalls. All your breakers and your waves have passed over me.

¹⁵ so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm.

¹⁷ And I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies,* and waters will flood over the hiding place.

¹⁹ Look, the storm of Yahweh has gone forth in wrath, even a whirling tempest. It will whirl upon the head of the wicked.

¹³ Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: 'And so I will let burst forth a _⌊windstorm_⌋* in my rage, and _⌊there will be a torrent of rain_⌋* in my anger, and hailstones in my rage _⌊for complete destruction_⌋.*

²⁷ And the rain came down and the rivers came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it collapsed, and its fall was great."

²⁰ A crushed reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not extinguish, until he brings justice to victory.

³ Jesus replied, "Neither this man sinned nor his parents, but it happened* so that the works of God could be revealed in him.

²⁵ But this happened* so that the word that is written in their law would be fulfilled, 'They hated me without a reason.'

²⁰ "Why does he* give light to one in misery and life to those bitter of soul,

¹⁹ _⌊How long_⌋* will you not turn away from me? Or not leave me alone until I swallow* my spit?

² "_⌊As God lives_⌋,* he has removed my justice, and Shaddai has made my inner self* bitter.

¹³ Look away from me that I may be cheerful, before I depart and I am no more.

⁷ Your wrath presses upon me, and you afflict me with all your waves. Selah

¹⁵ I am afflicted and perishing from my youth. I bear your terrors. I am distraught.* ¹⁶ Your burning anger has passed over me; your sudden fears have destroyed me. ¹⁷ They surround me like water all the day; they circle about me altogether. ¹⁸ You have removed loved one and friend far from me, my acquaintances far from my darkness.

³ Surely he has turned his hand against me, all day long.

¹⁵ He has filled me with bitterness, he has drenched me with wormwood.

¹⁸ And I have said, "My glory is ruined, my expectation from Yahweh." ¹⁹ Remember my misery and bitterness, the wormwood* and venom!

¹¹ Now all discipline seems for the moment not to be joyful but painful, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who are trained by it.

⁴ He is wise in* heart and mighty in* strength; who has resisted him and succeeded?*

³⁵ _⌊O that_⌋* _⌊I had_⌋* someone hearing me! Here is my signature; let Shaddai answer me! _⌊As for_⌋* the written communication that _⌊my adversary_⌋* has written,

⁵ "If you are able, answer me. Present your argument _⌊before me_⌋;* take your stand. ⁶ Look, before God _⌊I am like you_⌋;* I myself was also formed from clay. ⁷ Look, dread of me should not terrify you, and my hand will not be heavy upon you.

¹⁷ But* you are obsessed with the judgment of the wicked; judgment and justice take hold of you. ¹⁸ Yes,* it is wrath, so that it will not incite you into mockery; and do not let the ransom's greatness turn you aside. ¹⁹ Will your cry for help sustain you without distress, or* all the efforts of your strength?

⁹ Or do you have an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his? ¹⁰ Adorn* yourself with pride and dignity, and clothe yourself with splendor.

¹¹ Once God has spoken; twice I have heard this: that strength belongs to God.

¹³ And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.*

²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,* and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.*

¹ There was a man in the land of Uz whose* name was Job. That* man was blameless and upright and God-fearing and turning away from evil.

² "Truly I know that it is so, but* how can a human being be just before God?

⁵ For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty. ⁶ Your mouth condemns you, and not I; and your lips testify against you.

¹ Then these three men ceased from answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes. ² So Elihu the son of Barakel the Buzite, from the clan of Ram, _⌊became angry_⌋.* _⌊He became angry_⌋* at Job because he justified himself rather than God,

⁸ "Surely you have spoken in my ears, and I have heard the sound of your words:* ⁹ 'I am clean, without transgression; I am pure, and there is no guilt in me. ¹⁰ Look, he finds fault against me; he reckons me as his enemy; ¹¹ he puts my feet in the block; he watches all my paths.' ¹² "Look, in this you are not right—I will answer you: Indeed, God is greater than a human being. ¹³ Why do you contend against him, that he will not answer all a person's words?

³⁵ 'Job speaks without knowledge, and his words are without insight.

¹⁶ _⌊therefore_⌋* Job opens his mouth in empty talk— without knowledge he multiplies words."

¹⁹ In many words, transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent.

²⁰ He who is crooked of heart* will not find goodness, and he who is perverse, by his tongue he will fall into calamity.

⁵ And I said, "Woe to me! For I am destroyed!* For I am a man _⌊of unclean lips_⌋,* and I am living among* a people _⌊of unclean lips_⌋,* for my eyes have seen the king, Yahweh of hosts!"

³⁶ But I tell you that every worthless word that they speak, people will give an account for it on the day of judgment! ³⁷ For by your words you will be vindicated, and by your words you will be condemned."

²⁹ But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

¹⁵ And he said to them, "You are the ones who justify themselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts! For what is considered exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

¹² Not that I have already received this,* or have already been made perfect, but I press on if indeed I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ.* ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself to have laid hold of it.* But I do one thing, forgetting the things behind and straining toward the things ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Therefore as many as are perfect, _⌊let us hold this opinion_⌋*, and if you think anything differently, God will reveal this also to you.

⁵ constant wrangling by people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who consider godliness to be a means of gain.

² For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual,* able to hold in check his whole body also.

¹⁵ So* my inner self* will choose* strangling— death more than my _⌊existence_⌋.* ¹⁶ I loathe my life; I would not live forever; depart from me, for my days are a breath.

²¹ And why do you not pardon my transgression and take away my guilt? For now I shall lie in the dust, and you will seek me, but* _⌊I will be no more_⌋."*

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. ²⁴ And see if there is in me _⌊the worship of false gods_⌋,* and lead me in the way everlasting.

²⁶ He who trusts in his own heart* is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be saved.

⁹ The heart is deceitful more than anything else, and it is disastrous. Who can understand it? ¹⁰ I, Yahweh, examine the _⌊mind_⌋,* I test the _⌊heart_⌋,* and give to each one according to his way, according to the fruit of his deeds.

⁸ Your hands fashioned me and made me* _⌊altogether_⌋,* then* you destroyed me.

¹ So all this I laid to my heart, and I concluded* that the righteous and the wise, as well as their deeds, are in the hand of God. So no one knows anything that will come to them, whether it will be love or hatred. ² The same fate comes to everyone:
to the righteous and to the wicked, to the good and to the wicked,* to the clean and to the unclean, to those who sacrifice and to those who do not sacrifice. As with the good man, so also to the sinner; as with those who swear an oath, so also those who fear oaths. ³ This is the _⌊injustice_⌋* that is done under the sun: the same fate comes to everyone. Also the hearts of _⌊humans_⌋* are full of evil; delusion is in their hearts during their lives, and then they die.

³ And you must say to the land of Israel, 'Thus says Yahweh: "Look! I am against you, and I will draw out my sword from its sheath, and I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked. ⁴ Because* I will cut off from you both righteous and wicked, therefore my sword will go out from its sheath to* all creatures* from south to north.

² And he answered and* said to them, "Do you think that these Galileans were sinners worse than all the Galileans, because they suffered these things? ³ No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish as well! ⁴ Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them—do you think that they were sinners worse than all the people who live in Jerusalem?

¹⁵ Now I have come to speak this word to my lord the king, because the people made me afraid, and your servant thought, 'I will speak to the king, perhaps the king will grant* the request of his servant.

¹⁷ Your servant also thought, 'May the word of my lord the king _⌊bring rest_⌋,* for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king, _⌊to sense what is good and what is bad_⌋.'* May Yahweh your God be with you."

¹³ And then there was one day when* his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their firstborn brother's house.

⁷ "_⌊Think_⌋* now, who has perished who is innocent? Or* where are the upright destroyed?

²⁰ "Look, God will not reject the blameless, and he will not uphold the hand of evildoers.

¹² From the city people groan, and the throat* of the wounded cries for help; yet* God does not _⌊regard it as unseemly_⌋.*

²² Rather, on account of you we are killed _⌊all day long_⌋;* we are accounted as sheep for slaughter.

¹⁹ And if I were to send a plague to that land, and I pour out my rage on it with blood to cut it off, both human and animal, ²⁰ and if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in the midst of her, _⌊as surely as I live_⌋,"* _⌊declares_⌋* the Lord Yahweh, "surely not a son, surely not a daughter will they save by their righteousness; they would save _⌊themselves_⌋."* ²¹ For thus says the Lord Yahweh: "How much more when I send my four punishments—the evil sword, and famine, and a fierce animal, and a plague—to Jerusalem to cut it off, both human and animal!

¹³ For _⌊examine_⌋!* And what if also the rod will not be despising?' _⌊declares_⌋* the Lord Yahweh.

³⁶ And others _⌊experienced mocking and flogging_⌋*, and in addition bonds and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by murder with a sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, impoverished, afflicted, mistreated,

³⁰ Now David was going up on the Ascent of the Olives, _⌊weeping as he went_⌋,* with his head covered and going barefoot. All the people who were with him each covered their head _⌊and wept as they went_⌋.*

⁴ and because the king had covered his face and cried with a loud voice, "My son, Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son."

¹² Then Mordecai returned to the gate of the king, and Haman rushed to his house mournful and with his head covered.

⁸ And the king returned from the palace garden to the _⌊banquet hall_⌋,* where Haman was lying prostrate on the couch that Esther was on, and the king said, "Will he also molest the queen with me in the house?" As the words* went from the king's mouth they covered Haman's face.

³ Is it good for you that you oppress, that you despise the labor of your hands, and you smile over the schemes of the wicked?

⁶ The tents of the destroyers are at peace, and there is security for those who provoke God, for those whom God brings into his hand.* ⁷ "But* ask* the animals, and they will teach you, and the birds of the heaven, and they will tell you; ⁸ or ask the earth, and it will teach you, and the fishes of the sea will declare to you. ⁹ Who among all of these does not know that Yahweh's hand has done this? ¹⁰ In whose hand is the life of all living things and _⌊the breath of every human being_⌋?*

¹⁷ He leads counselors away stripped, and he makes fools of judges.

¹¹ God delivers me to an evil one, and he casts me into the hands of the wicked.

⁷ "Why do the wicked live, grow old, even grow mighty in power? ⁸ With them their offspring are established _⌊before them_⌋,* and their descendants before their eyes. ⁹ Their houses are safe without fear, and the rod of God is not upon them. ¹⁰ His bull breeds and does not fail; his cow calves and does not miscarry. ¹¹ They send out their little ones like the flock, and their children dance around. ¹² They _⌊sing_⌋* to the tambourine and lyre, and they rejoice to the sound of the long flute. ¹³ They spend their days in prosperity, and in peace they go down to Sheol. ¹⁴ And they say to God, 'Turn away from us, for* we do not desire to know your ways. ¹⁵ Who is Shaddai that we should serve him, or* what would we benefit when we plead with him?'

²⁵ "And if it is not so, then who can prove me a liar and reduce my word to nothing?"

¹⁴ from men by your hand, O Yahweh, from men of this world. Their share is in _⌊this life_⌋,* and you fill their stomach with your treasure. They are satisfied with children. They bequeath their excess to their children.

³ because I envied the boastful when I saw the well-being* of the wicked. ⁴ For there are no pains up to their death, and their bodies are _⌊healthy_⌋.* ⁵ They do not have _⌊ordinary trouble_⌋,* and they are not plagued as other people.* ⁶ Therefore pride is their necklace; an outfit of violence covers them. ⁷ Their eye bulges from fat.* Imaginings overflow their heart.

¹ You will be in the right, O Yahweh, when I complain to you. Even so, let me speak my claims with you. Why does the way of the wicked succeed? All those who deal treacherously with treachery are at ease. ² Not only do you plant them, they take root. They grow, but also they produce fruit. You are near in their mouths, but far from their _⌊inmost beings_⌋.*

⁴ Because of the ground, which is cracked because there was no rain on the ground. The farmers are ashamed, they cover their heads.*

¹⁷ The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the decision by the command of the holy ones, _⌊in order that_⌋* the living will know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of humankind, and _⌊to whomever_⌋* he wills he gives it, and he even sets the humblest of men over it."

¹⁸ _⌊O king_⌋,* the Most High God gave the kingdom and the greatness and the glory and the majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your _⌊predecessor_⌋.* ¹⁹ And because of the greatness that he gave to him, all the peoples, the nations and languages trembled and feared before him; whomever he wanted he killed, and whomever he wanted he let live, and whomever he wanted he honored, and whomever he wanted he humbled. ²⁰ But _⌊when_⌋* his heart became arrogant and his spirit became hard so as to act proudly, he was deposed from the throne of his kingdom and the* glory _⌊was taken away from him_⌋.* ²¹ And he was driven away _⌊from human society_⌋* and his mind was made like the animals* and his dwelling was with the wild asses; and _⌊he was given_⌋* grass like oxen to eat, and with* the dew of heaven his body was bathed, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over the kingdom of humankind, and _⌊whoever_⌋* he wants he sets over it.

⁷ After this in the visions of the night I was looking and there was a fourth beast, terrifying and frightful and exceedingly strong, and _⌊it had_⌋* _⌊great iron teeth_⌋,* and it was devouring and crushing, and it stamped the remainder* with its feet; and it was different from all the other beasts _⌊that preceded it_⌋* _⌊and it had ten horns_⌋.* ⁸ I was considering the horns, and look, another little horn came up _⌊among_⌋* them, and three of the earlier horns _⌊were rooted out_⌋* from before it, and there were eyes like the eyes of a human* in this horn and also a mouth that was speaking boastfully. ⁹ "_⌊I continued watching_⌋* until thrones were placed and an Ancient of Days sat; his clothing was like white snow and the hair of his head was like pure wool and his throne was a flame* of fire and its wheels* were burning fire. ¹⁰ A stream of fire issued forth and flowed _⌊from his presence_⌋;* thousands upon thousands served him and ten thousand upon ten thousand stood before him. The judge sat, and the books were opened. ¹¹ "_⌊I continued watching_⌋* then* because of the noise of the boastful words of the horn who was speaking; _⌊I continued watching_⌋* until the beast was slain and its body was destroyed, and it was given over to burning with fire. ¹² And as for the remainder of the beasts, _⌊their dominion was taken away_⌋,* but a prolongation _⌊of their life_⌋* was given to them for a season and a time. ¹³ "_⌊I continued watching_⌋* in the visions of the night, and look, with the clouds of heaven one like a son of man* was coming, and he came to the Ancient of Days, and _⌊was presented_⌋* before him. ¹⁴ And to him was given dominion and glory and kingship that* all the peoples, the nations, and languages would serve him; his dominion is a dominion _⌊without end_⌋* that will not cease, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed. ¹⁵ "_⌊As for me, Daniel_⌋,* my spirit was troubled _⌊within me_⌋,* and the visions of my head terrified me. ¹⁶ So I approached one of the attendants and I asked him* about the truth concerning all this; and he told me* that he would make known to me the explanation of the matter. ¹⁷ 'These great beasts which are four in number are four kings who will arise from the earth. ¹⁸ But the holy ones* of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and they will take possession of the kingdom forever, _⌊forever and ever_⌋.'* ¹⁹ "Then I desired to make certain concerning the fourth beast that was different from _⌊all the others_⌋*—exceedingly terrifying, with its iron teeth and its claws of bronze; it devoured and crushed and stamped the remainder with its feet— ²⁰ and concerning the horns that were on its head, and concerning the other horn that came up and _⌊before which three horns fell_⌋,* and this horn _⌊had eyes_⌋* and a mouth speaking _⌊boastfully_⌋,* and its appearance was larger than its companions. ²¹ _⌊I continued watching_⌋,* and this horn made war with the holy ones* and it prevailed over them, ²² until the Ancient of Days came and gave judgment to the holy ones* of the Most High; and the time arrived and the holy ones* took possession of the kingdom. ²³ "And he said, 'The fourth beast is the fourth kingdom that will be on the earth that will be different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth and it will trample it and it will crush it. ²⁴ And as for the ten horns coming from it, from this kingdom* ten kings will arise, and another will arise after them. And he will be different from the earlier ones, and he will subdue three kings. ²⁵ And he will speak words against the Most High, and he will wear out the holy ones* of the Most High, and he will attempt to change times and law, and they will be given into his hand for a time and two times and half a time. ²⁶ Then the court will sit, and his dominion will be removed,* to be eradicated and to be destroyed _⌊totally_⌋.* ²⁷ And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the nation of the holy ones* of the Most High; his kingdom _⌊is an everlasting kingdom_⌋,* and all the dominions will serve and obey him.' ²⁸ _⌊This is the end of the account_⌋.* _⌊As for me, Daniel_⌋*—my thoughts terrified me greatly and my face changed over me, but I kept the matter in my heart."*

¹⁴ You make humankind like fish of the sea, like crawling creatures that have no ruler among them. ¹⁵ He brings up all of them with a fishhook; he drags them up with a fishnet; he gathers them in his dragnet. Therefore, he rejoices and exults. ¹⁶ Therefore he sacrifices to his fishnet and makes offerings to his dragnet, for by them _⌊he makes a good living_⌋* and his food is rich. ¹⁷ Will he therefore empty his fishnet and continually kill nations without showing mercy?

¹⁴ The mounted couriers on the royal horses went out without delay, urged by the king's word. The law was given in the citadel of Susa.

⁶ "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and they come to an end _⌊without hope_⌋.* ⁷ Remember that my life is a breath; my eye will not return to see good.

⁵ Look, you have made my days mere handbreadths, and my lifespan as nothing next to you. Surely every person standing firm is complete vanity. Selah

¹¹ When with rebukes you chastise a man for sin, you* _⌊consume_⌋* like a moth his delightful things. Surely everyone is a mere vapor.* Selah

⁴⁷ Remember what my lifespan is. Remember for what vanity you have created all the children of humankind.

⁹ For all of our days dwindle away in your rage; we complete our years like a sigh. ¹⁰ As for the days of our years, within them are seventy years or if by strength eighty years, and their pride* is trouble and disaster, for it passes quickly and we fly away.

¹⁴ you who do not know _⌊what will happen tomorrow_⌋*, _⌊what your life will be like_⌋*. For you are a smoky vapor that appears for a short time and then disappears.

²³ Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives and were not separated in their death. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

²⁷ Or does the eagle fly high at your command and construct its nest high? ²⁸ It lives on the rock and spends the night _⌊on the rock point and the mountain stronghold_⌋.* ²⁹ From there it spies out the prey; its eyes look from far away. ³⁰ And its young ones lick blood greedily, and where the dead carcasses are, there they are."

⁵ Your eyes will _⌊alight_⌋* on it, but there is nothing to it, for suddenly it will make for itself wings like an eagle and it will be exhausted in the heavens.

² that sends messengers by the sea and in vessels of papyrus on the surface of the waters! Go, swift messengers, to a _⌊tall_⌋* and _⌊smooth_⌋* nation, to a people feared _⌊near and far_⌋,* a _⌊mighty, mighty_⌋* and trampling* nation, whose land rivers divide.

¹³ Look, he comes up like the clouds, and his chariots are like the whirlwind, his horses are swifter than eagles, woe to us, for we are devastated.

¹⁹ Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the heavens; they chased us on the mountains, they have set an ambush for us in the desert.

⁸ Their* horses are more swift than leopards; they are more menacing than wolves at dusk. Their* horsemen gallop; their* horsemen come from afar; they fly like an eagle that is swift to devour.

¹¹ "Even* I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in my spirit's anguish; I will complain in my inner self's* bitterness.

¹³ When I say, 'My bed will comfort me, and my couch* will ease my complaint,'

² In the day I have trouble, I seek* the Lord. At night my hand stretches out _⌊continually_⌋;* my soul refuses to be comforted. ³ I remember God and I groan loudly; I meditate and my spirit grows faint.

¹⁸ "My comfort is gone from me, sorrow is on me, my heart is sick.

⁷ "You shall not _⌊misuse the name of Yahweh your God_⌋,* because Yahweh will not leave unpunished anyone who _⌊misuses his name_⌋.*

²⁵ because the dread that I _⌊feel_⌋* has come upon me, and what I feared befalls me.

²⁰ Even though I am righteous, my mouth will condemn me; even though I am blameless, yet* it would pronounce me guilty. ²¹ "I am blameless; I do not care about myself;* I loathe my life.

¹⁴ If I had sinned, then* you would be watching me, and you would not acquit me of my guilt.

¹⁶ For then* you would count my steps, but you would not keep watch over my sin.

⁶ And when I think of it, I am horrified,* and shuddering seizes my flesh.

¹⁵ I am afflicted and perishing from my youth. I bear your terrors. I am distraught.* ¹⁶ Your burning anger has passed over me; your sudden fears have destroyed me.

¹²⁰ My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.

²² It is all one; therefore I say, 'He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.'

⁷ because of your knowledge that I am not guilty, and there is no escaping from your hand?

¹⁴ If I had sinned, then* you would be watching me, and you would not acquit me of my guilt. ¹⁵ If I am guilty, woe to me! But* if I am righteous, I dare not lift my head; I am filled with shame, and just look at my misery! ¹⁶ And if my head grows bold, you would hunt me as the lion in its prime; _⌊and you repeat your exploits against me_⌋.* ¹⁷ You renew your witnesses against me, and you increase your vexation against me; _⌊relief forces_⌋* are against me.

¹⁶ Look, their prosperity is not in their hands; the schemes of the wicked are repugnant* to me. ¹⁷ "How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, and their disaster comes upon them? He* distributes pains in his anger.

²⁷ "Look, I know your* thoughts and the schemes you devise against me.

⁵ Is not your wickedness great, and there is no end to your iniquities? ⁶ "Indeed, you have required a pledge from your family for nothing, and you have stripped off the clothes of the naked. ⁷ You have given no water for the weary to drink, and you withheld food from the hungry. ⁸ And the land _⌊belongs to the man of power_⌋,* and _⌊the favored_⌋* lives in it. ⁹ You have sent widows away empty-handed, and the arms of orphans were crushed. ¹⁰ Therefore trapping nets are all around you, and panic suddenly terrifies you, ¹¹ or it is so dark you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you. ¹² "Is not God in the height of the heavens? But* see how lofty are _⌊the highest stars_⌋.* ¹³ And you ask, 'What does God know? Can he judge through deep gloom? ¹⁴ Thick clouds are a covering for him, so that he does not see; and he walks about on the dome of heaven.' ¹⁵ Will you keep to the way of old that the people of mischief have trod, ¹⁶ who were snatched away _⌊before their time_⌋,* whose foundation was washed away by a current? ¹⁷ Those who said to God, 'Turn away from us,' and 'What can Shaddai do to us?' ¹⁸ Yet* he himself* filled up their houses with good things, but* the schemes of the wicked are repugnant to me. ¹⁹ The righteous see, and they rejoice, but* the innocent one mocks at them. ²⁰ _⌊Surely_⌋* our foe perishes, and fire has consumed their remainder.* ²¹ "Please reconcile yourself with him, and be at peace; _⌊in this way_⌋,* good will come to you. ²² Please receive instruction from his mouth, and place his words in your heart. ²³ If you return to Shaddai, you will be restored; if you remove wickedness from your tent, ²⁴ and if you put gold ore in the dust, and the gold of Ophir in the rock of wadis, ²⁵ then* Shaddai will be your gold ore and _⌊your precious silver_⌋.* ²⁶ Indeed, then you will delight yourself in Shaddai, and _⌊you will expect that God will be good to you_⌋.* ²⁷ You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will pay your vows. ²⁸ And you will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways. ²⁹ When they are humiliated, _⌊you say_⌋,* 'It is pride,' for* he saves _⌊the humble_⌋.* ³⁰ He will deliver the guilty, and he will escape because of the cleanness of your hands."

³³ Yahweh will not abandon him into his hand, and he will not let him be condemned when he is judged.

¹³ Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence.

³⁵ yet you say, 'But I am innocent, surely his anger has turned away from me.' Look, I am entering into judgment with you because of your saying, 'I have not sinned.'

⁷ If my steps have turned aside from the way, and my heart has walked after my eyes, and my hand has clung to a spot,

⁶ I will wash my hands in innocence, and I will walk about your altar, O Yahweh,

¹³ He who conceals his transgression will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes will obtain mercy.

¹⁶ Wash! Make yourselves clean! Remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes! Cease to do evil! ¹⁷ Learn to do good! Seek justice! Rescue the oppressed! Defend the orphan! Plead for the widow! ¹⁸ "Come now, and let us argue," says Yahweh. "Even though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white like snow; even though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

²² For if you wash with natron, and you _⌊use much soap_⌋,* your guilt is sticking as a stain _⌊before_⌋* me," _⌊declares_⌋* the Lord Yahweh.

¹⁴ Cleanse your heart from wickedness, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. _⌊How long_⌋* will your thoughts of mischief dwell in your inner part?

³ For ignoring the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own,* they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

⁶ Your mouth condemns you, and not I; and your lips testify against you.

⁶ Their webs cannot become clothing, and they cannot cover themselves with their works. Their works are works of iniquity, and deeds* of violence are in their hands.

⁶ And we all have become like the unclean, and all our deeds of justice like a menstrual cloth, And we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities take us away like the wind.

⁸ _⌊More than that_⌋*, I even consider all things to be loss because of the surpassing greatness of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for the sake of whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and consider them* dung, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹ and may be found in him, not having my righteousness which is from the law, but which is through faith in Christ,* the righteousness from God on the basis of faith,*

¹⁹ God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of humankind, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? And has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

⁷ But Yahweh said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For God does not see what man sees, for a man _⌊looks on the outward appearance_⌋,* but Yahweh _⌊looks on the heart_⌋."*

¹⁸ Please look,* I have prepared my case; I know that I myself* will be vindicated. ¹⁹ Who is he who will contend with me? For _⌊then_⌋ I would be silent, and I would pass away. ²⁰ "Only you* must not do these two things to me; then I will not hide from your face: ²¹ withdraw your* hand from me, and let not your* dread terrify me. ²² Then* call, and I myself* will answer; or let me speak, then* reply to me. ²³ "_⌊How many_⌋* are my iniquities and sins? Make known to me my transgression and my sin.

¹² "Look, in this you are not right—I will answer you: Indeed, God is greater than a human being.

⁵ "Look at the heavens, and see; and observe the clouds that are higher than you. ⁶ If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? ⁷ If you are righteous, what do you give to him, or what does he receive from your hand?

¹⁰ Whatever is—it was already determined, _⌊what will be—it has already been decided_⌋.* As for man, he cannot argue against what is more powerful than him.

¹⁹ Look, like a lion he comes up from the thickets of the Jordan to _⌊a pastureland by a constantly flowing stream_⌋.* So _⌊I will chase him away hurriedly_⌋* from it. And whoever is chosen I will appoint over it. For who is like me, and who can summon me? And who is this, the shepherd who can stand _⌊before me_⌋?"*

²⁵ If a man sins against a man, then God can intercede for him. But if a man sins against Yahweh, who can intercede for him?" But they did not _⌊obey_⌋* their father, because Yahweh wanted to kill them.

¹⁶ Then two prostitutes came to the king, and they stood before him. ¹⁷ The one woman said, "Please my lord, I and this woman are living in one house, and I gave birth, with her in the house. ¹⁸ It happened on the third day after my giving birth, this woman also gave birth, and we were together. There was not anyone with us in the house, only the two of us were in the house. ¹⁹ Then the son of this woman died in the night because she laid on him. ²⁰ So she got up in the middle of the night, and she took my son from beside me while your servant was asleep, and she put him in her lap, and she put her dead son in my lap. ²¹ When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead! When I looked closely at him in the morning, behold, it was not my son whom I had borne." ²² Then the other woman said, "No, for my son is the living one, and your son is the dead one." The other kept on saying, "No, for your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one," and so they argued in front of the king. ²³ Then the king said, "This one is saying, 'This is my son, the living one, but your son is the dead one,' and the other one keeps saying, 'But no! Your son is the dead one, and my son is living!'" ²⁴ So the king said, "Bring me a sword," and they brought the sword before the king. ²⁵ Then the king said, "Divide the living child into two, and give half to the one and half to the other." ²⁶ Then the woman whose son was the living one spoke to the king because her compassion was aroused for her son, and she said, "Please, my lord, give her the living child, but certainly do not kill him!" The other one was saying, "As for me, so for you! Divide him!" ²⁷ Then the king answered and said, "Give the living child to her, and do not kill him; she is his mother." ²⁸ When all of Israel heard the judgment that the king had rendered, they _⌊stood in awe_⌋* of the king, because they realized that the wisdom of God was in him to execute justice.

²³ So he said he would exterminate them, had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to reverse his wrath from destroying them.

¹ My little children, I am writing these things to you in order that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one, ² and he* is the propitiation* for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

¹¹ Will not his majesty terrify you,* and his dread fall upon you?*

²⁰ "Only you* must not do these two things to me; then I will not hide from your face: ²¹ withdraw your* hand from me, and let not your* dread terrify me. ²² Then* call, and I myself* will answer; or let me speak, then* reply to me.

¹⁵ Therefore, I am horrified because of his presence; when I consider, I tremble* because of him.

² "_⌊O that I were_⌋* as in the months before, as in the days when God watched over me, ³ when his shining lamp was over my head— by his light I walked through darkness— ⁴ as when I was in the days of my prime, when God's confiding was over my _⌊house_⌋,* ⁵ when Shaddaiwas still with me, my children were all around me, ⁶ when my paths were washed in sour milk, and the rock poured out streams of oil for me. ⁷ "At my going out the gate to the city, I secured my seat in the square. ⁸ Young men saw me and stepped aside, and the aged rose up and stood. ⁹ Officials refrained from talking, and they laid their hand on their mouth. ¹⁰ The voices* of nobles were hushed, and their tongue stuck to their palate. ¹¹ "When the ear heard and commended me, and the eye saw and testified in support of me ¹² because I saved the needy who cried for help, and I saved* the orphan for whom there was no helper. ¹³ The blessing of the wretched came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. ¹⁴ I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a headband. ¹⁵ "I was eyes to the blind, and I was feet to the lame. ¹⁶ I was a father to the poor, and I investigated _⌊the stranger's_⌋* legal dispute. ¹⁷ And I broke the evil one's jaw bones, and I made his prey drop from his teeth. ¹⁸ "And I thought, 'I will pass away in my nest, and like the phoenix I shall multiply my days. ¹⁹ My roots were open to water, and dew spent the night on my branches; ²⁰ My glory was new with me, and _⌊I was revitalized regularly_⌋.'* ²¹ "They listened to me and waited, and they kept silent for my counsel. ²² After my word, they did not speak again, and my word dropped down like dew upon them. ²³ And they waited for me as for the rain, and they opened their mouth wide as for the spring rain. ²⁴ I smiled for them when they had no confidence in anything, and they did not extinguish the light of my face. ²⁵ I chose their way, and I sat as head, and I dwelled like a king among the troops, like one who comforts mourners.

²³ Indeed, the disaster from God was a dread for me, and _⌊I was powerless_⌋* because of his majesty.

⁷ Look, dread of me should not terrify you, and my hand will not be heavy upon you.

¹ "About this also my heart trembles, and it leaps from its place.

¹⁰ Remove from me your affliction. By the opposition of your hand I perish.

¹¹ Who knows the strength of your anger, and your rage consistent with* the fear due you?