Job.25.1

Bildad the Shuhite again attacked Job:

Job.25.1

Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

Job.25.1

Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:

Job.25.1

Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

Job.25.2

"God is sovereign, God is fearsome--everything in the cosmos fits and works in his plan.

Job.25.2

"Dominion and awe belong to God; he establishes order in the heights of heaven.

Job.25.2

"Dominion and fear belong to Him; He makes peace in His high places.

Job.25.2

"God is powerful and dreadful. He enforces peace in the heavens.

Job.25.3

Can anyone count his angel armies? Is there any place where his light doesn't shine?

Job.25.3

Can his forces be numbered? Upon whom does his light not rise?

Job.25.3

Is there any number to His armies? Upon whom does His light not rise?

Job.25.3

Who is able to count his heavenly army? Does his light not shine on all the earth?

Job.25.4

How can a mere mortal presume to stand up to God? How can an ordinary person pretend to be guiltless?

Job.25.4

How then can a man be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure?

Job.25.4

How then can man be righteous before God? Or how can he be pure who is born of a woman?

Job.25.4

How can a mere mortal stand before God and claim to be righteous? Who in all the earth is pure?

Job.25.5

Why, even the moon has its flaws, even the stars aren't perfect in God's eyes,

Job.25.5

If even the moon is not bright and the stars are not pure in his eyes,

Job.25.5

If even the moon does not shine, And the stars are not pure in His sight,

Job.25.5

God is so glorious that even the moon and stars scarcely shine compared to him.

Job.25.6

So how much less, plain men and women--slugs and maggots by comparison!" Job's Defense God Sets a Boundary Between Light and Darkness

Job.25.6

how much less man, who is but a maggot- a son of man, who is only a worm!"

Job.25.6

How much less man, who is a maggot, And a son of man, who is a worm?"

Job.25.6

How much less are mere people, who are but worms in his sight?"

Job.26.1

Job answered:

Job.26.1

Then Job replied:

Job.26.1

But Job answered and said:

Job.26.1

Then Job spoke again:

Job.26.2

"Well, you've certainly been a great help to a helpless man! You came to the rescue just in the nick of time!

Job.26.2

"How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the arm that is feeble!

Job.26.2

"How have you helped him who is without power? How have you saved the arm that has no strength?

Job.26.2

"How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved a person who has no strength!

Job.26.3

What wonderful advice you've given to a mixed-up man! What amazing insights you've provided!

Job.26.3

What advice you have offered to one without wisdom! And what great insight you have displayed!

Job.26.3

How have you counseled one who has no wisdom? And how have you declared sound advice to many?

Job.26.3

How you have enlightened my stupidity! What wise things you have said!

Job.26.4

Where in the world did you learn all this? How did you become so inspired?

Job.26.4

Who has helped you utter these words? And whose spirit spoke from your mouth?

Job.26.4

To whom have you uttered words? And whose spirit came from you?

Job.26.4

Where have you gotten all these wise sayings? Whose spirit speaks through you?

Job.26.5

"All the buried dead are in torment, and all who've been drowned in the deep, deep sea.

Job.26.5

"The dead are in deep anguish, those beneath the waters and all that live in them.

Job.26.5

"The dead tremble, Those under the waters and those inhabiting them.

Job.26.5

"The dead tremble in their place beneath the waters.

Job.26.6

Hell is ripped open before God, graveyards dug up and exposed.

Job.26.6

Death is naked before God; Destruction lies uncovered.

Job.26.6

Sheol is naked before Him, And Destruction has no covering.

Job.26.6

The underworld is naked in God's presence. There is no cover for the place of destruction.

Job.26.7

He spreads the skies over unformed space, hangs the earth out in empty space.

Job.26.7

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.

Job.26.7

He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing.

Job.26.7

God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.

Job.26.8

He pours water into cumulus cloud-bags and the bags don't burst.

Job.26.8

He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.

Job.26.8

He binds up the water in His thick clouds, Yet the clouds are not broken under it.

Job.26.8

He wraps the rain in his thick clouds, and the clouds do not burst with the weight.

Job.26.9

He makes the moon wax and wane, putting it through its phases.

Job.26.9

He covers the face of the full moon, spreading his clouds over it.

Job.26.9

He covers the face of His throne, And spreads His cloud over it.

Job.26.9

He shrouds his throne with his clouds.

Job.26.10

He draws the horizon out over the ocean, sets a boundary between light and darkness.

Job.26.10

He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness.

Job.26.10

He drew a circular horizon on the face of the waters, At the boundary of light and darkness.

Job.26.10

He created the horizon when he separated the waters; he set the boundaries for day and night.

Job.26.11

Thunder crashes and rumbles in the skies. Listen! It's God raising his voice!

Job.26.11

The pillars of the heavens quake, aghast at his rebuke.

Job.26.11

The pillars of heaven tremble, And are astonished at His rebuke.

Job.26.11

The foundations of heaven tremble at his rebuke.

Job.26.12

By his power he stills sea storms, by his wisdom he tames sea monsters.

Job.26.12

By his power he churned up the sea; by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.

Job.26.12

He stirs up the sea with His power, And by His understanding He breaks up the storm.

Job.26.12

By his power the sea grew calm. By his skill he crushed the great sea monster.

Job.26.13

With one breath he clears the sky, with one finger he crushes the sea serpent.

Job.26.13

By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent.

Job.26.13

By His Spirit He adorned the heavens; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent.

Job.26.13

His Spirit made the heavens beautiful, and his power pierced the gliding serpent.

Job.26.14

And this is only the beginning, a mere whisper of his rule. Whatever would we do if he really raised his voice!"

Job.26.14

And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?"

Job.26.14

Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways, And how small a whisper we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?"

Job.26.14

"These are some of the minor things he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who can understand the thunder of his power?"

Job.27.1

Having waited for Zophar, Job now resumed his defense:

Job.27.1

And Job continued his discourse:

Job.27.1

Moreover Job continued his discourse, and said:

Job.27.1

Job continued speaking:

Job.27.2

"God--Alive! He's denied me justice! God Almighty! He's ruined my life!

Job.27.2

"As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made me taste bitterness of soul,

Job.27.2

"As God lives, who has taken away my justice, And the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,

Job.27.2

"I make this vow by the living God, who has taken away my rights, by the Almighty who has embittered my soul.

Job.27.3

But for as long as I draw breath, and for as long as God breathes life into me,

Job.27.3

as long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils,

Job.27.3

As long as my breath is in me, And the breath of God in my nostrils,

Job.27.3

As long as I live, while I have breath from God,

Job.27.4

I refuse to say one word that isn't true. I refuse to confess to any charge that's false.

Job.27.4

my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit.

Job.27.4

My lips will not speak wickedness, Nor my tongue utter deceit.

Job.27.4

my lips will speak no evil, and my tongue will speak no lies.

Job.27.5

There is no way I'll ever agree to your accusations. I'll not deny my integrity even if it costs me my life.

Job.27.5

I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity.

Job.27.5

Far be it from me That I should say you are right; Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.

Job.27.5

I will never concede that you are right; until I die, I will defend my innocence.

Job.27.6

I'm holding fast to my integrity and not loosening my grip--and, believe me, I'll never regret it.

Job.27.6

I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.

Job.27.6

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go; My heart shall not reproach me as long as I live.

Job.27.6

I will maintain my innocence without wavering. My conscience is clear for as long as I live.

Job.27.7

"Let my enemy be exposed as wicked! Let my adversary be proven guilty!

Job.27.7

"May my enemies be like the wicked, my adversaries like the unjust!

Job.27.7

"May my enemy be like the wicked, And he who rises up against me like the unrighteous.

Job.27.7

"May my enemy be punished like the wicked, my adversary like evil men.

Job.27.8

What hope do people without God have when life is cut short? when God puts an end to life?

Job.27.8

For what hope has the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?

Job.27.8

For what is the hope of the hypocrite, Though he may gain much, If God takes away his life?

Job.27.8

For what hope do the godless have when God cuts them off and takes away their life?

Job.27.9

Do you think God will listen to their cry for help when disaster hits?

Job.27.9

Does God listen to his cry when distress comes upon him?

Job.27.9

Will God hear his cry When trouble comes upon him?

Job.27.9

Will God listen to their cry when trouble comes upon them?

Job.27.10

What interest have they ever shown in the Almighty? Have they ever been known to pray before?

Job.27.10

Will he find delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?

Job.27.10

Will he delight himself in the Almighty? Will he always call on God?

Job.27.10

Can they take delight in the Almighty? Can they call to God at any time?

Job.27.11

"I've given you a clear account of God in action, suppressed nothing regarding God Almighty.

Job.27.11

"I will teach you about the power of God; the ways of the Almighty I will not conceal.

Job.27.11

"I will teach you about the hand of God; What is with the Almighty I will not conceal.

Job.27.11

"I will teach you about God's power. I will not conceal anything that concerns the Almighty.

Job.27.12

The evidence is right before you. You can all see it for yourselves, so why do you keep talking nonsense?

Job.27.12

You have all seen this yourselves. Why then this meaningless talk?

Job.27.12

Surely all of you have seen it; Why then do you behave with complete nonsense?

Job.27.12

But I don't need to, for you yourselves have seen all this; yet you are saying all these useless things to me.

Job.27.13

"I'll quote your own words back to you: This is how God treats the wicked, this is what evil people can expect from God Almighty:

Job.27.13

"Here is the fate God allots to the wicked, the heritage a ruthless man receives from the Almighty:

Job.27.13

"This is the portion of a wicked man with God, And the heritage of oppressors, received from the Almighty:

Job.27.13

"This is what the wicked will receive from God; this is their inheritance from the Almighty.

Job.27.14

Their children--all of them--will die violent deaths; they'll never have enough bread to put on the table.

Job.27.14

However many his children, their fate is the sword; his offspring will never have enough to eat.

Job.27.14

If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword; And his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.

Job.27.14

If they have a multitude of children, their children will die in war or starve to death.

Job.27.15

They'll be wiped out by the plague, and none of the widows will shed a tear when they're gone.

Job.27.15

The plague will bury those who survive him, and their widows will not weep for them.

Job.27.15

Those who survive him shall be buried in death, And their widows shall not weep,

Job.27.15

Those who survive will be brought down to the grave by a plague, with no one to mourn them, not even their wives.

Job.27.16

Even if they make a lot of money and are resplendent in the latest fashions,

Job.27.16

Though he heaps up silver like dust and clothes like piles of clay,

Job.27.16

Though he heaps up silver like dust, And piles up clothing like clay--

Job.27.16

"Evil people may have all the money in the world, and they may store away mounds of clothing.

Job.27.17

It's the good who will end up wearing the clothes and the decent who will divide up the money.

Job.27.17

what he lays up the righteous will wear, and the innocent will divide his silver.

Job.27.17

He may pile it up, but the just will wear it, And the innocent will divide the silver.

Job.27.17

But the righteous will wear that clothing, and the innocent will divide all that money.

Job.27.18

They build elaborate houses that won't survive a single winter.

Job.27.18

The house he builds is like a moth's cocoon, like a hut made by a watchman.

Job.27.18

He builds his house like a moth, Like a booth which a watchman makes.

Job.27.18

The houses built by the wicked are as fragile as a spiderweb, as flimsy as a shelter made of branches.

Job.27.19

They go to bed wealthy and wake up poor.

Job.27.19

He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more; when he opens his eyes, all is gone.

Job.27.19

The rich man will lie down, But not be gathered up; He opens his eyes, And he is no more.

Job.27.19

"The wicked go to bed rich but wake up to find that all their wealth is gone.

Job.27.20

Terrors pour in on them like flash floods--a tornado snatches them away in the middle of the night,

Job.27.20

Terrors overtake him like a flood; a tempest snatches him away in the night.

Job.27.20

Terrors overtake him like a flood; A tempest steals him away in the night.

Job.27.20

Terror overwhelms them, and they are blown away in the storms of the night.

Job.27.21

A cyclone sweeps them up--gone! Not a trace of them left, not even a footprint.

Job.27.21

The east wind carries him off, and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.

Job.27.21

The east wind carries him away, and he is gone; It sweeps him out of his place.

Job.27.21

The east wind carries them away, and they are gone. It sweeps them away.

Job.27.22

Catastrophes relentlessly pursue them; they run this way and that, but there's no place to hide--

Job.27.22

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

Job.27.22

It hurls against him and does not spare; He flees desperately from its power.

Job.27.22

It whirls down on them without mercy. They struggle to flee from its power.

Job.27.23

Pummeled by the weather, blown to kingdom come by the storm.'

Job.27.23

It claps its hands in derision and hisses him out of his place.

Job.27.23

Men shall clap their hands at him, And shall hiss him out of his place.

Job.27.23

But everyone jeers at them and mocks them.

Job.28.1

"We all know how silver seams the rocks, we've seen the stuff from which gold is refined,

Job.28.1

"There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined.

Job.28.1

"Surely there is a mine for silver, And a place where gold is refined.

Job.28.1

"People know how to mine silver and refine gold.

Job.28.2

We're aware of how iron is dug out of the ground and copper is smelted from rock.

Job.28.2

Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.

Job.28.2

Iron is taken from the earth, And copper is smelted from ore.

Job.28.2

They know how to dig iron from the earth and smelt copper from stone.

Job.28.3

Miners penetrate the earth's darkness, searching the roots of the mountains for ore, digging away in the suffocating darkness.

Job.28.3

Man puts an end to the darkness; he searches the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness.

Job.28.3

Man puts an end to darkness, And searches every recess For ore in the darkness and the shadow of death.

Job.28.3

They know how to put light into darkness and explore the farthest, darkest regions of the earth as they search for ore.

Job.28.4

Far from civilization, far from the traffic, they cut a shaft, and are lowered into it by ropes.

Job.28.4

Far from where people dwell he cuts a shaft, in places forgotten by the foot of man; far from men he dangles and sways.

Job.28.4

He breaks open a shaft away from people; In places forgotten by feet They hang far away from men; They swing to and fro.

Job.28.4

They sink a mine shaft into the earth far from where anyone lives. They descend on ropes, swinging back and forth.

Job.28.5

Earth's surface is a field for grain, but its depths are a forge

Job.28.5

The earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire;

Job.28.5

As for the earth, from it comes bread, But underneath it is turned up as by fire;

Job.28.5

Bread comes from the earth, but below the surface the earth is melted as by fire.

Job.28.6

Firing sapphires from stones and chiseling gold from rocks.

Job.28.6

sapphires come from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of gold.

Job.28.6

Its stones are the source of sapphires, And it contains gold dust.

Job.28.6

"People know how to find sapphires and gold dust--

Job.28.7

Vultures are blind to its riches, hawks never lay eyes on it.

Job.28.7

No bird of prey knows that hidden path, no falcon's eye has seen it.

Job.28.7

That path no bird knows, Nor has the falcon's eye seen it.

Job.28.7

treasures that no bird of prey can see, no falcon's eye observe--

Job.28.8

Wild animals are oblivious to it, lions don't know it's there.

Job.28.8

Proud beasts do not set foot on it, and no lion prowls there.

Job.28.8

The proud lions have not trodden it, Nor has the fierce lion passed over it.

Job.28.8

for they are deep within the mines. No wild animal has ever walked upon those treasures; no lion has set his paw there.

Job.28.9

Miners hammer away at the rock, they uproot the mountains.

Job.28.9

Man's hand assaults the flinty rock and lays bare the roots of the mountains.

Job.28.9

He puts his hand on the flint; He overturns the mountains at the roots.

Job.28.9

People know how to tear apart flinty rocks and overturn the roots of mountains.

Job.28.10

They tunnel through the rock and find all kinds of beautiful gems.

Job.28.10

He tunnels through the rock; his eyes see all its treasures.

Job.28.10

He cuts out channels in the rocks, And his eye sees every precious thing.

Job.28.10

They cut tunnels in the rocks and uncover precious stones.

Job.28.11

They discover the origins of rivers, and bring earth's secrets to light.

Job.28.11

He searches the sources of the rivers and brings hidden things to light.

Job.28.11

He dams up the streams from trickling; What is hidden he brings forth to light.

Job.28.11

They dam up the trickling streams and bring to light the hidden treasures.

Job.28.12

"But where, oh where, will they find Wisdom? Where does Insight hide?

Job.28.12

"But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?

Job.28.12

"But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?

Job.28.12

"But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?

Job.28.13

Mortals don't have a clue, haven't the slightest idea where to look.

Job.28.13

Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.

Job.28.13

Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living.

Job.28.13

No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living.

Job.28.14

Earth's depths say, "It's not here'; ocean deeps echo, "Never heard of it.'

Job.28.14

The deep says, 'It is not in me'; the sea says, 'It is not with me.'

Job.28.14

The deep says, "It is not in me'; And the sea says, "It is not with me.'

Job.28.14

`It is not here,' says the ocean. `Nor is it here,' says the sea.

Job.28.15

It can't be bought with the finest gold; no amount of silver can get it.

Job.28.15

It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed in silver.

Job.28.15

It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price.

Job.28.15

"It cannot be bought for gold or silver.

Job.28.16

Even famous Ophir gold can't buy it, not even diamonds and sapphires.

Job.28.16

It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires.

Job.28.16

It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire.

Job.28.16

Its value is greater than all the gold of Ophir, greater than precious onyx stone or sapphires.

Job.28.17

Neither gold nor emeralds are comparable; extravagant jewelry can't touch it.

Job.28.17

Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold.

Job.28.17

Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold.

Job.28.17

Wisdom is far more valuable than gold and crystal. It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold.

Job.28.18

Pearl necklaces and ruby bracelets--why bother? None of this is even a down payment on Wisdom!

Job.28.18

Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

Job.28.18

No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies.

Job.28.18

Coral and valuable rock crystal are worthless in trying to get it. The price of wisdom is far above pearls.

Job.28.19

Pile gold and African diamonds as high as you will, they can't hold a candle to Wisdom.

Job.28.19

The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold.

Job.28.19

The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, Nor can it be valued in pure gold.

Job.28.19

Topaz from Ethiopia cannot be exchanged for it. Its value is greater than the purest gold.

Job.28.20

"So where does Wisdom come from? And where does Insight live?

Job.28.20

"Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?

Job.28.20

"From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?

Job.28.20

"But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?

Job.28.21

It can't be found by looking, no matter how deep you dig, no matter how high you fly.

Job.28.21

It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air.

Job.28.21

It is hidden from the eyes of all living, And concealed from the birds of the air.

Job.28.21

For it is hidden from the eyes of all humanity. Even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it.

Job.28.22

If you search through the graveyard and question the dead, they say, "We've only heard rumors of it.'

Job.28.22

Destruction and Death say, 'Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.'

Job.28.22

Destruction and Death say, "We have heard a report about it with our ears.'

Job.28.22

But Destruction and Death say, `We have heard a rumor of where wisdom can be found.'

Job.28.23

"God alone knows the way to Wisdom, he knows the exact place to find it.

Job.28.23

God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,

Job.28.23

God understands its way, And He knows its place.

Job.28.23

"God surely knows where it can be found,

Job.28.24

He knows where everything is on earth, he sees everything under heaven.

Job.28.24

for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.

Job.28.24

For He looks to the ends of the earth, And sees under the whole heavens,

Job.28.24

for he looks throughout the whole earth, under all the heavens.

Job.28.25

After he commanded the winds to blow and measured out the waters,

Job.28.25

When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters,

Job.28.25

To establish a weight for the wind, And apportion the waters by measure.

Job.28.25

He made the winds blow and determined how much rain should fall.

Job.28.26

Arranged for the rain and set off explosions of thunder and lightning,

Job.28.26

when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm,

Job.28.26

When He made a law for the rain, And a path for the thunderbolt,

Job.28.26

He made the laws of the rain and prepared a path for the lightning.

Job.28.27

He focused on Wisdom, made sure it was all set and tested and ready.

Job.28.27

then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it.

Job.28.27

Then He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out.

Job.28.27

Then, when he had done all this, he saw wisdom and measured it. He established it and examined it thoroughly.

Job.28.28

Then he addressed the human race: "Here it is! Fear-of-the-Lord--that's Wisdom, and Insight means shunning evil.'"

Job.28.28

And he said to man, 'The fear of the Lord-that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'"

Job.28.28

And to man He said, "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding."'

Job.28.28

And this is what he says to all humanity: `The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.'"

Job.29.1

Job now resumed his response:

Job.29.1

Job continued his discourse:

Job.29.1

Job further continued his discourse, and said:

Job.29.1

Job continued speaking:

Job.29.2

"Oh, how I long for the good old days, when God took such very good care of me.

Job.29.2

"How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me,

Job.29.2

"Oh, that I were as in months past, As in the days when God watched over me;

Job.29.2

"I long for the years gone by when God took care of me,

Job.29.3

He always held a lamp before me and I walked through the dark by its light.

Job.29.3

when his lamp shone upon my head and by his light I walked through darkness!

Job.29.3

When His lamp shone upon my head, And when by His light I walked through darkness;

Job.29.3

when he lighted the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness.

Job.29.4

Oh, how I miss those golden years when God's friendship graced my home,

Job.29.4

Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God's intimate friendship blessed my house,

Job.29.4

Just as I was in the days of my prime, When the friendly counsel of God was over my tent;

Job.29.4

In my early years, the friendship of God was felt in my home.

Job.29.5

When the Mighty One was still by my side and my children were all around me,

Job.29.5

when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me,

Job.29.5

When the Almighty was yet with me, When my children were around me;

Job.29.5

The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me.

Job.29.6

When everything was going my way, and nothing seemed too difficult.

Job.29.6

when my path was drenched with cream and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil.

Job.29.6

When my steps were bathed with cream, And the rock poured out rivers of oil for me!

Job.29.6

In those days my cows produced milk in abundance, and my olive groves poured out streams of olive oil.

Job.29.7

"When I walked downtown and sat with my friends in the public square,

Job.29.7

"When I went to the gate of the city and took my seat in the public square,

Job.29.7

"When I went out to the gate by the city, When I took my seat in the open square,

Job.29.7

"Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders.

Job.29.8

Young and old greeted me with respect; I was honored by everyone in town.

Job.29.8

the young men saw me and stepped aside and the old men rose to their feet;

Job.29.8

The young men saw me and hid, And the aged arose and stood;

Job.29.8

The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.

Job.29.9

When I spoke, everyone listened;

Job.29.9

the chief men refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands;

Job.29.9

The princes refrained from talking, And put their hand on their mouth;

Job.29.9

The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths.

Job.29.10

they hung on my every word.

Job.29.10

the voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.

Job.29.10

The voice of nobles was hushed, And their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.

Job.29.10

The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.

Job.29.11

People who knew me spoke well of me; my reputation went ahead of me.

Job.29.11

Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me,

Job.29.11

When the ear heard, then it blessed me, And when the eye saw, then it approved me;

Job.29.11

"All who heard of me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me.

Job.29.12

I was known for helping people in trouble and standing up for those who were down on their luck.

Job.29.12

because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him.

Job.29.12

Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper.

Job.29.12

For I helped the poor in their need and the orphans who had no one to help them.

Job.29.13

The dying blessed me, and the bereaved were cheered by my visits.

Job.29.13

The man who was dying blessed me; I made the widow's heart sing.

Job.29.13

The blessing of a perishing man came upon me, And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

Job.29.13

I helped those who had lost hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows' hearts to sing for joy.

Job.29.14

All my dealings with people were good. I was known for being fair to everyone I met.

Job.29.14

I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban.

Job.29.14

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban.

Job.29.14

All I did was just and honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban.

Job.29.15

I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame,

Job.29.15

I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.

Job.29.15

I was eyes to the blind, And I was feet to the lame.

Job.29.15

I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.

Job.29.16

Father to the needy, and champion of abused aliens.

Job.29.16

I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.

Job.29.16

I was a father to the poor, And I searched out the case that I did not know.

Job.29.16

I was a father to the poor and made sure that even strangers received a fair trial.

Job.29.17

I grabbed street thieves by the scruff of the neck and made them give back what they'd stolen.

Job.29.17

I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth.

Job.29.17

I broke the fangs of the wicked, And plucked the victim from his teeth.

Job.29.17

I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and made them release their victims.

Job.29.18

I thought, "I'll die peacefully in my own bed, grateful for a long and full life,

Job.29.18

"I thought, 'I will die in my own house, my days as numerous as the grains of sand.

Job.29.18

"Then I said, "I shall die in my nest, And multiply my days as the sand.

Job.29.18

"I thought, `Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life.

Job.29.19

A life deep-rooted and well-watered, a life limber and dew-fresh,

Job.29.19

My roots will reach to the water, and the dew will lie all night on my branches.

Job.29.19

My root is spread out to the waters, And the dew lies all night on my branch.

Job.29.19

For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew.

Job.29.20

My soul suffused with glory and my body robust until the day I die.'

Job.29.20

My glory will remain fresh in me, the bow ever new in my hand.'

Job.29.20

My glory is fresh within me, And my bow is renewed in my hand.'

Job.29.20

New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.'

Job.29.21

"Men and women listened when I spoke, hung expectantly on my every word.

Job.29.21

"Men listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel.

Job.29.21

"Men listened to me and waited, And kept silence for my counsel.

Job.29.21

"Everyone listened to me and valued my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak.

Job.29.22

After I spoke, they'd be quiet, taking it all in.

Job.29.22

After I had spoken, they spoke no more; my words fell gently on their ears.

Job.29.22

After my words they did not speak again, And my speech settled on them as dew.

Job.29.22

And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them.

Job.29.23

They welcomed my counsel like spring rain, drinking it all in.

Job.29.23

They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain.

Job.29.23

They waited for me as for the rain, And they opened their mouth wide as for the spring rain.

Job.29.23

They longed for me to speak as they longed for rain. They waited eagerly, for my words were as refreshing as the spring rain.

Job.29.24

When I smiled at them, they could hardly believe it; their faces lit up, their troubles took wing!

Job.29.24

When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them.

Job.29.24

If I mocked at them, they did not believe it, And the light of my countenance they did not cast down.

Job.29.24

When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.

Job.29.25

I was their leader, establishing the mood and setting the pace by which they lived. Where I led, they followed.

Job.29.25

I chose the way for them and sat as their chief; I dwelt as a king among his troops; I was like one who comforts mourners.

Job.29.25

I chose the way for them, and sat as chief; So I dwelt as a king in the army, As one who comforts mourners.

Job.29.25

I told them what they should do and presided over them as their chief. I lived as a king among his troops and as one who comforts those who mourn.

Matt.21.33

"Here's another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip.

Matt.21.33

"Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey.

Matt.21.33

"Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.

Matt.21.33

"Now listen to this story. A certain landowner planted a vineyard, built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country.

Matt.21.34

When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits.

Matt.21.34

When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

Matt.21.34

Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit.

Matt.21.34

At the time of the grape harvest he sent his servants to collect his share of the crop.

Matt.21.35

"The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away.

Matt.21.35

"The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.

Matt.21.35

And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.

Matt.21.35

But the farmers grabbed his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.

Matt.21.36

The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment.

Matt.21.36

Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way.

Matt.21.36

Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them.

Matt.21.36

So the landowner sent a larger group of his servants to collect for him, but the results were the same.

Matt.21.37

The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. "Surely,' he thought, "they will respect my son.'

Matt.21.37

Last of all, he sent his son to them. 'They will respect my son,' he said.

Matt.21.37

Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, "They will respect my son.'

Matt.21.37

"Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, 'Surely they will respect my son.'

Matt.21.38

"But when the farmhands saw the son arrive, they rubbed their hands in greed. "This is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all for ourselves.'

Matt.21.38

"But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take his inheritance.'

Matt.21.38

But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, "This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.'

Matt.21.38

"But when the farmers saw his son coming, they said to one another, 'Here comes the heir to this estate. Come on, let's kill him and get the estate for ourselves!'

Matt.21.39

They grabbed him, threw him out, and killed him.

Matt.21.39

So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

Matt.21.39

So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.

Matt.21.39

So they grabbed him, took him out of the vineyard, and murdered him.

Matt.21.40

"Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?"

Matt.21.40

"Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"

Matt.21.40

"Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?"

Matt.21.40

"When the owner of the vineyard returns," Jesus asked, "what do you think he will do to those farmers?"

Matt.21.41

"He'll kill them--a rotten bunch, and good riddance," they answered. "Then he'll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it's time."

Matt.21.41

"He will bring those wretches to a wretched end," they replied, "and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time."

Matt.21.41

They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons."

Matt.21.41

The religious leaders replied, "He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest."

Matt.21.42

Jesus said, "Right--and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles: The stone the masons threw out is now the cornerstone. This is God's work; we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it!

Matt.21.42

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?

Matt.21.42

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?

Matt.21.42

Then Jesus asked them, "Didn't you ever read this in the Scriptures? 'The stone rejected by the builders has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous to see.'

Matt.21.43

"This is the way it is with you. God's kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life.

Matt.21.43

"Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

Matt.21.43

"Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.

Matt.21.43

What I mean is that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit.

Matt.21.44

Whoever stumbles on this Stone gets shattered; whoever the Stone falls on gets smashed."

Matt.21.44

He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."

Matt.21.44

And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."

Matt.21.44

Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone on whom it falls. "

Matt.21.45

When the religious leaders heard this story, they knew it was aimed at them.

Matt.21.45

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they knew he was talking about them.

Matt.21.45

Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.

Matt.21.45

When the leading priests and Pharisees heard Jesus, they realized he was pointing at them--that they were the farmers in his story.

Matt.21.46

They wanted to arrest Jesus and put him in jail, but, intimidated by public opinion, they held back. Most people held him to be a prophet of God.

Matt.21.46

They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.

Matt.21.46

But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.

Matt.21.46

They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid to try because the crowds considered Jesus to be a prophet.

Matt.22.1

Jesus responded by telling still more stories.

Matt.22.1

Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying:

Matt.22.1

And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said:

Matt.22.1

Jesus told them several other stories to illustrate the Kingdom. He said,

Matt.22.2

"God's kingdom," he said, "is like a king who threw a wedding banquet for his son.

Matt.22.2

"The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.

Matt.22.2

"The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,

Matt.22.2

"The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son.

Matt.22.3

He sent out servants to call in all the invited guests. And they wouldn't come!

Matt.22.3

He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

Matt.22.3

and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.

Matt.22.3

Many guests were invited, and when the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify everyone that it was time to come. But they all refused!

Matt.22.4

"He sent out another round of servants, instructing them to tell the guests, "Look, everything is on the table, the prime rib is ready for carving. Come to the feast!'

Matt.22.4

"Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.'

Matt.22.4

Again, he sent out other servants, saying, "Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding."'

Matt.22.4

So he sent other servants to tell them, 'The feast has been prepared, and choice meats have been cooked. Everything is ready. Hurry!'

Matt.22.5

"They only shrugged their shoulders and went off, one to weed his garden, another to work in his shop.

Matt.22.5

"But they paid no attention and went off--one to his field, another to his business.

Matt.22.5

But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.

Matt.22.5

But the guests he had invited ignored them and went about their business, one to his farm, another to his store.

Matt.22.6

The rest, with nothing better to do, beat up on the messengers and then killed them.

Matt.22.6

The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them.

Matt.22.6

And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.

Matt.22.6

Others seized his messengers and treated them shamefully, even killing some of them.

Matt.22.7

The king was outraged and sent his soldiers to destroy those thugs and level their city.

Matt.22.7

The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

Matt.22.7

But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

Matt.22.7

"Then the king became furious. He sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their city.

Matt.22.8

"Then he told his servants, "We have a wedding banquet all prepared but no guests. The ones I invited weren't up to it.

Matt.22.8

"Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.

Matt.22.8

Then he said to his servants, "The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

Matt.22.8

And he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren't worthy of the honor.

Matt.22.9

Go out into the busiest intersections in town and invite anyone you find to the banquet.'

Matt.22.9

Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.'

Matt.22.9

Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.'

Matt.22.9

Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.'

Matt.22.10

The servants went out on the streets and rounded up everyone they laid eyes on, good and bad, regardless. And so the banquet was on--every place filled.

Matt.22.10

So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

Matt.22.10

So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

Matt.22.10

"So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.

Matt.22.11

"When the king entered and looked over the scene, he spotted a man who wasn't properly dressed.

Matt.22.11

"But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.

Matt.22.11

"But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.

Matt.22.11

But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn't wearing the proper clothes for a wedding.

Matt.22.12

He said to him, "Friend, how dare you come in here looking like that!' The man was speechless.

Matt.22.12

'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless.

Matt.22.12

So he said to him, "Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless.

Matt.22.12

'Friend,' he asked, 'how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?' And the man had no reply.

Matt.22.13

Then the king told his servants, "Get him out of here--fast. Tie him up and ship him to hell. And make sure he doesn't get back in.'

Matt.22.13

"Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Matt.22.13

Then the king said to the servants, "Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Matt.22.13

Then the king said to his aides, 'Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Matt.22.14

"That's what I mean when I say, "Many get invited; only a few make it.'"

Matt.22.14

"For many are invited, but few are chosen."

Matt.22.14

"For many are called, but few are chosen."

Matt.22.14

For many are called, but few are chosen."

Ps.18.7

Earth wobbles and lurches; huge mountains shake like leaves, Quake like aspen leaves because of his rage.

Ps.18.7

The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry.

Ps.18.7

Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken, Because He was angry.

Ps.18.7

Then the earth quaked and trembled; the foundations of the mountains shook; they quaked because of his anger.

Ps.18.8

His nostrils flare, bellowing smoke; his mouth spits fire. Tongues of fire dart in and out;

Ps.18.8

Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it.

Ps.18.8

Smoke went up from His nostrils, And devouring fire from His mouth; Coals were kindled by it.

Ps.18.8

Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him.

Ps.18.9

he lowers the sky. He steps down; under his feet an abyss opens up.

Ps.18.9

He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet.

Ps.18.9

He bowed the heavens also, and came down With darkness under His feet.

Ps.18.9

He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet.

Ps.18.10

He's riding a winged creature, swift on wind--wings.

Ps.18.10

He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind.

Ps.18.10

And He rode upon a cherub, and flew; He flew upon the wings of the wind.

Ps.18.10

Mounted on a mighty angel, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind.

Ps.18.11

Now he's wrapped himself in a trenchcoat of black-cloud darkness.

Ps.18.11

He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him- the dark rain clouds of the sky.

Ps.18.11

He made darkness His secret place; His canopy around Him was dark waters And thick clouds of the skies.

Ps.18.11

He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dense rain clouds.

Ps.18.12

But his cloud-brightness bursts through, spraying hailstones and fireballs.

Ps.18.12

Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning.

Ps.18.12

From the brightness before Him, His thick clouds passed with hailstones and coals of fire.

Ps.18.12

The brilliance of his presence broke through the clouds, raining down hail and burning coals.

Ps.18.13

Then GOD thundered out of heaven; the High God gave a great shout, spraying hailstones and fireballs.

Ps.18.13

The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.

Ps.18.13

The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire.

Ps.18.13

The LORD thundered from heaven; the Most High gave a mighty shout.

Ps.18.14

God shoots his arrows--pandemonium! He hurls his lightnings--a rout!

Ps.18.14

He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies, great bolts of lightning and routed them.

Ps.18.14

He sent out His arrows and scattered the foe, Lightnings in abundance, and He vanquished them.

Ps.18.14

He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies; his lightning flashed, and they were greatly confused.

Ps.18.15

The secret sources of ocean are exposed, the hidden depths of earth lie uncovered The moment you roar in protest, let loose your hurricane anger.

Ps.18.15

The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

Ps.18.15

Then the channels of the sea were seen, The foundations of the world were uncovered At Your rebuke, O LORD, At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

Ps.18.15

Then at your command, O LORD, at the blast of your breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare.