Job.35.1

Elihu lit into Job again:

Job.35.1

Then Elihu said:

Job.35.1

Moreover Elihu answered and said:

Job.35.1

Then Elihu said:

Job.35.2

"Does this kind of thing make any sense? First you say, "I'm perfectly innocent before God.'

Job.35.2

"Do you think this is just? You say, 'I will be cleared by God. '

Job.35.2

"Do you think this is right? Do you say, "My righteousness is more than God's'?

Job.35.2

"Do you think it is right for you to claim, `I am righteous before God'?

Job.35.3

And then you say, "It doesn't make a bit of difference whether I've sinned or not.'

Job.35.3

Yet you ask him, 'What profit is it to me, and what do I gain by not sinning?'

Job.35.3

For you say, "What advantage will it be to You? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?'

Job.35.3

Yet you also ask, `What's the use of living a righteous life? How will it benefit me?'

Job.35.4

"Well, I'm going to show you that you don't know what you're talking about, neither you nor your friends.

Job.35.4

"I would like to reply to you and to your friends with you.

Job.35.4

"I will answer you, And your companions with you.

Job.35.4

"I will answer you and all your friends, too.

Job.35.5

Look up at the sky. Take a long hard look. See those clouds towering above you?

Job.35.5

Look up at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high above you.

Job.35.5

Look to the heavens and see; And behold the clouds-- They are higher than you.

Job.35.5

Look up into the sky and see the clouds high above you.

Job.35.6

If you sin, what difference could that make to God? No matter how much you sin, will it matter to him?

Job.35.6

If you sin, how does that affect him? If your sins are many, what does that do to him?

Job.35.6

If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him? Or, if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to Him?

Job.35.6

If you sin, what do you accomplish against him? Even if you sin again and again, what effect will it have on him?

Job.35.7

Even if you're good, what would God get out of that? Do you think he's dependent on your accomplishments?

Job.35.7

If you are righteous, what do you give to him, or what does he receive from your hand?

Job.35.7

If you are righteous, what do you give Him? Or what does He receive from your hand?

Job.35.7

If you are good, is this some great gift to him? What could you possibly give him?

Job.35.8

The only ones who care whether you're good or bad are your family and friends and neighbors. God's not dependent on your behavior.

Job.35.8

Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousness only the sons of men.

Job.35.8

Your wickedness affects a man such as you, And your righteousness a son of man.

Job.35.8

No, your sins affect only people like yourself, and your good deeds affect only other people.

Job.35.9

"When times get bad, people cry out for help. They cry for relief from being kicked around,

Job.35.9

"Men cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful.

Job.35.9

"Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; They cry out for help because of the arm of the mighty.

Job.35.9

"The oppressed cry out beneath the wrongs that are done to them. They groan beneath the power of the mighty.

Job.35.10

But never give God a thought when things go well, when God puts spontaneous songs in their hearts,

Job.35.10

But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,

Job.35.10

But no one says, "Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night,

Job.35.10

Yet they don't ask, `Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night?

Job.35.11

When God sets out the entire creation as a science classroom, using birds and beasts to teach wisdom.

Job.35.11

who teaches more to us than to the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the air?'

Job.35.11

Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, And makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?'

Job.35.11

Where is the one who makes us wiser than the animals and birds?'

Job.35.12

People are arrogantly indifferent to God--until, of course, they're in trouble, and then God is indifferent to them.

Job.35.12

He does not answer when men cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked.

Job.35.12

There they cry out, but He does not answer, Because of the pride of evil men.

Job.35.12

"And if they do cry out and God does not answer, it is because of their pride.

Job.35.13

There's nothing behind such prayers except panic; the Almighty pays them no mind.

Job.35.13

Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it.

Job.35.13

Surely God will not listen to empty talk, Nor will the Almighty regard it.

Job.35.13

But it is wrong to say God doesn't listen, to say the Almighty isn't concerned.

Job.35.14

So why would he notice you just because you say you're tired of waiting to be heard,

Job.35.14

How much less, then, will he listen when you say that you do not see him, that your case is before him and you must wait for him,

Job.35.14

Although you say you do not see Him, Yet justice is before Him, and you must wait for Him.

Job.35.14

And it is even more false to say he doesn't see what is going on. He will bring about justice if you will only wait.

Job.35.15

Or waiting for him to get good and angry and do something about the world's problems?

Job.35.15

and further, that his anger never punishes and he does not take the least notice of wickedness.

Job.35.15

And now, because He has not punished in His anger, Nor taken much notice of folly,

Job.35.15

But do you cry out against him because he does not respond in anger?

Job.35.16

"Job, you talk sheer nonsense--nonstop nonsense!"

Job.35.16

So Job opens his mouth with empty talk; without knowledge he multiplies words."

Job.35.16

Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain; He multiplies words without knowledge."

Job.35.16

Job, you have protested in vain. You have spoken like a fool."

Job.36.1

Here Elihu took a deep breath, but kept going:

Job.36.1

Elihu continued:

Job.36.1

Elihu also proceeded and said:

Job.36.1

Elihu continued speaking:

Job.36.2

"Stay with me a little longer. I'll convince you. There's still more to be said on God's side.

Job.36.2

"Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God's behalf.

Job.36.2

"Bear with me a little, and I will show you That there are yet words to speak on God's behalf.

Job.36.2

"Let me go on, and I will show you the truth of what I am saying. For I have not finished defending God!

Job.36.3

I learned all this firsthand from the Source; everything I know about justice I owe to my Maker himself.

Job.36.3

I get my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe justice to my Maker.

Job.36.3

I will fetch my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

Job.36.3

I will give you many illustrations of the righteousness of my Creator.

Job.36.4

Trust me, I'm giving you undiluted truth; believe me, I know these things inside and out.

Job.36.4

Be assured that my words are not false; one perfect in knowledge is with you.

Job.36.4

For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

Job.36.4

I am telling you the honest truth, for I am a man of well-rounded knowledge.

Job.36.5

"It's true that God is all-powerful, but he doesn't bully innocent people.

Job.36.5

"God is mighty, but does not despise men; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.

Job.36.5

"Behold, God is mighty, but despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding.

Job.36.5

"God is mighty, yet he does not despise anyone! He is mighty in both power and understanding.

Job.36.6

For the wicked, though, it's a different story--he doesn't give them the time of day, but champions the rights of their victims.

Job.36.6

He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights.

Job.36.6

He does not preserve the life of the wicked, But gives justice to the oppressed.

Job.36.6

He does not let the wicked live but gives justice to the afflicted.

Job.36.7

He never takes his eyes off the righteous; he honors them lavishly, promotes them endlessly.

Job.36.7

He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.

Job.36.7

He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous; But they are on the throne with kings, For He has seated them forever, And they are exalted.

Job.36.7

His eyes never leave the innocent, but he establishes and exalts them with kings forever.

Job.36.8

When things go badly, when affliction and suffering descend,

Job.36.8

But if men are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction,

Job.36.8

And if they are bound in fetters, Held in the cords of affliction,

Job.36.8

If troubles come upon them and they are enslaved and afflicted,

Job.36.9

God tells them where they've gone wrong, shows them how their pride has caused their trouble.

Job.36.9

he tells them what they have done- that they have sinned arrogantly.

Job.36.9

Then He tells them their work and their transgressions-- That they have acted defiantly.

Job.36.9

he takes the trouble to show them the reason. He shows them their sins, for they have behaved proudly.

Job.36.10

He forces them to heed his warning, tells them they must repent of their bad life.

Job.36.10

He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil.

Job.36.10

He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they turn from iniquity.

Job.36.10

He gets their attention and says they must turn away from evil.

Job.36.11

If they obey and serve him, they'll have a good, long life on easy street.

Job.36.11

If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.

Job.36.11

If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.

Job.36.11

"If they listen and obey God, then they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant.

Job.36.12

But if they disobey, they'll be cut down in their prime and never know the first thing about life.

Job.36.12

But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge.

Job.36.12

But if they do not obey, They shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge.

Job.36.12

But if they refuse to listen to him, they will perish in battle and die from lack of understanding.

Job.36.13

Angry people without God pile grievance upon grievance, always blaming others for their troubles.

Job.36.13

"The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.

Job.36.13

"But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath; They do not cry for help when He binds them.

Job.36.13

For the godless are full of resentment. Even when he punishes them, they refuse to cry out to him for help.

Job.36.14

Living it up in sexual excesses, virility wasted, they die young.

Job.36.14

They die in their youth, among male prostitutes of the shrines.

Job.36.14

They die in youth, And their life ends among the perverted persons.

Job.36.14

They die young after wasting their lives in immoral living.

Job.36.15

But those who learn from their suffering, God delivers from their suffering.

Job.36.15

But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.

Job.36.15

He delivers the poor in their affliction, And opens their ears in oppression.

Job.36.15

But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity.

Job.36.16

"Oh, Job, don't you see how God's wooing you from the jaws of danger? How he's drawing you into wide-open places--inviting you to feast at a table laden with blessings?

Job.36.16

"He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.

Job.36.16

"Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress, Into a broad place where there is no restraint; And what is set on your table would be full of richness.

Job.36.16

"God has led you away from danger, giving you freedom. You have prospered in a wide and pleasant valley.

Job.36.17

And here you are laden with the guilt of the wicked, obsessed with putting the blame on God!

Job.36.17

But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you.

Job.36.17

But you are filled with the judgment due the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you.

Job.36.17

But you are too obsessed with judgment on the godless. Don't worry, justice will be upheld.

Job.36.18

Don't let your great riches mislead you; don't think you can bribe your way out of this.

Job.36.18

Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.

Job.36.18

Because there is wrath, beware lest He take you away with one blow; For a large ransom would not help you avoid it.

Job.36.18

But watch out, or you may be seduced with wealth. Don't let yourself be bribed into sin.

Job.36.19

Did you plan to buy your way out of this? Not on your life!

Job.36.19

Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress?

Job.36.19

Will your riches, Or all the mighty forces, Keep you from distress?

Job.36.19

Could all your wealth and mighty efforts keep you from distress?

Job.36.20

And don't think that night, when people sleep off their troubles, will bring you any relief.

Job.36.20

Do not long for the night, to drag people away from their homes.

Job.36.20

Do not desire the night, When people are cut off in their place.

Job.36.20

Do not long for the cover of night, for that is when people will be destroyed.

Job.36.21

Above all, don't make things worse with more evil--that's what's behind your suffering as it is!

Job.36.21

Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction.

Job.36.21

Take heed, do not turn to iniquity, For you have chosen this rather than affliction.

Job.36.21

Be on guard! Turn back from evil, for it was to prevent you from getting into a life of evil that God sent this suffering.

Job.36.22

"Do you have any idea how powerful God is? Have you ever heard of a teacher like him?

Job.36.22

"God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?

Job.36.22

"Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him?

Job.36.22

"Look, God is all-powerful. Who is a teacher like him?

Job.36.23

Has anyone ever had to tell him what to do, or correct him, saying, "You did that all wrong!'?

Job.36.23

Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, 'You have done wrong'?

Job.36.23

Who has assigned Him His way, Or who has said, "You have done wrong'?

Job.36.23

No one can tell him what to do. No one can say to him, `You have done wrong.'

Job.36.24

Remember, then, to praise his workmanship, which is so often celebrated in song.

Job.36.24

Remember to extol his work, which men have praised in song.

Job.36.24

"Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung.

Job.36.24

Instead, glorify his mighty works, singing songs of praise.

Job.36.25

Everybody sees it; nobody is too far away to see it.

Job.36.25

All mankind has seen it; men gaze on it from afar.

Job.36.25

Everyone has seen it; Man looks on it from afar.

Job.36.25

Everyone has seen these things, but only from a distance.

Job.36.26

"Take a long, hard look. See how great he is--infinite, greater than anything you could ever imagine or figure out!

Job.36.26

How great is God-beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out.

Job.36.26

"Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him; Nor can the number of His years be discovered.

Job.36.26

"Look, God is exalted beyond what we can understand. His years are without number.

Job.36.27

"He pulls water up out of the sea, distills it, and fills up his rain-cloud cisterns.

Job.36.27

"He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams;

Job.36.27

For He draws up drops of water, Which distill as rain from the mist,

Job.36.27

He draws up the water vapor and then distills it into rain.

Job.36.28

Then the skies open up and pour out soaking showers on everyone.

Job.36.28

the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind.

Job.36.28

Which the clouds drop down And pour abundantly on man.

Job.36.28

The rain pours down from the clouds, and everyone benefits from it.

Job.36.29

Does anyone have the slightest idea how this happens? How he arranges the clouds, how he speaks in thunder?

Job.36.29

Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion?

Job.36.29

Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds, The thunder from His canopy?

Job.36.29

Can anyone really understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven?

Job.36.30

Just look at that lightning, his sky-filling light show illumining the dark depths of the sea!

Job.36.30

See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea.

Job.36.30

Look, He scatters His light upon it, And covers the depths of the sea.

Job.36.30

See how he spreads the lightning around him and how it lights up the depths of the sea.

Job.36.31

These are the symbols of his sovereignty, his generosity, his loving care.

Job.36.31

This is the way he governs the nations and provides food in abundance.

Job.36.31

For by these He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance.

Job.36.31

By his mighty acts he governs the people, giving them food in abundance.

Job.36.32

He hurls arrows of light, taking sure and accurate aim.

Job.36.32

He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark.

Job.36.32

He covers His hands with lightning, And commands it to strike.

Job.36.32

He fills his hands with lightning bolts. He hurls each at its target.

Job.36.33

The High God roars in the thunder, angry against evil.

Job.36.33

His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach.

Job.36.33

His thunder declares it, The cattle also, concerning the rising storm.

Job.36.33

The thunder announces his presence; the storm announces his indignant anger.

Job.37.1

"Whenever this happens, my heart stops--I'm stunned, I can't catch my breath.

Job.37.1

"At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place.

Job.37.1

"At this also my heart trembles, And leaps from its place.

Job.37.1

"My heart pounds as I think of this. It leaps within me.

Job.37.2

Listen to it! Listen to his thunder, the rolling, rumbling thunder of his voice.

Job.37.2

Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

Job.37.2

Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling that comes from His mouth.

Job.37.2

Listen carefully to the thunder of God's voice as it rolls from his mouth.

Job.37.3

He lets loose his lightnings from horizon to horizon, lighting up the earth from pole to pole.

Job.37.3

He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth.

Job.37.3

He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth.

Job.37.3

It rolls across the heavens, and his lightning flashes out in every direction.

Job.37.4

In their wake, the thunder echoes his voice, powerful and majestic. He lets out all the stops, he holds nothing back. No one can mistake that voice--

Job.37.4

After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back.

Job.37.4

After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard.

Job.37.4

Then comes the roaring of the thunder--the tremendous voice of his majesty. He does not restrain the thunder when he speaks.

Job.37.5

His word thundering so wondrously, his mighty acts staggering our understanding.

Job.37.5

God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

Job.37.5

God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend.

Job.37.5

God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We cannot comprehend the greatness of his power.

Job.37.6

He orders the snow, "Blanket the earth!' and the rain, "Soak the whole countryside!'

Job.37.6

He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

Job.37.6

For He says to the snow, "Fall on the earth'; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.

Job.37.6

"He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down.

Job.37.7

No one can escape the weather--it's there. And no one can escape from God.

Job.37.7

So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labor.

Job.37.7

He seals the hand of every man, That all men may know His work.

Job.37.7

Everyone stops working at such a time so they can recognize his power.

Job.37.8

Wild animals take shelter, crawling into their dens,

Job.37.8

The animals take cover; they remain in their dens.

Job.37.8

The beasts go into dens, And remain in their lairs.

Job.37.8

The wild animals hide in the rocks or in their dens.

Job.37.9

When blizzards roar out of the north and freezing rain crusts the land.

Job.37.9

The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds.

Job.37.9

From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north.

Job.37.9

The stormy wind comes from its chamber, and the driving winds bring the cold.

Job.37.10

It's God's breath that forms the ice, it's God's breath that turns lakes and rivers solid.

Job.37.10

The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.

Job.37.10

By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen.

Job.37.10

God's breath sends the ice, freezing wide expanses of water.

Job.37.11

And yes, it's God who fills clouds with rainwater and hurls lightning from them every which way.

Job.37.11

He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them.

Job.37.11

Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds.

Job.37.11

He loads the clouds with moisture, and they flash with his lightning.

Job.37.12

He puts them through their paces--first this way, then that--commands them to do what he says all over the world.

Job.37.12

At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them.

Job.37.12

And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, That they may do whatever He commands them On the face of the whole earth.

Job.37.12

The clouds turn around and around under his direction. They do whatever he commands throughout the earth.

Job.37.13

Whether for discipline or grace or extravagant love, he makes sure they make their mark.

Job.37.13

He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water his earth and show his love.

Job.37.13

He causes it to come, Whether for correction, Or for His land, Or for mercy.

Job.37.13

He causes things to happen on earth, either as a punishment or as a sign of his unfailing love.

Job.37.14

"Job, are you listening? Have you noticed all this? Stop in your tracks! Take in God's miracle-wonders!

Job.37.14

"Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders.

Job.37.14

"Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.

Job.37.14

"Listen, Job; stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God!

Job.37.15

Do you have any idea how God does it all, how he makes bright lightning from dark storms,

Job.37.15

Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?

Job.37.15

Do you know when God dispatches them, And causes the light of His cloud to shine?

Job.37.15

Do you know how God controls the storm and causes the lightning to flash forth from his clouds?

Job.37.16

How he piles up the cumulus clouds--all these miracle-wonders of a perfect Mind?

Job.37.16

Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?

Job.37.16

Do you know how the clouds are balanced, Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?

Job.37.16

Do you understand how he balances the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill?

Job.37.17

Why, you don't even know how to keep cool on a sweltering hot day,

Job.37.17

You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind,

Job.37.17

Why are your garments hot, When He quiets the earth by the south wind?

Job.37.17

When you are sweltering in your clothes and the south wind dies down and everything is still,

Job.37.18

So how could you even dream of making a dent in that hot-tin-roof sky?

Job.37.18

can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?

Job.37.18

With Him, have you spread out the skies, Strong as a cast metal mirror?

Job.37.18

he makes the skies reflect the heat like a giant mirror. Can you do that?

Job.37.19

"If you're so smart, give us a lesson in how to address God. We're in the dark and can't figure it out.

Job.37.19

"Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.

Job.37.19

"Teach us what we should say to Him, For we can prepare nothing because of the darkness.

Job.37.19

"You think you know so much, so teach the rest of us what to say to God. We are too ignorant to make our own arguments.

Job.37.20

Do you think I'm dumb enough to challenge God? Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?

Job.37.20

Should he be told that I want to speak? Would any man ask to be swallowed up?

Job.37.20

Should He be told that I wish to speak? If a man were to speak, surely he would be swallowed up.

Job.37.20

Should God be told that I want to speak? Can we speak when we are confused?

Job.37.21

No one in his right mind stares straight at the sun on a clear and cloudless day.

Job.37.21

Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean.

Job.37.21

Even now men cannot look at the light when it is bright in the skies, When the wind has passed and cleared them.

Job.37.21

We cannot look at the sun, for it shines brightly in the sky when the wind clears away the clouds.

Job.37.22

As gold comes from the northern mountains, so a terrible beauty streams from God.

Job.37.22

Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty.

Job.37.22

He comes from the north as golden splendor; With God is awesome majesty.

Job.37.22

Golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. He is clothed in dazzling splendor.

Job.37.23

"Mighty God! Far beyond our reach! Unsurpassable in power and justice! It's unthinkable that he'd treat anyone unfairly.

Job.37.23

The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.

Job.37.23

As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress.

Job.37.23

We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty, yet he is so just and merciful that he does not oppress us.

Job.37.24

So bow to him in deep reverence, one and all! If you're wise, you'll most certainly worship him." God Confronts Job Have You Gotten to the Bottom of Things?

Job.37.24

Therefore, men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart? "

Job.37.24

Therefore men fear Him; He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart."

Job.37.24

No wonder people everywhere fear him. People who are truly wise show him reverence."

Matt.24.1

Jesus then left the Temple. As he walked away, his disciples pointed out how very impressive the Temple architecture was.

Matt.24.1

Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings.

Matt.24.1

Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple.

Matt.24.1

As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings.

Matt.24.2

Jesus said, "You're not impressed by all this sheer size, are you? The truth of the matter is that there's not a stone in that building that is not going to end up in a pile of rubble."

Matt.24.2

"Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."

Matt.24.2

And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

Matt.24.2

But he told them, "Do you see all these buildings? I assure you, they will be so completely demolished that not one stone will be left on top of another!"

Matt.24.3

Later as he was sitting on Mount Olives, his disciples approached and asked him, "Tell us, when are these things going to happen? What will be the sign of your coming, that the time's up?"

Matt.24.3

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

Matt.24.3

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"

Matt.24.3

Later, Jesus sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and asked, "When will all this take place? And will there be any sign ahead of time to signal your return and the end of the world?"

Matt.24.4

Jesus said, "Watch out for doomsday deceivers.

Matt.24.4

Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you.

Matt.24.4

And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.

Matt.24.4

Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you.

Matt.24.5

Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, "I am Christ, the Messiah.' They will deceive a lot of people.

Matt.24.5

For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, 'and will deceive many.

Matt.24.5

For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.

Matt.24.5

For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah.' They will lead many astray.

Matt.24.6

When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end.

Matt.24.6

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

Matt.24.6

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Matt.24.6

And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately.

Matt.24.7

Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places.

Matt.24.7

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Matt.24.7

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

Matt.24.7

The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.

Matt.24.8

This is nothing compared to what is coming.

Matt.24.8

All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Matt.24.8

All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Matt.24.8

But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come.

Matt.24.9

"They are going to throw you to the wolves and kill you, everyone hating you because you carry my name.

Matt.24.9

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

Matt.24.9

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.

Matt.24.9

"Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me.

Matt.24.10

And then, going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other's throat, everyone hating each other.

Matt.24.10

At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,

Matt.24.10

And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

Matt.24.10

And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.

Matt.24.11

"In the confusion, lying preachers will come forward and deceive a lot of people.

Matt.24.11

and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

Matt.24.11

Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

Matt.24.11

And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray.

Matt.24.12

For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in--nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes.

Matt.24.12

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,

Matt.24.12

And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Matt.24.12

Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.

Matt.24.13

"Staying with it--that's what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry, and you'll be saved.

Matt.24.13

but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Matt.24.13

But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Matt.24.13

But those who endure to the end will be saved.

Matt.24.14

All during this time, the good news--the Message of the kingdom--will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come.

Matt.24.14

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Matt.24.14

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Matt.24.14

And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come.

Matt.24.15

"But be ready to run for it when you see the monster of desecration set up in the Temple sanctuary. The prophet Daniel described this. If you've read Daniel, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Matt.24.15

"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand--

Matt.24.15

"Therefore when you see the "abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),

Matt.24.15

"The time will come when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about: the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place"--reader, pay attention!

Matt.24.16

If you're living in Judea at the time, run for the hills;

Matt.24.16

then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Matt.24.16

"then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Matt.24.16

"Then those in Judea must flee to the hills.

Matt.24.17

if you're working in the yard, don't return to the house to get anything;

Matt.24.17

Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house.

Matt.24.17

Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house.

Matt.24.17

A person outside the house must not go inside to pack.

Matt.24.18

if you're out in the field, don't go back and get your coat.

Matt.24.18

Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.

Matt.24.18

And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.

Matt.24.18

A person in the field must not return even to get a coat.

Matt.24.19

Pregnant and nursing mothers will have it especially hard.

Matt.24.19

How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!

Matt.24.19

But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!

Matt.24.19

How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for mothers nursing their babies in those days.

Matt.24.20

Hope and pray this won't happen during the winter or on a Sabbath.

Matt.24.20

Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.

Matt.24.20

And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.

Matt.24.20

And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath.

Matt.24.21

"This is going to be trouble on a scale beyond what the world has ever seen, or will see again.

Matt.24.21

For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again.

Matt.24.21

For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Matt.24.21

For that will be a time of greater horror than anything the world has ever seen or will ever see again.

Matt.24.22

If these days of trouble were left to run their course, nobody would make it. But on account of God's chosen people, the trouble will be cut short.

Matt.24.22

If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

Matt.24.22

And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.

Matt.24.22

In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, the entire human race will be destroyed. But it will be shortened for the sake of God's chosen ones.

Matt.24.23

"If anyone tries to flag you down, calling out, "Here's the Messiah!' or points, "There he is!' don't fall for it.

Matt.24.23

At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it.

Matt.24.23

"Then if anyone says to you, "Look, here is the Christ!' or "There!' do not believe it.

Matt.24.23

"Then if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Messiah,' or 'There he is,' don't pay any attention.

Matt.24.24

Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better.

Matt.24.24

For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.

Matt.24.24

For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

Matt.24.24

For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones.

Matt.24.25

But I've given you fair warning.

Matt.24.25

See, I have told you ahead of time.

Matt.24.25

See, I have told you beforehand.

Matt.24.25

See, I have warned you.

Matt.24.26

"So if they say, "Run to the country and see him arrive!' or, "Quick, get downtown, see him come!' don't give them the time of day.

Matt.24.26

"So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.

Matt.24.26

"Therefore if they say to you, "Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or "Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it.

Matt.24.26

"So if someone tells you, 'Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,' don't bother to go and look. Or, 'Look, he is hiding here,' don't believe it!

Matt.24.27

The Arrival of the Son of Man isn't something you go to see. He comes like swift lightning to you!

Matt.24.27

For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Matt.24.27

For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Matt.24.27

For as the lightning lights up the entire sky, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.

Matt.24.28

Whenever you see crowds gathering, think of carrion vultures circling, moving in, hovering over a rotting carcass. You can be quite sure that it's not the living Son of Man pulling in those crowds.

Matt.24.28

Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

Matt.24.28

For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

Matt.24.28

Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.

Matt.24.29

"Following those hard times, Sun will fade out, moon cloud over, Stars fall out of the sky, cosmic powers tremble.

Matt.24.29

"Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'

Matt.24.29

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Matt.24.29

"Immediately after those horrible days end, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of heaven will be shaken.

Matt.24.30

"Then, the Arrival of the Son of Man! It will fill the skies--no one will miss it. Unready people all over the world, outsiders to the splendor and power, will raise a huge lament as they watch the Son of Man blazing out of heaven.

Matt.24.30

"At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.

Matt.24.30

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Matt.24.30

And then at last, the sign of the coming of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the nations of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Matt.24.31

At that same moment, he'll dispatch his angels with a trumpet-blast summons, pulling in God's chosen from the four winds, from pole to pole.

Matt.24.31

And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Matt.24.31

And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Matt.24.31

And he will send forth his angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

Prov.4.1

Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you'll know how to live.

Prov.4.1

Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

Prov.4.1

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding;

Prov.4.1

My children, listen to me. Listen to your father's instruction. Pay attention and grow wise,

Prov.4.2

I'm giving you good counsel; don't let it go in one ear and out the other.

Prov.4.2

I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

Prov.4.2

For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.

Prov.4.2

for I am giving you good guidance. Don't turn away from my teaching.

Prov.4.3

When I was a boy at my father's knee, the pride and joy of my mother,

Prov.4.3

When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother,

Prov.4.3

When I was my father's son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,

Prov.4.3

For I, too, was once my father's son, tenderly loved by my mother as an only child.

Prov.4.4

He would sit me down and drill me: "Take this to heart. Do what I tell you--live!

Prov.4.4

he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.

Prov.4.4

He also taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live.

Prov.4.4

My father told me, "Take my words to heart. Follow my instructions and you will live.

Prov.4.5

Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding! Don't forget one word! Don't deviate an inch!

Prov.4.5

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.

Prov.4.5

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

Prov.4.5

Learn to be wise, and develop good judgment. Don't forget or turn away from my words.

Prov.4.6

Never walk away from Wisdom--she guards your life; love her--she keeps her eye on you.

Prov.4.6

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

Prov.4.6

Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.

Prov.4.6

Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.

Prov.4.7

Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!

Prov.4.7

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Prov.4.7

Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

Prov.4.7

Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And whatever else you do, get good judgment.

Prov.4.8

Throw your arms around her--believe me, you won't regret it; never let her go--she'll make your life glorious.

Prov.4.8

Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.

Prov.4.8

Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.

Prov.4.8

If you prize wisdom, she will exalt you. Embrace her and she will honor you.

Prov.4.9

She'll garland your life with grace, she'll festoon your days with beauty."

Prov.4.9

She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."

Prov.4.9

She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you."

Prov.4.9

She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown."