Job 42

Chapter 42

Job Responds to the LORD

1 Then Job replied to the LORD:
2 “I know that you can do anything,
and no one can stop you.3 You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’
It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about,
things far too wonderful for me.4 You said, ‘Listen and I will speak!
I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.’5 I had only heard about you before,
but now I have seen you with my own eyes.6 I take back everything I said,
and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

Conclusion: The LORD Blesses Job

7 After the LORD had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.8 So take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.”

9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the LORD commanded them, and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer.
10 When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!

11 Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the LORD had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of moneyt and a gold ring.
12 So the LORD blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.13 He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters.14 He named his first daughter Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch.

15 In all the land no women were as lovely as the daughters of Job. And their father put them into his will along with their brothers.
16 Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren.

17 Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life.

Psalm 1

BOOK ONE (Psalms 1–41)Psalm 1

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.2 But they delight in the law of the LORD,
meditating on it day and night.3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.6 For the LORD watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 2

Psalm 2

1 Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the LORD
and against his anointed one.3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them.5 Then in anger he rebukes them,
terrifying them with his fierce fury.6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
in Jerusalem,t on my holy mountain.”7 The king proclaims the LORD’s decree:
“The LORD said to me, ‘You are my son.t
Today I have become your Father.t8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
the whole earth as your possession.9 You will breakt them with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.’”10 Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!11 Serve the LORD with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.12 Submit to God’s royal son,t or he will become angry,
and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant.
But what joy for all who take refuge in him!