Read the Bible in a Year

Each day, we'll post passages so that you can read the Bible in one year. This is part of The Colossians 13:16 Project, sponsored by Cove Presbyterian Church, 3404 Main Street, Weirton, West Virginia. You're invited to worship with us Sundays, at 11:00 a.m. or Saturdays, at 6:30 p.m. You may also want to consider joining one our adult Bible Studies: Thursdays at 12:00 noon and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. We also have a full range of programs for children. If you want more information about the church, check out the other blogs. And please feel free to leave any comments.

The Bible in a Year is a ministry of Cove Presbyterian Church. We need your support to keep posting. If you find it helpful, you can support this blog by your contributions. They may be sent to Cove Presbyterian Church, 3404 Main Street, Weirton, WV 26062. You can also use the PayPal link below:

Image result for paypal donate

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Bible Readings for August 31, 2013


Today our passages are Job 37:1–39:30; 2 Corinthians 4:13–5:10; Psalm 44:9-26; and Proverbs 22:13. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.

 

Job 37-39:30 (Contemporary English Version)

Job 37

Elihu Continues
I Am Frightened
 1I am frightened    and tremble all over,
    2when I hear the roaring voice
   of God in the thunder,
    3and when I see his lightning
   flash across the sky.
    4God's majestic voice
   thunders his commands, [a] 5creating miracles too marvelous
   for us to understand.
    6Snow and heavy rainstorms
    7make us stop and think
   about God's power,
    8and they force animals
   to seek shelter.
    9The windstorms of winter strike,
    10and the breath of God
   freezes streams and rivers.
    11Rain clouds filled with lightning
   appear at God's command,
    12traveling across the sky
    13to release their cargo--
   sometimes as punishment for sin,
   sometimes as kindness.
   
Consider Carefully
 14Job, consider carefully    the many wonders of God.
    15Can you explain why lightning
   flashes
   at the orders
    16of God who knows all things?
   Or how he hangs the clouds
   in empty space?
    17You almost melt in the heat
   of fierce desert winds
   when the sky is like brass.
    18God can spread out the clouds
   to get relief from the heat,
   but can you?
    19Tell us what to say to God!
   Our minds are in the dark,
   and we don't know how
   to argue our case.
    20Should I risk my life
   by telling God
   that I want to speak?
    21No one can stare at the sun
   after a breeze has blown
   the clouds from the sky.
    22Yet the glorious splendor
   of God All-Powerful
   is brighter by far.
    23God cannot be seen--
   but his power is great,
   and he is always fair.
    24And so we humans fear God,
   because he shows no respect
   for those who are proud
   and think they know so much.
   

Job 38

The LORD Speaks
From Out of a Storm
 1From out of a storm,    the LORD said to Job:
    2Why do you talk so much
   when you know so little?
    3Now get ready to face me!
   Can you answer
   the questions I ask?
    4How did I lay the foundation
   for the earth?
   Were you there?
    5Doubtless you know who decided
   its length and width.
    6What supports the foundation?
   Who placed the cornerstone,
    7while morning stars sang,
   and angels rejoiced?
    8When the ocean was born,
   I set its boundaries
    9and wrapped it in blankets
   of thickest fog.
    10Then I built a wall around it,
   locked the gates, 11and said,
   "Your powerful waves stop here!
   They can go no farther."
   
Did You Ever Tell the Sun To Rise?
 12Did you ever tell the sun to rise?    And did it obey?
    13Did it take hold of the earth
   and shake out the wicked
   like dust from a rug?
    14Early dawn outlines the hills
   like stitches on clothing
   or sketches on clay.
    15But its light is too much
   for those who are evil,
   and their power is broken.
    16Job, have you ever walked
   on the ocean floor?
    17Have you seen the gate
   to the world of the dead?
    18And how large is the earth?
   Tell me, if you know!
    19Where is the home of light,
   and where does darkness live?
    20Can you lead them home?
    21I'm certain you must be able to,
   since you were already born
   when I created everything.
    22Have you been to the places
   where I keep snow and hail,
    23until I use them to punish
   and conquer nations?
    24From where does lightning leap,
   or the east wind blow?
    25Who carves out a path
   for thunderstorms?
   Who sends torrents of rain
    26on empty deserts
   where no one lives?
    27Rain that changes barren land
   to meadows green with grass.
    28Who is the father of the dew
   and of the rain?
    29Who gives birth to the sleet
   and the frost
    30that fall in winter,
   when streams and lakes
   freeze solid as a rock?
   
Can You Arrange Stars?
 31Can you arrange stars in groups    such as Orion
   and the Pleiades?
    32Do you control the stars
   or set in place the Big Dipper
   and the Little Dipper?
    33Do you know the laws
   that govern the heavens,
   and can you make them rule
   the earth?
    34Can you order the clouds
   to send a downpour,
    35or will lightning flash
   at your command?
    36Did you teach birds to know
   that rain or floods
   are on their way? [b] 37Can you count the clouds
   or pour out their water
    38on the dry, lumpy soil?
    39When lions are hungry,
   do you help them hunt?
    40Do you send an animal
   into their den?
    41And when starving young ravens
   cry out to me for food,
   do you satisfy their hunger?
   

Job 39

The LORD Continues
When Do Mountain Goats Give Birth?
 1When do mountain goats    and deer give birth?
   Have you been there
   when their young are born?
    2How long are they pregnant
    3before they deliver?
    4Soon their young grow strong
   and then leave
   to be on their own.
    5Who set wild donkeys free?
    6I alone help them survive
   in salty desert sand.
    7They stay far from crowded cities
   and refuse to be tamed.
    8Instead, they roam the hills,
   searching for pastureland.
    9Would a wild ox agree
   to live in your barn
   and labor for you?
    10Could you force him to plow
   or to drag a heavy log
   to smooth out the soil?
    11Can you depend on him
   to use his great strength
   and do your heavy work?
    12Can you trust him
   to harvest your grain
   or take it to your barn
   from the threshing place?
   
An Ostrich Proudly Flaps Her Wings
 13An ostrich proudly    flaps her wings,
   but not because
   she loves her young.
    14She abandons her eggs
   and lets the dusty ground
   keep them warm.
    15And she doesn't seem to worry
   that the feet of an animal
   could crush them all.
    16She treats her eggs as though
   they were not her own,
   unconcerned that her work
   might be for nothing.
    17I myself made her foolish
   and without common sense.
    18But once she starts running, [c] she laughs at a rider
   on the fastest horse.
   
Did You Give Horses Their Strength?
 19Did you give horses their strength    and the flowing hair
   along their necks?
    20Did you make them able
   to jump like grasshoppers
   or to frighten people
   with their snorting?
    21Before horses are ridden
   into battle,
   they paw at the ground,
   proud of their strength.
    22Laughing at fear, they rush
   toward the fighting,
    23while the weapons of their riders
   rattle and flash in the sun.
    24Unable to stand still,
   they gallop eagerly into battle
   when trumpets blast.
    25Stirred by the distant smells
   and sounds of war,
   they snort
   in reply to the trumpet.
    26Did you teach hawks to fly south
   for the winter?
    27Did you train eagles [d] to build 28their nests on rocky cliffs,
    29where they can look down
   to spot their next meal?
    30Then their young gather to feast
   wherever the victim lies.
   
Footnotes:
  1. Job 37:4 commands: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 4.
  2. Job 38:36 way: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 36.
  3. Job 39:18 starts running: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  4. Job 39:27 eagles: Or "vultures."

2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10 (Contemporary English Version)

13In the Scriptures it says, "I spoke because I had faith." We have that same kind of faith. So we speak 14because we know that God raised the Lord Jesus to life. And just as God raised Jesus, he will also raise us to life. Then he will bring us into his presence together with you. 15All of this has been done for you, so that more and more people will know how kind God is and will praise and honor him.
   
Faith in the Lord
 16We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day. 17These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. 18Things that are seen don't last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That's why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.    

2 Corinthians 5

 1Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. 2While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home. 3We want to put it on like clothes and not be naked.     4These tents we now live in are like a heavy burden, and we groan. But we don't do this just because we want to leave these bodies that will die. It is because we want to change them for bodies that will never die. 5God is the one who makes all of this possible. He has given us his Spirit to make us certain that he will do it. 6So always be cheerful!
   As long as we are in these bodies, we are away from the Lord. 7But we live by faith, not by what we see. 8We should be cheerful, because we would rather leave these bodies and be at home with the Lord. 9But whether we are at home with the Lord or away from him, we still try our best to please him. 10After all, Christ will judge each of us for the good or the bad that we do while living in these bodies.


Psalm 44:9-26 (Contemporary English Version)

9But now you have rejected us;
   you don't lead us into battle,
   and we look foolish.
    10You made us retreat,
   and our enemies have taken
   everything we own.
    11You let us be slaughtered
   like sheep,
   and you scattered us
   among the nations.
    12You sold your people
   for little or nothing,
   and you earned no profit.
    13You made us look foolish
   to our neighbors,
   and people who live nearby
   insult us and sneer.
    14Foreigners joke about us
   and shake their heads.
    15I am embarrassed every day,
   and I blush with shame.
    16But others mock and sneer,
   as they watch my enemies
   take revenge on me.
    17All of this has happened to us,
   though we didn't forget you
   or break our agreement.
    18We always kept you in mind
   and followed your teaching.
    19But you crushed us,
   and you covered us
   with deepest darkness
   where wild animals live.
    20We did not forget you
   or lift our hands in prayer
   to foreign gods.
    21You would have known it
   because you discover
   every secret thought.
    22We face death all day for you.
   We are like sheep on their way
   to be slaughtered.
    23Wake up! Do something, Lord!
   Why are you sleeping?
   Don't desert us forever.
    24Why do you keep looking away?
   Don't forget our sufferings
   and all of our troubles.
    25We are flat on the ground,
   holding on to the dust.
    26Do something! Help us!
   Show how kind you are
   and come to our rescue.


Proverbs 22:13 (Contemporary English Version)

13Don't be so lazy that you say,
   "If I go to work,
   a lion will eat me!"



Verse of the Day

“Bow down and worship the LORD our Creator! The LORD is our God, and we are his people, the sheep he takes care of in his own pasture. Listen to God's voice today!” - Psalm 95:6-7
Today's passage is from the Contemporary English Version.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FDR_in_1933.jpg
Thought for the Day

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, wrote, “There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still.”

Friday, August 30, 2013

Bible Readings for August 30, 2013


Today our passages are Job 34:1–36:33; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12; Psalm 44:1-8; and Proverbs 22:10-12. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.

Job 34-36:33 (Contemporary English Version)


Job 34

Elihu Continues
You Men Think You Are Wise
 1Elihu said:     2You men think you are wise,
   but just listen to me!
    3Think about my words,
   as you would taste food.
    4Then we can decide the case
   and give a just verdict.
    5Job claims he is innocent
   and God is guilty
   of mistreating him.
    6Job also argues that God
   considers him a liar
   and that he is suffering severely
   in spite of his innocence.
    7But to tell the truth,
   Job is shameless!
    8He spends his time with sinners,
    9because he has said,
   "It doesn't pay to please God."
   
If Any of You Are Smart
 10If any of you are smart,    you will listen and learn
   that God All-Powerful
   does what is right.
    11God always treats everyone
   the way they deserve,
    12and he is never unfair.
    13From the very beginning,
   God has been in control
   of all the world.
    14If God took back the breath
   that he breathed into us,
    15we humans would die
   and return to the soil.
    16So be smart and listen!
    17The mighty God is the one
   who brings about justice,
   and you are condemning him.
    18Indeed, God is the one
   who condemns unfair rulers.
    19And God created us all;
   he has no favorites,
   whether rich or poor.
    20Even powerful rulers die
   in the darkness of night
   when they least expect it,
   just like the rest of us.
   
God Watches Everything We Do
 21God watches everything we do.     22No evil person can hide
   in the deepest darkness.
    23And so, God doesn't need
   to set a time for judgment.
    24Without asking for advice,
   God removes mighty leaders
   and puts others in their place.
    25He knows what they are like,
   and he wipes them out
   in the middle of the night.
    26And while others look on,
   he punishes them
   because they were evil
    27and refused to obey him.
    28The persons they mistreated
   had prayed for help,
   until God answered
   their prayers.
    29When God does nothing,
   can any person or nation
   find fault with him?
    30But still, he punishes rulers
   who abuse their people. [a] 31Job, you should tell God
   that you are guilty
   and promise to do better.
    32Then ask him to point out
   what you did wrong,
   so you won't do it again.
    33Do you make the rules,
   or does God?
   You have to decide--
   I can't do it for you;
   now make up your mind.
    34Job, anyone with good sense
   can easily see
    35that you are speaking nonsense
   and lack good judgment.
    36So I pray for you to suffer
   as much as possible
   for talking like a sinner.
    37You have rebelled against God,
   time after time,
   and have even insulted us.
   

Job 35

Elihu Continues
Are You Really Innocent?
 1Elihu said:     2Job, are you really innocent
   in the sight of God? [b] 3Don't you honestly believe
   it pays to obey him?
    4I will give the answers
   to you and your friends.
    5Look up to the heavens
    6and think!
   Do your sins hurt God?
    7Is any good you may have done
   at all helpful to him?
    8The evil or good you do
   only affects other humans.
    9In times of trouble,
   everyone begs the mighty God
   to have mercy.
    10But after their Creator
   helps them through hard times,
   they forget about him,
    11though he makes us wiser
   than animals or birds.
    12God won't listen to the prayers
   of proud and evil people.
    13If God All-Powerful refuses
   to answer their empty prayers,
    14he will surely deny
   your impatient request
   to face him in court.
    15Job, you were wrong to say
   God doesn't punish sin.
    16Everything you have said
   adds up to nonsense.
   

Job 36

Elihu Continues
Be Patient a While Longer
 1Elihu said:     2Be patient a while longer;
   I have something else to say
   in God's defense.
    3God always does right--
   and this knowledge
   comes straight from God. [c] 4You can rest assured
   that what I say is true.
    5Although God is mighty,
   he cares about everyone
   and makes fair decisions.
    6The wicked are cut down,
   and those who are wronged
   receive justice.
    7God watches over good people
   and places them
   in positions
   of power and honor forever.
    8But when people are prisoners
   of suffering and pain,
    9God points out their sin
   and their pride,
    10then he warns them
   to turn back to him.
    11And if they obey,
   they will be successful
   and happy from then on.
    12But if they foolishly refuse,
   they will be rewarded
   with a violent death.
   
Godless People Are Too Angry
 13Godless people are too angry    to ask God for help
   when he punishes them.
    14So they die young
   in shameful disgrace.
    15Hard times and trouble
   are God's way
   of getting our attention!
    16And at this very moment,
   God deeply desires
   to lead you from trouble
   and to spread your table
   with your favorite food.
    17Now that the judgment
   for your sins
   has fallen upon you,
    18don't let your anger
   and the pain you endured
   make you sneer at God.
    19Your reputation and riches
   cannot protect you
   from distress,
    20nor can you find safety
   in the dark world below. [d] 21Be on guard! Don't turn to evil
   as a way of escape.
    22God's power is unlimited.
   He needs no teachers
    23to guide or correct him.
   
Others Have Praised God
 24Others have praised God    for what he has done,
   so join with them.
    25From down here on earth,
   everyone has looked up
   and seen
    26how great God is--
   God is more than we imagine;
   no one can count the years
   he has lived.
    27God gathers moisture
   into the clouds
    28and supplies us with rain.
    29Who can understand
   how God scatters the clouds
   and speaks from his home
   in the thunderstorm?
    30And when God sends lightning,
   it can be seen
   at the bottom of the sea.
    31By producing such rainstorms,
   God rules the world
   and provides us with food.
    32Each flash of lightning
   is one of his arrows
   striking its target,
    33and the thunder tells
   of his anger against sin. [e]
Footnotes:
  1. Job 34:30 people: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 29,30.
  2. Job 35:2 are. . . God: Or "is it right for you to accuse God?"
  3. Job 36:3 comes straight from God: The Hebrew text has "comes from a distant place," which refers to the place where God lives; Elihu is claiming that he learned this from God.
  4. Job 36:20 below: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 18-20.
  5. Job 36:33 sin: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 33.

2 Corinthians 4:1-12 (Contemporary English Version)

2 Corinthians 4

Treasure in Clay Jars
 1God has been kind enough to trust us with this work. That's why we never give up. 2We don't do shameful things that must be kept secret. And we don't try to fool anyone or twist God's message around. God is our witness that we speak only the truth, so others will be sure that we can be trusted. 3If there is anything hidden about our message, it is hidden only to someone who is lost.     4The god who rules this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. They cannot see the light, which is the good news about our glorious Christ, who shows what God is like. 5We are not preaching about ourselves. Our message is that Jesus Christ is Lord. He also sent us to be your servants. 6The Scriptures say, "God commanded light to shine in the dark." Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ.
    7We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. 8We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up. 9In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. 10-11We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us. 12This means that death is working in us, but life is working in you.


Psalm 44:1-8 (Contemporary English Version)

Psalm 44

(A special psalm for the people of Korah and for the music leader.)
A Prayer for Help
 1Our God, our ancestors told us    what wonders you worked
   and we listened carefully.
    2You chased off the nations
   by causing them trouble
   with your powerful arm.
   Then you let our ancestors
   take over their land.
    3Their strength and weapons
   were not
   what won the land
   and gave them victory!
   You loved them and fought
   with your powerful arm
   and your shining glory.
    4You are my God and King,
   and you give victory [a] to the people of Jacob.
    5By your great power,
   we knocked our enemies down
   and stomped on them.
    6I don't depend on my arrows
   or my sword to save me.
    7But you saved us
   from our hateful enemies,
   and you put them to shame.
    8We boast about you, our God,
   and we are always grateful.
   
Footnotes:
  1. Psalm 44:4 and. . . victory: One ancient translation; Hebrew " please give victory."

Proverbs 22:10-12 (Contemporary English Version)

10Arguments and fights
   will come to an end,
   if you chase away those
   who insult others.
    11The king is the friend of all
   who are sincere
   and speak with kindness.
    12The LORD watches over everyone
   who shows good sense,
   but he frustrates the plans
   of deceitful liars.




Verse of the Day

“You Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens with everyone else who belongs to the family of God.” - Ephesians 2:19
Today's passage is from the Contemporary English Version.




Jim-rohn-PASSES-AWAY.jpgThought for the Day

Jim Rohn, American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker, wrote, “Either you run the day or the day runs you.”

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Bible Readings for August 28, 2013


Today our passages are Job 28:1–30:31; 2 Corinthians 2:12-17; Psalm 42:1-11; and Proverbs 22:7. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.

Job 28-30:31 (Contemporary English Version)


Job 28

Job Continues
Gold and Silver Are Mined
 1Gold and silver are mined,    then purified;
    2the same is done
   with iron and copper.
    3Miners carry lanterns
   deep into the darkness
   to search for these metals.
    4They dig tunnels
   in distant, unknown places,
   where they dangle by ropes.
    5Far beneath the grain fields,
   fires are built
   to break loose those rocks
    6that have jewels or gold. [a] 7Miners go to places unseen
   by the eyes of hawks;
    8they walk on soil unknown
   to the proudest lions.
    9With their own hands
   they remove sharp rocks
   and uproot mountains.
    10They dig through the rocks
   in search of jewels
   and precious metals.
    11They also uncover
   the sources of [b] rivers and discover secret places.
   
Where Is Wisdom Found?
 12But where is wisdom found?     13No human knows the way. [c] 14Nor can it be discovered
   in the deepest sea.
    15It is worth much more
   than silver or pure gold
    16or precious stones.
    17Nothing is its equal--
   not gold or costly glass. [d] 18Wisdom is worth much more than
   coral, jasper, [e] or rubies. 19All the topaz [f] of Ethiopia [g] and the finest gold
   cannot compare with it.
    20Where then is wisdom?
    21It is hidden from human eyes
   and even from birds.
    22Death and destruction
   have merely heard rumors
   about where it is found.
    23God is the only one who knows
   the way to wisdom,
    24because he sees everything
   beneath the heavens.
    25When God divided out
   the wind and the water,
    26and when he decided the path
   for rain and lightning,
    27he also determined the truth
   and defined wisdom.
    28God told us, "Wisdom means
   that you respect me, the Lord,
   and turn from sin."
   

Job 29

Job Continues
I Long for the Past
 1Job said:     2I long for the past,
   when God took care of me,
    3and the light from his lamp
   showed me the way
   through the dark.
    4I was in the prime of life,
   God All-Powerful
   was my closest friend,
    5and all of my children
   were nearby.
    6My herds gave enough milk
   to bathe my feet,
   and from my olive harvest
   flowed rivers of oil.
    7When I sat down at the meeting
   of the city council,
    8the young leaders stepped aside,
    9while the older ones stood
    10and remained silent.
   
Everyone Was Pleased
 11Everyone was pleased    with what I said and did.
    12When poor people or orphans
   cried out for help,
   I came to their rescue.
    13And I was highly praised
   for my generosity to widows
   and others in poverty.
    14Kindness and justice
   were my coat and hat;
    15I was good to the blind
   and to the lame.
    16I was a father to the needy,
   and I defended them in court,
   even if they were strangers.
    17When criminals attacked,
   I broke their teeth
   and set their victims free.
    18I felt certain that I would live
   a long and happy life,
   then die in my own bed.
    19In those days I was strong
   like a tree with deep roots
   and with plenty of water,
    20or like an archer's new bow.
    21Everyone listened in silence
   to my welcome advice,
    22and when I finished speaking,
   nothing needed to be said.
    23My words were eagerly accepted
   like the showers of spring,
    24and the smile on my face
   renewed everyone's hopes.
    25My advice was followed
   as though I were a king
   leading my troops,
   or someone comforting
   those in sorrow.
   

Job 30

Job Continues
Young People Now Insult Me
 1Young people now insult me,    although their fathers
   would have been a disgrace
   to my sheep dogs.
    2And those who insult me
   are helpless themselves.
    3They must claw the desert sand
   in the dark
   for something
   to satisfy their hunger. [h] 4They gather tasteless shrubs
   for food and firewood,
    5and they are run out of towns,
   as though they were thieves.
    6Their only homes are ditches
   or holes between rocks,
    7where they bray like donkeys
   gathering around shrubs.
    8And like senseless donkeys
   they are chased away.
   
Those Worthless Nobodies
 9Those worthless nobodies    make up jokes and songs
   to disgrace me.
    10They are hateful
   and keep their distance,
   even while spitting
   in my direction.
    11God has destroyed me,
   and so they don't care
   what they do. [i] 12Their attacks never stop,
   though I am defenseless,
   and my feet are trapped. [j] 13Without any help,
   they prevent my escape,
   destroying me completely [k] 14and leaving me crushed.
    15Terror has me surrounded;
   my reputation and my riches
   have vanished like a cloud.
   
I Am Sick at Heart
 16I am sick at heart!    Pain has taken its toll.
    17Night chews on my bones,
   causing endless torment,
    18and God has shrunk my skin,
   choking me to death.
    19I have been thrown in the dirt
   and now am dirt myself.
    20I beg God for help,
   but there is no answer;
   and when I stand up,
   he simply stares.
    21God has turned brutal,
    22stirring up a windstorm
   to toss me about.
    23Soon he will send me home
   to the world of the dead,
   where we all must go.
    24No one refuses help to others,
   when disaster strikes. [l] 25I mourned for the poor
   and those who suffered.
    26But when I beg for relief
   and light,
   all I receive are disaster
   and darkness.
    27My stomach is tied in knots;
   pain is my daily companion.
    28Suffering has scorched my skin,
   and in the city council
   I stand and cry out,
    29making mournful sounds
   like jackals [m] and owls. 30My skin is so parched,
   that it peels right off,
   and my bones are burning.
    31My only songs are sorrow
   and sadness.
   
Footnotes:
  1. Job 28:6 gold: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 5,6.
  2. Job 28:11 uncover the sources of: Two ancient translations; Hebrew "dam up."
  3. Job 28:13 the way: Or "its worth."
  4. Job 28:17 costly glass: In the ancient world, objects made of glass were costly.
  5. Job 28:18 jasper: A valuable stone, usually green or clear.
  6. Job 28:19 topaz: A valuable, yellow stone.
  7. Job 28:19 Ethiopia: The Hebrew text has "Cush," which was a region south of Egypt that included parts of the present countries of Ethiopia and Sudan.
  8. Job 30:3 hunger: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 3.
  9. Job 30:11 God. . . do: Or "They have destroyed me, and so they don't care what else they do."
  10. Job 30:12 trapped: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 12.
  11. Job 30:13 destroying. . . completely: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  12. Job 30:24 strikes: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 24.
  13. Job 30:29 jackals: Desert animals related to wolves, but smaller.

2 Corinthians 2:12-17 (Contemporary English Version)

12When I went to Troas to preach the good news about Christ, I found that the Lord had already prepared the way. 13But I was worried when I didn't find my friend Titus there. So I left the other followers and went on to Macedonia.
    14I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume. 15-16In fact, God thinks of us as a perfume that brings Christ to everyone. For people who are being saved, this perfume has a sweet smell and leads them to a better life. But for people who are lost, it has a bad smell and leads them to a horrible death.
   No one really has what it takes to do this work. 17A lot of people try to get rich from preaching God's message. But we are God's sincere messengers, and by the power of Christ we speak our message with God as our witness.


Psalm 42:1-11 (Contemporary English Version)

Psalm 42

BOOK II
(Psalms 42-72)
(A special psalm for the people of Korah and for the music leader.)
Longing for God
 1As a deer gets thirsty    for streams of water,
   I truly am thirsty
   for you, my God.
    2In my heart, I am thirsty
   for you, the living God.
   When will I see your face?
    3Day and night my tears
   are my only food,
   as everyone keeps asking,
   "Where is your God?"
    4Sorrow floods my heart,
   when I remember
   leading the worshipers
   to your house. [a] I can still hear them shout
   their joyful praises.
    5Why am I discouraged?
   Why am I restless?
   I trust you!
   And I will praise you again
   because you help me,
    6and you are my God.
   I am deeply discouraged
   as I think about you
   from where the Jordan begins
   at Mount Hermon
   and from Mount Mizar. [b] 7Your vicious waves
   have swept over me
   like an angry ocean
   or a roaring waterfall.
    8Every day, you are kind,
   and at night
   you give me a song
   as my prayer to you,
   the living LORD God.
    9You are my mighty rock. [c] Why have you forgotten me?
   Why must enemies mistreat me
   and make me sad?
    10Even my bones are in pain,
   while all day long
   my enemies sneer and ask,
   "Where is your God?"
    11Why am I discouraged?
   Why am I restless?
   I trust you!
   And I will praise you again
   because you help me,
   and you are my God.
   
Footnotes:
  1. Psalm 42:4 leading. . . house: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  2. Psalm 42:6 Mount Mizar: The location is not known.
  3. Psalm 42:9 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.

Proverbs 22:7 (Contemporary English Version)

7The poor are ruled by the rich,
   and those who borrow
   are slaves of moneylenders.




Verse of the Day

“Jesus answered, "God wants you to have faith in the one he sent.” - John 6:29
Today's passage is from the Contemporary English Version.




EscherSelf1929.jpg
Thought for the Day

M. C. Escher, Dutch graphic artist, wrote, “We adore chaos because we love to produce order.”