Old/New Testament
Elihu’s Fourth Speech[a]
Chapter 36
God Renders Justice to the Afflicted.[b] 1 Elihu then proceeded further and said:
2 “Be patient a little longer while I instruct you,
for I have more to say on God’s behalf.
3 I will take my knowledge from afar
to support my assertion that my Master is just.
4 I promise that there will be no flaws in my arguments;
I come before you as a man of sound learning.
5 “God is mighty and does not recant;
he is great because of firmness of heart.
6 He does not let the wicked live on in all vigor
and renders justice to the afflicted.
7 He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous,
but he seats them forever with kings on the throne,
and they are exalted forever.
8 “He will also have sinners fettered with chains
and held fast by the bonds of affliction
9 after having denounced their conduct
and the sins of pride that they have committed.
10 He opens their ears to correction,
commanding them to turn back from their evil ways.
11 “If they obey and once again serve him,
they will live out their days in prosperity,
and their years will pass pleasantly.
12 But if they do not obey him,
they will cross the river of death
and die as a result of their stubbornness.
13 Those whose hearts turn away from God rage against him,
and they do not cry for help when he chains them.
14 They die in the bloom of their youth
after a dissolute life.
15 But God rescues the suffering from their affliction,
employing their distress to instruct them.
16 “He also seeks to snatch you from torment.
When you were enjoying a life of comfort
with abundant riches and plenteous food,
17 you refused to bring the wicked to trial
or to uphold the rights of the orphan.
18 Beware lest abundance cloud your judgment
and that you not be corrupted by lavish gifts.
19 Bring the powerful to justice, not merely the poor,
those who are powerful, not only the weak.
20 “Do not long for the night
when you can drag people away from their homes.
21 Take care not to turn to evil;
that is why you are now being tested by affliction.
God Is Truly Great[c]
22 “Behold, God is exalted in his power.
What teacher can equal him?
23 Who has prescribed the course he should follow?
Who can dare to say to him, ‘You have done wrong’?
24 “Therefore, remember to extol his work
which men have always praised in song.
25 All men can behold it,
admiring it from afar.
26 God is so great that he is beyond our understanding;
the number of his years is past counting.
27 “It is God who draws up drops of water
that he distills as rain to the streams.
28 His rain clouds pour down
and provide abundant water for mankind.
29 “Can anyone fathom how he spreads the clouds
as the carpeting of his tent?
30 Behold how he scatters his lightning
and covers the depths of the sea.
31 This is how he nourishes the nations,
providing food for them in abundance.
32 He holds the lightning in his hands
and commands it to strike the designated mark.
33 His thunder warns us of his coming
as he prepares for combat against iniquity.
Chapter 37
1 “This also causes my heart to tremble
and to leap out of its place.
2 Listen to the thunder of God’s voice
and the rumbling that comes forth from his mouth.
3 He sends it forth across the heavens,
along with his lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 Following this, there comes a roaring sound,
as God thunders with his majestic voice,
and he does not restrain his flashes of lightning
when his voice is heard.
5 “At God’s command marvels come to pass;
he performs wonders beyond our ability to comprehend.
6 For he says to the snow, ‘Fall upon the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Turn into a heavy downpour.’
7 All human activity comes to a standstill
so that everyone may acknowledge his power.
8 Wild beasts return to their lairs
and take shelter in their dens.
9 “The tempest comes out of its chamber,
and the north winds bring bitter cold.
10 By the breath of God[d] ice is formed
and the surface of the waters becomes frozen.
11 He weighs down the thick clouds with moisture,
and they scatter his lightning.
12 Following his command they blow about
over the face of the entire earth
to do whatever he directs.
13 Whether for correction of his people or for love,
he causes all this to happen.
Reflect Upon the Marvelous Works of God
14 “Listen to my words, O Job;
stop and reflect upon the marvelous works of God.
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds,
or how he makes his lightning flash?
16 Do you know how the clouds are balanced,
the wondrous work of the one who is perfect in knowledge?
17 You who swelter in your stifling garments
when the earth lies still under the south wind,
18 can you, like him, spread out the skies,
hard as a mirror of cast metal?[e]
19 “Teach us, then, what we should say to him;
because of ignorance, we cannot present our case.
20 Do my words have any effect on him?
Is he informed of any man’s commands?
21 Sometimes the light vanishes,
and the sky is overcast with clouds;
then the wind comes and sweeps them away.
22 [f]“Out of the north golden splendor comes forth,
and God is surrounded by awesome majesty.
23 But the Almighty we cannot find;
he is unequaled in power and judgment,
and in his righteousness he will not violate justice.
24 Therefore, men revere him,
and all thoughtful men fear him.”
22 The Letter of the Apostles. Then the apostles and the elders, with the approval of the whole Church, decided to choose representatives from their number and to send them with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. They sent Judas, who was called Barsabbas,[a] and Silas, leaders in the community, 23 to deliver the following letter:
The apostles and the elders, your brethren,
To the brethren in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 It has come to our attention that some of our number, without having received any instructions from us, have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind. 25 Therefore, we have decided unanimously to choose representatives and send them to you together with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 And so we are sending Judas and Silas who will confirm these things by word of mouth.
28 It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and also our decision not to lay any further burden upon you beyond these essentials: 29 you are to abstain from food that has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of animals that have been strangled, and from unchastity. If you avoid these, you will be doing what is right.
Farewell.
30 Delegates at Antioch. So the men departed. When they reached Antioch, they summoned together the entire congregation and delivered the letter. 31 Upon reading it, the community rejoiced at its encouragement.
32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, spoke at length to strengthen and encourage the brethren. 33 After they had spent some time there, they were sent off in peace by the brethren to return to those who had sent them. 34 [But Silas decided to remain there.][b] 35 Meanwhile, Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where, along with many others, they taught and proclaimed the word of God.
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey[c]
36 Paul and Barnabas Separate.[d] After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brethren in all the cities where we proclaimed the word of the Lord so that we can see how they are progressing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul was adamant about not taking with them a man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued to share in their work.
39 As a result, there was such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas sailed to Cyprus with Mark. 40 However, Paul chose Silas and set out on his journey, as the brethren commended him to the grace of the Lord.
41 Pastoral Visit to Asia Minor.[e] He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, bringing strength to the churches.
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