Job 42

Job Responds 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.”

 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 money 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 34

A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away.

 4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
      He freed me from all my fears .
 5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
      no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
 6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
      he saved me from all my troubles.
 7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
      he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
      Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

 19 The righteous person faces many troubles ,
      but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
 20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
      not one of them is broken!

 21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
      and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
 22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
      No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

 48 “Be quiet !” many of the people yelled at him.

   But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”

   So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

   “My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see !”

 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.

 23 There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office . 24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able , once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

 26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. 28 The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness . But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.