Bible Society of South Africa

Season after Pentecost: Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Alternate first reading and Psalm

The LORD Answers Job

1Then out of the storm the LORD spoke to Job.

The LORD

2Who are you to question my wisdom

with your ignorant, empty words?

3Now stand up straight

and answer the questions I ask you.

4Were you there when I made the world?

If you know so much, tell me about it.

5Who decided how large it would be?

Who stretched the measuring line over it?

Do you know all the answers?

6What holds up the pillars that support the earth?

Who laid the cornerstone of the world?

7In the dawn of that day the stars sang together,

and the heavenly beings shouted for joy.

8Who closed the gates to hold back the sea

when it burst from the womb of the earth?

9It was I who covered the sea with clouds

and wrapped it in darkness.

10I marked a boundary for the sea

and kept it behind bolted gates.

11I told it, “So far and no farther!

Here your powerful waves must stop.”

Job 38:1-11GNBOpen in Bible reader

Psalms 107—150

In Praise of God's Goodness

1“Give thanks to the LORD, because he is good;

his love is eternal!”

2Repeat these words in praise to the LORD,

all you whom he has saved.

He has rescued you from your enemies

3and has brought you back from foreign countries,

from east and west, from north and south.

Psalms 107:1-3GNBOpen in Bible reader

23Some sailed over the ocean in ships,

earning their living on the seas.

24They saw what the LORD can do,

his wonderful acts on the seas.

25He commanded, and a mighty wind began to blow

and stirred up the waves.

26The ships were lifted high in the air

and plunged down into the depths.

In such danger the sailors lost their courage;

27they stumbled and staggered like drunken men —

all their skill was useless.

28Then in their trouble they called to the LORD,

and he saved them from their distress.

29He calmed the raging storm,

and the waves became quiet.

30They were glad because of the calm,

and he brought them safe to the port they wanted.

31They must thank the LORD for his constant love,

for the wonderful things he did for them.

32They must proclaim his greatness in the assembly of the people

and praise him before the council of the leaders.

Psalms 107:23-32GNBOpen in Bible reader
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