Bible Society of South Africa

Season after Pentecost: Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

Alternate first reading and Psalm

23How I wish that someone would remember my words

and record them in a book!

24Or with a chisel carve my words in stone

and write them so that they would last for ever.

25But I know there is someone in heaven

who will come at last to my defence.

26Even after my skin is eaten by disease,

while still in this body I will see God.

27I will see him with my own eyes,

and he will not be a stranger.

My courage failed because you said,

Job 19:23-27GNBOpen in Bible reader

The Prayer of an Innocent Person

1Listen, O LORD, to my plea for justice;

pay attention to my cry for help!

Listen to my honest prayer.

2You will judge in my favour,

because you know what is right.

3You know my heart.

You have come to me at night;

you have examined me completely

and found no evil desire in me.

4I speak no evil as others do;

I have obeyed your command

and have not followed paths of violence.

5I have always walked in your way

and have never strayed from it.

6I pray to you, O God, because you answer me;

so turn to me and listen to my words.

7Reveal your wonderful love and save me;

at your side I am safe from my enemies.

8Protect me as you would your very eyes;

hide me in the shadow of your wings

9from the attacks of the wicked.

Deadly enemies surround me;

Psalms 17:1-9GNBOpen in Bible reader
Bible Society of South Africav.4.26.8
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