Bible Society of South Africa

Season after Pentecost: Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

First reading and Psalm

1Then Job answered the LORD.

Job

2I know, LORD, that you are all-powerful;

that you can do everything you want.

3You ask how I dare question your wisdom

when I am so very ignorant.

I talked about things I did not understand,

about marvels too great for me to know.

4You told me to listen while you spoke

and to try to answer your questions.

5In the past I knew only what others had told me,

but now I have seen you with my own eyes.

6So I am ashamed of all I have said

and repent in dust and ashes.

Job 42:1-6GNBOpen in Bible reader

10Then, after Job had prayed for his three friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had had before. 11All Job's brothers and sisters and former friends came to visit him and feasted with him in his house. They expressed their sympathy and comforted him for all the troubles the LORD had brought on him. Each of them gave him some money and a gold ring.

12The LORD blessed the last part of Job's life even more than he had blessed the first. Job owned 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 2,000 head of cattle, and 1,000 donkeys. 13He was the father of seven sons and three daughters. 14He called the eldest daughter Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the youngest Keren Happuch. 15There were no other women in the whole world as beautiful as Job's daughters. Their father gave them a share of the inheritance along with their brothers.

16Job lived 140 years after this, long enough to see his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 17And then he died at a very great age.

Job 42:10-17GNBOpen in Bible reader

In Praise of God's Goodness

1I will always thank the LORD;

I will never stop praising him.

2I will praise him for what he has done;

may all who are oppressed listen and be glad!

3Proclaim with me the LORD's greatness;

let us praise his name together!

4I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me;

he freed me from all my fears.

5The oppressed look to him and are glad;

they will never be disappointed.

6The helpless call to him, and he answers;

he saves them from all their troubles.

7His angel guards those who honour the LORD

and rescues them from danger.

8Find out for yourself how good the LORD is.

Happy are those who find safety with him.

Psalms 34:1-8GNBOpen in Bible reader

19Good people suffer many troubles,

but the LORD saves them from them all;

20the LORD preserves them completely;

not one of their bones is broken.

21Evil will kill the wicked;

those who hate the righteous will be punished.

22The LORD will save his people;

those who go to him for protection will be spared.

Psalms 34:19-22GNBOpen in Bible reader
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