Job 36; Job 37; Acts 15:22-41

1 Continuing, Elihu said,

2 Wait a little while so I can demonstrate for you that there is still something more to say about God.

3 I will draw from my broad knowledge, attribute justice to my maker.

4 My words are certainly truthful; one with total knowledge is present with you.

5 Look, God is mighty and doesn't reject anyone; he is mighty in strength and mind.

6 He doesn't let the wicked live, but grants justice to the poor.

7 He doesn't avert his eyes from the righteous; he seats kings on thrones forever, and they are lifted up.

8 If they are tied with ropes, caught in cords of affliction,

9 he informs them about their offenses and their grave sins.

10 He opens their ears with discipline and commands them to turn from wrong.

11 If they listen and serve, they spend their days in plenty, their years contentedly.

12 But if they don't listen, they perish by the sword, breathe their last without understanding.

13 Those with impious hearts become furious; they don't cry out even though he binds them.

14 They die young; they are among the holy ones.

15 He saves the weak in their affliction, opens their ears through oppression.

16 Surely he draws you up from the brink of trouble to a wide place without distress; your table is set with rich food.

17 You are overly concerned about the case of the wicked; justice will be upheld in it.

18 Don't let them lure you with wealth; don't let a huge bribe mislead you.

19 Will he arrange your rescue from distress or from all your exertions of strength?

20 Don't wish for the night when people vanish from their place.

21 Take care; don't turn to evil because you've chosen it over affliction.

22 Look, God is inaccessible due to his power; who is a teacher like him?

23 Who has repaid him for his action, and who would ever say, "You've done wrong"?

24 Remember to praise his work that all of us have seen.

25 Every person has seen him; people can observe at great distance.

26 Look, God is exalted and unknowable; the number of his years is beyond counting.

27 He draws up drops of water that distill rain from his flood;

28 the clouds pour moisture and drip continually on humans.

29 Even if one perceives a spreading cloud and the thunder of his pavilion,

30 look how he spreads lightning across it and covers the seabed;

31 for by water he judges peoples and gives food in abundance.

32 He conceals lightning in his palms and orders it to its target.

33 His thunder announces it; even cattle proclaim its rising.

1 Oh, my mind is disturbed by this and is more troubled than usual.

2 Listen closely to the rumble of his voice, the roar issuing from his mouth.

3 He looses it under the whole sky, his lightning on earth's edges.

4 After it, a voice roars; he thunders with a mighty voice, and no one can stop it when his voice is heard.

5 God roars with his wondrous voice; he does great things we can't know.

6 He says to the snow, "Fall to earth," and to the downpour of rain, "Be a mighty shower."

7 He stamps the hand of every person so all can know his work.

8 The wild beast enters its lair, lies down in its den.

9 The storm comes from its chamber, the cold from the north wind.

10 By God's breath ice forms; water's expanse becomes solid.

11 He also fills clouds with moisture; his lightning scatters clouds.

12 He overturns the circling clouds; by his guidance they do their work, doing everything he commands over the entire earth.

13 Whether for punishment, for his world, or for kindness, God makes it all happen.

14 Hear this, Job; stop and ponder God's mighty deeds.

15 Do you realize that when God commands them, his clouds produce lightning?

16 Do you understand the positioning of the clouds, the amazing deeds of one with perfect knowledge,

17 you whose clothes are hot when earth is calmed by the south wind?

18 Can you form the sky with him, hard like a mirror made of metal?

19 Tell us what we should say to him; we can't present our case due to darkness.

20 Should someone inform him that I wish to speak, or would anyone say he wants to be devoured?

21 For now, no one can look at the sun; it is bright in the sky; the wind has passed and cleared away the clouds.

22 From the north comes golden light, the awesome splendor of God.

23 As for the Almighty, we can't find him— he is powerful and just, abundantly righteous— he won't respond.

24 Therefore, people fear him; none of the wise can see him.

22 The apostles and the elders, along with the entire church, agreed to send some delegates chosen from among themselves to Antioch, together with Paul and Barnabas. They selected Judas Barsabbas and Silas, who were leaders among the brothers and sisters.

23 They were to carry this letter: The apostles and the elders, to the Gentile brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!

24 We've heard that some of our number have disturbed you with unsettling words we didn't authorize.

25 We reached a united decision to select some delegates and send them to you along with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul.

26 These people have devoted their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 Therefore, we are sending Judas and Silas. They will confirm what we have written.

28 The Holy Spirit has led us to the decision that no burden should be placed on you other than these essentials:

29 refuse food offered to idols, blood, the meat from strangled animals, and sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid such things. Farewell.

30 When Barnabas, Paul, and the delegates were sent on their way, they went down to Antioch. They gathered the believers and delivered the letter.

31 The people read it, delighted with its encouraging message.

32 Judas and Silas were prophets, and they said many things that encouraged and strengthened the brothers and sisters.

33 Judas and Silas stayed there awhile, then were sent back with a blessing of peace from the brothers and sisters to those who first sent them.

35 Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, where, together with many others, they taught and proclaimed the good news of the Lord's word.

36 Some time later, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit all the brothers and sisters in every city where we preached the Lord's word. Let's see how they are doing."

37 Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them.

38 Paul insisted that they shouldn't take him along, since he had deserted them in Pamphylia and hadn't continued with them in their work.

39 Their argument became so intense that they went their separate ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.

40 Paul chose Silas and left, entrusted by the brothers and sisters to the Lord's grace.

41 He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.