Job 11; Job 12; Job 13; Acts 9:1-21

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied,

2 "Don't all of your words require an answer? I'm sure that what you are saying can't be right.

3 Your useless talk won't keep us quiet. Someone has to correct you when you make fun of truth.

4 You say to God, 'My beliefs are perfect. I'm pure in your sight.'

5 I wish God would speak. I wish he'd answer you.

6 I wish he'd show you the secrets of wisdom. After all, true wisdom has two sides. Here's what I want you to know. God has forgotten some of your sins.

7 "Do you know how deep the mysteries of God are? Can you discover the limits of the Mighty One's knowledge?

8 They are higher than the heavens. What can you do? They are deeper than the deepest grave. What can you know?

9 They are longer than the earth. They are wider than the ocean.

10 "Suppose God comes along and puts you in prison. Suppose he takes you to court. Then who can oppose him?

11 He certainly knows when people tell lies. When he sees evil, he pays careful attention to it.

12 A wild donkey's colt can't be born a human being. And a man who doesn't have any sense can't become wise.

13 "So commit yourself to God completely. Reach out your hands to him for help.

14 Get rid of all of the sin you have. Don't let anything that is evil stay in your tent.

15 Then you can face others without feeling any shame. You can stand firm without being afraid.

16 You can be sure you will forget your troubles. They will be like water that has flowed on by.

17 Life will be brighter than the sun at noon. And darkness will become like morning.

18 You will be secure, because there is hope. You will look around you and find a safe place to rest.

19 You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Many people will want you to show them your favor.

20 But sinful people won't find what they are looking for. They won't be able to escape. All they can hope for is to die."

1 Job replied,

2 "You people think you know everything, don't you? You are sure that wisdom will die with you!

3 But I have a brain, just like you. I'm as clever as you are. In fact, everyone knows as much as you do.

4 "My friends laugh at me all the time, even though I called out to God and he answered. My friends laugh at me, even though I'm honest and right.

5 People who have an easy life look down on those who have problems. They think trouble comes only to those whose feet are slipping.

6 Why doesn't anyone bother the tents of robbers? Why do those who make God angry remain secure? They carry the statues of their gods in their hands!

7 "But ask the animals what God does. They will teach you. Or ask the birds of the air. They will tell you.

8 Or speak to the earth. It will teach you. Or let the fish of the ocean educate you.

9 Are there any of those creatures that don't know what the powerful hand of the LORD has done?

10 He holds the life of every creature in his hand. He controls the breath of every human being.

11 Our tongues tell us what tastes good and what doesn't. And our ears tell us what's true and what isn't.

12 Old people are wise. Those who live a long time have understanding.

13 "Wisdom and power belong to God. Advice and understanding also belong to him.

14 What he tears down can't be rebuilt. Any man he puts in prison can't be set free.

15 If he holds back the water, everything dries up. If he lets the water loose, it floods the land.

16 Strength and success belong to him. Those who tell lies and those who believe them also belong to him.

17 He removes the wisdom of advisers and leads them away. He makes judges look foolish.

18 He sets people free from the chains that kings put on them. Then he dresses the kings in the clothes of slaves.

19 He removes the authority of priests and leads them away. He removes from their positions those who have been in control for a long time.

20 He shuts the mouths of trusted advisers. He takes away the understanding of elders.

21 He looks down on proud leaders. He takes away the strength of those who are mighty.

22 He tells people the secrets of darkness. He brings evil plans out into the light.

23 He makes nations great, and then he destroys them. He makes nations grow, and then he scatters them.

24 He takes away the understanding of the leaders of the earth. He makes them wander in a desert where no one lives.

25 Without any light, they feel their way along in darkness. God makes them unsteady like those who get drunk.

1 "My eyes have seen everything God has done. My ears have heard it and understood it.

2 What you know, I also know. I'm as clever as you are.

3 In fact, I long to speak to the Mighty One. I want to argue my case with God.

4 But you spread lies about me and take away my good name. If you are trying to heal me, you aren't very good doctors!

5 I wish you would keep your mouths shut! Then people would think you were wise.

6 Listen to my case. Listen as I make my appeal.

7 Will you say evil things in order to help God? Will you tell lies for him?

8 Do you want to be on God's side? Will you argue his case for him?

9 Would it turn out well if he looked you over carefully? Could you fool him as you fool others?

10 He would certainly correct you if you took his side in secret.

11 Wouldn't his glory terrify you? Wouldn't the fear of him fall on you?

12 Your sayings are as useless as ashes. The answers you give are as weak as clay.

13 "So be quiet and let me speak. Then I won't care what happens to me.

14 Why do I put myself in danger? Why do I take my life in my hands?

15 Even if God kills me, I'll still put my hope in him. I'll argue my case in front of him.

16 No matter how things turn out, I'm sure I'll still be saved. After all, no ungodly person would dare to come into his court.

17 Listen carefully to what I'm saying. Pay close attention to my words.

18 I've prepared my case. And I know I'll be proved right.

19 Can others bring charges against me? If they can, I'll keep quiet and die.

20 "God, I won't hide from you. Here are the only two things I want.

21 Keep your powerful hand far away from me. And stop making me so afraid.

22 Then send for me, and I'll answer. Or let me speak, and you reply.

23 How many things have I done wrong? How many sins have I committed? Show me my crime. Show me my sin.

24 Why do you turn your face away from me? Why do you think of me as your enemy?

25 I'm already like a leaf that is blown by the wind. Are you going to terrify me even more? I'm already like dry straw. Are you going to keep on chasing me?

26 You write down bitter things against me. You make me suffer for the sins I committed when I was young.

27 You put my feet in chains. You watch every step I take. You do it by putting marks on the bottom of my feet.

28 "People waste away like something that is rotten. They are like clothes that are eaten by moths.

1 Meanwhile, Saul continued to oppose the Lord's followers. He said they would be put to death. He went to the high priest.

2 He asked the priest for letters to the synagogues in Damascus. He wanted to find men and women who belonged to the Way of Jesus. The letters would allow him to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

3 On his journey, Saul approached Damascus. Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

4 He fell to the ground. He heard a voice speak to him. "Saul! Saul!" the voice said. "Why are you opposing me?"

5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus," he replied. "I am the one you are opposing.

6 Now get up and go into the city. There you will be told what you must do."

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there. They weren't able to speak. They had heard the sound. But they didn't see anyone.

8 Saul got up from the ground. He opened his eyes, but he couldn't see. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.

9 For three days he was blind. He didn't eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a believer named Ananias. The Lord called out to him in a vision. "Ananias!" he said. "Yes, Lord," he answered.

11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street. Ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying.

12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias. The man has come and placed his hands on him. Now he will be able to see again."

13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I've heard many reports about this man. They say he has done great harm to God's people in Jerusalem.

14 Now he has come here to arrest all those who worship you. The chief priests have given him authority to do this."

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! I have chosen this man to work for me. He will carry my name to those who aren't Jews and to their kings. He will bring my name to the people of Israel.

16 I will show him how much he must suffer for me."

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. He placed his hands on Saul. "Brother Saul," he said, "you saw the Lord Jesus. He appeared to you on the road as you were coming here. He has sent me so that you will be able to see again. You will be filled with the Holy Spirit."

18 Right away something like scales fell from Saul's eyes. And he could see again. He got up and was baptized.

19 After eating some food, he got his strength back. Saul spent several days with the believers in Damascus.

20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues. He taught that Jesus is the Son of God.

21 All who heard him were amazed. They asked, "Isn't he the man who caused great trouble in Jerusalem for those who worship Jesus? Hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?"