Job 34; Job 35; Acts 15:1-21

Job 34

1 And Eliu continued his discourse, and said:

2 Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me:

3 For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.

4 Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.

5 For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment.

6 For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin.

7 What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?

8 Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?

9 For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.

10 Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from God be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty.

11 For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them.

12 For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

13 What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?

14 If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.

15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.

16 If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words.

17 Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just?

18 Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who calleth rulers ungodly:

19 Who accepteth not the persons of princes: nor hath regarded the tyrant, when he contended against the poor man: for all are the work of his hands.

20 They shall suddenly die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and they shall pass, and take away the violent without hand.

21 For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps.

22 There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity.

23 For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God.

24 He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand in their stead.

25 For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed.

26 He hath struck them, as being wicked, in open sight.

27 Who as it were on purpose have revolted from him, and would not understand all his ways:

28 So that they caused the cry of the needy to come to him, and he heard the voice of the poor.

29 For when he granteth peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hideth his countenance, who is there that can behold him, whether it regard nations, or all men?

30 Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people?

31 Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn.

32 If I have erred, teach thou me: if I have spoken iniquity, I will add no more.

33 Doth God require it of thee, because it hath displeased thee? for thou begannest to speak, and not I: but if thou know any thing better, speak.

34 Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me.

35 But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline.

36 My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity.

37 Because he addeth blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time amongst us: and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.

Job 35

1 Moreover Eliu spoke these words:

2 Doth thy thought seem right to thee, that thou shouldst say: I am more just than God?

3 For thou saidst: That which is right doth not please thee: or what will it profit thee if I sin?

4 Therefore I will answer thy words, and thy friends with thee.

5 Look up to heaven and see, and behold the sky, that it is higher than thee.

6 If thou sin, what shalt thou hurt him? and if thy iniquities be multiplied, what shalt thou do against him?

7 And if thou do justly, what shalt thou give him, or what shall he receive of thy hand?

8 Thy wickedness may hurt a man that is like thee: and thy justice may help the son of man.

9 By reason of the multitude of oppressors they shall cry out: and shall wail for the violence of the arm of tyrants.

10 And he hath not said: Where is God, who made me, who hath given songs in the night?

11 Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and instructeth us more than the fowls of the air.

12 There shall they cry, and he will not hear, because of the pride of evil men.

13 God therefore will not hear in vain, and the Almighty will look into the causes of every one.

14 Yea, when thou shalt say: He considereth not: be judged before him, and expect him.

15 For he doth not now bring on his fury, neither doth he revenge wickedness exceedingly.

16 Therefore Job openeth his mouth in vain, and multiplieth words without knowledge.

Acts 15:1-21

1 And some, coming down from Judea, taught the brethren: That, except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.

2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small contest with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of the other side should go up to the apostles and priests to Jerusalem, about this question.

3 They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through Phenice and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles. And they caused great joy to all the brethren.

4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and by the apostles and ancients, declaring how great things God had done with them.

5 But there arose of the sect of the Pharisees some that believed, saying: They must be circumcised and be commanded to observe the law of Moses.

6 And the apostles and ancients assembled to consider of this matter.

7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter, rising up, said to them: Men, brethren, you know that in former days God made choice among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.

8 And God, who knoweth the hearts, gave testimony, giving unto them the Holy Ghost, as well as to us:

9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10 Now therefore, why tempt you God to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

11 But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, in like manner as they also.

12 And all the multitude held their peace: and they heard Barnabas and Paul telling what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying: Men, brethren, hear me.

14 Simon hath related how God first visited to take to the Gentiles, a people to his name.

15 And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written:

16 After these things I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down: and the ruins thereof I will rebuild. And I will set it up:

17 That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all nations upon whom my name is invoked, saith the Lord, who doth these things.

18 To the Lord was his own work known from the beginning of the world.

19 For which cause, judge that they who from among the Gentiles are converted to God are not to be disquieted:

20 But that we write unto them, that they refrain themselves from the pollutions of idols and from fornication and from things strangled and from blood.

21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him in the synagogues, where he is read every sabbath.