October 15 - Morning
"It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread."
- Acts 12:1-3
King Herod Agrippa I
In 44 AD King Herod Agrippa I killed James, the brother of John, in Jerusalem.
King Herod Agrippa I was Herod the Great’s grandson through his son Aristobulus who was born to Mariamne a daughter of the Maccabees, or Hasmoneans. Herod the Great had married Mariamne to secure his throne as the King of the Jews. But, in 10 BC, when Agrippa was only 3 years old, his Grandfather (Herod the Great) killed Agrippa’s father (Aristobulus) because Herod suspected Aristobulus was making a play for the Jewish throne. As a child Agrippa was sent to Rome to be raised and educated. In Rome Agrippa grew up with Claudius, a future emperor. Agrippa returned to Jerusalem where Emperor Caligula gave him the title “king” and territory in northern Israel in 37 AD, and added Galilee and Perea to his territory in 39 AD. When his boyhood friend, Claudius, became emperor in 41 AD Agrippa’s kingdom gained the land of Judea and Samaria. He then ruled Northern Israel, Galilee, Perea, Samaria and Judea from 41-44 AD. It was at this time King Herod Agrippa I decapitated James, the brother of the apostle John.
Luke tells us that Agrippa saw that this execution of James pleased the Jews, so Agrippa proceeded to seize Peter with the intention of executing Peter after the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Agrippa was a devout Jew, he was in the priestly line of Levi through the Hasmoneans and he kept the Law to the fullest for which the Pharisees loved him. Josephus writes concerning King Herod Agrippa’s faithfulness to the law:
“He loved to live continually at Jerusalem, and was exactly careful in the observance of the laws of his country. He therefore kept himself entirely pure: nor did any day pass over his head without its appointed sacrifice.”
As the story goes, Agrippa I is about to face the end of his life, but Peter will live to preach another day. In fact, Peter will be delivered from prison by an angel and will live another 20 years before he is executed in Rome (64 AD). But, King Herod Agrippa I will be struck by an angel and die later that year (44 AD) in Caesarea by the Mediterranean Sea. During a speech Agrippa passed out because he was infested with worms (Acts 12:23). Josephus records this same event and says Agrippa died a painful death five days after passing out while being eaten alive by worms.
Rea (Hb) - Friend (Eng) - the Hebrew noun rea means “friend,” “neighbor” “intimate,” or “companion.” The Hebrew root word for rea is the verb ra’ah which translates as “to associate with” and “to be friends with.”
Do I have friends that are counting on me to give them a "timely word" of advice or encouragement?
Do I have a friend that needs me to simply listen and let them talk?
Today I will be a friend who will provide the "timely word" and a friend who will provide an ear to listen.
Do I have a friend that needs me to simply listen and let them talk?
Today I will be a friend who will provide the "timely word" and a friend who will provide an ear to listen.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
For my work
Church
Evangelism
Nation
Affirmative Action
World
Russia - root out corruption in government
This is the Jezreel Valley as viewed from Mount Carmel looking east near the location of Elijah's altar. Many of the great battles of history have been fought here. Much of Israel's grain comes from this valley. The "V" or air force base is to the right of the picture. The road going to the right off the picture is the main route to the north of Carmel to the Mediterranean coast.
(click on image for larger size)
(click on image for larger size)
Someone to Quote
"The greatest proof that the Bible is inspired is that it has stood so much bad preaching."
- A.T. Robertson
Something to Ponder
Chapters and verses were not added to the Bible until the 1500’s.
Here’s a Fact
Josephus refers to Jesus' brother James in Antiquities 20.9.1 when he wrote between 70-90 AD. James was highly reguarded by the Jewish citizens of Jerusalem: "Ananus assembled the sanhedrim of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James,
and some others; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens, and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done; they also sent to the king, desiring him to send to Ananus that he should act so no more, for that what he had already done was not to be justified."
(details)
and some others; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens, and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done; they also sent to the king, desiring him to send to Ananus that he should act so no more, for that what he had already done was not to be justified."
(details)
Proverb
"A man finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!"
- Proverbs 15:23
- Proverbs 15:23
Coach’s Corner
Learn the value of the three step technique: praying, trusting and giving thanks. This triad-technique should be used to apply counter-pressure to the bad, the evil and the hopelessness of life.
Malachi 1
New International Version (NIV)
1 A prophecy: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.
Israel Doubts God’s Love
2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord.
“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’
“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob, 3 but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”
4 Edom may say, “Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins.”
But this is what the Lord Almighty says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the Lord. 5 You will see it with your own eyes and say, ‘Great is the Lord—even beyond the borders of Israel!’
Breaking Covenant Through Blemished Sacrifices
6 “A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty.
“It is you priests who show contempt for my name.
“But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’
7 “By offering defiled food on my altar.
“But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’
“By saying that the Lord’s table is contemptible. 8 When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the Lord Almighty.
9 “Now plead with God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you?”—says the Lord Almighty.
10 “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will accept no offering from your hands. 11 My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.
12 “But you profane it by saying, ‘The Lord’s table is defiled,’ and, ‘Its food is contemptible.’ 13 And you say, ‘What a burden!’ and you sniff at it contemptuously,” says the Lord Almighty.
“When you bring injured, lame or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?” says the Lord. 14 “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations.
New International Version (NIV)
1 A prophecy: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.
Israel Doubts God’s Love
2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord.
“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’
“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob, 3 but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”
4 Edom may say, “Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins.”
But this is what the Lord Almighty says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the Lord. 5 You will see it with your own eyes and say, ‘Great is the Lord—even beyond the borders of Israel!’
Breaking Covenant Through Blemished Sacrifices
6 “A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty.
“It is you priests who show contempt for my name.
“But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’
7 “By offering defiled food on my altar.
“But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’
“By saying that the Lord’s table is contemptible. 8 When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the Lord Almighty.
9 “Now plead with God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you?”—says the Lord Almighty.
10 “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will accept no offering from your hands. 11 My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.
12 “But you profane it by saying, ‘The Lord’s table is defiled,’ and, ‘Its food is contemptible.’ 13 And you say, ‘What a burden!’ and you sniff at it contemptuously,” says the Lord Almighty.
“When you bring injured, lame or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?” says the Lord. 14 “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations.
Galatians 2
New International Version (NIV)
Paul Accepted by the Apostles
2 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4 This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
6 As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. 8 For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.
Paul Opposes Cephas
11 When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
15 “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
17 “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.
19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
New International Version (NIV)
Paul Accepted by the Apostles
2 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4 This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
6 As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. 8 For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.
Paul Opposes Cephas
11 When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
15 “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
17 “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.
19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
Matthew 8:14-34
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Heals Many
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
The Cost of Following Jesus
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Jesus Calms the Storm
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men
28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Heals Many
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
The Cost of Following Jesus
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Jesus Calms the Storm
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men
28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
Job 40-41
New International Version (NIV)
40 The Lord said to Job:
2
“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”
3 Then Job answered the Lord:
4
“I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.
5
I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.”
6 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:
7
“Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
8
“Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
9
Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his?
10
Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
11
Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at all who are proud and bring them low,
12
look at all who are proud and humble them, crush the wicked where they stand.
13
Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave.
14
Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you.
15
“Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox.
16
What strength it has in its loins, what power in the muscles of its belly!
17
Its tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.
18
Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like rods of iron.
19
It ranks first among the works of God, yet its Maker can approach it with his sword.
20
The hills bring it their produce, and all the wild animals play nearby.
21
Under the lotus plants it lies, hidden among the reeds in the marsh.
22
The lotuses conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream surround it.
23
A raging river does not alarm it; it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth.
24
Can anyone capture it by the eyes, or trap it and pierce its nose?
41
[a]“Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook or tie down its tongue with a rope?
2
Can you put a cord through its nose or pierce its jaw with a hook?
3
Will it keep begging you for mercy? Will it speak to you with gentle words?
4
Will it make an agreement with you for you to take it as your slave for life?
5
Can you make a pet of it like a bird or put it on a leash for the young women in your house?
6
Will traders barter for it? Will they divide it up among the merchants?
7
Can you fill its hide with harpoons or its head with fishing spears?
8
If you lay a hand on it, you will remember the struggle and never do it again!
9
Any hope of subduing it is false; the mere sight of it is overpowering.
10
No one is fierce enough to rouse it. Who then is able to stand against me?
11
Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.
12
“I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs, its strength and its graceful form.
13
Who can strip off its outer coat? Who can penetrate its double coat of armor[b]?
14
Who dares open the doors of its mouth, ringed about with fearsome teeth?
15
Its back has[c] rows of shields tightly sealed together;
16
each is so close to the next that no air can pass between.
17
They are joined fast to one another; they cling together and cannot be parted.
18
Its snorting throws out flashes of light; its eyes are like the rays of dawn.
19
Flames stream from its mouth; sparks of fire shoot out.
20
Smoke pours from its nostrils as from a boiling pot over burning reeds.
21
Its breath sets coals ablaze, and flames dart from its mouth.
22
Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it.
23
The folds of its flesh are tightly joined; they are firm and immovable.
24
Its chest is hard as rock, hard as a lower millstone.
25
When it rises up, the mighty are terrified; they retreat before its thrashing.
26
The sword that reaches it has no effect, nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin.
27
Iron it treats like straw and bronze like rotten wood.
28
Arrows do not make it flee; slingstones are like chaff to it.
29
A club seems to it but a piece of straw; it laughs at the rattling of the lance.
30
Its undersides are jagged potsherds, leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.
31
It makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment.
32
It leaves a glistening wake behind it; one would think the deep had white hair.
33
Nothing on earth is its equal— a creature without fear.
34
It looks down on all that are haughty; it is king over all that are proud.”
Footnotes:
New International Version (NIV)
40 The Lord said to Job:
2
“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”
3 Then Job answered the Lord:
4
“I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.
5
I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.”
6 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:
7
“Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
8
“Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
9
Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his?
10
Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
11
Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at all who are proud and bring them low,
12
look at all who are proud and humble them, crush the wicked where they stand.
13
Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave.
14
Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you.
15
“Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox.
16
What strength it has in its loins, what power in the muscles of its belly!
17
Its tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.
18
Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like rods of iron.
19
It ranks first among the works of God, yet its Maker can approach it with his sword.
20
The hills bring it their produce, and all the wild animals play nearby.
21
Under the lotus plants it lies, hidden among the reeds in the marsh.
22
The lotuses conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream surround it.
23
A raging river does not alarm it; it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth.
24
Can anyone capture it by the eyes, or trap it and pierce its nose?
41
[a]“Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook or tie down its tongue with a rope?
2
Can you put a cord through its nose or pierce its jaw with a hook?
3
Will it keep begging you for mercy? Will it speak to you with gentle words?
4
Will it make an agreement with you for you to take it as your slave for life?
5
Can you make a pet of it like a bird or put it on a leash for the young women in your house?
6
Will traders barter for it? Will they divide it up among the merchants?
7
Can you fill its hide with harpoons or its head with fishing spears?
8
If you lay a hand on it, you will remember the struggle and never do it again!
9
Any hope of subduing it is false; the mere sight of it is overpowering.
10
No one is fierce enough to rouse it. Who then is able to stand against me?
11
Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.
12
“I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs, its strength and its graceful form.
13
Who can strip off its outer coat? Who can penetrate its double coat of armor[b]?
14
Who dares open the doors of its mouth, ringed about with fearsome teeth?
15
Its back has[c] rows of shields tightly sealed together;
16
each is so close to the next that no air can pass between.
17
They are joined fast to one another; they cling together and cannot be parted.
18
Its snorting throws out flashes of light; its eyes are like the rays of dawn.
19
Flames stream from its mouth; sparks of fire shoot out.
20
Smoke pours from its nostrils as from a boiling pot over burning reeds.
21
Its breath sets coals ablaze, and flames dart from its mouth.
22
Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it.
23
The folds of its flesh are tightly joined; they are firm and immovable.
24
Its chest is hard as rock, hard as a lower millstone.
25
When it rises up, the mighty are terrified; they retreat before its thrashing.
26
The sword that reaches it has no effect, nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin.
27
Iron it treats like straw and bronze like rotten wood.
28
Arrows do not make it flee; slingstones are like chaff to it.
29
A club seems to it but a piece of straw; it laughs at the rattling of the lance.
30
Its undersides are jagged potsherds, leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.
31
It makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment.
32
It leaves a glistening wake behind it; one would think the deep had white hair.
33
Nothing on earth is its equal— a creature without fear.
34
It looks down on all that are haughty; it is king over all that are proud.”
Footnotes:
- Job 41:1 In Hebrew texts 41:1-8 is numbered 40:25-32, and 41:9-34 is numbered 41:1-26.
- Job 41:13 Septuagint; Hebrew double bridle
- Job 41:15 Or Its pride is its