Morning Prayer: Monday 10 September 2018

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became angry. He was angry at Job because he justified himself rather than God; he was angry also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, though they had declared Job to be in the wrong. Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he. But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, he became angry.

Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered:
'I am young in years,
and you are aged;
therefore I was timid and afraid
to declare my opinion to you.
I said, "Let days speak,
and many years teach wisdom.
But truly it is the spirit in a mortal,
the breath of the Almighty, that makes for understanding.
It is not the old that are wise,
nor the aged that understand what is right.
Therefore I say, "Listen to me;
let me also declare my opinion.

My heart is indeed like wine that has no vent;
like new wineskins, it is ready to burst.
I must speak, so that I may find relief;
I must open my lips and answer.
I will not show partiality to any person
or use flattery towards anyone.
For I do not know how to flatter
or my Maker would soon put an end to me!

'But now, hear my speech, O Job,
and listen to all my words.
They are also chastened with pain upon their beds,
and with continual strife in their bones,
so that their lives loathe bread,
and their appetites dainty food.
Their flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen;
and their bones, once invisible, now stick out.
Their souls draw near the Pit,
and their lives to those who bring death.
Then, if there should be for one of them an angel,
a mediator, one of a thousand,
one who declares a person upright,
and he is gracious to that person, and says,
"Deliver him from going down into the Pit;
I have found a ransom;
let his flesh become fresh with youth;
let him return to the days of his youthful vigourÓ;
then he prays to God, and is accepted by him,
he comes into his presence with joy,
and God repays him for his righteousness.
That person sings to others and says,
"I sinned, and perverted what was right,
and it was not paid back to me.
He has redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit,
and my life shall see the light.

The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; and blaspheming, they contradicted what was spoken by Paul. Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, 'It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
"I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles,
so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. '

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region. So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.