Job 8 Psalm 16 Proverbs 16:16 Matthew 5:17-48 Audio Bible Living Word Holy Scripture

Job 8
Bildad, another of Job’s friends, speaks. He argues that God does not pervert justice and suggests that Job's children must have sinned to deserve their fate. Bildad encourages Job to seek God and be pure and upright, promising that God will restore him. He uses examples from nature and history to illustrate that the wicked are like plants without water, flourishing for a time but quickly fading. Bildad emphasizes the importance of relying on God’s justice and suggests that if Job repents, he will once again know joy and prosperity.

Psalm 16
Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from You, I have no good thing.” The holy people in the land are the noble ones in whom is all my delight. Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. Lord, You alone are my portion and my cup; You make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will You let Your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Proverbs 16:16
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!

Matthew 5:17-48
Jesus teaches about the Law, emphasizing that He has come to fulfill it, not abolish it. He warns that anyone who sets aside the least of the commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus declares that unless righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, one will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

He elaborates on various teachings:

Murder: Anger towards a brother or sister is akin to murder. Reconciliation should precede offerings to God.
Adultery: Lustful thoughts are equivalent to committing adultery in one’s heart. Radical measures should be taken to avoid sin.
Divorce: Except for sexual immorality, anyone who divorces his wife causes her to commit adultery.
Oaths: Avoid swearing oaths altogether. Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'
Eye for Eye: Do not resist an evil person. Offer the other cheek, go the extra mile, and give to those who ask.
Love for Enemies: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Jesus calls for a higher standard of righteousness and love, encouraging His followers to embody the spirit of the law through compassion, integrity, and mercy.