Job 9 Psalm 17:1-7 Proverbs 16:22 Matthew 6:1-18 Holy Scripture Daily Audio Bible Reading

Job 9
Job responds to Bildad, acknowledging God's power and justice. He admits that humans cannot be righteous before God. Job describes God's mighty works, such as moving mountains and shaking the earth, controlling the sun and stars, and performing wonders beyond understanding. He feels that even if he were innocent, he could not argue his case before God because of God's overwhelming power. Job expresses a sense of helplessness, believing that God does not distinguish between the innocent and the wicked in terms of suffering. Despite his despair, Job longs for an arbitrator between himself and God, someone who could mediate and remove God's rod from him.

Psalm 17:1-7
Hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer—it does not rise from deceitful lips. Let my vindication come from You; may Your eyes see what is right. Though You probe my heart, though You examine me at night and test me, You will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed. Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what Your lips have commanded. My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not stumbled. I call on You, my God, for You will answer me; turn Your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes.

Proverbs 16:22
Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools.

Matthew 6:1-18
Jesus teaches about practicing righteousness. He warns against doing good deeds publicly to be seen by others, as this forfeits the reward from the Father in heaven.

Giving to the Needy: When giving to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets as the hypocrites do. Instead, give in secret, and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer: When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly. Instead, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Do not babble on like pagans, thinking they will be heard because of their many words. Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Jesus then provides the model prayer known as the Lord's Prayer:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiving others so that the Father will forgive your sins.

Fasting: When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show they are fasting. Instead, when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen. Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.