Job 33 Psalm 25:16-22 Proverbs 27:7 Mark 4:1-25 Luke 8:4-18 Holy Bible Audio Reading

Elihu addresses Job directly, inviting him to listen to his words and defend himself if he can. Elihu emphasizes that he speaks sincerely and that he, like Job, is a creation of God. Elihu challenges Job's claims of innocence and suggests that God communicates with humans in various ways, including dreams, visions, and suffering, to turn them away from wrongdoing and save them from the pit. Elihu insists that God's actions are just and that He disciplines those He loves to bring them back to righteousness.

Psalm 25:16-22
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in You. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in You. Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles!

Proverbs 27:7
One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

Mark 4:1-25
The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-9)
Jesus teaches a large crowd by the lake through a parable. A farmer sows seed, which falls on different types of soil: along the path (eaten by birds), on rocky places (quickly withers due to lack of root), among thorns (choked by thorns), and on good soil (produces a bountiful crop).

The Purpose of Parables (Mark 4:10-12)
Jesus explains to His disciples that He uses parables to reveal the secrets of the kingdom of God to those who are receptive while concealing the truth from those who are not.

The Parable of the Sower Explained (Mark 4:13-20)
Jesus explains the parable of the sower. The seed on the path represents those who hear the word but have it taken away by Satan. The seed on rocky places represents those who receive the word with joy but fall away when trouble comes. The seed among thorns represents those who hear the word but are choked by life's worries, deceitfulness of wealth, and desires for other things. The seed on good soil represents those who hear the word, accept it, and produce a fruitful crop.

A Lamp on a Stand (Mark 4:21-25)
Jesus teaches that a lamp is meant to be placed on a stand to give light, not hidden. He emphasizes that whatever is hidden will be revealed, and whatever is concealed will be brought to light. He urges listeners to consider carefully what they hear, for the measure they use will be measured to them, and even more will be given. Those who have will receive more, while those who do not have will lose even what they have.

Luke 8:4-18
The Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:4-8)
Jesus tells a parable to a large crowd about a farmer who sows seed on different types of soil: along the path, on rocky ground, among thorns, and on good soil, each yielding different results.

The Purpose of Parables (Luke 8:9-10)
Jesus explains to His disciples that the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to them, but to others, He speaks in parables so that they may see but not perceive and hear but not understand.

The Parable of the Sower Explained (Luke 8:11-15)
Jesus explains the parable. The seed is the word of God. The seed along the path represents those who hear but have the word taken away by the devil. The seed on rocky ground represents those who receive the word with joy but fall away in times of testing. The seed among thorns represents those who hear but are choked by life's worries, riches, and pleasures, preventing maturity. The seed on good soil represents those with a noble and good heart who hear the word, retain it, and produce a crop.

A Lamp on a Stand (Luke 8:16-18)
Jesus teaches that no one lights a lamp and hides it; instead, they put it on a stand so those who come in can see the light. He emphasizes that whatever is hidden will be disclosed, and whatever is concealed will be brought to light. Jesus advises listeners to consider carefully how they listen, for whoever has will be given more, and whoever does not have will lose even what they think they have.