- Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
- Genesis 36:4
Now Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel.
- Job 3:1-3
After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. And Job spoke, and said: “May the day perish on which I was born,
And the night in which it was said,
‘A male child is conceived.’
- Job 3:11
“Why did I not die at birth?
Why did I not perish when I came from the womb?
- Job 3:20-26
“Why is light given to him who is in misery,
And life to the bitter of soul, Who long for death, but it does not come,
And search for it more than hidden treasures; Who rejoice exceedingly,
And are glad when they can find the grave? Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden,
And whom God has hedged in? For my sighing comes before I eat,
And my groanings pour out like water. For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me,
And what I dreaded has happened to me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;
I have no rest, for trouble comes."
- Job 4:2-21
"If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary?
But who can withhold himself from speaking? Surely you have instructed many,
And you have strengthened weak hands. Your words have upheld him who was stumbling,
And you have strengthened the feeble knees; But now it comes upon you, and you are weary;
It touches you, and you are troubled. Is not your reverence your confidence?
And the integrity of your ways your hope? “ Remember now, who ever perished being innocent?
Or where were the upright ever cut off? Even as I have seen,
Those who plow iniquity
And sow trouble reap the same. By the blast of God they perish,
And by the breath of His anger they are consumed. The roaring of the lion,
The voice of the fierce lion,
And the teeth of the young lions are broken. The old lion perishes for lack of prey,
And the cubs of the lioness are scattered. "Now a word was secretly brought to me,
And my ear received a whisper of it. In disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night,
When deep sleep falls on men, Fear came upon me, and trembling,
Which made all my bones shake. Then a spirit passed before my face;
The hair on my body stood up. It stood still,
But I could not discern its appearance.
A form was before my eyes;
There was silence;
Then I heard a voice saying: 'Can a mortal be more righteous than God?
Can a man be more pure than his Maker? If He puts no trust in His servants,
If He charges His angels with error, How much more those who dwell in houses of clay,
Whose foundation is in the dust,
Who are crushed before a moth? They are broken in pieces from morning till evening;
They perish forever, with no one regarding. Does not their own excellence go away?
They die, even without wisdom.'
- Job 8:1-7
Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: “How long will you speak these things,
And the words of your mouth be like a strong wind? Does God subvert judgment?
Or does the Almighty pervert justice? If your sons have sinned against Him,
He has cast them away for their transgression. If you would earnestly seek God
And make your supplication to the Almighty, If you were pure and upright,
Surely now He would awake for you,
And prosper your rightful dwelling place. Though your beginning was small,
Yet your latter end would increase abundantly.
- Job 9:1-4
Then Job answered and said: "Truly I know it is so,
But how can a man be righteous before God? If one wished to contend with Him,
He could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. God is wise in heart and mighty in strength.
Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered?
- Job 9:14-22
“How then can I answer Him,
And choose my words to reason with Him? For though I were righteous, I could not answer Him;
I would beg mercy of my Judge. If I called and He answered me,
I would not believe that He was listening to my voice. For He crushes me with a tempest,
And multiplies my wounds without cause. He will not allow me to catch my breath,
But fills me with bitterness. If it is a matter of strength, indeed He is strong;
And if of justice, who will appoint my day in court? Though I were righteous, my own mouth would condemn me;
Though I were blameless, it would prove me perverse. “I am blameless, yet I do not know myself;
I despise my life. It is all one thing;
Therefore I say, ‘He destroys the blameless and the wicked.’
- Job 9:32-35
"For He is not a man, as I am,
That I may answer Him,
And that we should go to court together. Nor is there any mediator between us,
Who may lay his hand on us both. Let Him take His rod away from me,
And do not let dread of Him terrify me. Then I would speak and not fear Him,
But it is not so with me.
- Job 10:2-7
I will say to God, ‘Do not condemn me;
Show me why You contend with me. Does it seem good to You that You should oppress,
That You should despise the work of Your hands,
And smile on the counsel of the wicked? Do You have eyes of flesh?
Or do You see as man sees? Are Your days like the days of a mortal man?
Are Your years like the days of a mighty man, That You should seek for my iniquity
And search out my sin, Although You know that I am not wicked,
And there is no one who can deliver from Your hand?
- Job 11:1-20
Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: “ Should not the multitude of words be answered?
And should a man full of talk be vindicated? Should your empty talk make men hold their peace?
And when you mock, should no one rebuke you? For you have said,
‘My doctrine is pure,
And I am clean in your eyes.’ But oh, that God would speak,
And open His lips against you, That He would show you the secrets of wisdom!
For they would double your prudence.
Know therefore that God exacts from you
Less than your iniquity deserves. "Can you search out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than heaven— what can you do?
Deeper than Sheol— what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth
And broader than the sea. “If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment,
Then who can hinder Him? For He knows deceitful men;
He sees wickedness also.
Will He not then consider it? For an empty-headed man will be wise,
When a wild donkey’s colt is born a man. “If you would prepare your heart,
And stretch out your hands toward Him; If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away,
And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents; Then surely you could lift up your face without spot;
Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear; Because you would forget your misery,
And remember it as waters that have passed away, And your life would be brighter than noonday.
Though you were dark, you would be like the morning. And you would be secure, because there is hope;
Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety. You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid;
Yes, many would court your favor. But the eyes of the wicked will fail,
And they shall not escape,
And their hope—loss of life!”
- Job 12:2-14
“No doubt you are the people,
And wisdom will die with you! But I have understanding as well as you;
I am not inferior to you.
Indeed, who does not know such things as these? “I am one mocked by his friends,
Who called on God, and He answered him,
The just and blameless who is ridiculed. A lamp is despised in the thought of one who is at ease;
It is made ready for those whose feet slip. The tents of robbers prosper,
And those who provoke God are secure—
In what God provides by His hand. “But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you;
And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you;
And the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know
That the hand of the LORD has done this, In whose hand is the life of every living thing,
And the breath of all mankind? Does not the ear test words
And the mouth taste its food? Wisdom is with aged men,
And with length of days, understanding. “With Him are wisdom and strength,
He has counsel and understanding. If He breaks a thing down, it cannot be rebuilt;
If He imprisons a man, there can be no release.
- Job 13:1-13
“Behold, my eye has seen all this,
My ear has heard and understood it. What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you. But I would speak to the Almighty,
And I desire to reason with God. But you forgers of lies,
You are all worthless physicians. Oh, that you would be silent,
And it would be your wisdom! Now hear my reasoning,
And heed the pleadings of my lips. Will you speak wickedly for God,
And talk deceitfully for Him? Will you show partiality for Him?
Will you contend for God? Will it be well when He searches you out?
Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man? He will surely rebuke you
If you secretly show partiality. Will not His excellence make you afraid,
And the dread of Him fall upon you? Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes,
Your defenses are defenses of clay. “Hold your peace with me, and let me speak,
Then let come on me what may!
- Job 13:20-27
“Only two things do not do to me,
Then I will not hide myself from You: Withdraw Your hand far from me,
And let not the dread of You make me afraid. Then call, and I will answer;
Or let me speak, then You respond to me. How many are my iniquities and sins?
Make me know my transgression and my sin. Why do You hide Your face,
And regard me as Your enemy? Will You frighten a leaf driven to and fro?
And will You pursue dry stubble? For You write bitter things against me,
And make me inherit the iniquities of my youth. You put my feet in the stocks,
And watch closely all my paths.
You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
- Job 42:7-8
And so it was, after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, 'My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.'
- Jeremiah 17:9-10
" The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
I, the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.
- Matthew 3:1-6
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!' For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“ The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘ Prepare the way of the LORD;
Make His paths straight.’” Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
- Matthew 11:7-19
As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written:
‘ Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 'Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying:
‘ We played the flute for you, And you did not dance;
We mourned to you, And you did not lament.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
- John 7:10-12
But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?” And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.”
- John 7:24-31
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." Now some of them from Jerusalem said, 'Is this not He whom they seek to kill? But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ? However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.” Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, “You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.” Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?”
- John 7:40-43
Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?' So there was a division among the people because of Him.
- Romans 2:5-11
But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who "will render to each one according to his deeds": eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.
- Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
