- Matthew 5:1-3
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Job 33:19-28
“Man is also chastened with pain on his bed,
And with strong pain in many of his bones, So that his life abhors bread,
And his soul succulent food. His flesh wastes away from sight,
And his bones stick out which once were not seen. Yes, his soul draws near the Pit,
And his life to the executioners. “If there is a messenger for him,
A mediator, one among a thousand,
To show man His uprightness, Then He is gracious to him, and says,
‘ Deliver him from going down to the Pit;
I have found a ransom’; His flesh shall be young like a child’s,
He shall return to the days of his youth. He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him,
He shall see His face with joy,
For He restores to man His righteousness. Then he looks at men and says,
‘I have sinned, and perverted what was right,
And it did not profit me.’ He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit,
And his life shall see the light.
- Job 34:31-37
“For has anyone said to God,
‘I have borne chastening;
I will offend no more; Teach me what I do not see;
If I have done iniquity, I will do no more’? Should He repay it according to your terms,
Just because you disavow it?
You must choose, and not I;
Therefore speak what you know. “Men of understanding say to me,
Wise men who listen to me: ‘Job speaks without knowledge,
His words are without wisdom.’ Oh, that Job were tried to the utmost,
Because his answers are like those of wicked men! For he adds rebellion to his sin;
He claps his hands among us,
And multiplies his words against God.”
- Job 35:2-16
“Do you think this is right?
Do you say,
‘My righteousness is more than God’s’? For you say,
‘What advantage will it be to You?
What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?’ “I will answer you,
And your companions with you. Look to the heavens and see;
And behold the clouds—
They are higher than you. If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him?
Or, if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to Him? If you are righteous, what do you give Him?
Or what does He receive from your hand? Your wickedness affects a man such as you,
And your righteousness a son of man. “ Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out;
They cry out for help because of the arm of the mighty. But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,
Who gives songs in the night, Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth,
And makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?’ There they cry out, but He does not answer,
Because of the pride of evil men. Surely God will not listen to empty talk,
Nor will the Almighty regard it. Although you say you do not see Him,
Yet justice is before Him, and you must wait for Him. And now, because He has not punished in His anger,
Nor taken much notice of folly, Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain;
He multiplies words without knowledge.”
- Jeremiah 17:9
" The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
- 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
- Genesis 1:31
Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
- Exodus 23:20-33
"Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars. "So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. "I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you. I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land. And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea, Philistia, and from the desert to the River. For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you."
- Deuteronomy 12:29-32
"When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, "How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise." You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.
- Job 1:6-10
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Then the LORD said to Satan, 'Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?' So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
- 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 10:2-22
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? ‘Your hands have made me and fashioned me,
An intricate unity;
Yet You would destroy me. Remember, I pray, that You have made me like clay.
And will You turn me into dust again? Did You not pour me out like milk,
And curdle me like cheese, Clothe me with skin and flesh,
And knit me together with bones and sinews? You have granted me life and favor,
And Your care has preserved my spirit. ‘And these things You have hidden in Your heart;
I know that this was with You: If I sin, then You mark me,
And will not acquit me of my iniquity. If I am wicked, woe to me;
Even if I am righteous, I cannot lift up my head.
I am full of disgrace;
See my misery! If my head is exalted,
You hunt me like a fierce lion,
And again You show Yourself awesome against me. You renew Your witnesses against me,
And increase Your indignation toward me;
Changes and war are ever with me. ‘Why then have You brought me out of the womb?
Oh, that I had perished and no eye had seen me! I would have been as though I had not been.
I would have been carried from the womb to the grave. Are not my days few?
Cease! Leave me alone, that I may take a little comfort, Before I go to the place from which I shall not return,
To the land of darkness and the shadow of death, A land as dark as darkness itself,
As the shadow of death, without any order,
Where even the light is like darkness.’”
- Job 30:19-21
He has cast me into the mire,
And I have become like dust and ashes. “I cry out to You, but You do not answer me;
I stand up, and You regard me. But You have become cruel to me;
With the strength of Your hand You oppose me.
- Job 31:35-37
Oh, that I had one to hear me!
Here is my mark.
Oh, that the Almighty would answer me,
That my Prosecutor had written a book! Surely I would carry it on my shoulder,
And bind it on me like a crown; I would declare to Him the number of my steps;
Like a prince I would approach Him.
- Job 32:1-3
So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
- Job 33:8-13
“Surely you have spoken in my hearing,
And I have heard the sound of your words, saying, ‘I am pure, without transgression;
I am innocent, and there is no iniquity in me. Yet He finds occasions against me,
He counts me as His enemy; He puts my feet in the stocks,
He watches all my paths.’ “Look, in this you are not righteous.
I will answer you,
For God is greater than man. Why do you contend with Him?
For He does not give an accounting of any of His words.
- Job 37:1-2
“At this also my heart trembles,
And leaps from its place. Hear attentively the thunder of His voice,
And the rumbling that comes from His mouth.
- Job 37:13
He causes it to come,
Whether for correction,
Or for His land,
Or for mercy.
- Job 37:23-24
As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him;
He is excellent in power,
In judgment and abundant justice;
He does not oppress. Therefore men fear Him;
He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart.”
- Job 38:2-3
“Who is this who darkens counsel
By words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer Me.
- Job 40:1-14
Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said: “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?
He who rebukes God, let him answer it.” Then Job answered the LORD and said: “ Behold, I am vile;
What shall I answer You?
I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer;
Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Now prepare yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer Me: “ Would you indeed annul My judgment?
Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? Have you an arm like God?
Or can you thunder with a voice like His? Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor,
And array yourself with glory and beauty. Disperse the rage of your wrath;
Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low;
Tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together,
Bind their faces in hidden darkness. Then I will also confess to you
That your own right hand can save you.
- Job 42:1-6
Then Job answered the LORD and said: "I know that You can do everything,
And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, "Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?"
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen, please, and let me speak;
You said, "I will question you, and you shall answer Me." "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes."
- Psalm 34:1-22
A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
- Isaiah 57:13-21
When you cry out,
Let your collection of idols deliver you.
But the wind will carry them all away,
A breath will take them.
But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land,
And shall inherit My holy mountain.” And one shall say,
'Heap it up! Heap it up!
Prepare the way,
Take the stumbling block out of the way of My people.'
For thus says the High and Lofty One
Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
"I dwell in the high and holy place,
With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,
To revive the spirit of the humble,
And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
For I will not contend forever,
Nor will I always be angry;
For the spirit would fail before Me,
And the souls which I have made.
For the iniquity of his covetousness
I was angry and struck him;
I hid and was angry,
And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.
I have seen his ways, and will heal him;
I will also lead him,
And restore comforts to him
And to his mourners.
"I create the fruit of the lips:
Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,"
Says the LORD,
"And I will heal him."
But the wicked are like the troubled sea,
When it cannot rest,
Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
"There is no peace,"
Says my God, "for the wicked."
- Isaiah 66:1-2
Thus says the LORD:
"Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me?
And where is the place of My rest?
For all those things My hand has made,
And all those things exist,"
Says the LORD.
"But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word.
- Matthew 7:11
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
- Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
- Matthew 11:28-29
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- Luke 6:20
Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:
“ Blessed are you poor,For yours is the kingdom of God.
- John 12:31
Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
- John 14:30
I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.
- John 15:5
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
- John 15:18-23
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also.
- John 16:11
of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
- Romans 8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
- Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
- 1 Corinthians 10:6
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.
- 1 Corinthians 15:32-34
If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!' Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.' Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
- 2 Corinthians 4:4
whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
- Galatians 1:3-4
Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
- Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
- Ephesians 4:28
Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
- Ephesians 5:28-33
So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
- Ephesians 6:11-17
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
- Hebrews 11:10
for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
- James 1:21-25
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
- James 4:4
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
- James 4:7
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
- 1 Peter 5:5-6
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
"God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
- 1 Peter 5:8-9
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
- 1 John 2:15
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
- 1 John 5:19
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
- Revelation 3:17
Because you say, "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing"—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
