October 2, 2028

6The Interview Between the Lord and the Satan. One day, when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, the satan also came among them. 7The LORD said to the satan, “Where have you been?” Then the satan answered the LORD and said, “Roaming the earth and patrolling it.” 8The LORD said to the satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil.” 9The satan answered the LORD and said, “Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing? 10Have you not surrounded him and his family and all that he has with your protection? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock are spread over the land. 11But now put forth your hand and touch all that he has, and surely he will curse you to your face.” 12The LORD said to the satan, “Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on him.” So the satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. 13The First Trial. One day, while his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother, 14a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing beside them, 15and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16He was still speaking when another came and said, “God’s fire has fallen from heaven and struck the sheep and the servants and consumed them; I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17He was still speaking when another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three columns, seized the camels, carried them off, and put the servants to the sword; I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18He was still speaking when another came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother, 19and suddenly a great wind came from across the desert and smashed the four corners of the house. It fell upon the young people and they are dead; I alone have escaped to tell you.” 20Job’s Reaction. Then Job arose and tore his cloak and cut off his hair. He fell to the ground and worshiped. 21He said, “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” 22In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with wrong.

1Psalm 17 Prayer for Rescue from Persecutors - A prayer of David. I - Hear, LORD, my plea for justice; pay heed to my cry; Listen to my prayer from lips without guile. 2From you let my vindication come; your eyes see what is right. 3You have tested my heart, searched it in the night. You have tried me by fire, but find no malice in me. My mouth has not transgressed 6II - I call upon you; answer me, O God. Turn your ear to me; hear my speech. 7Show your wonderful mercy, you who deliver with your right arm those who seek refuge from their foes.

21Bless the LORD, all you his hosts, his ministers who carry out his will.

1At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2He called a child over, placed it in their midst, 3and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. 10“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.