Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Apparent injustice » Sometimes attributed to God
How long, O Jehovah (YHWH), will I call for help and you do not hear? I cry out to you, save me from violence! And yet you do not save.
The tents of marauders prosper and those who provoke God are secure in what God's hand brings them.
Why do the wicked live on, reach old age, and become mighty in power?
I have been plagued all day long, and chastened every morning.
I have seen all things in the days of my vanity. There is a just man who perished in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolonged his life in his wickedness.
The same thing comes to all. There is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrifices and to him that does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; and he that swears, as he that fears and refrains from an oath.
Jehovah, if I argued my case with you, you would prove to be right. Indeed, I must question you about matters of justice. Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why do dishonest people succeed with impunity?
But you say: Jehovah's way is unfair. Listen, nation of Israel, is my way fair? Is it your ways that are unfair?
They said: 'The last ones have done only one hour's work. You have made them equal to us. We have undergone the hard work of the day and the burning heat.'
Injustice » Sometimes attributed to God
How long, O Jehovah (YHWH), will I call for help and you do not hear? I cry out to you, save me from violence! And yet you do not save.
The tents of marauders prosper and those who provoke God are secure in what God's hand brings them.
Why do the wicked live on, reach old age, and become mighty in power?
I have been plagued all day long, and chastened every morning.
I have seen all things in the days of my vanity. There is a just man who perished in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolonged his life in his wickedness.
The same thing comes to all. There is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrifices and to him that does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; and he that swears, as he that fears and refrains from an oath.
Jehovah, if I argued my case with you, you would prove to be right. Indeed, I must question you about matters of justice. Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why do dishonest people succeed with impunity?
But you say: Jehovah's way is unfair. Listen, nation of Israel, is my way fair? Is it your ways that are unfair?
They said: 'The last ones have done only one hour's work. You have made them equal to us. We have undergone the hard work of the day and the burning heat.'
Partiality » Sometimes attributed to God
How long, O Jehovah (YHWH), will I call for help and you do not hear? I cry out to you, save me from violence! And yet you do not save.
The tents of marauders prosper and those who provoke God are secure in what God's hand brings them.
Why do the wicked live on, reach old age, and become mighty in power?
I have been plagued all day long, and chastened every morning.
I have seen all things in the days of my vanity. There is a just man who perished in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolonged his life in his wickedness.
The same thing comes to all. There is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrifices and to him that does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; and he that swears, as he that fears and refrains from an oath.
Jehovah, if I argued my case with you, you would prove to be right. Indeed, I must question you about matters of justice. Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why do dishonest people succeed with impunity?
But you say: Jehovah's way is unfair. Listen, nation of Israel, is my way fair? Is it your ways that are unfair?
They said: 'The last ones have done only one hour's work. You have made them equal to us. We have undergone the hard work of the day and the burning heat.'
Philosophy » Philosophical inductions and deductions relating to God and his providence
As for me, I would seek God's help and present my case to him. He does great things that we cannot understand and miracles that we cannot count. He gives rain to the earth and sends water to the fields. read more.
He sets on high the lowly people. He lifts those who mourn to safety. He keeps shrewd (crafty) (cunning) people from carrying out their plans so that they cannot do anything successfully. He catches the wise with their own craftiness. The plans of schemers are quickly halted. They meet in darkness in the daytime! In bright sunlight they grope as if it were night. He saves people from the sword (slander) of their mouth. He saves the needy from the power of the mighty. The poor have hope when wrongdoing shuts its mouth. Blessed is the person whom God corrects. Do not despise discipline from the Almighty. God inflicts wounds and he bandages. He strikes but his hands make you well. He will keep you safe from six troubles, and when the seventh one comes, no harm will touch you: In famine he will save you from death, and in war he will save you from the sword.
He sets on high the lowly people. He lifts those who mourn to safety. He keeps shrewd (crafty) (cunning) people from carrying out their plans so that they cannot do anything successfully. He catches the wise with their own craftiness. The plans of schemers are quickly halted. They meet in darkness in the daytime! In bright sunlight they grope as if it were night. He saves people from the sword (slander) of their mouth. He saves the needy from the power of the mighty. The poor have hope when wrongdoing shuts its mouth. Blessed is the person whom God corrects. Do not despise discipline from the Almighty. God inflicts wounds and he bandages. He strikes but his hands make you well. He will keep you safe from six troubles, and when the seventh one comes, no harm will touch you: In famine he will save you from death, and in war he will save you from the sword.
I will say to God: 'Do not condemn me, but tell me what charges you have against me. Does it please you to oppress me, to spurn the work of your hands, while you smile on the schemes of the wicked? Do you have eyes of flesh? Do you see as a man sees? read more.
Are your days like those of a mortal or are your years like those of a man? Must you search out my faults and probe after my sin? You know that I am not guilty and that no one can force me from your hand! Your hands formed me and made me. Will you now turn and destroy me? Remember that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to 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 granted me life and showed me kindness. Your providence preserved my spirit. Yet this is what you concealed in your heart, and I know that this was in your mind: If I sinned, you would be watching me and would not let my offense go unpunished. If I am wicked, woe to me! Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head, for I am full of shame and aware of my affliction. If I hold my head high, you stalk me like a lion and again display your awesome power against me. You bring new witnesses against me and increase your anger toward me. Your forces come against me wave upon wave. Why then did you bring me out of the womb? I wish I had died before anyone saw me. If only I had never come into being, or had been carried straight from the womb to the grave!' Are not my days few in number? Turn away from me so I can have a moment's joy before I go to the place of no return, to the land of darkness and the shadow of death,
Are your days like those of a mortal or are your years like those of a man? Must you search out my faults and probe after my sin? You know that I am not guilty and that no one can force me from your hand! Your hands formed me and made me. Will you now turn and destroy me? Remember that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to 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 granted me life and showed me kindness. Your providence preserved my spirit. Yet this is what you concealed in your heart, and I know that this was in your mind: If I sinned, you would be watching me and would not let my offense go unpunished. If I am wicked, woe to me! Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head, for I am full of shame and aware of my affliction. If I hold my head high, you stalk me like a lion and again display your awesome power against me. You bring new witnesses against me and increase your anger toward me. Your forces come against me wave upon wave. Why then did you bring me out of the womb? I wish I had died before anyone saw me. If only I had never come into being, or had been carried straight from the womb to the grave!' Are not my days few in number? Turn away from me so I can have a moment's joy before I go to the place of no return, to the land of darkness and the shadow of death,
The tents of marauders prosper and those who provoke God are secure in what God's hand brings them. Ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air and they will tell you. Speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. read more.
Which of all these does not know that the hand of Jehovah has done this? In his hand are the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food? Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? To God belong wisdom and power. Counsel and understanding are his. What he tears down cannot be rebuilt. The man he imprisons cannot be released. If he holds back the waters, there is drought. If he lets them loose, they devastate the land. To him belong strength and victory. Both deceived and deceivers are his. He leads counselors away stripped and makes fools of judges. He takes off the bonds put on by kings and ties a belt around their waist. He leads priests away stripped and overthrows men long established. He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders. He pours out contempt upon nobles and disarms the mighty. He uncovers the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light. He makes nations great, and destroys them. He enlarges nations, and disperses them. He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason and understanding. He sends them wandering through a pathless wilderness.
Which of all these does not know that the hand of Jehovah has done this? In his hand are the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food? Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? To God belong wisdom and power. Counsel and understanding are his. What he tears down cannot be rebuilt. The man he imprisons cannot be released. If he holds back the waters, there is drought. If he lets them loose, they devastate the land. To him belong strength and victory. Both deceived and deceivers are his. He leads counselors away stripped and makes fools of judges. He takes off the bonds put on by kings and ties a belt around their waist. He leads priests away stripped and overthrows men long established. He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders. He pours out contempt upon nobles and disarms the mighty. He uncovers the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light. He makes nations great, and destroys them. He enlarges nations, and disperses them. He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason and understanding. He sends them wandering through a pathless wilderness.
But I tell you, Job, in this you are not right, for God is greater than man. Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man's words? God does speak, now one-way and then another, though man may not perceive it. read more.
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds, he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, that turn man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride. It is to preserve him from the pit and keep his life from perishing by the sword. On the other hand a man may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in his bones. His very being finds food repulsive and he loathes the choicest meal. His flesh wastes away to nothing, and his bones, once hidden, now stick out. He draws near to the pit and to the messengers of death. Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him, to be gracious to him and say: 'Spare him from going down to the pit. I have found a ransom for him!' His flesh is renewed like a child's. It is restored as in the days of his youth. He prays to God and finds favor with him. He sees God's face and shouts for joy! God restores him to his righteous state. He comes to men and says: 'I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved.' He redeemed me from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light. God does all these things to a man twice, even three times. He turns him back from the pit that the light of life may shine on him.
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds, he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, that turn man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride. It is to preserve him from the pit and keep his life from perishing by the sword. On the other hand a man may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in his bones. His very being finds food repulsive and he loathes the choicest meal. His flesh wastes away to nothing, and his bones, once hidden, now stick out. He draws near to the pit and to the messengers of death. Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him, to be gracious to him and say: 'Spare him from going down to the pit. I have found a ransom for him!' His flesh is renewed like a child's. It is restored as in the days of his youth. He prays to God and finds favor with him. He sees God's face and shouts for joy! God restores him to his righteous state. He comes to men and says: 'I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved.' He redeemed me from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light. God does all these things to a man twice, even three times. He turns him back from the pit that the light of life may shine on him.
Prosperity » Of the wicked, general references to
The tents of marauders prosper and those who provoke God are secure in what God's hand brings them.
Jehovah, if I argued my case with you, you would prove to be right. Indeed, I must question you about matters of justice. Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why do dishonest people succeed with impunity?
They grow big and fat. Their evil deeds have no limits. They have no respect for the rights of others. They have no respect for the rights of orphans. But they still prosper. They do not defend the rights of the poor.
I was envious of arrogant people when I saw the peace and prosperity that wicked people enjoy.
I have seen a wicked, violent man spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.
Behold, these are the ungodly. They prosper in the world; they increase in wealth.
Tents » Called » Tabernacles
The tents of marauders prosper and those who provoke God are secure in what God's hand brings them.
By faith he became an alien in the Promised Land. It was not his land. He lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob. They were heirs with him of the same promise.
Theft » The wicked » May, for a season, prosper in
The tents of marauders prosper and those who provoke God are secure in what God's hand brings them.
Wicked people » Prosperity of
([Psalm of David]) Do not be bothered by evildoers. Do not envy those who do wicked things.
The tents of marauders prosper and those who provoke God are secure in what God's hand brings them.
Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and he lives a long life, yet I know that it will be well with those who respect (reverence) God and worship him. Things will not go well with the wicked. He will not prolong his days. His days are like a shadow. He does not respect God.
I have seen a wicked, violent man spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil. Then he passed away, and lo, he was no more. I searched for him, but he could not be found.
We call arrogant people happy. Evil people test God's patience with their wicked deeds. They not only get away with it, they also prosper.
Why do you make me see wickedness and immorality? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife exists and contention arises. The law is paralyzed and justice is never delivered. The wicked surround the righteous and deliver perverted justice.
I have seen a stubborn fool take root and I quickly cursed his house. His children are far from help. They are crushed at the court of justice at the city gate. No one is there to rescue them. Hungry people eat what a stubborn fool gathers. They take it even from among the thorns. Thirsty people pant after his wealth.
He wanders about as food for vultures and he knows the day of darkness is at hand.
He will no longer be rich and his wealth will not endure, nor will his possessions spread over the land.
Distress will overtake him in the midst of his plenty. The full force of misery will come upon him.
Why do the wicked live on, reach old age, and become mighty in power? Their children are established in their presence, and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe and without fear, and no rod of God is upon them. read more.
Their bull breeds without fail and their cow calves and never miscarries. They send out their little ones like a flock, and their children dance around. They sing to the tambourine and the lyre, and rejoice to the sound of the pipe. They spend their days in prosperity, and in peace they go down to the grave.
Their bull breeds without fail and their cow calves and never miscarries. They send out their little ones like a flock, and their children dance around. They sing to the tambourine and the lyre, and rejoice to the sound of the pipe. They spend their days in prosperity, and in peace they go down to the grave.
One can see that wise people die, that foolish and stupid people meet the same end. They leave their wealth to others. Inwardly they think their houses are forever, their dwelling place to all generations. So they named their lands after themselves. But mortals will not continue here with what they treasure. They are like animals that die. read more.
This is the final outcome for fools and their followers who are delighted by what they say: Like sheep, they are laid in the grave. Death will shepherd them. The upright will rule them in the morning. Their forms will decay in the grave, far away from their comfortable homes. But God will redeem me (buy me back) from the power of the grave because he will receive me.
This is the final outcome for fools and their followers who are delighted by what they say: Like sheep, they are laid in the grave. Death will shepherd them. The upright will rule them in the morning. Their forms will decay in the grave, far away from their comfortable homes. But God will redeem me (buy me back) from the power of the grave because he will receive me.
I was envious of arrogant people when I saw the peace and prosperity that wicked people enjoy. They suffer no pain. Their bodies are healthy. They have no drudgery in their lives like ordinary people. They are not plagued with problems like mankind. read more.
That is why arrogance is their necklace and violence covers them like clothing. Their eyes stand out with fatness, and their heart's imagination run wild. They ridicule. They speak maliciously. They speak arrogantly about oppression. They set their mouth in the heavens and their tongue parades through the earth. Therefore his people return here and here they drink waters of abundance. They ask: How does God know? And is there knowledge with the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly. They prosper in the world; they increase in wealth. I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. I have been plagued all day long, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; then, I would offend the generation of your children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me. I understood their end when I went into the sanctuary of God. Surely you set them in slippery places. You threw them down into destruction. How are they destroyed, suddenly! They are utterly consumed with terrors. It is like waking up from a dream, O Jehovah. When you awake you will despise everything they represent. My heart was grieved and I was pierced within. I was so foolish and ignorant: I was like a beast before you.
That is why arrogance is their necklace and violence covers them like clothing. Their eyes stand out with fatness, and their heart's imagination run wild. They ridicule. They speak maliciously. They speak arrogantly about oppression. They set their mouth in the heavens and their tongue parades through the earth. Therefore his people return here and here they drink waters of abundance. They ask: How does God know? And is there knowledge with the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly. They prosper in the world; they increase in wealth. I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. I have been plagued all day long, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; then, I would offend the generation of your children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me. I understood their end when I went into the sanctuary of God. Surely you set them in slippery places. You threw them down into destruction. How are they destroyed, suddenly! They are utterly consumed with terrors. It is like waking up from a dream, O Jehovah. When you awake you will despise everything they represent. My heart was grieved and I was pierced within. I was so foolish and ignorant: I was like a beast before you.
A stupid (senseless) person cannot know and a fool cannot understand. Wicked people sprout like grass and all troublemakers flourish. Yet they will be destroyed forever.
Jehovah, if I argued my case with you, you would prove to be right. Indeed, I must question you about matters of justice. Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why do dishonest people succeed with impunity? You plant them, and they take root. They grow and bear fruit. You are near their lips, but far from their mind.
Your eyes are too pure to look at evil. You cannot look at perversity. Why do you look at treacherous persons and not act? Why do you keep quiet when the wicked destroy the man who is more righteous? Why do you make men like the fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler over them? He brings them all up with the hook. He gathers them away in his net. He gladly gathers them and rejoices. read more.
He offers sacrifices and burns incense to his fishing net. For it is through this their catch is great and the food is plentiful. Will they keep on emptying their nets and keep on destroying nations without mercy?
He offers sacrifices and burns incense to his fishing net. For it is through this their catch is great and the food is plentiful. Will they keep on emptying their nets and keep on destroying nations without mercy?
The wicked » Causes of failure in » Prosperity of
The tents of marauders prosper and those who provoke God are secure in what God's hand brings them.
Jehovah, if I argued my case with you, you would prove to be right. Indeed, I must question you about matters of justice. Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why do dishonest people succeed with impunity?
They grow big and fat. Their evil deeds have no limits. They have no respect for the rights of others. They have no respect for the rights of orphans. But they still prosper. They do not defend the rights of the poor.
I was envious of arrogant people when I saw the peace and prosperity that wicked people enjoy.
I have seen a wicked, violent man spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.
Behold, these are the ungodly. They prosper in the world; they increase in wealth.