NIV, LifeConnect Study Bible: Growing Deeper, Growing Stronger in Your Spiritual Life

9If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.i

Note the writer’s statements about Jewish customs and the explanation that Jesus brought a new covenant (of grace through faith) that is infinitely better than the old one (of obedience to the law). Pay attention to the repeated use of the words “better” and “superior.”

13Whoever conceals their sinsm does not prosper, but the one who confessesn and renounces them finds mercy.o

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character 102A wife of noble characterk who can find?l She is worth far more than rubies. 11Her husbandm has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.n 12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.o 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing he

Notice the key role of prayer in Nehemiah’s life, and evaluate its importance in your own life today.

Septuagint (the early Greek translation of the Old Testament)

Song of Songs demonstrates that contentment and fulfillment are found in the exclusivity (2:16) of the marriage relationship.

22The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.x

Introduction to Job Author, Place and Date of Writing The author of Job is anonymous. Jewish tradition states that it was written by Moses, but there is nothing in the book itself to suggest Mosaic authorship. Many scholars today wonder whether the work is unified or the product of multiple authors. It has a prose framework (Job 1–2; 42:7–17), with