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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Tuesday December 20, 2016 (NIV)

Haggai 1-2

Command to Rebuild the Temple

1 In the second year of King Darius,[a](A) on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through Haggai(B) the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,(C) the governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest:(D)

2 “The Lord of Hosts says this: These people say: The time has not come for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt.”(E)

3 The word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet: 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses,(F) while this house[b] lies in ruins?” 5 Now, the Lord of Hosts says this: “Think carefully(G) about[c] your ways:

6 You have planted much
but harvested little.
You eat
but never have enough to be satisfied.
You drink
but never have enough to become drunk.
You put on clothes
but never have enough to get warm.
The wage earner puts his wages
into a bag with a hole in it.”(H)

7 The Lord of Hosts says this: “Think carefully about[d] your ways. 8 Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house. Then I will be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the Lord. 9 “You expected much, but then it amounted to little. When you brought the harvest to your house, I ruined[e] it. Why?” This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. “Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house.

10 So on your account,[f]
the skies have withheld the dew
and the land its crops.(I)
11 I have summoned a drought
on the fields and the hills,
on the grain, new wine, olive oil,
and whatever the ground yields,
on man and beast,
and on all that your hands produce.”

The People’s Response

12 Then Zerubbabel(J) son of Shealtiel, the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the entire remnant of the people(K) obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the words of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. So the people feared the Lord.(L)

13 Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, delivered the Lord’s message to the people, “I am with you”(M)—this is the Lord’s declaration.

14 The Lord stirred up the spirit(N) of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, the spirit of the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. They began work on the house of Yahweh of Hosts, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius.

Encouragement and Promise

2 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month,(O) the word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet: 2 “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and to the remnant of the people: 3 Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Doesn’t it seem like nothing to you?[g](P) 4 Even so, be strong, Zerubbabel”—this is the Lord’s declaration.(Q) “Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “Work! For I am with you”(R)—the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. 5 “This is the promise I made to you when you came out of Egypt,(S) and My Spirit is present among you; don’t be afraid.”

6 For the Lord of Hosts says this: “Once more, in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth,(T) the sea and the dry land.(U) 7 I will shake all the nations so that the treasures of all the nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,”(V) says the Lord of Hosts. 8 “The silver and gold belong to Me”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. 9 “The final glory of this house[h] will be greater than the first,”(W) says the Lord of Hosts. “I will provide peace in this place”(X)—this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.

From Deprivation to Blessing

10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Haggai the prophet: 11 “This is what the Lord of Hosts says: Ask the priests for a ruling.(Y) 12 If a man is carrying consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and it touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any other food, does it become holy?”(Z)

The priests answered, “No.”

13 Then Haggai asked, “If someone defiled by contact with a corpse touches any of these, does it become defiled?”(AA)

The priests answered, “It becomes defiled.”

14 Then Haggai replied, “So is this people, and so is this nation before Me”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “And so is every work of their hands; even what they offer there is defiled.

15 “Now, reflect back from this day: Before one stone was placed on another in the Lord’s temple, 16 what state were you in?[i] When someone came to a grain heap of 20 measures, it only amounted to 10; when one came to the winepress to dip 50 measures from the vat, it only amounted to 20. 17 I struck you—all the work of your hands—with blight, mildew,(AB) and hail,(AC) but you didn’t turn to Me”—this is the Lord’s declaration. 18 “Consider carefully(AD) from this day forward; from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid; consider it carefully. 19 Is there still seed left in the granary? The vine, the fig, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yet produced. But from this day on I will bless you.”(AE)

Promise to Zerubbabel

20 The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah: I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.(AF) 22 I will overturn royal thrones and destroy the power of the Gentile kingdoms.(AG) I will overturn chariots and their riders. Horses and their riders will fall, each by his brother’s sword. 23 On that day”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts—“I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, My servant”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and make you like My signet ring,(AH) for I have chosen you.”(AI) This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.

Footnotes:

  1. Haggai 1:1 King of Persia reigned 522–486 b.c.
  2. Haggai 1:4 = the temple
  3. Haggai 1:5 Lit Place your heart on
  4. Haggai 1:7 Lit Place your heart on
  5. Haggai 1:9 Lit blew on
  6. Haggai 1:10 Or So above you
  7. Haggai 2:3 Lit Is it not in your eyes?
  8. Haggai 2:9 Or The glory of this latter house
  9. Haggai 2:16 Hb obscure

Cross references:

  1. 1:1 : Ezr 4:5; Neh 12:22; Dn 9:11; 11:1; Hg 1:15; 2:10; Zch 1:1, 7; 7:1
  2. 1:1 : Ezr 5:1; 6:14
  3. 1:1 : 1Ch 3:19; Ezr 3:2, 8; 5:2; Neh 12:1; Hg 1:12, 14; 2:2, 23; Lk 3:27
  4. 1:1 : Hg 1:12, 14; 2:2, 4; Zch 3:1, 8; 6:11
  5. 1:2 : Ezr 1:3
  6. 1:4 : 1Kg 7:7; Jr 22:14
  7. 1:5 : Hg 2:15, 18
  8. 1:6 : Lv 26:20; Dt 28:38-40
  9. 1:10 : Lv 26:20; Dt 11:17
  10. 1:12 : 1Ch 13:9; Ezr 3:8; Neh 12:1; Hg 2:2; Zch 4:6
  11. 1:12 : Is 10:20-21; Jr 41:10; Hg 2:2
  12. 1:12 : Ex 14:31; Dt 4:10; 1Sm 12:18
  13. 1:13 : Hg 2:4
  14. 1:14 : 1Ch 5:26; Ezr 1:1, 5; Is 13:17; 14:9; 41:10; 45:13; Jr 51:11
  15. 2:1 : Lv 23:33-43; 2Ch 7:8-10
  16. 2:3 : 1Kg 5:13-16; 6:38; 1Ch 29:1-8; Ezr 3:10-13; Zch 4:10
  17. 2:4 : Jos 1:6-9; 1Ch 28:10, 20
  18. 2:4 : Hg 1:13; Zch 8:9
  19. 2:5 : Ex 33:14-17
  20. 2:6 : Hg 2:21
  21. 2:6 : Is 64:2; Ezk 38:19-20; Heb 12:26-28
  22. 2:7 : Ex 40:34-35; 1Kg 8:10-11; Is 60:1-13
  23. 2:9 : Mt 12:42
  24. 2:9 : Is 60:18
  25. 2:11 : Mal 2:7
  26. 2:12 : Jr 11:15
  27. 2:13 : Lv 11:39; 22:4-6; Nm 19:11-13, 22
  28. 2:17 : Dt 28:22; 1Kg 8:37; Am 4:9
  29. 2:17 : Ps 105:32-33
  30. 2:18 : Hg 1:5, 7
  31. 2:19 : Zch 8:9-13
  32. 2:21 : Hg 2:6-7; Ezk 38:19-20
  33. 2:22 : Gn 19:25; Am 4:11
  34. 2:23 : Est 8:8; Jr 22:23-25
  35. 2:23 : Mt 1:12-13
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Revelation 11

The Two Witnesses

11 Then I was given a measuring reed(A) like a rod,[a] with these words: “Go[b] and measure God’s sanctuary and the altar, and count those who worship there. 2 But exclude the courtyard outside the sanctuary. Don’t measure it, because it is given to the nations,[c] and they will trample the holy city for 42 months. 3 I will empower[d] my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days,[e](B) dressed in sackcloth.”[f] 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord[g] of the earth.(C) 5 If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and consumes their enemies;(D) if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. 6 These men have the power to close up the sky so that it does not rain during the days of their prophecy.(E) They also have power over the waters to turn them into blood(F) and to strike the earth with every plague whenever they want.

The Witnesses Martyred

7 When they finish their testimony, the beast[h](G) that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, conquer them, and kill them. 8 Their dead bodies[i](H) will lie in the public square[j] of the great city, which prophetically[k] is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9 And representatives from[l] the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations(I) will view their bodies for three and a half days and not permit their bodies to be put into a tomb. 10 Those who live on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send gifts to one another because these two prophets brought judgment to those who live on the earth.

The Witnesses Resurrected

11 But after 3½ days, the breath[m] of life(J) from God entered them, and they stood on their feet. So great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 Then they heard[n] a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” They went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies watched them.(K) 13 At that moment a violent earthquake took place,(L) a tenth of the city fell, and 7,000 people were killed in the earthquake. The survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe(M) has passed. Take note: The third woe is coming quickly!

The Seventh Trumpet

15 The seventh angel blew his trumpet,(N) and there were loud voices in heaven saying:

The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom
of our Lord and of His Messiah,
and He will reign forever and ever!(O)

16 The 24 elders, who were seated before God on their thrones, fell facedown and worshiped God, 17 saying:

We thank You, Lord God, the Almighty,
who is and who was,[o](P)
because You have taken Your great power
and have begun to reign.(Q)
18 The nations were angry,(R)
but Your wrath has come.
The time has come
for the dead to be judged
and to give the reward
to Your servants the prophets,(S)
to the saints, and to those who fear Your name,
both small and great,(T)
and the time has come to destroy
those who destroy the earth.

19 God’s sanctuary in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant[p] appeared in His sanctuary. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings of thunder,(U) an earthquake,[q] and severe hail.

Footnotes:

  1. Revelation 11:1 Other mss add and the angel stood up
  2. Revelation 11:1 Lit Arise
  3. Revelation 11:2 Or Gentiles
  4. Revelation 11:3 Lit I will give to
  5. Revelation 11:3 = 3½ years of 30-day months
  6. Revelation 11:3 Mourning garment of coarse, often black, material
  7. Revelation 11:4 Other mss read God
  8. Revelation 11:7 Or wild animal
  9. Revelation 11:8 Lit Their corpse
  10. Revelation 11:8 Or lie on the broad street
  11. Revelation 11:8 Or spiritually, or symbolically
  12. Revelation 11:9 Lit And from
  13. Revelation 11:11 Or spirit
  14. Revelation 11:12 Other mss read Then I heard
  15. Revelation 11:17 Other mss add and who is to come
  16. Revelation 11:19 Other mss read ark of the covenant of the Lord
  17. Revelation 11:19 Other mss omit an earthquake

Cross references:

  1. 11:1 : Ezk 40:3, 5; 42:15-19; Rv 21:15
  2. 11:3 : Dn 12:11; Rv 12:6, 14; 13:5
  3. 11:4 : Zch 4:3, 11-14
  4. 11:5 : Jr 5:14
  5. 11:6 : 1Kg 17:1
  6. 11:6 : Ex 7:17-21
  7. 11:7 : Rv 13:1, 11; 17:8
  8. 11:8 : Is 66:24
  9. 11:9 : Rv 5:9; 7:9; 10:11
  10. 11:11 : Gn 2:7; 6:17; 7:15, 22; Ezk 37:5
  11. 11:12 : 2Kg 2:1; Mk 16:19; Lk 24:51; Ac 1:9-10
  12. 11:13 : Is 29:6; Ezk 38:19
  13. 11:14 : Rv 8:13; 9:12
  14. 11:15 : Is 27:13
  15. 11:15 : 2Sm 7:16; Is 37:16; Dn 7:14, 18; Lk 1:32-33
  16. 11:17 : Rv 1:4, 8; 4:8; 16:5
  17. 11:17 : Lk 1:33; 1Co 15:25; Rv 19:6
  18. 11:18 : Ps 2:1
  19. 11:18 : Rv 10:7
  20. 11:18 : 2Kg 23:2; Ps 115:13; Rv 19:5
  21. 11:19 : Rv 4:5; 8:5
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Psalm 139

Psalm 139

The All-Knowing, Ever-Present God

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

1 Lord, You have searched me and known me.(A)
2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up;
You understand my thoughts from far away.(B)
3 You observe my travels and my rest;
You are aware of all my ways.(C)
4 Before a word is on my tongue,
You know all about it, Lord.(D)
5 You have encircled me;
You have placed Your hand on me.(E)
6 This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me.
It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.(F)

7 Where can I go to escape Your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your presence?(G)
8 If I go up to heaven, You are there;(H)
if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.(I)
9 If I live at the eastern horizon
or settle at the western limits,[a]
10 even there Your hand will lead me;
Your right hand will hold on to me.(J)
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me,
and the light around me will be night”(K)—
12 even the darkness is not dark to You.
The night shines like the day;
darkness and light are alike to You.(L)

13 For it was You who created my inward parts;[b]
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.(M)
14 I will praise You
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.[c][d]
Your works are wonderful,
and I know this very well.(N)
15 My bones were not hidden from You
when I was made in secret,
when I was formed in the depths of the earth.(O)
16 Your eyes saw me when I was formless;
all my days were written in Your book and planned
before a single one of them began.(P)

17 God, how difficult[e] Your thoughts are
for me to comprehend;
how vast their sum is!
18 If I counted them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand;(Q)
when I wake up,[f] I am still with You.(R)

19 God, if only You would kill the wicked—
you bloodthirsty men, stay away from me(S)—
20 who invoke You deceitfully.
Your enemies swear by You falsely.(T)
21 Lord, don’t I hate those who hate You,
and detest those who rebel against You?
22 I hate them with extreme hatred;
I consider them my enemies.(U)

23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my concerns.(V)
24 See if there is any offensive[g] way in me;
lead me in the everlasting way.(W)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 139:9 Lit I take up the wings of the dawn; I dwell at the end of the sea
  2. Psalm 139:13 Lit my kidneys
  3. Psalm 139:14 DSS, some LXX mss, Syr, Jer read because You are remarkable and wonderful
  4. Psalm 139:14 Hb obscure
  5. Psalm 139:17 Or precious
  6. Psalm 139:18 Some Hb mss read I come to an end
  7. Psalm 139:24 Or idolatrous

Cross references:

  1. 139:1 : Ps 17:3; 44:21; Jr 12:3
  2. 139:2 : 2Kg 19:27; Is 66:18; Mt 9:4
  3. 139:3 : Jb 14:16; 31:4
  4. 139:4 : Heb 4:13
  5. 139:5 : Jb 9:33; Ps 125:2
  6. 139:6 : Jb 42:3; Rm 11:33
  7. 139:7 : Jr 23:24
  8. 139:8 : Am 9:2-4
  9. 139:8 : Jb 26:6; Is 14:11
  10. 139:9-10 : Ps 23:2-3
  11. 139:11 : Jb 22:13-14
  12. 139:12 : Jb 34:22; Dn 2:22
  13. 139:13 : Jb 10:11; Ps 119:73
  14. 139:14 : Ps 40:5
  15. 139:15 : Jb 10:8-10; Ps 63:9; Ec 11:5
  16. 139:16 : Jb 14:5
  17. 139:17-18 : Ps 40:5; 92:5
  18. 139:18 : Ps 3:5
  19. 139:19 : Ps 5:6; 6:8; Is 11:4
  20. 139:20 : Ex 20:7; Jd 15
  21. 139:21-22 : Ps 26:5; 31:16
  22. 139:23 : Jb 31:6; Ps 26:2
  23. 139:24 : Ps 16:11
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 30:15-16

15 The leech has two daughters: “Give, Give!”
Three things(A) are never satisfied;
four never say, “Enough!”:
16 Sheol;(B) a childless womb;(C)
earth, which is never satisfied with water;
and fire, which never says, “Enough!”

Cross references:

  1. 30:15 : Pr 6:16; 30:18, 21, 29
  2. 30:16 : Pr 27:20; Hab 2:5
  3. 30:16 : Gn 30:1
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.