The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Wednesday January 25, 2017 (NIV)

Genesis 50:1 - Exodus 2:10

Joseph Mourns for His Father

50 Then Joseph embraced his father,[a] cried over him, and kissed him. After this, he issued orders to his physician servants to embalm his father. So they embalmed Israel. It took 40 days to complete the process, the normal period required for embalming. Meanwhile, the Egyptians mourned for him for 70 days. At the conclusion of the mourning period, Joseph addressed Pharaoh’s household. “If you’re satisfied with me, would you please take this message to Pharaoh for me? Tell him, ‘My father told me, “Look! I’m about to die. Bury me in my grave that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” So please let me travel to bury my father. I’ll be right back.’”

“Please go,” Pharaoh replied. “Bury your father, as he asked you to do.”

Joseph Mourns in Canaan

So Joseph got up and went to bury his father, accompanied by all of Pharaoh’s servants, all of the elders of Egypt, all of Joseph’s household, his brothers, and his father’s household. They left behind in the territory of Goshen only their youngest children, their flocks, and their herds. Chariots and horsemen also accompanied Joseph,[b] so there were a lot of people. 10 When they arrived at Atad’s threshing floor, which is located beyond the Jordan River,[c] they held a great and mournful memorial service, during which Joseph[d] spent seven days mourning for his father. 11 As soon as the Canaanites who lived in the land observed the mourning going on at Atad’s threshing floor, they commented “This is a significant time of mourning for the Egyptians.” That’s why the place, which is located beyond the Jordan River,[e] became known as Abel-mizraim.[f]

The Burial at Machpelah

12 And so Israel’s[g] sons did what he had instructed them to do: 13 they carried him to the territory of Canaan and buried him in the cave in Machpelah field near Mamre that Abraham had purchased[h] as a cemetery from Ephron the Hittite. 14 After he had buried his father, Joseph and his brothers returned to Egypt, along with everyone who had gone with him to attend the burial.

15 Later, after Joseph’s brothers faced the reality of their father’s death, they asked themselves, “What happens if Joseph decides to hold a grudge against us? What if he pays us back in full for all the wrong things we did to him?”

16 So they sent this message to Joseph: 17 “Before he died, your father left some instructions. He told us, ‘Tell Joseph, “Please forgive your brothers’ offenses. I beg you, forgive their sins, because they wronged you.”’ So please forgive the transgression of the servants of your father’s God.”

Joseph wept when they talked to him. 18 So Joseph’s[i] brothers went to visit him, fell prostrate in front of him, and declared, “Look! We’re your servants.”

19 “Don’t be afraid,” Joseph responded. “Am I sitting in God’s place? 20 As far as you’re concerned, you were planning evil against me, but God intended it for good, planning to bring about the present result so that many people would be preserved alive. 21 So don’t be afraid! I’ll take care of you and your little ones.” So Joseph[j] kept on comforting them, speaking to the needs of[k] their hearts.

Joseph’s Death and Burial

22 Joseph continued to live in Egypt, along with his father’s household, until he was 110 years old. 23 Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children, as well as the children who had been born to Manasseh’s son Machir, whom he adopted as his own.[l] 24 Later, Joseph told his brothers, “I’m going to die soon, but God will certainly provide for you and bring you up from this land to the land that he promised with an oath to give[m] to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” 25 So Joseph made all of Israel’s other[n] children make this promise: “Because God is certainly going to take care of you, you are to carry my bones up from here.”

26 Some time later, Joseph died at the age of 110 years, and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.

The Israelis Prosper in Egypt

These are the names of the Israelis[o] who entered Egypt with Jacob, each one having come with his family:[p] Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issacar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. All those who descended from[q] Jacob totaled 75 persons.[r] Now Joseph was already[s] in Egypt. Then Joseph, all his brothers, and that entire generation died. But the Israelis were fruitful and increased abundantly.[t] They multiplied in numbers and became very, very strong. As a result, the land was filled with them.

The Israelis Become Slaves

Eventually a new king who was unacquainted with Joseph came to power in[u] Egypt. He told his people, “Look, the Israeli people are more numerous and more powerful than we are. 10 Come on, let’s be careful how we treat them, so that when they grow numerous, if a war breaks out they won’t join our enemies, fight against us, and leave our land.” 11 So the Egyptians[v] placed supervisors over them, oppressing them with heavy burdens. The Israelis[w] built the supply cities of Pithom and Rameses for Pharaoh. 12 But the more the Egyptians afflicted the Israelis,[x] the more they multiplied and flourished, so that the Egyptians[y] became terrified of[z] the Israelis. 13 The Egyptians ruthlessly forced the Israelis to serve them, 14 making their lives bitter through hard labor with mortar, bricks, and all kinds of outdoor labor. They ruthlessly imposed all this[aa] work on them.

Pharaoh Orders Male Children Killed

15 Later, the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah. 16 “When you help the Hebrew women give birth,” he said, “watch them as they deliver.[ab] If it’s a son, kill him; but if it’s a daughter, let her live.” 17 But the midwives feared God and didn’t do what the king of Egypt told them. Instead,[ac] they let the boys live.

18 When the king of Egypt called for the midwives, he asked them, “Why have you done this[ad] and allowed the boys to live?”

19 “Hebrew women aren’t like Egyptian women,” the midwives replied to Pharaoh. “They’re so healthy that they give birth before the midwives arrive to help[ae] them.”

20 God was pleased with the midwives, and the people multiplied and became very strong. 21 Because the midwives feared God, he provided families[af] for them. 22 Meanwhile, Pharaoh continued commanding all of his people, “You’re to throw every Hebrew[ag] son who is born into the Nile River,[ah] but you’re to allow every Hebrew[ai] daughter to live.”

Moses is Born

A man of the family of Levi married the daughter of a descendant of Levi. Later, the woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a beautiful[aj] child, and hid him for three months. But when she was no longer able to hide him, she took a papyrus container, coated it with asphalt and pitch, placed the child in it, and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. Then his sister positioned herself some distance away in order to find out what would happen to him.

Pharaoh’s Daughter Adopts Moses

Then Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the Nile River[ak] to bathe while her maids walked along the river bank. She saw the container among the reeds and sent a servant girl to get it. When she opened it and saw the child, the little boy suddenly began crying. Filled with compassion for him, she exclaimed, “This is one of the Hebrew children!”

Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call one of the nursing Hebrew women so she can nurse the child for you?”

Pharaoh’s daughter told her, “Go,” so the young girl went and called the child’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter instructed her, “Take this child and nurse him for me, and I’ll pay you a salary.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10 After the child had grown older,[al] she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses,[am] because she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

Footnotes:

  1. Genesis 50:1 Lit. Joseph fell on his father’s face
  2. Genesis 50:9 Lit. him
  3. Genesis 50:10 The Heb. lacks River
  4. Genesis 50:10 Lit. he
  5. Genesis 50:11 The Heb. lacks River
  6. Genesis 50:11 The Heb. name Abel-mizraim means Mourning of the Egyptians
  7. Genesis 50:12 Lit. so his
  8. Genesis 50:13 Lit. purchased along with the field
  9. Genesis 50:18 Lit. his
  10. Genesis 50:21 Lit. he
  11. Genesis 50:21 The Heb. lacks the needs of
  12. Genesis 50:23 Lit. Machir, who were born on Joseph’s knees; i.e. they were placed in a special position of inheritance rights
  13. Genesis 50:24 The Heb. lacks to give
  14. Genesis 50:25 The Heb. lacks other
  15. Exodus 1:1 Lit. the sons of Israel and so throughout the book
  16. Exodus 1:1 Or household
  17. Exodus 1:5 Lit. came out of the loins of
  18. Exodus 1:5 So with DSS and LXX. MT reads 70
  19. Exodus 1:5 The Heb. lacks already
  20. Exodus 1:7 Lit. swarmed
  21. Exodus 1:8 Lit. arose over
  22. Exodus 1:11 Lit. they
  23. Exodus 1:11 Lit. They
  24. Exodus 1:12 Lit. them
  25. Exodus 1:12 Lit. they
  26. Exodus 1:12 Or came to loathe
  27. Exodus 1:14 Lit. their
  28. Exodus 1:16 Lit. them on the birth stool
  29. Exodus 1:17 The Heb. lacks Instead
  30. Exodus 1:18 Lit. this thing
  31. Exodus 1:19 The Heb. lacks to help
  32. Exodus 1:21 Or households; lit. houses
  33. Exodus 1:22 The Heb. lacks Hebrew
  34. Exodus 1:22 The Heb. lacks River
  35. Exodus 1:22 The Heb. lacks Hebrew
  36. Exodus 2:2 Or good
  37. Exodus 2:5 The Heb. lacks River
  38. Exodus 2:10 The Heb. lacks older
  39. Exodus 2:10 The Heb. name Moses sounds like the Heb. verb draw out
International Standard Version (ISV)

Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.

Matthew 16:13-17:9

Peter Declares His Faith in Jesus(A)

13 When Jesus had come to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They said, “Some say[a] John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 He asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[b] the Son of the living God!”

17 Then Jesus told him, “How blessed you are, Simon son of Jonah,[c] since flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, though my Father in heaven has. 18 I tell you that you are Peter,[d] and it is on this rock[e] that I will build my congregation,[f] and the powers of hell[g] will not conquer it. 19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom from[h] heaven. Whatever you prohibit on earth will have been prohibited[i] in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will have been permitted[j] in heaven.”

20 Then he strictly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.[k]

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection(B)

21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he would have to go to Jerusalem and suffer a great deal because of the elders, the high priests, and the scribes. Then he would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God be merciful to you, Lord! This must never happen to you!”

23 But Jesus[l] turned and told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an offense[m] to me, because you are not thinking God’s thoughts but human thoughts!”

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross, and follow me continuously. 25 Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it, 26 because what profit will a person have if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life? 27 The Son of Man is going to come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to what he has done. 28 I tell all of you[n] with certainty, some people standing here will not experience[o] death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Jesus’ Appearance is Changed(C)

17 Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. His appearance was changed in front of them, his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.[p]

Then Peter told Jesus, “Lord, it’s good that we’re here! If you want, I’ll set up three shelters[q]—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when a bright cloud suddenly overshadowed them.

A voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with him. Keep on listening to him!”

When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.

But Jesus came up to them and touched them, saying, “Get up, and stop being afraid.” When they raised their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus all by himself.

On their way down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Don’t tell anyone about this vision until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 16:14 The Gk. lacks say
  2. Matthew 16:16 Or Christ
  3. Matthew 16:17 Or Simon son of John; Lit. Simon bar Jonah; cf. John 1:42
  4. Matthew 16:18 Lit. Petros
  5. Matthew 16:18 Lit. petra
  6. Matthew 16:18 Or church
  7. Matthew 16:18 Lit. the gates of Hades, a reference to the realm of the dead
  8. Matthew 16:19 Lit. of
  9. Matthew 16:19 Or will be prohibited
  10. Matthew 16:19 Or will be permitted
  11. Matthew 16:20 Or Christ
  12. Matthew 16:23 Lit. he
  13. Matthew 16:23 Or a hindrance
  14. Matthew 16:28 The Gk. pronoun you is pl.
  15. Matthew 16:28 Lit. taste
  16. Matthew 17:3 Lit. him
  17. Matthew 17:4 Or tents
International Standard Version (ISV)

Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.

Psalm 21

To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.

Praise for the Lord’s Deliverance

21 The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
How greatly he rejoices in your deliverance.
You have granted him the desire of his heart,
and have not withheld what his lips requested.
Interlude

You go before him with wonderful blessings,
and put a crown of fine gold on his head.
He asked life from you, and you gave it to him—
a long life for ever and ever.
His glory is great because of your deliverance,
you have given him honor and majesty.
Indeed, you have given him eternal blessings;
you will make him glad with the joy of your presence.
The king trusts in the Lord;
because of the gracious love of the Most High,
he will stand firm.[a]

Your hand will find all your enemies,
your right hand will find those who hate you.
When you appear,
you will set them ablaze like a fire furnace.
In his wrath, the Lord will consume them,
and the fire will devour them.
10 You will destroy their descendants[b] from the earth,
even their offspring from the ranks[c] of mankind.
11 Though they plot evil against you and devise schemes,
they will not succeed.
12 Indeed, you will make them retreat,[d]
when you aim your bow[e] at their faces.

13 Rise up, Lord, because you are strong;
we will sing and praise your power.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 21:7 Lit. will not be shaken
  2. Psalm 21:10 Lit. his fruit
  3. Psalm 21:10 Lit. children
  4. Psalm 21:12 Lit. will turn the shoulder
  5. Psalm 21:12 Lit. when your bow string is ready
International Standard Version (ISV)

Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.

Proverbs 5:1-6

Warning against Sexual Immorality

My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
and listen closely to my insight,
so you may carefully practice[a] discretion
and your lips preserve knowledge.
For the lips of an adulteress drip honey,
and her speech[b] is smoother than oil.
But in the end she is as bitter as wormwood,[c]
and as sharp as a double-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead to Sheol.[d]
You aren’t thinking about[e] where her life is headed;
her steps wander, but you do not realize[f] it.

Footnotes:

  1. Proverbs 5:2 Lit. guard
  2. Proverbs 5:3 Lit. palate
  3. Proverbs 5:4 Wormwood is a plant with an extremely bitter taste.
  4. Proverbs 5:5 I.e. the realm of the dead
  5. Proverbs 5:6 Or She does not consider
  6. Proverbs 5:6 Or she does not realize
International Standard Version (ISV)

Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.