Month: November 2019

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11/20/2019 DAB Transcript

Ezekiel 40:28-41:26, James 4:1-17, Psalms 118:19-29, Proverbs 28:3-5

Today is the 20th day of November. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian and it’s great to be here with you. And I hope it’s great for you to be here as we come in from the…from the hustle and bustle that is all around us and kind of amping up here for the holiday season that we’re about to enter into. So, we can always remember, we have this little oasis that we’ve carved out for ourselves throughout this year, this safe place to hear from God’s word. So, let's…so, let dive in. We’re reading from the New Living Translation this week and we’ll go back into the book of Ezekiel today from the Old Testament. Today, Ezekiel chapter 40 verse 28 through 41 verse 26

Commentary:

Okay. So, we’re working our way through the letter of James, and as we have noticed and as we have talked about, James is very direct, is attempting to leave no room for misunderstanding, is speaking very clear and pointedly. And it’s interesting because this is written a couple thousand years ago, right? So, this is appointed direct letter from a couple thousand years ago, but my goodness, if…I mean it could’ve been written yesterday and apply. So, James says today as we began our reading, “what is it that’s causing you to quarrel and fight? Like, what’s causing the quarrels and fights among you?” If we just stop there, we know that he is speaking something very practical into our lives right now even though it’s a couple thousand years ago because that is an important question. “What is it that’s causing the quarrels and fights among you?” James answers it rhetorically by saying, “don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you.?” In other words, aren’t the fights that you are experiencing externally actually fights that are happening inside yourself first. Ahhhh…like we could just stop right there and ponder that for the rest of the day. James is basically saying, “look, the fights and quarrels, this conflict it seems to be ever present comes out of our sense of not having what we want or desire or…or not having what we think we deserve.” Like we’ll  see somebody else who works less hard than us who has more than us and we think we deserve what they have…like we want their story or their things because we’re perceiving a lack inside of ourselves, because we’re comparing our lives to someone else’s life and it can get pretty nasty, right? It can be just us shunning that person and losing the relationship, it can be in our family, I mean, it can be that we are dominating to make up for our own deficits because we’re like trying to force out of others what we think we deserve, which of course brings quarrels and fights. And after a quarrel or a fight like that, even if you get what you were looking for, even if you get the thing or the words you were looking for, do you walk away going, “There. Now the world is right again. All is shalom. Balance has returned, right? No, because the deficit you feel inside is still there and it will never be full. We’re always gonna come up empty because we’re looking in the wrong place. James said, “you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it and when you do…when you do ask Him you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong. You only want what will give you pleasure.” So, we can be like, “well…I have had enough of this James guy, right? Like, I mean, he’s so full of condemnation but that’s not what he was trying to do. He was trying to like…it’s like a smack across the face, which is not pleasant but wakes you up or like ice water thrown into your face, which might make you mad, but it wakes you up. Its liking condemnation isn’t the point. He’s working his way down to the root of all this. “Don’t you realize” and I’m quoting James here, “don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you and enemy, an enemy of God? I say it again. You want to be a friend of the world, you’re making yourself an enemy of God.” This is why he’s being so direct. If we’re gonna to try to get an identity by trying to be relevant in our culture and follow the ways of the world, then we need to understand that we are living so backwards that according to James, we are at odds with God, that we’re making ourselves God’s enemy. I don’t know about you. I think I do a little bit, but I think I know enough to say we might all be in agreement on this, nobody wants to be the enemy of God. So, that means we need to look at what we’re doing here because James says, “if we’re gonna live this way we are going to make ourselves an enemy of God.” So…so what we do, especially if like in this moment we’re realizing…this is me….like…I…I do this all the time…looking at everybody else to find an identity and I’m continually living in jealousy and envy and I’m continually passively aggressively acting that out in my words and deeds. And it’s right. Even if I get what I’m after I’m still empty inside. So, if we realize this, what do we do? Thank goodness James wasn’t just pointing out problems. He was leading away from problems by naming them and then offering insight. So, James says, “here’s what you do. Humble yourself before god. Like, don’t wait for life to humble you, to crush you, humble yourself before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Now that part we probably all know and can quote because it’s one of the most famous verses in the Bible, but do you see why context matters when we’re reading the Bible? Because we can say resist the devil and he will flee from you all day long. But now we at least know when James was even talking about when he said that, and we realize what he’s saying is we must resist the devil and he will flee from us. We must humble ourselves before God because we don’t want to be the enemy of God because our lives are diametrically opposed to the way of life. So, James says, “humble yourself before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come close to God and God will come close to you. Wash your hands you sinners, purify your hearts. Your loyalty is divided between God and the world”, right? That’s not going to work. You’re never gonna get there from here. And James is really encouraging strong repentance. “Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up in honor”, right? So, you can demand honor, you can demand possessions, you can demand identity, you can demand status, and you can become envious and frustrated when you don’t get it. And, so, you can by force try to take it from another, only to find that you are empty and that you have now made yourself an enemy of God by using worldly tactics or you can humble yourself before God and come close to God and He will come close to you. There is a fork in the road for us today friends. We have a path to choose. By default, we’re going to choose one or the other and as James has pointed out clearly, the path we have chosen will be borne out in our actions. We will actually live what we believe. So let’s invite the Holy Spirit. Where are our loyalties divided?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit. We invite You into that. Right here at this crossroads, now that we’ve had a couple of days working through James here, we see very clearly that there are implications to what we do and think and the decisions that we make, those choices matter, and they lead to their logical conclusions. And so often we’re not even paying attention to where we’re going, we’re just reacting to everything and it’s not working. And, so, we invite Your Holy Spirit to come so that we can be proactive, so that we can see what we’re doing before we do it so that we can, in the moment, humble ourselves before You and draw near to You and resist the devil and he will flee from us so that we can live free. Come Holy Spirit into all of this that we’ve discussed today. We are powerless to change ourselves without Your transformative power in our lives and we need to change here. It’s not right that we bless and curse out of the same mouth. It’s not right that there are fights and quarrels among us because of our own deficits and our own emptiness when fullness is available when You have offered Yourself and that You have come to indwell us. We have no business behaving some of the ways that we’ve been behaving and it’s leading nowhere, and James is confronting us with it as he’s been doing for thousands of years. And, so, here we are, confronted. Come Holy Spirit change us. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Wednesday November 20, 2019 (NIV)

Ezekiel 40:28-41:26

The Gates to the Inner Court

28 Then he brought me into the inner court through the south gate, and he measured the south gate; it had the same measurements(A) as the others. 29 Its alcoves,(B) its projecting walls and its portico had the same measurements as the others. The gateway and its portico had openings all around. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.(C) 30 (The porticoes(D) of the gateways around the inner court were twenty-five cubits wide and five cubits deep.) 31 Its portico(E) faced the outer court; palm trees decorated its jambs, and eight steps led up to it.(F)

32 Then he brought me to the inner court on the east side, and he measured the gateway; it had the same measurements(G) as the others. 33 Its alcoves,(H) its projecting walls and its portico had the same measurements as the others. The gateway and its portico had openings all around. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 34 Its portico(I) faced the outer court; palm trees decorated the jambs on either side, and eight steps led up to it.

35 Then he brought me to the north gate(J) and measured it. It had the same measurements(K) as the others, 36 as did its alcoves,(L) its projecting walls and its portico, and it had openings all around. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 37 Its portico[a](M) faced the outer court; palm trees decorated the jambs on either side, and eight steps led up to it.(N)

The Rooms for Preparing Sacrifices

38 A room with a doorway was by the portico in each of the inner gateways, where the burnt offerings(O) were washed. 39 In the portico of the gateway were two tables on each side, on which the burnt offerings,(P) sin offerings[b](Q) and guilt offerings(R) were slaughtered.(S) 40 By the outside wall of the portico of the gateway, near the steps at the entrance of the north gateway were two tables, and on the other side of the steps were two tables. 41 So there were four tables on one side of the gateway and four on the other—eight tables in all—on which the sacrifices were slaughtered. 42 There were also four tables of dressed stone(T) for the burnt offerings, each a cubit and a half long, a cubit and a half wide and a cubit high.[c] On them were placed the utensils for slaughtering the burnt offerings and the other sacrifices.(U) 43 And double-pronged hooks, each a handbreadth[d] long, were attached to the wall all around. The tables were for the flesh of the offerings.

The Rooms for the Priests

44 Outside the inner gate, within the inner court, were two rooms, one[e] at the side of the north gate and facing south, and another at the side of the south[f] gate and facing north. 45 He said to me, “The room facing south is for the priests who guard the temple,(V) 46 and the room facing north(W) is for the priests who guard the altar.(X) These are the sons of Zadok,(Y) who are the only Levites who may draw near to the Lord to minister before him.(Z)”

47 Then he measured the court: It was square—a hundred cubits long and a hundred cubits wide. And the altar was in front of the temple.(AA)

The New Temple

48 He brought me to the portico of the temple(AB) and measured the jambs of the portico; they were five cubits wide on either side. The width of the entrance was fourteen cubits[g] and its projecting walls were[h] three cubits[i] wide on either side. 49 The portico(AC) was twenty cubits[j] wide, and twelve[k] cubits[l] from front to back. It was reached by a flight of stairs,[m] and there were pillars(AD) on each side of the jambs.

41 Then the man brought me to the main hall(AE) and measured the jambs; the width of the jambs was six cubits[n] on each side.[o] 2 The entrance was ten cubits[p] wide, and the projecting walls on each side of it were five cubits[q] wide. He also measured the main hall; it was forty cubits long and twenty cubits wide.[r](AF)

3 Then he went into the inner sanctuary and measured the jambs of the entrance; each was two cubits[s] wide. The entrance was six cubits wide, and the projecting walls on each side of it were seven cubits[t] wide. 4 And he measured the length of the inner sanctuary; it was twenty cubits, and its width was twenty cubits across the end of the main hall.(AG) He said to me, “This is the Most Holy Place.(AH)”

5 Then he measured the wall of the temple; it was six cubits thick, and each side room around the temple was four cubits[u] wide. 6 The side rooms were on three levels, one above another, thirty(AI) on each level. There were ledges all around the wall of the temple to serve as supports for the side rooms, so that the supports were not inserted into the wall of the temple.(AJ) 7 The side rooms all around the temple were wider at each successive level. The structure surrounding the temple was built in ascending stages, so that the rooms widened as one went upward. A stairway(AK) went up from the lowest floor to the top floor through the middle floor.

8 I saw that the temple had a raised base all around it, forming the foundation of the side rooms. It was the length of the rod, six long cubits. 9 The outer wall of the side rooms was five cubits thick. The open area between the side rooms of the temple 10 and the priests’ rooms was twenty cubits wide all around the temple. 11 There were entrances to the side rooms from the open area, one on the north and another on the south; and the base adjoining the open area was five cubits wide all around.

12 The building facing the temple courtyard on the west side was seventy cubits[v] wide. The wall of the building was five cubits thick all around, and its length was ninety cubits.[w]

13 Then he measured the temple; it was a hundred cubits[x] long, and the temple courtyard and the building with its walls were also a hundred cubits long. 14 The width of the temple courtyard on the east, including the front of the temple, was a hundred cubits.(AL)

15 Then he measured the length of the building facing the courtyard at the rear of the temple, including its galleries(AM) on each side; it was a hundred cubits.

The main hall, the inner sanctuary and the portico facing the court, 16 as well as the thresholds and the narrow windows(AN) and galleries around the three of them—everything beyond and including the threshold was covered with wood. The floor, the wall up to the windows, and the windows were covered.(AO) 17 In the space above the outside of the entrance to the inner sanctuary and on the walls at regular intervals all around the inner and outer sanctuary 18 were carved(AP) cherubim(AQ) and palm trees.(AR) Palm trees alternated with cherubim. Each cherub had two faces:(AS) 19 the face of a human being toward the palm tree on one side and the face of a lion toward the palm tree on the other. They were carved all around the whole temple.(AT) 20 From the floor to the area above the entrance, cherubim and palm trees were carved on the wall of the main hall.

21 The main hall(AU) had a rectangular doorframe, and the one at the front of the Most Holy Place was similar. 22 There was a wooden altar(AV) three cubits[y] high and two cubits square[z]; its corners, its base[aa] and its sides were of wood. The man said to me, “This is the table(AW) that is before the Lord.” 23 Both the main hall(AX) and the Most Holy Place had double doors.(AY) 24 Each door had two leaves—two hinged leaves(AZ) for each door. 25 And on the doors of the main hall were carved cherubim and palm trees like those carved on the walls, and there was a wooden overhang on the front of the portico. 26 On the sidewalls of the portico were narrow windows with palm trees carved on each side. The side rooms of the temple also had overhangs.(BA)

Footnotes:

  1. Ezekiel 40:37 Septuagint (see also verses 31 and 34); Hebrew jambs
  2. Ezekiel 40:39 Or purification offerings
  3. Ezekiel 40:42 That is, about 2 2/3 feet long and wide and 21 inches high or about 80 centimeters long and wide and 53 centimeters high
  4. Ezekiel 40:43 That is, about 3 1/2 inches or about 9 centimeters
  5. Ezekiel 40:44 Septuagint; Hebrew were rooms for singers, which were
  6. Ezekiel 40:44 Septuagint; Hebrew east
  7. Ezekiel 40:48 That is, about 25 feet or about 7.4 meters
  8. Ezekiel 40:48 Septuagint; Hebrew entrance was
  9. Ezekiel 40:48 That is, about 5 1/4 feet or about 1.6 meters
  10. Ezekiel 40:49 That is, about 35 feet or about 11 meters
  11. Ezekiel 40:49 Septuagint; Hebrew eleven
  12. Ezekiel 40:49 That is, about 21 feet or about 6.4 meters
  13. Ezekiel 40:49 Hebrew; Septuagint Ten steps led up to it
  14. Ezekiel 41:1 That is, about 11 feet or about 3.2 meters; also in verses 3, 5 and 8
  15. Ezekiel 41:1 One Hebrew manuscript and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts side, the width of the tent
  16. Ezekiel 41:2 That is, about 18 feet or about 5.3 meters
  17. Ezekiel 41:2 That is, about 8 3/4 feet or about 2.7 meters; also in verses 9, 11 and 12
  18. Ezekiel 41:2 That is, about 70 feet long and 35 feet wide or about 21 meters long and 11 meters wide
  19. Ezekiel 41:3 That is, about 3 1/2 feet or about 1.1 meters; also in verse 22
  20. Ezekiel 41:3 That is, about 12 feet or about 3.7 meters
  21. Ezekiel 41:5 That is, about 7 feet or about 2.1 meters
  22. Ezekiel 41:12 That is, about 123 feet or about 37 meters
  23. Ezekiel 41:12 That is, about 158 feet or about 48 meters
  24. Ezekiel 41:13 That is, about 175 feet or about 53 meters; also in verses 14 and 15
  25. Ezekiel 41:22 That is, about 5 1/4 feet or about 1.5 meters
  26. Ezekiel 41:22 Septuagint; Hebrew long
  27. Ezekiel 41:22 Septuagint; Hebrew length

Cross references:

  1. Ezekiel 40:28 : ver 35
  2. Ezekiel 40:29 : ver 7
  3. Ezekiel 40:29 : ver 25
  4. Ezekiel 40:30 : ver 21
  5. Ezekiel 40:31 : ver 22
  6. Ezekiel 40:31 : ver 34, 37
  7. Ezekiel 40:32 : S ver 24
  8. Ezekiel 40:33 : ver 7
  9. Ezekiel 40:34 : ver 22
  10. Ezekiel 40:35 : Eze 44:4; 47:2
  11. Ezekiel 40:35 : S ver 24
  12. Ezekiel 40:36 : ver 7
  13. Ezekiel 40:37 : ver 22
  14. Ezekiel 40:37 : ver 34
  15. Ezekiel 40:38 : S 2Ch 4:6; Eze 42:13
  16. Ezekiel 40:39 : Eze 46:2
  17. Ezekiel 40:39 : Lev 4:3, 28
  18. Ezekiel 40:39 : S Lev 7:1
  19. Ezekiel 40:39 : ver 42
  20. Ezekiel 40:42 : Ex 20:25
  21. Ezekiel 40:42 : ver 39
  22. Ezekiel 40:45 : 1Ch 9:23
  23. Ezekiel 40:46 : Eze 42:13
  24. Ezekiel 40:46 : Nu 18:5
  25. Ezekiel 40:46 : S 2Sa 8:17; S Ezr 7:2
  26. Ezekiel 40:46 : Nu 16:5; Eze 43:19; 44:15; 45:4; 48:11
  27. Ezekiel 40:47 : Eze 41:13-14
  28. Ezekiel 40:48 : 1Ki 6:2
  29. Ezekiel 40:49 : ver 22; 1Ki 6:3
  30. Ezekiel 40:49 : S 1Ki 7:15
  31. Ezekiel 41:1 : ver 23
  32. Ezekiel 41:2 : 2Ch 3:3
  33. Ezekiel 41:4 : 1Ki 6:20
  34. Ezekiel 41:4 : S Ex 26:33; Heb 9:3-8
  35. Ezekiel 41:6 : Eze 40:17
  36. Ezekiel 41:6 : S 1Ki 6:5
  37. Ezekiel 41:7 : 1Ki 6:8
  38. Ezekiel 41:14 : Eze 40:47
  39. Ezekiel 41:15 : Eze 42:3
  40. Ezekiel 41:16 : 1Ki 6:4
  41. Ezekiel 41:16 : ver 25-26; 1Ki 6:15; Eze 42:3
  42. Ezekiel 41:18 : S 1Ki 6:18
  43. Ezekiel 41:18 : Ex 37:7; S 2Ch 3:7
  44. Ezekiel 41:18 : S 1Ki 6:29; 7:36
  45. Ezekiel 41:18 : Eze 10:21
  46. Ezekiel 41:19 : S Eze 10:14
  47. Ezekiel 41:21 : ver 1
  48. Ezekiel 41:22 : S Ex 30:1
  49. Ezekiel 41:22 : S Ex 25:23; S Eze 23:41
  50. Ezekiel 41:23 : ver 1
  51. Ezekiel 41:23 : 1Ki 6:32
  52. Ezekiel 41:24 : 1Ki 6:34
  53. Ezekiel 41:26 : ver 15-16; Eze 40:16
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

James 4

Submit Yourselves to God

4 What causes fights and quarrels(A) among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle(B) within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill.(C) You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive,(D) because you ask with wrong motives,(E) that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

4 You adulterous(F) people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world(G) means enmity against God?(H) Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.(I) 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us[b]?(J) 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[c](K)

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,(L) and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.(M) Wash your hands,(N) you sinners, and purify your hearts,(O) you double-minded.(P) 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.(Q) 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.(R)

11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.(S) Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister[d] or judges them(T) speaks against the law(U) and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it,(V) but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge,(W) the one who is able to save and destroy.(X) But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?(Y)

Boasting About Tomorrow

13 Now listen,(Z) you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”(AA) 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.(AB) 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will,(AC) we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.(AD) 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.(AE)

Footnotes:

  1. James 4:4 An allusion to covenant unfaithfulness; see Hosea 3:1.
  2. James 4:5 Or that the spirit he caused to dwell in us envies intensely; or that the Spirit he caused to dwell in us longs jealously
  3. James 4:6 Prov. 3:34
  4. James 4:11 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family.

Cross references:

  1. James 4:1 : Tit 3:9
  2. James 4:1 : S Ro 7:23
  3. James 4:2 : Mt 5:21, 22; Jas 5:6; 1Jn 3:15
  4. James 4:3 : Ps 18:41; S Mt 7:7
  5. James 4:3 : Ps 66:18; 1Jn 3:22; 5:14
  6. James 4:4 : Isa 54:5; Jer 3:20; Hos 2:2-5; 3:1; 9:1
  7. James 4:4 : S Jas 1:27
  8. James 4:4 : Ro 8:7; 1Jn 2:15
  9. James 4:4 : Jn 15:19
  10. James 4:5 : 1Co 6:19
  11. James 4:6 : Pr 3:34; S Mt 23:12
  12. James 4:7 : Eph 4:27; 6:11; 1Pe 5:6-9
  13. James 4:8 : Ps 73:28; Zec 1:3; Mal 3:7; Heb 7:19
  14. James 4:8 : Isa 1:16
  15. James 4:8 : Ps 24:4; Jer 4:14
  16. James 4:8 : Ps 119:113; Jas 1:8
  17. James 4:9 : Lk 6:25
  18. James 4:10 : ver 6; Job 5:11; 1Pe 5:6
  19. James 4:11 : Ro 1:30; 2Co 12:20; 1Pe 2:1
  20. James 4:11 : S Mt 7:1
  21. James 4:11 : Jas 2:8
  22. James 4:11 : Jas 1:22
  23. James 4:12 : Isa 33:22; S Jas 5:9
  24. James 4:12 : Mt 10:28
  25. James 4:12 : S Mt 7:1
  26. James 4:13 : Jas 5:1
  27. James 4:13 : Pr 27:1; Lk 12:18-20
  28. James 4:14 : Job 7:7; Ps 39:5; 102:3; 144:4; Isa 2:22
  29. James 4:15 : S Ac 18:21
  30. James 4:16 : 1Co 5:6
  31. James 4:17 : Lk 12:47; Jn 9:41
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 118:19-29

19 Open for me the gates(A) of the righteous;
I will enter(B) and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord(C)
through which the righteous may enter.(D)
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;(E)
you have become my salvation.(F)

22 The stone(G) the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;(H)
23 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous(I) in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.(J)

25 Lord, save us!(K)
Lord, grant us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes(L) in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.[a](M)
27 The Lord is God,(N)
and he has made his light shine(O) on us.
With boughs in hand,(P) join in the festal procession
up[b] to the horns of the altar.(Q)

28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God,(R) and I will exalt(S) you.

29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 118:26 The Hebrew is plural.
  2. Psalm 118:27 Or Bind the festal sacrifice with ropes / and take it

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 118:19 : S Ps 24:7
  2. Psalm 118:19 : Ps 100:4
  3. Psalm 118:20 : Ps 122:1-2
  4. Psalm 118:20 : Ps 15:1-2; 24:3-4; Rev 22:14
  5. Psalm 118:21 : S ver 5
  6. Psalm 118:21 : Ps 27:1
  7. Psalm 118:22 : Isa 8:14
  8. Psalm 118:22 : Isa 17:10; 19:13; 28:16; Zec 4:7; 10:4; Mt 21:42; Mk 12:10; Lk 20:17*; S Ac 4:11*; 1Pe 2:7*
  9. Psalm 118:23 : Mt 21:42*; Mk 12:11*
  10. Psalm 118:24 : S Ps 70:4
  11. Psalm 118:25 : S Ps 28:9; 116:4
  12. Psalm 118:26 : S Mt 11:3; 21:9*; 23:39*; Mk 11:9*; Lk 13:35*; 19:38*; Jn 12:13*
  13. Psalm 118:26 : Ps 129:8
  14. Psalm 118:27 : S 1Ki 18:21
  15. Psalm 118:27 : Ps 27:1; Isa 58:10; 60:1, 19, 20; Mal 4:2; 1Pe 2:9
  16. Psalm 118:27 : S Lev 23:40
  17. Psalm 118:27 : Ex 27:2
  18. Psalm 118:28 : S Ge 28:21; S Ps 16:2; 63:1; Isa 25:1
  19. Psalm 118:28 : S Ex 15:2
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Proverbs 28:3-5

3 A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
but those who heed it resist them.

5 Evildoers do not understand what is right,
but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

Footnotes:

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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11/19/2019 DAB Transcript

Ezekiel 39:1-40:27, James 2:18-3:18, Psalms 118:1-18, Proverbs 28:2

Today is the 19th day of November. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I’m Brian. It’s great to be here with you. In fact, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than here with you now taking the next step forward in our journey through the Scriptures this year. And it won’t be long before we wrap up the book of Ezekiel, but we will still continue forward for the next few days. We’re reading from the New Living Translation this week. Ezekiel chapter 39 verse 1 through 40 verse 27.

Commentary:

Okay. So, James is here in our lives right now just pretty much kicking butt. I don’t know if you’re feeling that way, but I always feel that way reading the book of James because it’s so direct, so concise, so clear. And, so, I mean basically, we’ve kind of passed through the middle of this letter and what James is trying to…to point out here is that, yes, indeed, absolutely, faith is where the story with God begins, absolutely and he even refers to Abraham in the same way that Paul did; however, James says, “once that story has begun, like yes, you have to reach out in faith and live and walk by faith but once that story is happening it’s not…your faith isn’t real if your life doesn’t measure up to what you say.” In other words, your faith isn’t faith if your actions do not describe the faith that you claim. Like faith isn’t something you can just claim that you have as a possession and have put in a drawer or a closet and compartmentalized into a part of your life that is reserved largely for a couple of hours on Sunday morning. But that that faith goes back into the drawer and the you move back into your life and that faith doesn’t inform the way you live and transform the way you see everything. According to James, our faith should change us utterly. It should be an influence over our thoughts and our words and our deeds in a way that irreversibly affects the way we move forward into life and through the world and in all of our interactions, otherwise it’s not really faith. And James drove that point home by saying, “just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.” So, obviously James is…well…I mean if the James that wrote this is the brother of Jesus then he is speaking very directly as the leader of the Jerusalem church. So, he may have been a very direct person but probably he’s being this direct because he doesn’t want to be misunderstood at all. If we have faith but it’s not affecting the way we live and isn’t transforming us then according to James, it’s dead faith. And, so, James moves into a prime example of how this actually practically works. One of the ways that we actually put our faith into action is in the way that we monitor and steward what’s coming out of our mouths. So, James likened our tongues to the bit in a horse’s mouth or the…the rudder of a ship. So, it’s a small thing that can steer something very large. Our tongues are a small thing hiding behind our teeth, but they steer the entire trajectory of our lives. Such a big deal that James said that we can burn our lives down all around us with our tongues. Ohhhh…yeah…I mean…so, we have all said things we would un-say in the moment and we’ve all said things that later on we regret having said. And then there are times that we…right…you just are burning your life down around you…you’ve just…you’ve started and it’s just a scorched earth because all self-control is lost and the gloves are off and things are being said that shouldn’t be said to another human being at all. So, fundamentally, James…James is saying that’s a problem, that’s a big problem, but if we are willing to observe how dark our words can be and how they can bring darkness into a situation, if we’ll see that we can burn our lives down around us with our mouths and realize that then we also need to realize that the equal and corresponding good can come from that. Like we can use our words to bring light and life and good news in the same way that we can bring darkness. The odd thing is that we can do those two things, all on the same day even in the same hour even just minutes apart. James says, “sometimes the tongue praises our Lord and Father and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so, blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely my brothers and sisters this is not right.” So, since we realize there’s a lot of power going on in this little member behind our teeth, that we have such power to bless and to curse, then maybe the first actionable step forward in putting our faith…like living the faith we claim would be in harnessing and controlling what we say because we all know what can happen when we don’t. We can indeed be angels of mercy and stone-cold killer’s with our tongues. And as James is telling us, that’s not right. And if we could control our tongues like the rudder of a ship, the rest would follow, the rest of us would follow in body and in soul and set us on a path that will put our faith into action in everything we do, because what we’re learning from the book of James is…we can thing say anything but if what we’re saying does not line up with the way we’re living our lives then what we’re saying isn’t true.

Prayer:

Father that’s stark, that's…in some ways it might even see them confrontational or harsh, but we thank You for Your word. We thank You that through the power of Your Holy Spirit, it will look us in the face and confront us and on this particular issue most of us need to be confronted. And, so, Holy Spirit come into what we say, into what we claim, and into how we’re actually living that out. And as we’ve learned today there is no better place to begin looking for evidence of this transformational faith then in what we’re saying out of our mouths. So, we ask forgiveness for starters for using our mouths to worship You and to denigrate and diminish those You have created around us all on the same day. We acknowledge along with James, this isn’t right. And, so, we step into that because it’s not right and it never will be right and it’s causing damage because we’re trying to mix darkness and light at the same time into some kind of potion that’s supposed to transform us when it’s doing nothing because we’re practicing a dead faith according to James. So…so…so we just let that be. We invite You into that. We invite You to convict us in the areas that we need to be convicted and to correct us in the areas that need to be corrected so that we might live our faith and so that it might transform us irreversibly so that we might reveal Your kingdom in this world. We ask this, we pray this, we humble ourselves and receive this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Tuesday November 19, 2019 (NIV)

Ezekiel 39:1-40:27

39 “Son of man, prophesy against Gog(A) and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of[a] Meshek(B) and Tubal.(C) 2 I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north(D) and send you against the mountains of Israel.(E) 3 Then I will strike your bow(F) from your left hand and make your arrows(G) drop from your right hand. 4 On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds(H) and to the wild animals.(I) 5 You will fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.(J) 6 I will send fire(K) on Magog(L) and on those who live in safety in the coastlands,(M) and they will know(N) that I am the Lord.

7 “‘I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned,(O) and the nations will know(P) that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel.(Q) 8 It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign Lord. This is the day(R) I have spoken of.

9 “‘Then those who live in the towns of Israel will go out and use the weapons for fuel and burn them up—the small and large shields, the bows and arrows,(S) the war clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them for fuel.(T) 10 They will not need to gather wood from the fields or cut it from the forests, because they will use the weapons for fuel. And they will plunder(U) those who plundered them and loot those who looted them, declares the Sovereign Lord.(V)

11 “‘On that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, in the valley of those who travel east of the Sea. It will block the way of travelers, because Gog and all his hordes will be buried(W) there. So it will be called the Valley of Hamon Gog.[b](X)

12 “‘For seven months the Israelites will be burying them in order to cleanse the land.(Y) 13 All the people of the land will bury them, and the day I display my glory(Z) will be a memorable day for them, declares the Sovereign Lord. 14 People will be continually employed in cleansing the land. They will spread out across the land and, along with others, they will bury any bodies that are lying on the ground.

“‘After the seven months they will carry out a more detailed search. 15 As they go through the land, anyone who sees a human bone will leave a marker beside it until the gravediggers bury it in the Valley of Hamon Gog, 16 near a town called Hamonah.[c] And so they will cleanse the land.’

17 “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Call out to every kind of bird(AA) and all the wild animals: ‘Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood.(AB) 18 You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as if they were rams and lambs, goats and bulls—all of them fattened animals from Bashan.(AC) 19 At the sacrifice(AD) I am preparing for you, you will eat fat till you are glutted and drink blood till you are drunk. 20 At my table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, mighty men and soldiers of every kind,’ declares the Sovereign Lord.(AE)

21 “I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay on them.(AF) 22 From that day forward the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God. 23 And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.(AG) 24 I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their offenses, and I hid my face from them.(AH)

25 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob[d](AI) and will have compassion(AJ) on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name.(AK) 26 They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety(AL) in their land with no one to make them afraid.(AM) 27 When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations.(AN) 28 Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them(AO) to their own land, not leaving any behind.(AP) 29 I will no longer hide my face(AQ) from them, for I will pour out my Spirit(AR) on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.(AS)”

The Temple Area Restored

40 In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the fourteenth year after the fall of the city(AT)—on that very day the hand of the Lord was on me(AU) and he took me there. 2 In visions(AV) of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain,(AW) on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city. 3 He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze;(AX) he was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod(AY) in his hand. 4 The man said to me, “Son of man, look carefully and listen closely and pay attention to everything I am going to show you,(AZ) for that is why you have been brought here. Tell(BA) the people of Israel everything you see.(BB)”

The East Gate to the Outer Court

5 I saw a wall completely surrounding the temple area. The length of the measuring rod in the man’s hand was six long cubits,[e] each of which was a cubit and a handbreadth. He measured(BC) the wall; it was one measuring rod thick and one rod high.

6 Then he went to the east gate.(BD) He climbed its steps and measured the threshold of the gate; it was one rod deep. 7 The alcoves(BE) for the guards were one rod long and one rod wide, and the projecting walls between the alcoves were five cubits[f] thick. And the threshold of the gate next to the portico facing the temple was one rod deep.

8 Then he measured the portico of the gateway; 9 it[g] was eight cubits[h] deep and its jambs were two cubits[i] thick. The portico of the gateway faced the temple.

10 Inside the east gate were three alcoves on each side; the three had the same measurements, and the faces of the projecting walls on each side had the same measurements. 11 Then he measured the width of the entrance of the gateway; it was ten cubits and its length was thirteen cubits.[j] 12 In front of each alcove was a wall one cubit high, and the alcoves were six cubits square. 13 Then he measured the gateway from the top of the rear wall of one alcove to the top of the opposite one; the distance was twenty-five cubits[k] from one parapet opening to the opposite one. 14 He measured along the faces of the projecting walls all around the inside of the gateway—sixty cubits.[l] The measurement was up to the portico[m] facing the courtyard.[n](BF) 15 The distance from the entrance of the gateway to the far end of its portico was fifty cubits.[o] 16 The alcoves and the projecting walls inside the gateway were surmounted by narrow parapet openings all around, as was the portico; the openings all around faced inward. The faces of the projecting walls were decorated with palm trees.(BG)

The Outer Court

17 Then he brought me into the outer court.(BH) There I saw some rooms and a pavement that had been constructed all around the court; there were thirty rooms(BI) along the pavement.(BJ) 18 It abutted the sides of the gateways and was as wide as they were long; this was the lower pavement. 19 Then he measured the distance from the inside of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner court;(BK) it was a hundred cubits[p](BL) on the east side as well as on the north.

The North Gate

20 Then he measured the length and width of the north gate, leading into the outer court. 21 Its alcoves(BM)—three on each side—its projecting walls and its portico(BN) had the same measurements as those of the first gateway. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 22 Its openings, its portico(BO) and its palm tree decorations had the same measurements as those of the gate facing east. Seven steps led up to it, with its portico opposite them.(BP) 23 There was a gate to the inner court facing the north gate, just as there was on the east. He measured from one gate to the opposite one; it was a hundred cubits.(BQ)

The South Gate

24 Then he led me to the south side and I saw the south gate. He measured its jambs and its portico, and they had the same measurements(BR) as the others. 25 The gateway and its portico had narrow openings all around, like the openings of the others. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.(BS) 26 Seven steps led up to it, with its portico opposite them; it had palm tree decorations on the faces of the projecting walls on each side.(BT) 27 The inner court(BU) also had a gate facing south, and he measured from this gate to the outer gate on the south side; it was a hundred cubits.(BV)

Footnotes:

  1. Ezekiel 39:1 Or Gog, prince of Rosh,
  2. Ezekiel 39:11 Hamon Gog means hordes of Gog.
  3. Ezekiel 39:16 Hamonah means horde.
  4. Ezekiel 39:25 Or now bring Jacob back from captivity
  5. Ezekiel 40:5 That is, about 11 feet or about 3.2 meters; also in verse 12. The long cubit of about 21 inches or about 53 centimeters is the basic unit of measurement of length throughout chapters 40–48.
  6. Ezekiel 40:7 That is, about 8 3/4 feet or about 2.7 meters; also in verse 48
  7. Ezekiel 40:9 Many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts gateway facing the temple; it was one rod deep. 9 Then he measured the portico of the gateway; it
  8. Ezekiel 40:9 That is, about 14 feet or about 4.2 meters
  9. Ezekiel 40:9 That is, about 3 1/2 feet or about 1 meter
  10. Ezekiel 40:11 That is, about 18 feet wide and 23 feet long or about 5.3 meters wide and 6.9 meters long
  11. Ezekiel 40:13 That is, about 44 feet or about 13 meters; also in verses 21, 25, 29, 30, 33 and 36
  12. Ezekiel 40:14 That is, about 105 feet or about 32 meters
  13. Ezekiel 40:14 Septuagint; Hebrew projecting wall
  14. Ezekiel 40:14 The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.
  15. Ezekiel 40:15 That is, about 88 feet or about 27 meters; also in verses 21, 25, 29, 33 and 36
  16. Ezekiel 40:19 That is, about 175 feet or about 53 meters; also in verses 23, 27 and 47

Cross references:

  1. Ezekiel 39:1 : Rev 20:8
  2. Ezekiel 39:1 : S Ge 10:2
  3. Ezekiel 39:1 : S Eze 27:13; S 38:2, 3
  4. Ezekiel 39:2 : S Eze 32:30
  5. Ezekiel 39:2 : S Eze 38:4, 15
  6. Ezekiel 39:3 : Hos 1:5; Am 2:15
  7. Ezekiel 39:3 : Ps 76:3
  8. Ezekiel 39:4 : S Ge 40:19
  9. Ezekiel 39:4 : ver 17-20; S Jer 25:33; S Eze 29:5; S 33:27
  10. Ezekiel 39:5 : S Eze 32:4
  11. Ezekiel 39:6 : S Eze 30:8; Rev 20:9
  12. Ezekiel 39:6 : S Ge 10:2
  13. Ezekiel 39:6 : S Jer 25:22
  14. Ezekiel 39:6 : S Ex 6:7
  15. Ezekiel 39:7 : S Ex 20:7; S Eze 13:19
  16. Ezekiel 39:7 : S Isa 49:26
  17. Ezekiel 39:7 : S Isa 12:6; S 54:5; S Eze 20:9; S 36:16, 23
  18. Ezekiel 39:8 : Eze 7:6
  19. Ezekiel 39:9 : Ps 76:3
  20. Ezekiel 39:9 : S Ps 46:9
  21. Ezekiel 39:10 : S Ex 3:22
  22. Ezekiel 39:10 : S Isa 14:2; S 33:1; Hab 2:8
  23. Ezekiel 39:11 : S Isa 34:3
  24. Ezekiel 39:11 : S Eze 38:2
  25. Ezekiel 39:12 : Dt 21:23
  26. Ezekiel 39:13 : Eze 28:22
  27. Ezekiel 39:17 : S Job 15:23
  28. Ezekiel 39:17 : S Eze 32:4
  29. Ezekiel 39:18 : S Ps 22:12; Jer 51:40
  30. Ezekiel 39:19 : S Lev 3:9
  31. Ezekiel 39:20 : S Isa 56:9; S Jer 12:9; Rev 19:17-18
  32. Ezekiel 39:21 : Ex 9:16; Isa 37:20; S Eze 38:16
  33. Ezekiel 39:23 : Isa 1:15; 59:2; S Jer 22:8-9; S 44:23
  34. Ezekiel 39:24 : 2Ki 17:23; Jer 2:17, 19; 4:18; S Eze 7:22; Da 9:7
  35. Ezekiel 39:25 : S Jer 33:7
  36. Ezekiel 39:25 : S Jer 30:18
  37. Ezekiel 39:25 : Isa 27:12-13; S Eze 16:53
  38. Ezekiel 39:26 : S 1Ki 4:25; S Jer 32:37; S Eze 38:8
  39. Ezekiel 39:26 : Isa 17:2; Eze 34:28; Mic 4:4
  40. Ezekiel 39:27 : S Eze 37:21
  41. Ezekiel 39:28 : Ps 147:2
  42. Ezekiel 39:28 : S Eze 36:23, 36
  43. Ezekiel 39:29 : S Dt 31:17
  44. Ezekiel 39:29 : S Isa 11:2; S Eze 37:9; S Ac 2:17
  45. Ezekiel 39:29 : S Eze 16:42
  46. Ezekiel 40:1 : S 2Ki 25:7; Jer 39:1-10; 52:4-11
  47. Ezekiel 40:1 : S Eze 1:3; S 29:17
  48. Ezekiel 40:2 : S Ex 24:10; Da 7:1, 7
  49. Ezekiel 40:2 : S Jer 31:12; S Eze 17:22; Rev 21:10
  50. Ezekiel 40:3 : S Eze 1:7; Rev 1:15
  51. Ezekiel 40:3 : Eze 47:3; Zec 2:1-2; Rev 11:1; 21:15
  52. Ezekiel 40:4 : S Dt 6:6
  53. Ezekiel 40:4 : Jer 26:2
  54. Ezekiel 40:4 : Eze 44:5
  55. Ezekiel 40:5 : Eze 42:20
  56. Ezekiel 40:6 : S Eze 8:16
  57. Ezekiel 40:7 : ver 36
  58. Ezekiel 40:14 : S Ex 27:9
  59. Ezekiel 40:16 : ver 21-22; 2Ch 3:5; Eze 41:26
  60. Ezekiel 40:17 : Rev 11:2
  61. Ezekiel 40:17 : Eze 41:6
  62. Ezekiel 40:17 : Eze 42:1
  63. Ezekiel 40:19 : Eze 46:1
  64. Ezekiel 40:19 : ver 23, 27
  65. Ezekiel 40:21 : ver 7
  66. Ezekiel 40:21 : ver 30
  67. Ezekiel 40:22 : ver 49
  68. Ezekiel 40:22 : S ver 16, 26
  69. Ezekiel 40:23 : S ver 19
  70. Ezekiel 40:24 : ver 32, 35
  71. Ezekiel 40:25 : ver 33
  72. Ezekiel 40:26 : S ver 22
  73. Ezekiel 40:27 : ver 32
  74. Ezekiel 40:27 : S ver 19
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

James 2:18-3

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds,(A) and I will show you my faith(B) by my deeds.(C) 19 You believe that there is one God.(D) Good! Even the demons believe that(E)—and shudder.

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]?(F) 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?(G) 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together,(H) and his faith was made complete by what he did.(I) 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b](J) and he was called God’s friend.(K) 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?(L) 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.(M)

Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers,(N) my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged(O) more strictly.(P) 2 We all stumble(Q) in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say(R) is perfect,(S) able to keep their whole body in check.(T)

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.(U) 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.(V) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire,(W) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,(X) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.(Y)

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.(Z)

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.(AA) 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?(AB) Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it(AC) by their good life, by deeds(AD) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition(AE) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.(AF) 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven(AG) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.(AH) 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition,(AI) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven(AJ) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,(AK) considerate, submissive, full of mercy(AL) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.(AM) 18 Peacemakers(AN) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.(AO)

Footnotes:

  1. James 2:20 Some early manuscripts dead
  2. James 2:23 Gen. 15:6

Cross references:

  1. James 2:18 : Ro 3:28
  2. James 2:18 : Heb 11
  3. James 2:18 : Mt 7:16, 17; Jas 3:13
  4. James 2:19 : Dt 6:4; Mk 12:29; 1Co 8:4-6
  5. James 2:19 : Mt 8:29; Lk 4:34
  6. James 2:20 : ver 17, 26
  7. James 2:21 : Ge 22:9, 12
  8. James 2:22 : Heb 11:17
  9. James 2:22 : 1Th 1:3
  10. James 2:23 : Ge 15:6; S Ro 4:3
  11. James 2:23 : 2Ch 20:7; Isa 41:8
  12. James 2:25 : S Heb 11:31
  13. James 2:26 : ver 17, 20
  14. James 3:1 : S Eph 4:11
  15. James 3:1 : S Mt 7:1
  16. James 3:1 : Ro 2:21
  17. James 3:2 : 1Ki 8:46; Ro 3:9-20; Jas 2:10; 1Jn 1:8
  18. James 3:2 : Ps 39:1; Pr 10:19; 1Pe 3:10
  19. James 3:2 : S Mt 12:37
  20. James 3:2 : Jas 1:26
  21. James 3:3 : Ps 32:9
  22. James 3:5 : Ps 12:3, 4; 73:8, 9
  23. James 3:6 : Pr 16:27
  24. James 3:6 : Mt 15:11, 18, 19
  25. James 3:6 : S Mt 5:22
  26. James 3:8 : Ps 140:3; Ro 3:13
  27. James 3:9 : Ge 1:26, 27; 1Co 11:7
  28. James 3:12 : Mt 7:16
  29. James 3:13 : Jas 2:18
  30. James 3:13 : S 1Pe 2:12
  31. James 3:14 : ver 16; 2Co 12:20
  32. James 3:14 : Jas 5:19
  33. James 3:15 : ver 17; Jas 1:17
  34. James 3:15 : 1Ti 4:1
  35. James 3:16 : ver 14; Gal 5:20, 21
  36. James 3:17 : 1Co 2:6; Jas 1:17
  37. James 3:17 : Heb 12:11
  38. James 3:17 : Lk 6:36
  39. James 3:17 : Ro 12:9
  40. James 3:18 : Mt 5:9; S Ro 14:19
  41. James 3:18 : Pr 11:18; Isa 32:17; Hos 10:12; Php 1:11
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 118:1-18

Psalm 118

1 Give thanks to the Lord,(A) for he is good;(B)
his love endures forever.(C)

2 Let Israel say:(D)
“His love endures forever.”(E)
3 Let the house of Aaron say:(F)
“His love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord(G) say:
“His love endures forever.”

5 When hard pressed,(H) I cried to the Lord;
he brought me into a spacious place.(I)
6 The Lord is with me;(J) I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?(K)
7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper.(L)
I look in triumph on my enemies.(M)

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord(N)
than to trust in humans.(O)
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.(P)
10 All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.(Q)
11 They surrounded me(R) on every side,(S)
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
12 They swarmed around me like bees,(T)
but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;(U)
in the name of the Lord I cut them down.(V)
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.(W)
14 The Lord is my strength(X) and my defense[a];
he has become my salvation.(Y)

15 Shouts of joy(Z) and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand(AA) has done mighty things!(AB)
16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die(AC) but live,
and will proclaim(AD) what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has chastened(AE) me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.(AF)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 118:14 Or song

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 118:1 : S 1Ch 16:8
  2. Psalm 118:1 : S 2Ch 5:13; S 7:3
  3. Psalm 118:1 : S Ezr 3:11
  4. Psalm 118:2 : Ps 115:9
  5. Psalm 118:2 : Ps 106:1; 136:1-26
  6. Psalm 118:3 : Ex 30:30; Ps 115:10
  7. Psalm 118:4 : S Ps 115:11
  8. Psalm 118:5 : Ps 18:6; 31:7; 77:2; 120:1
  9. Psalm 118:5 : ver 21; Ps 34:4; 86:7; 116:1; 138:3
  10. Psalm 118:6 : S Dt 31:6; Heb 13:6*
  11. Psalm 118:6 : S Ps 56:4
  12. Psalm 118:7 : S Dt 33:29
  13. Psalm 118:7 : S Ps 54:7
  14. Psalm 118:8 : Ps 2:12; 5:11; 9:9; 37:3; 40:4; Isa 25:4; 57:13
  15. Psalm 118:8 : 2Ch 32:7-8; S Ps 108:12; S Isa 2:22
  16. Psalm 118:9 : Ps 146:3
  17. Psalm 118:10 : S Ps 37:9
  18. Psalm 118:11 : Ps 88:17
  19. Psalm 118:11 : Ps 3:6
  20. Psalm 118:12 : Dt 1:44
  21. Psalm 118:12 : S Ps 58:9
  22. Psalm 118:12 : Ps 37:9
  23. Psalm 118:13 : ver 7; 2Ch 18:31; Ps 86:17
  24. Psalm 118:14 : S Ex 15:2
  25. Psalm 118:14 : S Ps 62:2
  26. Psalm 118:15 : S Job 8:21; S Ps 106:5
  27. Psalm 118:15 : S Ex 15:6; Ps 89:13; 108:6
  28. Psalm 118:15 : Lk 1:51
  29. Psalm 118:17 : Hab 1:12
  30. Psalm 118:17 : S Dt 32:3; Ps 64:9; 71:16; 73:28
  31. Psalm 118:18 : Jer 31:18; 1Co 11:32; Heb 12:5
  32. Psalm 118:18 : Ps 86:13
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Proverbs 28:2

2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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11/18/2019 DAB Transcript

Ezekiel 37:1-38:23, James 1:19-2:17, Psalms 117:1-2, Proverbs 28:1

Today is the 18th day of November. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. It’s great to be here with you as we take the next step forward through the week and through the month and through the year. And as we get into our workweek, we are reading from the New Living Translation this week. Today, one of my favorite portions of Scripture Ezekiel chapters 37 and 38.

Commentary:

Alright. Obviously, we, you know, we’re approaching the back portion of this 11th month of the year and then we have the 12th month of the year and we will have completed the entire Bible. So, we’re well into the Bible. So, we’ve read the book of Acts, we’ve read of the early formation of the church, we’ve read the writings of the apostle Paul and…and the way that he brought a theological underpinning to the story of Jesus, and we’ve read the book of Hebrews, which…which does the same thing from a very Hebrew perspective. And then yesterday we turned the corner into this letter from James and all of a sudden now we’re not envisioning what’s happening inside of us, or creating a grid of theology, we’re just talking very directly, very practically, very unflinchingly, right? So, James said…and listen this is…I'm…I’m quoting this from the Bible. “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it’s like glancing at your face in the mirror. You see yourself, you walk away, and you forget what you look like.” Is that…first of all that’s very direct and kinda confrontational, kinda convicting, but is it not true how we can center ourselves here around this global campfire, set aside this oasis and have this safe space to let God deal with us in any way He wants to through His word. And then we can go back out into the world, and an hour later it’s all stolen, like it’s gone, we forgot who we are again, we forgot what we look like again. And that gives us a big indicator. Yes, life is busy. Yes, the world is moving at a pace that cannot be sustained. And, so, yes it’s very easy to forget anything we do an hour ago at sometimes, but it’s a totally different thing if that process is transforming you and becomes a part of everything else you will do. In other words, not just listening but obeying what you’ve heard, as James was saying, that’s the difference, when we apply what we have heard in the word into every situation that we’re going to face as opposed to setting aside a little bit of time to hear from the Bible and then just go off into the day and forget everything that was said. James didn’t want his readers to be fooled, right, to fool  themselves, which is exactly what he said, “I don’t want you to fool yourself.” So, like ingesting all of the word of God in a year for informational purposes and to finally notice what it says, that’s not the same as being a person who is being transformed by what it says into the life of faith. Like, what would be the point of hearing God’s word and then forgetting it? Nothing’s gonna happen. And James didn’t want  those who were reading the letter to be fooled about the fundamental shift that’s supposed to take place within the heart of a believer. Like, for James as we will continue see in this letter, what happens when Christ becomes part of the life we are living is so profound that the evidence of that shift must be visible in the actions of our lives. So, faith isn’t really faint if it’s not accompanied by action, like the corresponding deeds that would describe our faith and turn it into action. So, quoting again from the Bible, “what good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions. Can that kind of faith save anybody? So, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. So, let’s take that into our day and let’s put it in the context or give ourselves the visual of what we saw in the book of Ezekiel, a valley full of dry bones and a question, “can these bones live again?” And a response from the prophet, “you would only know. Like you’re the only one who could know that because you’re the only one who could do that.” And the instruction from God, “prophesy, call to the four winds the breath of life.” We may feel like our words and our deeds do not line up when it comes to our faith. We may feel like the world is spinning too quickly and we are running too fast so that we do forget what we look like after looking in the mirror, so that we do forget what we’ve heard, just a few minutes after we’ve heard it, it’s been stolen from us. We may feel like dry bones, long forgotten in a field far away. Can these bones live again? Can you live again? Since the hope of our faith centered around the idea that resurrection is possible, available, and inevitable that we begin to realize that we will find the life when our thoughts, words and deeds no longer oppose each other, when we’re not saying one thing and doing another. As James tells us, that's…we’re just fooling ourselves. But when those align then what is dry and dead can be pulled back together again.

Prayer:

So, Father we enter into that. We acknowledge the truth of it all. We acknowledge that and we acknowledge that in order to line up with what we are reading here, some changes will have to be made inside of us, inside of the way that we live each and every day, the way that we react to everything instead of finding a way to be proactive within ourselves because we are being transformed and nothing…nothing can shake us off the narrow path that leads to life, so we can observe the things that are going on around us, knowing that we are not going to endure any of it alone. So, come Holy Spirit, let our faith be more than words, let our faith propel us into this life where we reveal Your kingdom each and every day. Come Holy Spirit we pray. In the name of Jesus we ask. Amen.

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And that is it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Monday November 18, 2019 (NIV)

Ezekiel 37-38

The Valley of Dry Bones

37 The hand of the Lord was on me,(A) and he brought me out by the Spirit(B) of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley;(C) it was full of bones.(D) 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.(E)”

4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!(F) 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath[a] enter you, and you will come to life.(G) 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.(H)’”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath;(I) prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds(J) and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded(K) me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.(L)

11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’(M) 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel.(N) 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord,(O) when I open your graves and bring you up from them.(P) 14 I will put my Spirit(Q) in you and you will live, and I will settle(R) you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.(S)’”

One Nation Under One King

15 The word of the Lord came to me: 16 “Son of man, take a stick of wood and write on it, ‘Belonging to Judah and the Israelites(T) associated with him.(U)’ Then take another stick of wood, and write on it, ‘Belonging to Joseph (that is, to Ephraim) and all the Israelites associated with him.’ 17 Join them together into one stick so that they will become one in your hand.(V)

18 “When your people ask you, ‘Won’t you tell us what you mean by this?’(W) 19 say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to take the stick of Joseph—which is in Ephraim’s hand—and of the Israelite tribes associated with him, and join it to Judah’s stick. I will make them into a single stick of wood, and they will become one in my hand.’(X) 20 Hold before their eyes the sticks you have written on 21 and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land.(Y) 22 I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel.(Z) There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms.(AA) 23 They will no longer defile(AB) themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding,[b](AC) and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.(AD)

24 “‘My servant David(AE) will be king(AF) over them, and they will all have one shepherd.(AG) They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees.(AH) 25 They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where your ancestors lived.(AI) They and their children and their children’s children will live there forever,(AJ) and David my servant will be their prince forever.(AK) 26 I will make a covenant of peace(AL) with them; it will be an everlasting covenant.(AM) I will establish them and increase their numbers,(AN) and I will put my sanctuary among them(AO) forever.(AP) 27 My dwelling place(AQ) will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.(AR) 28 Then the nations will know that I the Lord make Israel holy,(AS) when my sanctuary is among them forever.(AT)’”

The Lord’s Great Victory Over the Nations

38 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog,(AU) of the land of Magog,(AV) the chief prince of[c] Meshek and Tubal;(AW) prophesy against him 3 and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of[d] Meshek and Tubal.(AX) 4 I will turn you around, put hooks(AY) in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords.(AZ) 5 Persia, Cush[e](BA) and Put(BB) will be with them, all with shields and helmets, 6 also Gomer(BC) with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah(BD) from the far north(BE) with all its troops—the many nations with you.

7 “‘Get ready; be prepared,(BF) you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them. 8 After many days(BG) you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations(BH) to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety.(BI) 9 You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm;(BJ) you will be like a cloud(BK) covering the land.(BL)

10 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind(BM) and you will devise an evil scheme.(BN) 11 You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people(BO)—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars.(BP) 12 I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land.[f]” 13 Sheba(BQ) and Dedan(BR) and the merchants of Tarshish(BS) and all her villages[g] will say to you, “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?(BT)”’

14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety,(BU) will you not take notice of it? 15 You will come from your place in the far north,(BV) you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army.(BW) 16 You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud(BX) that covers the land.(BY) In days to come, Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am proved holy(BZ) through you before their eyes.(CA)

17 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You are the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel. At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them. 18 This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign Lord. 19 In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake(CB) in the land of Israel.(CC) 20 The fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble(CD) at my presence. The mountains will be overturned,(CE) the cliffs will crumble(CF) and every wall will fall to the ground.(CG) 21 I will summon a sword(CH) against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man’s sword will be against his brother.(CI) 22 I will execute judgment(CJ) on him with plague and bloodshed;(CK) I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones(CL) and burning sulfur(CM) on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.(CN) 23 And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.(CO)’

Footnotes:

  1. Ezekiel 37:5 The Hebrew for this word can also mean wind or spirit (see verses 6-14).
  2. Ezekiel 37:23 Many Hebrew manuscripts (see also Septuagint); most Hebrew manuscripts all their dwelling places where they sinned
  3. Ezekiel 38:2 Or the prince of Rosh,
  4. Ezekiel 38:3 Or Gog, prince of Rosh,
  5. Ezekiel 38:5 That is, the upper Nile region
  6. Ezekiel 38:12 The Hebrew for this phrase means the navel of the earth.
  7. Ezekiel 38:13 Or her strong lions

Cross references:

  1. Ezekiel 37:1 : S Eze 1:3
  2. Ezekiel 37:1 : S Eze 11:24; Lk 4:1; Ac 8:39
  3. Ezekiel 37:1 : Jer 7:32
  4. Ezekiel 37:1 : S Jer 8:2; Eze 40:1
  5. Ezekiel 37:3 : Dt 32:39; S 1Sa 2:6; Isa 26:19; 1Co 15:35
  6. Ezekiel 37:4 : Jer 22:29
  7. Ezekiel 37:5 : S Ge 2:7; Ps 104:29-30; Rev 11:11
  8. Ezekiel 37:6 : S Ex 6:2; Eze 38:23
  9. Ezekiel 37:9 : ver 14; Ps 104:30; Isa 32:15; Eze 39:29; Zec 12:10
  10. Ezekiel 37:9 : Jer 49:36; Da 7:2; 8:8; 11:4; Zec 2:6; 6:5; Rev 7:1
  11. Ezekiel 37:10 : S Eze 12:7
  12. Ezekiel 37:10 : Rev 11:11
  13. Ezekiel 37:11 : S Job 17:15; S La 3:54
  14. Ezekiel 37:12 : ver 21; Dt 32:39; 1Sa 2:6; Isa 26:19; Jer 29:14; Hos 13:14; Am 9:14-15; Zep 3:20; Zec 8:8
  15. Ezekiel 37:13 : S Ex 6:2
  16. Ezekiel 37:13 : S Eze 17:24; Hos 13:14
  17. Ezekiel 37:14 : S ver 9; S Isa 11:2; Joel 2:28-29
  18. Ezekiel 37:14 : S Jer 43:2
  19. Ezekiel 37:14 : Eze 36:27-28, 36; Rev 11:11
  20. Ezekiel 37:16 : S 1Ki 12:20; 2Ch 10:17-19
  21. Ezekiel 37:16 : Nu 17:2-3; 2Ch 15:9
  22. Ezekiel 37:17 : ver 24; Isa 11:13; S Jer 50:4; Hos 1:11
  23. Ezekiel 37:18 : S Eze 24:19
  24. Ezekiel 37:19 : Zec 10:6
  25. Ezekiel 37:21 : S ver 12; S Isa 43:5-6; S Eze 20:42; 39:27; Mic 4:6
  26. Ezekiel 37:22 : S Eze 17:22; S 34:13-14
  27. Ezekiel 37:22 : Isa 11:13; Jer 33:24; S 50:4; Hos 1:11
  28. Ezekiel 37:23 : Eze 43:7
  29. Ezekiel 37:23 : S Jer 7:24
  30. Ezekiel 37:23 : Eze 11:18; S 36:28; Na 2:2
  31. Ezekiel 37:24 : Isa 55:4; Hos 3:5
  32. Ezekiel 37:24 : S 1Sa 13:14; S Isa 32:1
  33. Ezekiel 37:24 : Zec 13:7
  34. Ezekiel 37:24 : Ps 78:70-71; S Jer 30:21; S Eze 21:27
  35. Ezekiel 37:25 : S Eze 28:25
  36. Ezekiel 37:25 : S Ezr 9:12; Am 9:15
  37. Ezekiel 37:25 : S Ps 89:3-4; Isa 11:1; S Eze 34:23-24
  38. Ezekiel 37:26 : S Nu 25:12
  39. Ezekiel 37:26 : S Ge 9:16; S Dt 29:14; S Heb 13:20
  40. Ezekiel 37:26 : S Jer 30:19
  41. Ezekiel 37:26 : Lev 26:11
  42. Ezekiel 37:26 : S Eze 16:62
  43. Ezekiel 37:27 : S Lev 26:11
  44. Ezekiel 37:27 : S Eze 34:30; S 36:28; S 2Co 6:16*
  45. Ezekiel 37:28 : S Ex 31:13
  46. Ezekiel 37:28 : Eze 43:9; Hos 1:10-11; Zep 3:15
  47. Ezekiel 38:2 : ver 14; Eze 39:11
  48. Ezekiel 38:2 : S Ge 10:2
  49. Ezekiel 38:2 : S Eze 27:13
  50. Ezekiel 38:3 : Eze 39:1
  51. Ezekiel 38:4 : S 2Ki 19:28
  52. Ezekiel 38:4 : S Isa 43:17; Eze 29:4; 39:2; Da 11:40
  53. Ezekiel 38:5 : S Ge 10:6
  54. Ezekiel 38:5 : S Ge 10:6; S Eze 27:10
  55. Ezekiel 38:6 : S Ge 10:2
  56. Ezekiel 38:6 : S Ge 10:3
  57. Ezekiel 38:6 : S Eze 32:30
  58. Ezekiel 38:7 : S Isa 8:9
  59. Ezekiel 38:8 : Isa 24:22
  60. Ezekiel 38:8 : S Isa 11:11
  61. Ezekiel 38:8 : ver 14; Jer 23:6; S Eze 28:26; Joel 3:1
  62. Ezekiel 38:9 : Isa 25:4; 28:2
  63. Ezekiel 38:9 : ver 16; Jer 4:13; Joel 2:2
  64. Ezekiel 38:9 : Rev 20:8
  65. Ezekiel 38:10 : S Jer 17:10
  66. Ezekiel 38:10 : Ps 36:4; Mic 2:1
  67. Ezekiel 38:11 : S Ge 34:25
  68. Ezekiel 38:11 : Jer 49:31; Zec 2:4
  69. Ezekiel 38:13 : S Ge 10:7
  70. Ezekiel 38:13 : S Ge 25:3
  71. Ezekiel 38:13 : S Ge 10:4
  72. Ezekiel 38:13 : Isa 10:6; 33:23; S Jer 15:13
  73. Ezekiel 38:14 : S ver 8; S Lev 25:18; S Jer 16:15; Zec 2:5
  74. Ezekiel 38:15 : Eze 32:30
  75. Ezekiel 38:15 : Eze 39:2; Rev 20:8
  76. Ezekiel 38:16 : S ver 9
  77. Ezekiel 38:16 : Joel 3:11
  78. Ezekiel 38:16 : S Lev 10:3
  79. Ezekiel 38:16 : Isa 29:23; Eze 39:21
  80. Ezekiel 38:19 : Isa 24:18; Joel 2:10; 3:16; S Rev 6:12
  81. Ezekiel 38:19 : Ps 18:7; S Eze 5:13; Hag 2:6, 21
  82. Ezekiel 38:20 : S Ex 15:14
  83. Ezekiel 38:20 : Isa 42:15
  84. Ezekiel 38:20 : Job 14:18
  85. Ezekiel 38:20 : S Ps 76:8; Hos 4:3; Na 1:5
  86. Ezekiel 38:21 : Isa 66:16; Jer 25:29
  87. Ezekiel 38:21 : S 1Sa 14:20; S 2Ch 20:23; Hag 2:22
  88. Ezekiel 38:22 : Isa 66:16; Jer 25:31; S Eze 36:5
  89. Ezekiel 38:22 : S Eze 14:19; S 28:23
  90. Ezekiel 38:22 : S Ex 9:18; Ps 18:12; Rev 16:21
  91. Ezekiel 38:22 : S Ge 19:24; S Rev 9:17
  92. Ezekiel 38:22 : S Eze 13:11
  93. Ezekiel 38:23 : Eze 20:42; S 36:23; S 37:6
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

James 1:19-2:17

Listening and Doing

19 My dear brothers and sisters,(A) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak(B) and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger(C) does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of(D) all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you,(E) which can save you.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.(F) 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,(G) and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.(H)

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues(I) deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after(J) orphans and widows(K) in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.(L)

Favoritism Forbidden

2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious(M) Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.(N) 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges(O) with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:(P) Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world(Q) to be rich in faith(R) and to inherit the kingdom(S) he promised those who love him?(T) 6 But you have dishonored the poor.(U) Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?(V) 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a](W) you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism,(X) you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.(Y) 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles(Z) at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.(AA) 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[b](AB) also said, “You shall not murder.”[c](AC) If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged(AD) by the law that gives freedom,(AE) 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.(AF) Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?(AG) Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.(AH) 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?(AI) 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.(AJ)

Footnotes:

  1. James 2:8 Lev. 19:18
  2. James 2:11 Exodus 20:14; Deut. 5:18
  3. James 2:11 Exodus 20:13; Deut. 5:17

Cross references:

  1. James 1:19 : ver 16; Jas 2:5
  2. James 1:19 : Pr 10:19; Jas 3:3-12
  3. James 1:20 : S Mt 5:22
  4. James 1:21 : S Eph 4:22
  5. James 1:21 : Eph 1:13
  6. James 1:22 : S Mt 7:21; Jas 2:14-20
  7. James 1:25 : Ps 19:7; Jn 8:32; Gal 2:4; Jas 2:12
  8. James 1:25 : S Jn 13:17
  9. James 1:26 : Ps 34:13; 39:1; 141:3; Jas 3:2-12; 1Pe 3:10
  10. James 1:27 : Mt 25:36
  11. James 1:27 : Dt 14:29; Job 31:16, 17, 21; Ps 146:9; Isa 1:17, 23
  12. James 1:27 : Ro 12:2; Jas 4:4; 2Pe 1:4; 2:20
  13. James 2:1 : Ac 7:2; 1Co 2:8
  14. James 2:1 : ver 9; Dt 1:17; Lev 19:15; Pr 24:23; S Ac 10:34
  15. James 2:4 : S Jn 7:24
  16. James 2:5 : Jas 1:16, 19
  17. James 2:5 : Job 34:19; 1Co 1:26-28
  18. James 2:5 : Lk 12:21; Rev 2:9
  19. James 2:5 : S Mt 25:34
  20. James 2:5 : S Jas 1:12
  21. James 2:6 : 1Co 11:22
  22. James 2:6 : Ac 8:3; 16:19
  23. James 2:8 : Lev 19:18; S Mt 5:43
  24. James 2:9 : ver 1
  25. James 2:9 : Dt 1:17
  26. James 2:10 : Jas 3:2
  27. James 2:10 : Mt 5:19; Gal 3:10; 5:3
  28. James 2:11 : Ex 20:14; Dt 5:18
  29. James 2:11 : Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17
  30. James 2:12 : S Mt 16:27
  31. James 2:12 : S Jas 1:25
  32. James 2:13 : Mt 5:7; 9:13; 12:7; 18:32-35; Lk 6:37
  33. James 2:14 : Mt 7:26; Jas 1:22-25
  34. James 2:15 : Mt 25:35, 36
  35. James 2:16 : Lk 3:11; 1Jn 3:17, 18
  36. James 2:17 : ver 20, 26; Gal 5:6
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 117

Psalm 117

1 Praise the Lord,(A) all you nations;(B)
extol him, all you peoples.
2 For great is his love(C) toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord(D) endures forever.

Praise the Lord.[a]

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 117:2 Hebrew Hallelu Yah

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 117:1 : S Ps 22:23; S 103:2
  2. Psalm 117:1 : Ro 15:11*
  3. Psalm 117:2 : S Ps 17:7; S 103:11
  4. Psalm 117:2 : Ps 119:90; 146:6
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Proverbs 28:1

28 The wicked flee(A) though no one pursues,(B)
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.(C)

Cross references:

  1. Proverbs 28:1 : S 2Ki 7:7
  2. Proverbs 28:1 : S Lev 26:17
  3. Proverbs 28:1 : S Ps 138:3
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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11/17/2019 DAB Transcript

Ezekiel 35:1-36:38, James 1:1-18, Psalms 116:1-19, Proverbs 27:23-27

Today is the 17th day of November. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. Welcome to a brand-new shiny, sparkly, week that we get to walk in together and discover together and experience God together through his word as we continue to take the steps forward through this year. So, we’ll read from the New Living Translation this week and today Ezekiel chapter 35 and 36.

Introduction to the book of James:

Okay. So, as we begin our new week and continue our journey through today’s reading we have come to another threshold, another letter and this letter is known as the epistle or letter of James. And, so, there’s a brand-new voice that we haven’t heard in our journey through the Scriptures so far this year. So, let’s explore what we’re about to explore. Looking at this letter throughout the history of the church we see that there’s been plenty of scrutiny over all of the centuries from a number of ways, including who is James? Which James wrote this letter? And without knowing for sure, specifically, the James, then dating the letters more difficult. But there is a solidly supported scenario and that is that James, this letter or epistle, was written by the half-brother of Jesus, who was named James and interestingly didn’t believe in Jesus during his ministry on earth. But after…after the resurrection James then became a pillar of the early church presiding over huge implication ridden, fundamental decisions, like the Jerusalem Council, like the one that opened the way for Gentiles to be accepted into the faith. And the reason many scholars find this to be maybe the most appealing of the scenarios is because, like with Hebrews whose author we don’t know with any certainty, whoever did write the epistle of James had enough influence and authority among the early believers that the letter was recognized and was read and was copied and was preserved was handed down so that we have it today. So, whereas James the brother of George may not fit that bill, whereas James the brother of Jesus certainly fits the criteria, significantly. So, as with the letter to the Hebrews, this letter from James was written from a Hebrew perspective, it was written to Hebrews. In fact, it’s addressed to the 12 tribes, the Jewish believers scattered abroad right into the Diaspora. So, that gives some clues to who the intended original recipients were and the letter may have been addressed the way that it was because of the spreading out of the gospel that came as a reaction to pressure, to persecution, to the things that they were needing to endure. Stephen’s stoning was contemporary, so this could’ve been a catalyst. If this is the case, then James was possibly writing to early believers who would once have been in his pastoral care as the leader of the church in Jerusalem. So, these would have been believers that fled in all directions to find somewhere that they could live in peace but who still felt a connection back to the Jerusalem church, their home community. After all, this was the Jerusalem church, this was the mother church so a letter coming from Jerusalem would’ve been treasured, especially if was written by the half-brother of Jesus, the leader of the church. So, if this is all true then this would actually make this letter one of the earliest of Christian writings that have been saved. And if that’s true, then the letter of James preserves inside of it some of the earliest postures of the Christian faith. And as we’ll see, there are clear postures in the letter of James. I mean more clearly than anywhere else in the New Testament, James teaches that the choices that we make, the stuff that we do, the thoughts that we have that then propel our bodies to do things, that matters. James pretty much tells us in no uncertain terms that we can say anything we want about what we believe but, in the end, how we live is actually saying the truth about what we believe and not necessarily what’s coming out of our mouth. In fact, this is…this is where we find in the Bible that faith without works is dead. So, we have a very, very early Christian writing stating these postures and this explicit connection between faith and works. And what we do hasn’t always been popular and continues to be debated about so that the definition is very clear because Paul obviously is telling us that we can’t earn anything, it’s a gift. So, in some ways it makes James and Paul look like they’re in opposition to each other. And it…I mean…it goes further than that. I mean, come all the way to the Protestant Reformation and we get to Martin Luther. And even Martin Luther, the reformer, just did not appreciate the book of James because it went against some of the things that he thought about “in faith alone”, “by grace alone”. Whereas James is kinda like, “you, okay, true. But if you’re not living your faith you don’t have any, its dead.” So, had James known that someday a thousand years in the future the church would go through some type of reformation and his letter would’ve be questioned, he probably would’ve been completely indifferent. This little letter is very likely to kick our butt this week because it is one of the most bold declarations, most confrontational, truth packed letters in the New Testament or in the Bible. But it’s not just to be confrontational, like its purpose isn’t just challenge. There’s something underneath and underneath is a plea, it’s a message that begging to be heard. It’s was begging to be heard when it was written, and it is begging to be heard now. And that is this - “live your life by faith and live your faith through what you do.” Right? It’s as poignant right now as ever maybe in some who hangs more poignant. So, let’s embrace the challenge as we enter our week and enter the letter to James. It’s not enough to know what the word of God says. The word of God has to change us, and that change becomes apparent as we live it. And in living it, we begin to understand that we must be people of action. So, we begin. James chapter 1 verses one through 18.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You for this new week and this new territory in the Scriptures, and as we continue our journey forward throughout this week we invite Your Holy Spirit to speak to us both from the book of Ezekiel and from the letter of James, and from the Psalms, and Proverbs. You are continually pursuing our heart and sometimes we are open to that and sometimes we are closed. And we open ourselves, we surrender ourselves to You and before You. We worship You and invite You completely into every aspect of our week - all of our thoughts, words, and deeds. Come Holy Spirit we pray. In the name of Jesus we ask. Amen.

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And, as always, if you have a prayer request or comment you can press the Hotline button in the app, the little red button at the top or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that is all for today, other than to tell you that I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Sunday November 17, 2019 (NIV)

Ezekiel 35-36

A Prophecy Against Edom

35 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir;(A) prophesy against it 3 and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand(B) against you and make you a desolate waste.(C) 4 I will turn your towns into ruins(D) and you will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord.(E)

5 “‘Because you harbored an ancient hostility and delivered the Israelites over to the sword(F) at the time of their calamity,(G) the time their punishment reached its climax,(H) 6 therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will give you over to bloodshed(I) and it will pursue you.(J) Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you. 7 I will make Mount Seir a desolate waste(K) and cut off from it all who come and go.(L) 8 I will fill your mountains with the slain; those killed by the sword will fall on your hills and in your valleys and in all your ravines.(M) 9 I will make you desolate forever;(N) your towns will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am the Lord.(O)

10 “‘Because you have said, “These two nations and countries will be ours and we will take possession(P) of them,” even though I the Lord was there, 11 therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will treat you in accordance with the anger(Q) and jealousy you showed in your hatred of them and I will make myself known among them when I judge you.(R) 12 Then you will know that I the Lord have heard all the contemptible things you have said against the mountains of Israel. You said, “They have been laid waste and have been given over to us to devour.(S)” 13 You boasted(T) against me and spoke against me without restraint, and I heard it.(U) 14 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: While the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate.(V) 15 Because you rejoiced(W) when the inheritance of Israel became desolate, that is how I will treat you. You will be desolate, Mount Seir,(X) you and all of Edom.(Y) Then they will know that I am the Lord.’”

Hope for the Mountains of Israel

36 “Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel(Z) and say, ‘Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. 2 This is what the Sovereign Lord says:(AA) The enemy said of you, “Aha!(AB) The ancient heights(AC) have become our possession.(AD)”’ 3 Therefore prophesy and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because they ravaged(AE) and crushed you from every side so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations and the object of people’s malicious talk and slander,(AF) 4 therefore, mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys,(AG) to the desolate ruins(AH) and the deserted(AI) towns that have been plundered and ridiculed(AJ) by the rest of the nations around you(AK)— 5 this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my burning(AL) zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, for with glee and with malice in their hearts they made my land their own possession so that they might plunder its pastureland.’(AM) 6 Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I speak in my jealous wrath because you have suffered the scorn of the nations.(AN) 7 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I swear with uplifted hand(AO) that the nations around you will also suffer scorn.(AP)

8 “‘But you, mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit(AQ) for my people Israel, for they will soon come home. 9 I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown,(AR) 10 and I will cause many people to live on you—yes, all of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins(AS) rebuilt.(AT) 11 I will increase the number of people and animals living on you, and they will be fruitful(AU) and become numerous. I will settle people(AV) on you as in the past(AW) and will make you prosper more than before.(AX) Then you will know that I am the Lord. 12 I will cause people, my people Israel, to live on you. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance;(AY) you will never again deprive them of their children.

13 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because some say to you, “You devour people(AZ) and deprive your nation of its children,” 14 therefore you will no longer devour people or make your nation childless, declares the Sovereign Lord. 15 No longer will I make you hear the taunts of the nations, and no longer will you suffer the scorn of the peoples or cause your nation to fall, declares the Sovereign Lord.(BA)’”

Israel’s Restoration Assured

16 Again the word of the Lord came to me: 17 “Son of man, when the people of Israel were living in their own land, they defiled it by their conduct and their actions. Their conduct was like a woman’s monthly uncleanness(BB) in my sight.(BC) 18 So I poured out(BD) my wrath on them because they had shed blood in the land and because they had defiled it with their idols. 19 I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered(BE) through the countries; I judged them according to their conduct and their actions.(BF) 20 And wherever they went among the nations they profaned(BG) my holy name, for it was said of them, ‘These are the Lord’s people, and yet they had to leave his land.’(BH) 21 I had concern for my holy name, which the people of Israel profaned among the nations where they had gone.(BI)

22 “Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name,(BJ) which you have profaned(BK) among the nations where you have gone.(BL) 23 I will show the holiness of my great name,(BM) which has been profaned(BN) among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,(BO) declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy(BP) through you before their eyes.(BQ)

24 “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.(BR) 25 I will sprinkle(BS) clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse(BT) you from all your impurities(BU) and from all your idols.(BV) 26 I will give you a new heart(BW) and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone(BX) and give you a heart of flesh.(BY) 27 And I will put my Spirit(BZ) in you and move you to follow my decrees(CA) and be careful to keep my laws.(CB) 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people,(CC) and I will be your God.(CD) 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine(CE) upon you. 30 I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine.(CF) 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices.(CG) 32 I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed(CH) and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!(CI)

33 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I cleanse(CJ) you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins(CK) will be rebuilt.(CL) 34 The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. 35 They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden;(CM) the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited.(CN)” 36 Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the Lord have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’(CO)

37 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Once again I will yield to Israel’s plea(CP) and do this for them: I will make their people as numerous as sheep,(CQ) 38 as numerous as the flocks for offerings(CR) at Jerusalem during her appointed festivals. So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord.(CS)”

Cross references:

  1. Ezekiel 35:2 : S Ge 14:6
  2. Ezekiel 35:3 : S Jer 6:12
  3. Ezekiel 35:3 : S Isa 34:10; Eze 25:12-14
  4. Ezekiel 35:4 : Jer 44:2
  5. Ezekiel 35:4 : ver 9; S Jer 49:10
  6. Ezekiel 35:5 : S Ps 63:10
  7. Ezekiel 35:5 : Ob 1:13
  8. Ezekiel 35:5 : Ps 137:7; S Eze 21:29
  9. Ezekiel 35:6 : S Isa 34:3
  10. Ezekiel 35:6 : Isa 63:2-6
  11. Ezekiel 35:7 : S Jer 46:19
  12. Ezekiel 35:7 : S Jer 49:17
  13. Ezekiel 35:8 : S Eze 31:12
  14. Ezekiel 35:9 : Ob 1:10
  15. Ezekiel 35:9 : S Isa 34:5-6; S Jer 49:13
  16. Ezekiel 35:10 : S Ps 83:12; Eze 36:2, 5
  17. Ezekiel 35:11 : Eze 25:14
  18. Ezekiel 35:11 : S Ps 9:16; Ob 1:15; S Mt 7:2
  19. Ezekiel 35:12 : S Jer 50:7
  20. Ezekiel 35:13 : S Jer 49:16
  21. Ezekiel 35:13 : Da 11:36
  22. Ezekiel 35:14 : Jer 51:48
  23. Ezekiel 35:15 : Eze 36:5; Ob 1:12
  24. Ezekiel 35:15 : ver 3
  25. Ezekiel 35:15 : S Isa 34:5-6, 11; Jer 50:11-13; S La 4:21; S Eze 32:29
  26. Ezekiel 36:1 : S Eze 17:22
  27. Ezekiel 36:2 : Eze 6:2-3
  28. Ezekiel 36:2 : S Eze 25:3
  29. Ezekiel 36:2 : S Dt 32:13
  30. Ezekiel 36:2 : S Eze 35:10
  31. Ezekiel 36:3 : Ob 1:13
  32. Ezekiel 36:3 : Ps 44:13-14; S La 2:16; 3:62
  33. Ezekiel 36:4 : Eze 6:3
  34. Ezekiel 36:4 : Eze 33:24
  35. Ezekiel 36:4 : S Lev 26:43
  36. Ezekiel 36:4 : S Jer 2:26
  37. Ezekiel 36:4 : Dt 11:11; S Ps 79:4; S Eze 33:28-29
  38. Ezekiel 36:5 : S Dt 29:20
  39. Ezekiel 36:5 : Isa 66:16; Jer 25:31; 50:11; Eze 25:12-14; S 35:10, 15; 38:22; Joel 3:2, 14
  40. Ezekiel 36:6 : Ps 123:3-4; Eze 34:29
  41. Ezekiel 36:7 : S Nu 14:30
  42. Ezekiel 36:7 : S Jer 25:9
  43. Ezekiel 36:8 : S Isa 4:2; S 27:6; Eze 47:12
  44. Ezekiel 36:9 : ver 34-36; Jer 31:27
  45. Ezekiel 36:10 : S Isa 49:8
  46. Ezekiel 36:10 : Isa 49:17-23; S Jer 30:18
  47. Ezekiel 36:11 : S Ge 1:22
  48. Ezekiel 36:11 : S Isa 49:19
  49. Ezekiel 36:11 : Mic 7:14
  50. Ezekiel 36:11 : Lev 26:9; Job 42:13; S Jer 31:28; S Eze 16:55; Zec 10:8
  51. Ezekiel 36:12 : Eze 47:14, 22
  52. Ezekiel 36:13 : S Nu 13:32
  53. Ezekiel 36:15 : Ps 89:50-51; Isa 54:4; S Eze 34:29
  54. Ezekiel 36:17 : S Lev 5:2; S 12:2
  55. Ezekiel 36:17 : Ps 106:37-38; S Jer 2:7
  56. Ezekiel 36:18 : S 2Ch 34:21
  57. Ezekiel 36:19 : Dt 28:64
  58. Ezekiel 36:19 : Lev 18:24-28; S Eze 7:8; S 24:14; 39:24
  59. Ezekiel 36:20 : S Lev 18:21; S Eze 13:19; Ro 2:24
  60. Ezekiel 36:20 : Isa 52:5; S Jer 33:24; S Eze 12:16
  61. Ezekiel 36:21 : Ps 74:18; Isa 48:9
  62. Ezekiel 36:22 : S Isa 37:35; S Eze 20:44
  63. Ezekiel 36:22 : Ro 2:24*
  64. Ezekiel 36:22 : Dt 9:5-6; Ps 106:8; S Eze 20:9
  65. Ezekiel 36:23 : S Nu 6:27
  66. Ezekiel 36:23 : S Isa 37:23
  67. Ezekiel 36:23 : S Ps 46:10
  68. Ezekiel 36:23 : S Eze 20:41
  69. Ezekiel 36:23 : Ps 126:2; S Isa 5:16; Eze 20:14; 38:23; 39:7, 27-28
  70. Ezekiel 36:24 : S Isa 43:5-6; S Eze 34:13; 37:21
  71. Ezekiel 36:25 : S Lev 14:7; S 16:14-15; Heb 9:13
  72. Ezekiel 36:25 : S Ps 51:2, 7
  73. Ezekiel 36:25 : S Ezr 6:21
  74. Ezekiel 36:25 : Isa 2:18; Joel 3:21; Zec 3:4; 13:2; S Ac 22:16
  75. Ezekiel 36:26 : Jer 24:7
  76. Ezekiel 36:26 : S Jer 5:3
  77. Ezekiel 36:26 : S Ps 51:10; S Eze 18:31; S 2Co 3:3
  78. Ezekiel 36:27 : S Isa 44:3; Joel 2:29; Jn 3:5
  79. Ezekiel 36:27 : S Eze 18:21
  80. Ezekiel 36:27 : Jer 50:20; 1Th 4:8
  81. Ezekiel 36:28 : Jer 30:22; 31:33
  82. Ezekiel 36:28 : S Eze 11:17; S 14:11; 34:24; 37:14, 27; Zec 8:8
  83. Ezekiel 36:29 : Eze 34:29
  84. Ezekiel 36:30 : Lev 26:4-5; S Eze 34:13-14; Hos 2:21-22
  85. Ezekiel 36:31 : Isa 6:5; S Jer 31:19; S Eze 6:9
  86. Ezekiel 36:32 : Eze 16:63
  87. Ezekiel 36:32 : Dt 9:5
  88. Ezekiel 36:33 : S Lev 16:30
  89. Ezekiel 36:33 : S Lev 26:31
  90. Ezekiel 36:33 : S Isa 49:8
  91. Ezekiel 36:35 : S Ge 2:8
  92. Ezekiel 36:35 : Am 9:14
  93. Ezekiel 36:36 : S Jer 42:10; S Eze 17:22; 37:14; 39:27-28
  94. Ezekiel 36:37 : Zec 10:6; 13:9
  95. Ezekiel 36:37 : Ps 102:17; Jer 29:12-14
  96. Ezekiel 36:38 : 1Ki 8:63; 2Ch 35:7-9
  97. Ezekiel 36:38 : S Ex 6:2
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

James 1:1-18

1 James,(A) a servant of God(B) and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes(C) scattered(D) among the nations:

Greetings.(E)

Trials and Temptations

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,(F) 3 because you know that the testing of your faith(G) produces perseverance.(H) 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature(I) and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,(J) who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.(K) 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,(L) because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded(M) and unstable(N) in all they do.

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.(O) 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.(P) 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat(Q) and withers(R) the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.(S) In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial(T) because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life(U) that the Lord has promised to those who love him.(V)

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own(W) evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;(X) and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.(Y)

16 Don’t be deceived,(Z) my dear brothers and sisters.(AA) 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above,(AB) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,(AC) who does not change(AD) like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth(AE) through the word of truth,(AF) that we might be a kind of firstfruits(AG) of all he created.

Footnotes:

  1. James 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 16 and 19; and in 2:1, 5, 14; 3:10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19.

Cross references:

  1. James 1:1 : S Ac 15:13
  2. James 1:1 : Ro 1:1; Tit 1:1
  3. James 1:1 : Ac 26:7
  4. James 1:1 : Dt 32:26; Jn 7:35; 1Pe 1:1
  5. James 1:1 : Ac 15:23
  6. James 1:2 : ver 12; S Mt 5:12; Heb 10:34; 12:11
  7. James 1:3 : 1Pe 1:7
  8. James 1:3 : S Heb 10:36
  9. James 1:4 : S 1Co 2:6
  10. James 1:5 : 1Ki 3:9, 10; Pr 2:3-6
  11. James 1:5 : Ps 51:6; Da 1:17; 2:21; S Mt 7:7
  12. James 1:6 : S Mt 21:21; Mk 11:24
  13. James 1:8 : Ps 119:113; Jas 4:8
  14. James 1:8 : 2Pe 2:14; 3:16
  15. James 1:9 : S Mt 23:12
  16. James 1:10 : Job 14:2; Ps 103:15, 16; Isa 40:6, 7; 1Co 7:31; 1Pe 1:24
  17. James 1:11 : Mt 20:12
  18. James 1:11 : Ps 102:4, 11
  19. James 1:11 : Isa 40:6-8
  20. James 1:12 : ver 2; Ge 22:1; Jas 5:11; 1Pe 3:14
  21. James 1:12 : S 1Co 9:25
  22. James 1:12 : Ex 20:6; 1Co 2:9; 8:3; Jas 2:5
  23. James 1:14 : Pr 19:3
  24. James 1:15 : Ge 3:6; Job 15:35; Ps 7:14; Isa 59:4
  25. James 1:15 : S Ro 6:23
  26. James 1:16 : S 1Co 6:9
  27. James 1:16 : ver 19; Jas 2:5
  28. James 1:17 : Ps 85:12; Jn 3:27; Jas 3:15, 17
  29. James 1:17 : Ge 1:16; Ps 136:7; Da 2:22; 1Jn 1:5
  30. James 1:17 : Nu 23:19; Ps 102:27; Mal 3:6
  31. James 1:18 : S Jn 1:13
  32. James 1:18 : S 2Ti 2:15
  33. James 1:18 : Jer 2:3; Rev 14:4
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 116

Psalm 116

1 I love the Lord,(A) for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry(B) for mercy.(C)
2 Because he turned his ear(D) to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death(E) entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name(F) of the Lord:
“Lord, save me!(G)”

5 The Lord is gracious and righteous;(H)
our God is full of compassion.(I)
6 The Lord protects the unwary;
when I was brought low,(J) he saved me.(K)

7 Return to your rest,(L) my soul,
for the Lord has been good(M) to you.

8 For you, Lord, have delivered me(N) from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the Lord(O)
in the land of the living.(P)

10 I trusted(Q) in the Lord when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;(R)
11 in my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.”(S)

12 What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness(T) to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name(U) of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows(V) to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight(W) of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants.(X)
16 Truly I am your servant, Lord;(Y)
I serve you just as my mother did;(Z)
you have freed me from my chains.(AA)

17 I will sacrifice a thank offering(AB) to you
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows(AC) to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts(AD) of the house of the Lord—
in your midst, Jerusalem.(AE)

Praise the Lord.[a]

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 116:19 Hebrew Hallelu Yah

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 116:1 : Ps 18:1
  2. Psalm 116:1 : S Ps 31:22; S 40:1
  3. Psalm 116:1 : S Ps 6:9; S 28:2
  4. Psalm 116:2 : S Ps 5:1
  5. Psalm 116:3 : S 2Sa 22:6; Ps 18:4-5
  6. Psalm 116:4 : Ps 80:18; 118:5
  7. Psalm 116:4 : S Ps 80:2
  8. Psalm 116:5 : S Ex 9:27; S 2Ch 12:6; S Ezr 9:15
  9. Psalm 116:5 : S Ex 22:27; S Ps 86:15
  10. Psalm 116:6 : S Ps 79:8
  11. Psalm 116:6 : Ps 18:3; 22:5; 107:13
  12. Psalm 116:7 : Ps 46:10; 62:1; 131:2; Mt 11:29
  13. Psalm 116:7 : Ps 13:6; 106:1; 142:7
  14. Psalm 116:8 : S Ps 86:13
  15. Psalm 116:9 : S Ge 5:22; Ps 56:13; 89:15
  16. Psalm 116:9 : S Job 28:13; Ps 27:13; Isa 38:11; Jer 11:19
  17. Psalm 116:10 : 2Co 4:13*
  18. Psalm 116:10 : Ps 9:18; 72:2; S 107:17; 119:67, 71, 75
  19. Psalm 116:11 : Jer 9:3-5; Hos 7:13; Mic 6:12; Ro 3:4
  20. Psalm 116:12 : Ps 103:2; 106:1
  21. Psalm 116:13 : S Ps 105:1
  22. Psalm 116:14 : S Nu 30:2; S Ps 66:13
  23. Psalm 116:15 : Ps 72:14
  24. Psalm 116:15 : S Nu 23:10
  25. Psalm 116:16 : Ps 119:125; 143:12
  26. Psalm 116:16 : S Ps 86:16
  27. Psalm 116:16 : S Job 12:18
  28. Psalm 116:17 : S Lev 7:12; S Ezr 1:4
  29. Psalm 116:18 : ver 14; S Lev 22:18
  30. Psalm 116:19 : Ps 92:13; 96:8; 100:4; 135:2
  31. Psalm 116:19 : Ps 102:21
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Proverbs 27:23-27

23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,(A)
give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not endure forever,(B)
and a crown is not secure for all generations.
25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears
and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
26 the lambs will provide you with clothing,
and the goats with the price of a field.
27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family
and to nourish your female servants.

Cross references:

  1. Proverbs 27:23 : Pr 12:10
  2. Proverbs 27:24 : Pr 23:5
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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11/16/2019 DAB Transcript

Ezekiel 33:1-34:31, Hebrews 13:1-25, Psalms 115:1-18, Proverbs 27:21-22

Today is the 16th day of November. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. It’s great to be here with you as we close the books on another one of our weeks together and we’re running out a week’s. I mean, I don’t want to be out ahead of ourselves because there’s so much left for us in the Scriptures but were running out of weeks. It’s like when we began this journey and we sailed off in the book of Genesis on the 1st January and a few weeks later it was like we’re…we’re well out…we’re well out from shore, we’re out in the deep and we’re taking this journey. Now we’ve been taking this journey all the way through the year and we can begin to see the faint signs of shore at the other side. And, so, well done for making it this far and we’re gonna turn like we were talking about yesterday into a busier season of the year and this is the point, this is really the point where we’re just out in front of it and we need to make the decision that we are finishing strong. We started a journey and we are not abandoning ship and we will sail to the other side together. So, here we are closing down another one of our weeks together. And we’ve been reading from the Christian Standard Bible this week. Today, Ezekiel chapters 33 and 34.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You for Your word and even as we end this week we also will and the letter to the Hebrews. And, so we prepare as we move into the new week to move into new territory. And, so, we invite You in advance and we ask Holy Spirit that You would seal all that we’ve read in the book of Hebrews to our hearts and to our minds so that it changes our behaviors, so that it changes our deeds. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is home base and it is the website. So, it’s where you find out what’s going on around here and be sure to do that. Stay tuned. Stay connected in any way that you can or the that you want to.

Check out the Prayer Wall in the Community section. Check out the resources that are available in the Shop, some of which make for fantastic Christmas gifts. So, check that out.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, you can do that at dailyaudiobible.com as well and I can’t thank you…can’t thank you enough for your partnership as we move ourselves into the final stages of the year. Thank you profoundly for your partnership. So, there’s a link on the homepage at dailyaudiobible.com. If you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or, if you prefer, the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or comment, you can press the Hotline button in the app, the little red button up the top or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hey Daily Audio Bible family this is Andrea. I wanted to share my testimony with you. And this is for you if you have not yet given your life to Yeshua, Jesus. I was 15 years old when Yeshua encountered me and I was a cutter, I cut my arms, I prayed to Satan, I was going down a path that was not good even though I was raised in a religious home. And I would cut my arms thinking it would relieve the pain on the inside but I’m telling you, Yeshua, Jesus is the only one that can relieve the pain on the inside. He’s the only one that can heal the sin sick soul. And I just want encourage you today that if you have not given your life to Yeshua, if you’re battling any demonic things, principalities and witchcraft, turn to Yeshua. He is all-powerful and He will deliver you and set your soul free. And I just want to pray for you if you are in depression, anxiety, suicidal or anything or if your family members are. I just pray right now in the name of Yeshua that you would be healed and be made whole and that you would be able to receive the amazing gift of His forgiveness, salvation, that he would set your soul free today. Call upon the name of the Lord and you will be safe my friend. I just felt led to call in. And, so, I just encourage all family members and friends to keep praying for your loved ones. When I was going to that I felt people’s prayers. Your prayers make a difference. And as a result, today I am saved, still following the Lord over 20+ years later. Never give up on your loved ones. Pray daily for them. Love you my friends. Have a great day. Bye.

Hi Sherry from Kansas. I just want to thank you for calling in this morning and sharing your thoughts with us and letting us know that you understand now that the most important thing that we can do is continually thank God. And I have been working really hard this year on bringing my relationship closer to God so that He is in all of my thoughts, all my actions, that I converse with Him through the day and I’ve really been struggling with that. Things get in the way, I let them get in the way. It’s hard to manage that and manage job responsibilities and family responsibilities. And when you said that it just clicked, you know. What I need to do throughout the day is to praise God through thanksgiving and I feel like you’ve just given me a key to what I have been struggling to do. And, so, I hope this is helpful to other people, but I really just wanted to call and thank you. And I will give you a praise report on the line to let you know how this works for me. But I just feel like the doors been opened with that key and that I have a way to move forward. So, thank you, not only for this time you called and Sherry, but I certainly enjoy listening to you as well as many, many others when they call in. Have a great day, guys.

Hello DAB family this is His Welsh girl. I’ve been listening for five years, but this is my first time calling. I really love listening. It’s so brilliant. This global church praying for each other is wonderful and I pray with you all as I listen to the prayer requests and thank you Brian and Jill. And I wondered if you’d please pray for me. Seven years ago, after 36 years away from the Lord, He very patiently and kindly brought him back to Him, brought me back to Him. And during those 36 years He blessed me with three children, but my marriage failed largely due to my behavior. And on Saturday my daughter is getting married and I’ve just been feeling overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety and regret and guilt, I guess. And my children and my…I have a new husband now and we’ve been together a long time but none of them know the Lord and I just…please pray for my daughter’s marriage and our relationships within the family and for their salvation as well, please. And thank you. That’s brilliant. Thank you.

This is Candace from Oregon. The first time I ever called in for prayer a request it was for my son Micah. This was just a few months after I started Daily Audio Bible from an invitation from my husband who had already been listening for several years. I think this was about 4 ½ years ago. So, many of you have prayed for Micah ever since and I am so grateful. And I just wanted you to know that today is really a special day in Micah’s life. He had been laid off and so was again on a job search and this time he was able to get a job that is really a dream come true for him and puts him on a career path that is nearest and dearest to his heart. It’s in a high-tech industry, it’s a very ground level position but one that he’s very excited about. So, would you pray with me for him right now. Lord we know that’s Micah’s struggle with alcohol has…has wreaked havoc in his life. And thank You that he was able to report to work this morning completely recovered from having drank a lot, completely recovered and ready to roll and I pray that he will begin now a season of sobriety that lasts for years and that he will have peace that could only come from You and that he will know it is from You Lord. Bless him today. I rebuke all false spirits and anything that would come in to harass him in any way. I pray that You draw him in close to You Lord. Help them to be honest with You in Jesus’ name we pray. Thank you, family.

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Saturday November 16, 2019 (NIV)

Ezekiel 33-34

Ezekiel as Israel’s Watchman

33 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and tell them, ‘Suppose I bring the sword against a land, and the people of that land select a man from among them, appointing him as their watchman. 3 And suppose he sees the sword coming against the land and blows his trumpet(A) to warn the people. 4 Then, if anyone hears the sound of the trumpet but ignores the warning,(B) and the sword comes and takes him away, his death will be his own fault.[a] 5 Since he heard the sound of the trumpet but ignored the warning, his death is his own fault.[b] If he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. 6 However, suppose the watchman sees the sword coming but doesn’t blow the trumpet, so that the people aren’t warned, and the sword comes and takes away their lives. Then they have been taken away because of their iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’

7 “As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel.(C) When you hear a word from my mouth, give them a warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, ‘Wicked one, you will surely die,’(D) but you do not speak out to warn him about his way, that wicked person will die for his iniquity, yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. 9 But if you warn a wicked person to turn from his way and he doesn’t turn from it, he will die for his iniquity, but you will have rescued yourself.

10 “Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘You have said this: “Our transgressions and our sins are heavy on us, and we are wasting away because of them!(E) How then can we survive?”’ (F) 11 Tell them, ‘As I live—this is the declaration of the Lord God—I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live.(G) Repent, repent of your evil ways! Why will you die, house of Israel?’

12 “Now, son of man, say to your people, ‘The righteousness of the righteous person will not save him on the day of his transgression; neither will the wickedness of the wicked person cause him to stumble on the day he turns from his wickedness. The righteous person won’t be able to survive by his righteousness on the day he sins. 13 When I tell the righteous person that he will surely live, but he trusts in his righteousness and acts unjustly, then none of his righteousness will be remembered, and he will die because of the injustice he has committed.(H)

14 “‘So when I tell the wicked person, “You will surely die,” but he repents of his sin and does what is just and right— 15 he returns collateral, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life(I) without committing injustice—he will certainly live; he will not die. 16 None of the sins he committed will be held[c] against him. He has done what is just and right; he will certainly live.(J)

17 “‘But your people say, “The Lord’s way isn’t fair,”(K) even though it is their own way that isn’t fair. 18 When a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, he will die for it. 19 But if a wicked person turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live because of it. 20 Yet you say, “The Lord’s way isn’t fair.” I will judge each of you according to his ways, house of Israel.’”

The News of Jerusalem’s Fall

21 In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month, on the fifth day of the month, a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and reported, “The city has been taken!” 22 Now the hand of the Lord had been on me the evening before the fugitive arrived, and he opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer mute.(L)

Israel’s Continued Rebellion

23 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 24 “Son of man, those who live in the[d] ruins in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one person,(M) yet he received possession of the land.(N) But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as a possession.’(O) 25 Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: You eat meat with blood in it,(P) look to your idols, and shed blood. Should you then receive possession of the land? 26 You have relied on your swords, you have committed detestable acts, and each of you has defiled his neighbor’s wife. Should you then receive possession of the land?’ (Q)

27 “Tell them this: ‘This is what the Lord God says: As surely as I live, those who are in the ruins will fall by the sword, those in the open field I have given to wild animals to be devoured, and those in the strongholds and caves will die by plague.(R) 28 I will make the land a desolate waste,(S) and its proud strength will come to an end.(T) The mountains of Israel(U) will become desolate, with no one passing through. 29 They will know that I am the Lord when I make the land a desolate waste because of all the detestable acts they have committed.’

30 “As for you, son of man, your people are talking about you near the city walls and in the doorways of their houses. One person speaks to another, each saying to his brother, ‘Come and hear what the message is that comes from the Lord!’ 31 So my people come to you in crowds,[e] sit in front of you, and hear your words, but they don’t obey them. Their mouths go on passionately, but their hearts pursue dishonest profit. 32 Yes, to them you are like a singer of passionate songs who has a beautiful voice and plays skillfully on an instrument. They hear your words, but they don’t obey them. 33 Yet when all this comes true(V)—and it definitely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

The Shepherds and God’s Flock

34 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who have been feeding themselves!(W) Shouldn’t the shepherds feed their flock? 3 You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened animals, but you do not tend the flock.(X) 4 You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bandaged the injured, brought back the strays, or sought the lost.(Y) Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. 5 They were scattered for lack of a shepherd;(Z) they became food for all the wild animals(AA) when they were scattered. 6 My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill.(AB) My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and there was no one searching or seeking for them.

7 “‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. 8 As I live—this is the declaration of the Lord God—because my flock, lacking a shepherd, has become prey and food for every wild animal, and because my shepherds do not search for my flock, and because the shepherds feed themselves rather than my flock, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord!

10 “‘This is what the Lord God says: Look, I am against the shepherds.(AC) I will demand my flock from them[f] and prevent them from shepherding the flock. The shepherds will no longer feed themselves, for I will rescue my flock from their mouths so that they will not be food for them.

11 “‘For this is what the Lord God says: See, I myself will search for my flock and look for them. 12 As a shepherd looks for his sheep on the day he is among his scattered flock, so I will look for my flock. I will rescue them from all the places where they have been scattered(AD) on a day of clouds and total darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them to their own soil. I will shepherd them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the land. 14 I will tend them in good pasture, and their grazing place will be on Israel’s lofty mountains. There they will lie down in a good grazing place; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I will tend my flock and let them lie down.(AE) This is the declaration of the Lord God. 16 I will seek the lost,(AF) bring back the strays, bandage the injured,(AG) and strengthen the weak, but I will destroy[g] the fat and the strong. I will shepherd them with justice.

17 “‘As for you, my flock, the Lord God says this: Look, I am going to judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and goats.(AH) 18 Isn’t it enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Or isn’t it enough that you drink the clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? 19 Yet my flock has to feed on what your feet have trampled, and drink what your feet have muddied.

20 “‘Therefore, this is what the Lord God says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Since you have pushed with flank and shoulder and butted all the weak ones with your horns until you scattered them all over, 22 I will save my flock. They will no longer be prey, and I will judge between one sheep and another. 23 I will establish over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will shepherd them. He will tend them himself and will be their shepherd.(AI) 24 I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David(AJ) will be a prince among them. I, the Lord, have spoken.

25 “‘I will make a covenant of peace(AK) with them and eliminate dangerous creatures(AL) from the land, so that they may live securely(AM) in the wilderness and sleep in the forest. 26 I will make them and the area around my hill(AN) a blessing: I will send down showers in their season;(AO) they will be showers of blessing. 27 The trees of the field will yield their fruit, and the land will yield its produce; my flock will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the Lord when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the power of those who enslave them.(AP) 28 They will no longer be prey for the nations, and the wild creatures of the earth will not consume them. They will live securely, and no one will frighten them. 29 I will establish for them a place renowned for its agriculture,[h] and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land. They will no longer endure the insults of the nations.(AQ) 30 Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people.(AR) This is the declaration of the Lord God. 31 You are my flock, the human flock of my pasture, and I am your God. This is the declaration of the Lord God.’”(AS)

Footnotes:

  1. 33:4 Lit his blood will be on his head
  2. 33:5 Lit his blood will be on him
  3. 33:16 Lit remembered
  4. 33:24 Lit these
  5. 33:31 Lit you like the coming of a people
  6. 34:10 Lit their hand
  7. 34:16 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Vg read watch over
  8. 34:29 LXX, Syr read a plant of peace

Cross references:

  1. 33:3 : Nm 10:9
  2. 33:4 : Zch 1:4
  3. 33:7 : Ezk 3:17-19
  4. 33:8 : Ezk 18:4
  5. 33:10 : Lv 26:39; Ezk 4:17; 24:23
  6. 33:10 : Ezk 37:11
  7. 33:11 : Ezk 18:23,30-32; Hs 11:8; 1Tm 2:4; 2Pt 3:9
  8. 33:13 : Ezk 3:20; 18:24,26
  9. 33:15 : Lv 18:5; Dt 5:33; 1Kg 3:14; Ezk 20:11
  10. 33:16 : Is 1:18; 43:25; Ezk 18:21-22
  11. 33:17 : Ezk 18:25-30
  12. 33:22 : Ezk 3:26-27; 24:26-27
  13. 33:24 : Is 51:2
  14. 33:24 : Gn 15:7; 28:4
  15. 33:24 : Ezk 36:2
  16. 33:25 : Lv 19:26
  17. 33:26 : Ezk 18:6,10-11,15
  18. 33:27 : Ezk 5:12
  19. 33:28 : Ezk 35:3
  20. 33:28 : Ezk 7:24
  21. 33:28 : Ezk 6:2
  22. 33:33 : Jr 28:9; Ezk 33:29
  23. 34:2 : Jr 23:1
  24. 34:3 : Pr 27:23
  25. 34:4 : Zch 11:16; Lk 15:4
  26. 34:5 : Nm 27:17; 1Kg 22:17; Jr 10:21; 23:2; 50:6; Mt 9:36
  27. 34:5 : Ezk 34:28
  28. 34:6 : 1Pt 2:25
  29. 34:10 : Jr 21:13; Ezk 5:8; 13:8
  30. 34:12 : Jr 23:3
  31. 34:15 : Ps 23:1-2
  32. 34:16 : Ps 119:176; Lk 19:10
  33. 34:16 : Ps 147:3; Is 30:26; Hs 6:1
  34. 34:17 : Mt 25:31-33
  35. 34:23 : Ps 78:70-71; Jn 10:11,16
  36. 34:24 : Jr 30:9; Ezk 37:24
  37. 34:25 : Ezk 37:26
  38. 34:25 : Is 11:6-9
  39. 34:25 : Ezk 28:26
  40. 34:26 : Ps 2:6; 15:1; 133:3; Is 27:13; Jr 31:23
  41. 34:26 : Dt 11:13-14; 28:12
  42. 34:27 : Lv 26:13; Is 52:2-3; Jr 30:8
  43. 34:29 : Ezk 36:3,6,15
  44. 34:30 : Ex 6:7; Lv 26:12; Dt 29:13; Jr 30:22; 31:33; Ezk 11:20; 36:28; 37:23,27; Zch 8:8; 2Co 6:16; Heb 8:10; Rv 21:3
  45. 34:31 : Ps 100:3; Jr 23:1
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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Hebrews 13

Final Exhortations

13 Let brotherly love(A) continue. 2 Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.(B) 3 Remember those in prison, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated,[a] as though you yourselves were suffering bodily.[b] 4 Marriage is to be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.(C) 5 Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.[c](D) 6 Therefore, we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?(E)(F)

7 Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.(G) 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.(H) 9 Don’t be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by food regulations, since those who observe them have not benefited.(I) 10 We have an altar from which those who worship at the tabernacle do not have a right to eat.(J) 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the most holy place by the high priest(K) as a sin offering are burned outside the camp.(L) 12 Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the gate,(M) so that he might sanctify[d] the people by his own blood. 13 Let us then go to him outside the camp, bearing his disgrace.(N) 14 For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.(O) 15 Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.(P) 16 Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.(Q) 17 Obey your leaders[e] and submit to them, since they keep watch(R) over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything.(S) 19 And I urge you all the more to pray[f] that I may be restored to you very soon.

Benediction and Farewell

20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep(T)—through the blood of the everlasting covenant,(U) 21 equip[g] you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.[h](V) Amen.

22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to receive this message of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon enough, he will be with me when I see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with you all.(W)

Footnotes:

  1. 13:3 Or tortured
  2. 13:3 Or mistreated, since you are also in a body
  3. 13:5 Dt 31:6
  4. 13:12 Or set apart, or consecrate
  5. 13:17 Or rulers
  6. 13:19 Lit to do this
  7. 13:21 Or perfect
  8. 13:21 Other mss omit and ever

Cross references:

  1. 13:1 : Rm 12:10; 1Pt 1:22
  2. 13:2 : Gn 18:3; Mt 25:35
  3. 13:3-4 : Mt 25:36; 1Co 6:9
  4. 13:5 : Dt 31:6,8; Jos 1:5; Php 4:11
  5. 13:6 : Ps 118:6
  6. 13:6 : Ps 27:1; 56:4,11; 118:6
  7. 13:7 : Heb 6:12; 13:17,24
  8. 13:8 : Jn 8:58; Heb 1:12
  9. 13:9 : Eph 4:14; Col 2:16
  10. 13:10 : 1Co 9:13; 10:18
  11. 13:11 : 1Co 9:13; 10:18
  12. 13:11 : Ex 29:14; Lv 16:27
  13. 13:12 : Jn 19:17; Ac 7:58
  14. 13:13 : Heb 11:26; 1Pt 4:14
  15. 13:14 : Mc 3:10; Heb 12:22
  16. 13:15 : Lv 7:12; Hs 14:2; Eph 5:20
  17. 13:16 : Rm 12:13; Php 4:18
  18. 13:17 : Is 62:6; Ezk 3:17; Ac 20:28
  19. 13:18 : Ac 23:1; 1Th 5:25
  20. 13:20 : Jn 10:11; Ac 2:24; Rm 15:33
  21. 13:20 : Zch 9:11; Heb 7:22; 8:6-10; 9:15; 12:24
  22. 13:21 : Rm 11:36; Php 2:13; 1Pt 5:10
  23. 13:22-25 : Ac 16:1; Col 4:18; 1Th 3:2; Heb 13:7,17; 1Pt 5:12
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Psalm 115

Psalm 115

Glory to God Alone

1 Not to us, Lord, not to us,
but to your name give glory
because of your faithful love, because of your truth.(A)
2 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?” (B)
3 Our God is in heaven
and does whatever he pleases.(C)

4 Their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.(D)
5 They have mouths but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
6 They have ears but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell.(E)
7 They have hands but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk.(F)
They cannot make a sound with their throats.(G)
8 Those who make them are[a] just like them,
as are all who trust in them.(H)

9 Israel,[b] trust in the Lord!(I)
He is their help and shield.(J)
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord!(K)
He is their help and shield.(L)
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!(M)
He is their help and shield.
12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
He will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;(N)
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord—
small and great alike.(O)

14 May the Lord add to your numbers,
both yours and your children’s.(P)
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.(Q)
16 The heavens are the Lord’s,[c]
but the earth he has given to the human race.(R)
17 It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
nor any of those descending into the silence of death.(S)
18 But we will bless the Lord,
both now and forever.(T)
Hallelujah!

Footnotes:

  1. 115:8 Or May those who make them become
  2. 115:9 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr read House of Israel
  3. 115:16 Lit the Lord’s heavens

Cross references:

  1. 115:1 : Ezk 36:22; Dn 9:18-19
  2. 115:2 : Ps 42:3,10; 79:10
  3. 115:3 : Ps 135:6; Dn 4:35
  4. 115:4 : 2Kg 19:18; Is 37:19
  5. 115:5-6 : Is 46:7
  6. 115:7 : Jr 10:5
  7. 115:7 : Hab 2:18
  8. 115:4-8 : Ps 135:15-18
  9. 115:9 : Ps 118:2
  10. 115:9 : Gn 15:1; Dt 33:29; Ps 3:3; 5:12; 18:2; 28:7; 33:20; 119:114
  11. 115:10 : Ps 118:3; 135:19
  12. 115:10-11 : Ps 33:20
  13. 115:11 : Ps 22:23; 118:4
  14. 115:12 : Ps 98:3
  15. 115:13 : Rv 11:18; 19:5
  16. 115:14 : Dt 1:11
  17. 115:15 : Ps 121:2; 124:8; 134:3
  18. 115:16 : Ps 89:11
  19. 115:17 : Ps 6:5; 31:17; 88:10-12
  20. 115:18 : Ps 113:2; Dn 2:20
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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Proverbs 27:21-22

21 A crucible refines silver, a smelter refines gold,
and a person refines his praise.(A)

22 Though you grind a fool
in a mortar with a pestle along with grain,
you will not separate his foolishness from him.(B)

Cross references:

  1. 27:21 : Pr 16:2; 17:3
  2. 27:22 : Pr 23:35; 26:11; Jr 5:3
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.