The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Saturday January 21, 2023 (NIV)

Genesis 42:18-43:34

18 On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God:(A) 19 If you are honest men,(B) let one of your brothers stay here in prison,(C) while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households.(D) 20 But you must bring your youngest brother to me,(E) so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.

21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother.(F) We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress(G) has come on us.”

22 Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?(H) But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting(I) for his blood.”(J) 23 They did not realize(K) that Joseph could understand them,(L) since he was using an interpreter.

24 He turned away from them and began to weep,(M) but then came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.(N)

25 Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain,(O) to put each man’s silver back in his sack,(P) and to give them provisions(Q) for their journey.(R) After this was done for them, 26 they loaded their grain on their donkeys(S) and left.

27 At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey,(T) and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack.(U) 28 “My silver has been returned,” he said to his brothers. “Here it is in my sack.”

Their hearts sank(V) and they turned to each other trembling(W) and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”(X)

29 When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan,(Y) they told him all that had happened to them.(Z) They said, 30 “The man who is lord over the land spoke harshly to us(AA) and treated us as though we were spying on the land.(AB) 31 But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies.(AC) 32 We were twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.’(AD)

33 “Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go.(AE) 34 But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men.(AF) Then I will give your brother back to you,(AG) and you can trade[a] in the land.(AH)’”

35 As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver!(AI) When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened.(AJ) 36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more,(AK) and now you want to take Benjamin.(AL) Everything is against me!(AM)

37 Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care,(AN) and I will bring him back.”(AO)

38 But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead(AP) and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him(AQ) on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave(AR) in sorrow.(AS)

The Second Journey to Egypt

43 Now the famine was still severe in the land.(AT) So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt,(AU) their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”(AV)

But Judah(AW) said to him, “The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’(AX) If you will send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you.(AY) But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.(AZ)’”

Israel(BA) asked, “Why did you bring this trouble(BB) on me by telling the man you had another brother?”

They replied, “The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. ‘Is your father still living?’(BC) he asked us. ‘Do you have another brother?’(BD) We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?”(BE)

Then Judah(BF) said to Israel(BG) his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die.(BH) I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him.(BI) If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame(BJ) before you all my life.(BK) 10 As it is, if we had not delayed,(BL) we could have gone and returned twice.”

11 Then their father Israel(BM) said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products(BN) of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift(BO)—a little balm(BP) and a little honey, some spices(BQ) and myrrh,(BR) some pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take double the amount(BS) of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks.(BT) Perhaps it was a mistake. 13 Take your brother also and go back to the man at once.(BU) 14 And may God Almighty[b](BV) grant you mercy(BW) before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you.(BX) As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”(BY)

15 So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver,(BZ) and Benjamin also. They hurried(CA) down to Egypt and presented themselves(CB) to Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin(CC) with them, he said to the steward of his house,(CD) “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare a meal;(CE) they are to eat with me at noon.”

17 The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph’s house.(CF) 18 Now the men were frightened(CG) when they were taken to his house.(CH) They thought, “We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks(CI) the first time. He wants to attack us(CJ) and overpower us and seize us as slaves(CK) and take our donkeys.(CL)

19 So they went up to Joseph’s steward(CM) and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. 20 “We beg your pardon, our lord,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food.(CN) 21 But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us.(CO) 22 We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.”

23 “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father,(CP) has given you treasure in your sacks;(CQ) I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.(CR)

24 The steward took the men into Joseph’s house,(CS) gave them water to wash their feet(CT) and provided fodder for their donkeys. 25 They prepared their gifts(CU) for Joseph’s arrival at noon,(CV) because they had heard that they were to eat there.

26 When Joseph came home,(CW) they presented to him the gifts(CX) they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground.(CY) 27 He asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father(CZ) you told me about? Is he still living?”(DA)

28 They replied, “Your servant our father(DB) is still alive and well.” And they bowed down,(DC) prostrating themselves before him.(DD)

29 As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son,(DE) he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?”(DF) And he said, “God be gracious to you,(DG) my son.” 30 Deeply moved(DH) at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept(DI) there.

31 After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself,(DJ) said, “Serve the food.”(DK)

32 They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews,(DL) for that is detestable to Egyptians.(DM) 33 The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn(DN) to the youngest;(DO) and they looked at each other in astonishment. 34 When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s.(DP) So they feasted(DQ) and drank freely with him.

Footnotes:

  1. Genesis 42:34 Or move about freely
  2. Genesis 43:14 Hebrew El-Shaddai

Cross references:

  1. Genesis 42:18 : S Ge 20:11; S 22:12; Lev 19:14; 25:43; 2Sa 23:3
  2. Genesis 42:19 : S ver 11
  3. Genesis 42:19 : ver 16
  4. Genesis 42:19 : S ver 2
  5. Genesis 42:20 : S ver 15
  6. Genesis 42:21 : Ge 37:26-28
  7. Genesis 42:21 : Ge 45:5
  8. Genesis 42:22 : Ge 37:21-22
  9. Genesis 42:22 : S Ge 9:5
  10. Genesis 42:22 : Ge 45:24
  11. Genesis 42:23 : Ge 38:16
  12. Genesis 42:23 : S Ge 11:7
  13. Genesis 42:24 : S Ge 29:11
  14. Genesis 42:24 : S ver 13; Ge 43:14, 23
  15. Genesis 42:25 : Ge 43:2
  16. Genesis 42:25 : ver 27, 35; Ge 43:12, 18, 21; 44:1, 8
  17. Genesis 42:25 : Jer 40:5
  18. Genesis 42:25 : Ge 45:21, 23
  19. Genesis 42:26 : S Ge 32:15; 44:13; 45:17; 1Sa 25:18; Isa 30:6
  20. Genesis 42:27 : Jdg 19:19; Job 39:9; Isa 1:3
  21. Genesis 42:27 : S ver 25
  22. Genesis 42:28 : Jos 2:11; 5:1; 7:5
  23. Genesis 42:28 : Mk 5:33
  24. Genesis 42:28 : Ge 43:23
  25. Genesis 42:29 : S ver 5
  26. Genesis 42:29 : Ge 44:24
  27. Genesis 42:30 : ver 7
  28. Genesis 42:30 : S ver 9
  29. Genesis 42:31 : ver 11
  30. Genesis 42:32 : S ver 13
  31. Genesis 42:33 : S ver 2
  32. Genesis 42:34 : S ver 11
  33. Genesis 42:34 : S ver 24
  34. Genesis 42:34 : Ge 34:10
  35. Genesis 42:35 : S ver 25
  36. Genesis 42:35 : Ge 43:18
  37. Genesis 42:36 : S ver 13
  38. Genesis 42:36 : S ver 24
  39. Genesis 42:36 : Job 3:25; Pr 10:24; Ro 8:31
  40. Genesis 42:37 : S Ge 39:4
  41. Genesis 42:37 : Ge 43:9; 44:32
  42. Genesis 42:38 : Ge 37:33
  43. Genesis 42:38 : ver 4
  44. Genesis 42:38 : S Ge 37:35
  45. Genesis 42:38 : Ge 44:29, 34; 48:7
  46. Genesis 43:1 : S Ge 12:10
  47. Genesis 43:2 : Ge 42:25
  48. Genesis 43:2 : S Ge 42:2
  49. Genesis 43:3 : ver 8; Ge 44:14, 18; 46:28
  50. Genesis 43:3 : S Ge 42:15
  51. Genesis 43:4 : S Ge 42:2
  52. Genesis 43:5 : S Ge 42:15; 44:26; 2Sa 3:13
  53. Genesis 43:6 : ver 8, 11; S Ge 17:5
  54. Genesis 43:6 : S Ge 34:30
  55. Genesis 43:7 : ver 27; Ge 45:3
  56. Genesis 43:7 : S Ge 42:13; 44:19
  57. Genesis 43:7 : S Ge 42:15
  58. Genesis 43:8 : S ver 3; S Ge 29:35
  59. Genesis 43:8 : S ver 6
  60. Genesis 43:8 : S Ge 42:2; Ps 33:18-19
  61. Genesis 43:9 : 1Sa 23:20
  62. Genesis 43:9 : Ge 44:10, 17
  63. Genesis 43:9 : S Ge 42:37; Phm 1:18-19
  64. Genesis 43:10 : Ge 45:9
  65. Genesis 43:11 : S ver 6
  66. Genesis 43:11 : S Ge 24:10
  67. Genesis 43:11 : S Ge 32:13
  68. Genesis 43:11 : S Ge 37:25; Eze 27:17
  69. Genesis 43:11 : Ex 30:23; 1Ki 10:2; Eze 27:22
  70. Genesis 43:11 : S Ge 37:25
  71. Genesis 43:12 : ver 15; Ex 22:4, 7; Pr 6:31
  72. Genesis 43:12 : S Ge 42:25
  73. Genesis 43:13 : ver 3
  74. Genesis 43:14 : S Ge 17:1
  75. Genesis 43:14 : Dt 13:17; Ps 25:6
  76. Genesis 43:14 : S Ge 42:24
  77. Genesis 43:14 : 2Sa 18:33; Est 4:16
  78. Genesis 43:15 : ver 12
  79. Genesis 43:15 : Ge 45:9, 13
  80. Genesis 43:15 : Ge 47:2, 7; Mt 2:11
  81. Genesis 43:16 : S Ge 35:18
  82. Genesis 43:16 : ver 17, 24, 26; Ge 44:1, 4, 12; 2Sa 19:17; Isa 22:15
  83. Genesis 43:16 : ver 31; Lk 15:23
  84. Genesis 43:17 : S ver 16
  85. Genesis 43:18 : Ge 42:35
  86. Genesis 43:18 : Ge 44:14
  87. Genesis 43:18 : S Ge 42:25
  88. Genesis 43:18 : S Ge 32:11
  89. Genesis 43:18 : Ge 44:9, 16, 33; 50:18
  90. Genesis 43:18 : Ge 34:28
  91. Genesis 43:19 : ver 16
  92. Genesis 43:20 : S Ge 42:3
  93. Genesis 43:21 : S ver 15; S Ge 42:25
  94. Genesis 43:23 : S Ge 24:12; S 31:5; Ex 3:6
  95. Genesis 43:23 : Ge 42:28
  96. Genesis 43:23 : S Ge 42:24
  97. Genesis 43:24 : S ver 16
  98. Genesis 43:24 : S Ge 18:4
  99. Genesis 43:25 : S Ge 32:13
  100. Genesis 43:25 : ver 16
  101. Genesis 43:26 : S ver 16
  102. Genesis 43:26 : S Ge 32:13; Mt 2:11
  103. Genesis 43:26 : S Ge 33:3
  104. Genesis 43:27 : S Ge 37:3
  105. Genesis 43:27 : S ver 7
  106. Genesis 43:28 : Ge 44:24, 27, 30
  107. Genesis 43:28 : Ge 18:2; Ex 18:7
  108. Genesis 43:28 : S Ge 37:7
  109. Genesis 43:29 : S Ge 35:18
  110. Genesis 43:29 : S Ge 42:13
  111. Genesis 43:29 : Nu 6:25; Ps 67:1; 119:58; Isa 30:18-19; 33:2
  112. Genesis 43:30 : Jn 11:33, 38
  113. Genesis 43:30 : S Ge 29:11
  114. Genesis 43:31 : Ge 45:1; Isa 30:18; 42:14; 63:15; 64:12
  115. Genesis 43:31 : S ver 16
  116. Genesis 43:32 : S Ge 14:13; Gal 2:12
  117. Genesis 43:32 : Ge 46:34; Ex 8:26
  118. Genesis 43:33 : S Ge 35:23
  119. Genesis 43:33 : S Ge 42:13; 44:12
  120. Genesis 43:34 : S Ge 37:3; S 2Ki 25:30
  121. Genesis 43:34 : Lk 15:23
New International Version (NIV)

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Matthew 13:47-14:12

The Parable of the Net

47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like(A) a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds(B) of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous(C) 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(D)

51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

A Prophet Without Honor(E)

53 When Jesus had finished these parables,(F) he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue,(G) and they were amazed.(H) “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?(I) Isn’t his mother’s(J) name Mary, and aren’t his brothers(K) James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense(L) at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”(M)

58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

John the Baptist Beheaded(N)

14 At that time Herod(O) the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,(P) and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist;(Q) he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison(R) because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,(S) for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”(T) Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.(U)

On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded(V) in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it.(W) Then they went and told Jesus.

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 18:16-36

16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.(A)
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,(B)
from my foes, who were too strong for me.(C)
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,(D)
but the Lord was my support.(E)
19 He brought me out into a spacious place;(F)
he rescued me because he delighted in me.(G)

20 The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;(H)
according to the cleanness of my hands(I) he has rewarded me.(J)
21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord;(K)
I am not guilty of turning(L) from my God.
22 All his laws are before me;(M)
I have not turned away from his decrees.
23 I have been blameless(N) before him
and have kept myself from sin.
24 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,(O)
according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

25 To the faithful(P) you show yourself faithful,(Q)
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
26 to the pure(R) you show yourself pure,
but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.(S)
27 You save the humble(T)
but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.(U)
28 You, Lord, keep my lamp(V) burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.(W)
29 With your help(X) I can advance against a troop[a];
with my God I can scale a wall.

30 As for God, his way is perfect:(Y)
The Lord’s word is flawless;(Z)
he shields(AA) all who take refuge(AB) in him.
31 For who is God besides the Lord?(AC)
And who is the Rock(AD) except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength(AE)
and keeps my way secure.(AF)
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;(AG)
he causes me to stand on the heights.(AH)
34 He trains my hands for battle;(AI)
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You make your saving help my shield,
and your right hand sustains(AJ) me;
your help has made me great.
36 You provide a broad path(AK) for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way.(AL)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 18:29 Or can run through a barricade

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 18:16 : Ex 15:5; Ps 69:2; Pr 18:4; 20:5
  2. Psalm 18:17 : ver 48; Ps 38:19; 59:1; 143:9
  3. Psalm 18:17 : S Jdg 18:26
  4. Psalm 18:18 : Pr 1:27; 16:4; Jer 17:17; 40:2; Ob 1:13
  5. Psalm 18:18 : Ps 20:2; Isa 3:1
  6. Psalm 18:19 : Ps 31:8
  7. Psalm 18:19 : S Nu 14:8
  8. Psalm 18:20 : S 1Sa 26:23
  9. Psalm 18:20 : Job 22:30; Ps 24:4
  10. Psalm 18:20 : S Ru 2:12; S 2Ch 15:7; 1Co 3:8
  11. Psalm 18:21 : 2Ch 34:33; Ps 37:34; 119:2; Pr 8:32; 23:26
  12. Psalm 18:21 : Ps 119:102
  13. Psalm 18:22 : Ps 119:30
  14. Psalm 18:23 : S Ge 6:9
  15. Psalm 18:24 : S 1Sa 26:23
  16. Psalm 18:25 : Ps 31:23; 37:28; 50:5; Pr 2:8
  17. Psalm 18:25 : Ps 25:10; 40:11; 89:24; 146:6
  18. Psalm 18:26 : Pr 15:26; Mt 5:8; Php 1:10; 1Ti 5:22; Tit 1:15; 1Jn 3:3
  19. Psalm 18:26 : Pr 3:34; Mt 10:16; Lk 16:8
  20. Psalm 18:27 : S 2Ch 33:23; S Mt 23:12
  21. Psalm 18:27 : S Job 41:34; S Ps 10:5; Pr 3:33-34
  22. Psalm 18:28 : 1Ki 11:36; Ps 132:17
  23. Psalm 18:28 : Job 29:3; Ps 97:11; 112:4; Jn 1:5; S Ac 26:18; 2Co 4:6; 2Pe 1:19
  24. Psalm 18:29 : ver 32, 39; Isa 45:5; Heb 11:34
  25. Psalm 18:30 : S Dt 32:4
  26. Psalm 18:30 : S Ps 12:6; Pr 30:5
  27. Psalm 18:30 : Ps 3:3
  28. Psalm 18:30 : Ps 2:12
  29. Psalm 18:31 : S Dt 4:35; 32:39; Ps 35:10; 86:8; 89:6; Isa 44:6, 8; 45:5, 6, 14, 18, 21; 46:9
  30. Psalm 18:31 : S Ge 49:24
  31. Psalm 18:32 : S ver 29; 1Pe 5:10
  32. Psalm 18:32 : S Ps 15:2; 19:13; Heb 10:14; Jas 3:2
  33. Psalm 18:33 : Ps 42:1; Pr 5:19; Isa 35:6; Hab 3:19
  34. Psalm 18:33 : S Dt 32:13
  35. Psalm 18:34 : Ps 144:1
  36. Psalm 18:35 : Ps 3:5; 37:5, 17; 41:3; 51:12; 54:4; 55:22; 119:116; Isa 41:4, 10, 13; 43:2; 46:4
  37. Psalm 18:36 : Ps 31:8
  38. Psalm 18:36 : S Job 18:7; Ps 66:9
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 4:7-10

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom.
Though it cost all(A) you have,[b] get understanding.(B)
Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.(C)
She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.(D)

10 Listen, my son,(E) accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.(F)

Footnotes:

  1. Proverbs 4:7 Or Wisdom is supreme; therefore get
  2. Proverbs 4:7 Or wisdom. / Whatever else you get
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.