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The People’s Contribution to the Sacrifices

¹³ “This is the contribution you are to offer: Three quarts^[a] from six bushels^[b] of wheat and^[c] three quarts from six bushels of barley. ¹⁴ The quota of oil in liquid measures^[d] will be one percent of every^[e] cor. The cor equals ten liquid measures or one standard larger capacity measure,^[f] since ten liquid measures equal one standard larger capacity measure. ¹⁵ And the quota from the flock is one animal out of every two hundred from the well-watered pastures of Israel. These are for the grain offerings, burnt offerings, and fellowship offerings, to make atonement for the people.”^(A) This is the declaration of the Lord God. ¹⁶ “All the people of the land must take part in this contribution for the prince in Israel. ¹⁷ Then the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings for the festivals, New Moons, and Sabbaths—for all the appointed times of the house of Israel—will be the prince’s responsibility. He will provide the sin offerings, grain offerings, burnt offerings, and fellowship offerings to make atonement on behalf of the house of Israel.

¹⁸ “This is what the Lord God says: In the first month, on the first day of the month, you are to take a young, unblemished bull and purify the sanctuary. ¹⁹ The priest is to take some of the blood from the sin offering and apply it to the temple doorposts, the four corners of the altar’s ledge, and the doorposts of the gate of the inner court.^{(B) 20} You are to do the same thing on the seventh day of the month for everyone who sins unintentionally or through ignorance.^(C) In this way you will make atonement for the temple.

²¹ “In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, you are to celebrate the Passover, a festival of seven days during which unleavened bread will be eaten.^{(D) 22} On that day the prince will provide a bull as a sin offering on behalf of himself and all the people of the land. ²³ During the seven days of the festival, he will provide seven bulls and seven rams without blemish as a burnt offering to the Lord on each of the seven days, along with a male goat each day for a sin offering. ²⁴ He will also provide a grain offering of half a bushel^[g] per bull and half a bushel per ram, along with a gallon^[h] of oil for every half bushel. ²⁵ At the festival that begins on the fifteenth day of the seventh month,^[i](E) he will provide the same things for seven days—the same sin offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings, and oil.

Sacrifices at Appointed Times

46 “This is what the Lord God says: The gate of the inner court that faces east is to be closed during the six days of work, but it will be opened on the Sabbath day^(F) and opened on the day of the New Moon. ² The prince should enter from the outside by way of the gate’s portico and stand at the gate’s doorpost while the priests sacrifice his burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He will bow in worship at the gate’s threshold and then depart, but the gate is not to be closed until evening. ³ The people of the land will also bow in worship before the Lord at the entrance of that gate on the Sabbaths and New Moons.

⁴ “The burnt offering that the prince presents to the Lord^(G) on the Sabbath day is to be six unblemished lambs^(H) and an unblemished ram. ⁵ The grain offering will be half a bushel^[j] with the ram,^(I) and the grain offering with the lambs will be whatever he wants to give, as well as a gallon^[k] of oil for every half bushel. ⁶ On the day of the New Moon, the burnt offering is to be a young, unblemished bull, as well as six lambs and a ram without blemish. ⁷ He will provide a grain offering of half a bushel with the bull, half a bushel with the ram, and whatever he can afford with the lambs, together with a gallon of oil for every half bushel. ⁸ When the prince enters,^(J) he is to go in by way of the gate’s portico and go out the same way.

⁹ “When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed times,^[l](K) whoever enters by way of the north gate to worship is to go out by way of the south gate, and whoever enters by way of the south gate is to go out by way of the north gate. No one may return through the gate by which he entered, but is to go out by the opposite gate. ¹⁰ When the people enter, the prince will enter with them, and when they leave, he will leave. ¹¹ At the festivals and appointed times, the grain offering will be half a bushel with the bull, half a bushel with the ram, and whatever he wants to give with the lambs, along with a gallon of oil for every half bushel.

¹² “When the prince makes a freewill offering, whether a burnt offering or a fellowship offering as a freewill offering to the Lord,^(L) the gate that faces east is to be opened for him. He is to offer his burnt offering or fellowship offering just as he does on the Sabbath day. Then he will go out, and the gate is to be closed after he leaves.

¹³ “You are to offer an unblemished year-old male lamb as a daily burnt offering to the Lord; you will offer it every morning.^{(M) 14} You are also to prepare a grain offering every morning along with it: three quarts,^[m] with one-third of a gallon^[n] of oil to moisten the fine flour—a grain offering to the Lord. This is a permanent statute to be observed regularly. ¹⁵ They will offer the lamb, the grain offering, and the oil every morning as a regular burnt offering.

Transfer of Royal Lands

¹⁶ “This is what the Lord God says: If the prince gives a gift to each of his sons as their inheritance, it will belong to his sons. It will become their property by inheritance. ¹⁷ But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it will belong to that servant until the year of freedom,^(N) when it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs only to his sons; it is theirs. ¹⁸ The prince must not take any of the people’s inheritance, evicting them from their property.^(O) He is to provide an inheritance for his sons from his own property, so that none of my people will be displaced from his own property.”

The Temple Kitchens

¹⁹ Then he brought me through the entrance^(P) that was at the side of the gate, into the priests’ holy chambers, which faced north. I saw a place there at the far western end. ²⁰ He said to me, “This is the place where the priests will boil the guilt offering and the sin offering,^(Q) and where they will bake the grain offering,^(R) so that they do not bring them into the outer court and transmit holiness to the people.” ²¹ Next he brought me into the outer court and led me past its four corners. There was a separate court in each of its corners. ²² In the four corners of the outer court there were enclosed^[o] courts, 70 feet^[p] long by 52½ feet^[q] wide. All four corner areas had the same dimensions. ²³ There was a stone wall^[r] around the inside of them, around the four of them, with ovens built at the base of the walls on all sides. ²⁴ He said to me, “These are the kitchens where those who minister at the temple will cook the people’s sacrifices.”

A Call to Holy Living

¹³ Therefore, with your minds ready for action,^(A) be sober-minded^(B) and set your hope^(C) completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation^(D) of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children,^(E) do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. ¹⁵ But as the one who called you^(F) is holy,^(G) you also are to be holy in all your conduct; ¹⁶ for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.^{[a](H) 17} If you appeal to the Father who judges impartially^(I) according to each one’s work,^(J) you are to conduct yourselves in reverence^(K) during your time living as strangers. ¹⁸ For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life^(L) inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold,^{(M) 19} but with the precious blood of Christ,^(N) like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.^{(O) 20} He was foreknown^(P) before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times^(Q) for you. ²¹ Through him you believe in God,^(R) who raised him from the dead^(S) and gave him glory,^(T) so that your faith and hope are in God.

²² Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth,^[b] so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other,^(U) from a pure^[c] heart love one another constantly,^{[d](V) 23} because you have been born again^(W)—not of perishable seed^(X) but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.^{(Y) 24} For

And this word is the gospel that was proclaimed to you.

The Living Stone and a Holy People

2 Therefore, rid yourselves of^(AB) all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.^{(AC) 2} Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word,^[f](AD) so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, ³ if you have tasted^(AE) that the Lord is good.^{[g](AF) 4} As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by^[h] God— ⁵ you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood^[i] to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God^(AG) through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For it stands in Scripture:

⁷ So honor will come to you who believe; but for the unbelieving,

⁸ and

They stumble because they disobey the word; they were destined^(AM) for this.

⁹ But you are a chosen race,^[n][o](AN) a royal priesthood,^[p](AO) a holy nation,^[q](AP) a people for his possession,^[r](AQ) so that you may proclaim the praises^[s][t](AR) of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.^{(AS) 10} Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy,^(AT) but now you have received mercy.

ה He

ו Waw

The Prince’s Privilege

44 The man then brought me back toward the sanctuary’s outer gate that faced east, and it was closed. ² The Lord said to me, “This gate will remain closed. It will not be opened, and no one will enter through it, because the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered through it.^(A) Therefore it will remain closed. ³ The prince himself will sit in the gate to eat a meal before the Lord.^(B) He is to enter by way of the portico^(C) of the gate and go out the same way.”

⁴ Then the man brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple. I looked, and the glory of the Lord filled his temple.^(D) And I fell facedown.^{(E) 5} The Lord said to me, “Son of man, pay attention;^(F) look with your eyes and listen with your ears to everything I tell you about all the statutes and laws of the Lord’s temple.^(G) Take careful note of the entrance of the temple along with all the exits of the sanctuary.

The Levites’ Duties and Privileges

⁶ “Say to the rebellious people,^(H) the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord God says: I have had enough^(I) of all your detestable practices, house of Israel. ⁷ When you brought in foreigners,^(J) uncircumcised in both heart and flesh,^(K) to occupy my sanctuary, you defiled my temple while you offered my food—the fat and the blood. You^[a] broke my covenant by all your detestable practices. ⁸ You have not kept charge of my holy things^(L) but have appointed others to keep charge of my sanctuary for you.’

⁹ “This is what the Lord God says: No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart and flesh, may enter my sanctuary, not even a foreigner who is among the Israelites. ¹⁰ Surely the Levites who wandered away from me when Israel went astray, and who strayed from me after their idols,^(M) will bear the consequences of their iniquity.^{(N) 11} Yet they will occupy my sanctuary, serving as guards at the temple gates^(O) and ministering at the temple. They will slaughter the burnt offerings^(P) and other sacrifices for the people and will stand before them to serve them.^{(Q) 12} Because they ministered to the house of Israel before their idols and became a sinful stumbling block to them, therefore I swore an oath^[b] against them”^(R)—this is the declaration of the Lord God—“that they would bear the consequences of their iniquity. ¹³ They must not approach me to serve me as priests^(S) or come near any of my holy things or the most holy things. They will bear their disgrace and the consequences of the detestable acts they committed. ¹⁴ Yet I will make them responsible for the duties of the temple^(T)—for all its work and everything done in it.

The Priests’ Duties and Privileges

¹⁵ “But the Levitical priests descended from Zadok,^(U) who kept charge of my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, will approach me to serve me. They will stand before me to offer me fat and blood.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. ¹⁶ “They are the ones who may enter my sanctuary^(V) and approach my table to serve me.^(W) They will keep my mandate. ¹⁷ When they enter the gates of the inner court they are to wear linen garments;^(X) they must not have on them anything made of wool when they minister at the gates of the inner court and within it. ¹⁸ They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists.^(Y) They are not to put on anything that makes them sweat. ¹⁹ Before they go out to the outer court,^[c] to the people, they must take off the clothes they have been ministering in, leave them in the holy chambers, and dress in other clothes^(Z) so that they do not transmit holiness to the people through their clothes.^(AA)

²⁰ “They may not shave their heads^(AB) or let their hair grow long,^(AC) but are to carefully trim their hair. ²¹ No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.^{(AD) 22} He is not to marry a widow or a divorced woman, but may marry only a virgin from the offspring of the house of Israel,^(AE) or a widow who is the widow of a priest. ²³ They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and explain to them the difference between the clean and the unclean.^(AF)

²⁴ “In a dispute, they will officiate as judges and decide the case according to my ordinances.^(AG) They are to observe my laws and statutes regarding all my appointed festivals, and keep my Sabbaths holy.^{(AH) 25} A priest may not come near a dead person so that he becomes defiled.^(AI) However, he may defile himself for a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a brother, or an unmarried sister. ²⁶ After he is cleansed, he is to count off seven days for himself.^{(AJ) 27} On the day he goes into the sanctuary, into the inner court^(AK) to minister in the sanctuary, he is to present his sin offering.” This is the declaration of the Lord God.

²⁸ “This will be their inheritance: I am their inheritance.^(AL) You are to give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession. ²⁹ They will eat the grain offering, the sin offering,^(AM) and the guilt offering. Everything in Israel that is permanently dedicated to the Lord will belong to them.^{(AN) 30} The best of all the firstfruits of every kind and contribution of every kind from all your gifts will belong to the priests.^(AO) You are to give your first batch of dough to the priest^(AP) so that a blessing may rest on your homes.^{(AQ) 31} The priests may not eat any bird or animal that died naturally or was mauled by wild beasts.^(AR)

The Sacred Portion of the Land

45 “When you divide the land by lot as an inheritance,^(AS) set aside a donation to the Lord, a holy portion of the land,^(AT) 8⅓ miles^[d] long and 6⅔ miles^[e] wide. This entire region will be holy. ² In this area there will be a square section^[f] for the sanctuary, 875 by 875 feet,^[g](AU) with 87½ feet^[h] of open space all around it. ³ From this holy portion,^[i] you will measure off an area 8⅓ miles long and 3⅓ miles^[j] wide, in which the sanctuary, the most holy place,^(AV) will stand.^{[k] 4} It will be a holy area of the land to be used by the priests who minister in the sanctuary, who approach to serve the Lord.^(AW) It will be a place for their houses, as well as a holy area for the sanctuary. ⁵ There will be another area 8⅓ miles long and 3⅓ miles wide for the Levites who minister in the temple;^(AX) it will be their possession for towns to live in.^[l]

⁶ “As the property of the city, set aside an area 1⅔ miles^[m] wide and 8⅓ miles long, adjacent to the holy donation of land.^(AY) It will be for the whole house of Israel. ⁷ And the prince will have the area on each side of the holy donation of land and the city’s property, adjacent to the holy donation and the city’s property, stretching to the west on the west side and to the east on the east side.^(AZ) Its length will correspond to one of the tribal portions from the western boundary to the eastern boundary. ⁸ This will be his land as a possession in Israel. My princes will no longer oppress my people^(BA) but give the rest of the land to the house of Israel according to their tribes.

⁹ “This is what the Lord God says: You have gone too far,^[n](BB) princes of Israel! Put away violence and oppression and do what is just and right.^(BC) Put an end to your evictions of my people.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. ¹⁰ “You are to have honest scales, an honest dry measure,^[o] and an honest liquid measure.^{[p](BD) 11} The dry measure^[q] and the liquid measure^[r] will be uniform, with the liquid measure containing 5½ gallons^[s] and the dry measure holding half a bushel.^[t] Their measurement will be a tenth of the standard larger capacity measure.^{[u] 12} The shekel^[v] will weigh twenty gerahs.^(BE) Your mina will equal sixty shekels.

Greeting

1 Peter,^(A) an apostle of Jesus Christ:

To those chosen, living as exiles^(B) dispersed^(C) abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,^(D) chosen^{(E) 2} according to the foreknowledge^(F) of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,^(G) to be obedient^(H) and to be sprinkled with the blood^(I) of Jesus Christ.

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

A Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(J) Because of his great mercy^(K) he has given us new birth^(L) into a living hope^(M) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead^{(N) 4} and into an inheritance that is imperishable,^(O) undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven^(P) for you. ⁵ You are being guarded by God’s power^(Q) through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.^{(R) 6} You rejoice in this,^[a] even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials^{(S) 7} so that the proven character of your faith^(T)—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire^(U)—may result^(V) in praise, glory, and honor^(W) at the revelation of Jesus Christ.^{(X) 8} Though you have not seen^(Y) him, you love him;^(Z) though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice^(AA) with inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets,^(AB) who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated. ¹¹ They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ^(AC) within them was indicating when he testified in advance^(AD) to the sufferings of Christ^(AE) and the glories^(AF) that would follow.^{[b] 12} It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you^(AG) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven^(AH)—angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.

ג Gimel

ד Daleth

The Priests’ Chambers

42 Then the man led me out by way of the north gate into the outer court.^(A) He brought me to the group of chambers opposite the temple yard and opposite the building^(B) to the north. ² Along the length of the chambers, which was 175 feet,^[a](C) there was an entrance on the north; the width was 87½ feet.^{[b] 3} Opposite the 35 foot space^[c] belonging to the inner court and opposite the paved surface^(D) belonging to the outer court, the structure rose gallery by gallery^(E) in three tiers. ⁴ In front of the chambers was a walkway toward the inside,^(F) 17½ feet^[d] wide and 175 feet long,^[e] and their entrances were on the north. ⁵ The upper chambers were narrower because the galleries took away more space from them than from the lower and middle stories of the building. ⁶ For they were arranged in three stories and had no pillars like the pillars of the courts;^(G) therefore the upper chambers were set back from the ground more than the lower and middle stories. ⁷ A wall on the outside ran in front of the chambers, parallel to them, toward the outer court; it was 87½ feet long. ⁸ For the chambers on the outer court were 87½ feet long, while those facing the great hall were 175 feet long.^{(H) 9} At the base of these chambers there was an entryway on the east side as one enters them from the outer court.^(I)

¹⁰ In the thickness of the wall of the court toward the south,^[f] there were chambers facing the temple yard^(J) and the western building, ¹¹ with a passageway in front of them, just like the chambers that faced north.^(K) Their length and width, as well as all their exits, measurements, and entrances, were identical. ¹² The entrance at the beginning of the passageway, the way in front of the corresponding^[g] wall as one enters on the east side, was similar to the entrances of the chambers that were on the south side.

¹³ Then the man said to me, “The northern and southern chambers that face the courtyard are the holy chambers where the priests who approach the Lord will eat^(L) the most holy offerings.^(M) There they will deposit the most holy offerings—the grain offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings—for the place is holy.^{(N) 14} Once the priests have entered, they are not to go out from the holy area to the outer court until they have removed the clothes they minister in, for these are holy.^(O) They are to put on other clothes before they approach the public area.”^(P)

Outside Dimensions of the Temple Complex

¹⁵ When he finished measuring inside the temple complex, he led me out by way of the gate that faced east and measured all around the complex.^(Q)

²⁰ He measured the temple complex on all four sides. It had a wall all around it,^(R) 875 feet long and 875 feet^(S) wide, to separate the holy from the common.^(T)

Return of the Lord’s Glory

43 He led me to the gate,^(U) the one that faces east, ² and I saw the glory of the God of Israel^(V) coming from the east.^(W) His voice sounded like the roar of a huge torrent,^(X) and the earth shone with his glory.^{(Y) 3} The vision I saw^(Z) was like the one I had seen when he^[l] came to destroy the city,^(AA) and like the ones I had seen by the Chebar Canal.^(AB) I fell facedown.^{(AC) 4} The glory of the Lord entered the temple by way of the gate that faced east.^{(AD) 5} Then the Spirit lifted me up^(AE) and brought me to the inner court, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.^(AF)

⁶ While the man was standing beside me, I heard someone speaking to me from the temple.^{(AG) 7} He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet,^(AH) where I will dwell among the Israelites forever.^(AI) The house of Israel and their kings will no longer defile my holy name by their religious prostitution and by the corpses^[m](AJ) of their kings at their high places.^{[n](AK) 8} Whenever they placed their threshold next to my threshold and their doorposts beside my doorposts, with only a wall between me and them, they were defiling my holy name by the detestable acts they committed.^(AL) So I destroyed them in my anger. ⁹ Now let them remove their prostitution and the corpses^(AM) of their kings far from me, and I will dwell among them forever.^(AN)

¹⁰ “As for you, son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel,^(AO) so that they may be ashamed of their iniquities.^(AP) Let them measure its pattern,^{(AQ) 11} and they will be ashamed of all that they have done. Reveal^[o] the design of the temple to them—its layout with its exits and entrances^(AR)—its complete design along with all its statutes, design specifications, and laws. Write it down in their sight^(AS) so that they may observe its complete design and all its statutes and may carry them out.^{(AT) 12} This is the law of the temple: All its surrounding territory on top of the mountain^(AU) will be especially holy. Yes, this is the law of the temple.

The Altar

¹³ “These are the measurements of the altar^(AV) in units of length (each unit being the standard length plus three inches):^[p](AW) The gutter is 21 inches^[q] deep and 21 inches wide, with a rim of nine inches^[r] around its edge. This is the base^[s] of the altar. ¹⁴ The distance from the gutter on the ground to the lower ledge is 3½ feet,^[t] and the width of the ledge is 21 inches. There are 7 feet^[u] from the small ledge to the large ledge, whose width is also 21 inches. ¹⁵ The altar hearth^[v] is 7 feet high, and four horns^(AX) project upward from the hearth. ¹⁶ The hearth is square, 21 feet^[w] long by 21 feet wide.^{(AY) 17} The ledge is 24½ feet^[x] long by 24½ feet wide, with four equal sides.^(AZ) The rim all around it is 10½ inches,^[y] and its gutter is 21 inches all around it. The altar’s steps face east.”^(BA)

¹⁸ Then he said to me, “Son of man,^(BB) this is what the Lord God says: These are the statutes for the altar on the day it is constructed, so that burnt offerings^(BC) may be sacrificed on it and blood may be splattered on it:^{(BD) 19} You are to give a bull from the herd^(BE) as a sin offering^(BF) to the Levitical priests who are from the offspring of Zadok,^(BG) who approach me in order to serve me.”^(BH) This is the declaration of the Lord God. ²⁰ “You are to take some of its blood and apply it to the four horns^(BI) of the altar, the four corners of the ledge, and all around the rim. In this way you will purify the altar and make atonement for it.^{(BJ) 21} Then you are to take away the bull for the sin offering, and it must be burned outside the sanctuary in the place appointed for the temple.^(BK)

²² “On the second day you are to present an unblemished male goat as a sin offering. They will purify the altar just as they did with the bull. ²³ When you have finished the purification, you are to present a young, unblemished bull^(BL) and an unblemished ram from the flock.^{(BM) 24} You are to present them before the Lord; the priests will throw salt on them and sacrifice them as a burnt offering to the Lord.^{(BN) 25} You will offer a goat for a sin offering each day for seven days.^(BO) A young bull and a ram from the flock, both unblemished, are also to be offered. ²⁶ For seven days the priests are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it. In this way they will consecrate it^{[z] 27} and complete the days of purification. Then on the eighth day^(BP) and afterward, the priests will offer your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar, and I will accept you.”^(BQ) This is the declaration of the Lord God.

Warning to the Rich

5 Come now, you rich^(A) people, weep and wail over the miseries that are coming on you. ² Your wealth has rotted and your clothes are moth-eaten.^{(B) 3} Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up treasure in the last days.^{(C) 4} Look! The pay that you withheld from the workers^(D) who mowed your fields cries out, and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Armies.^{(E) 5} You have lived luxuriously on the earth and have indulged yourselves. You have fattened your hearts^(F) in a day of slaughter.^{(G) 6} You have condemned, you have murdered the righteous, who does not resist you.^(H)

Waiting for the Lord

⁷ Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.^{(I) 8} You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.^(J)

⁹ Brothers and sisters, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door!^(K)

¹⁰ Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name as an example of suffering and patience. ¹¹ See, we count as blessed those who have endured.^[a] You have heard of Job’s endurance^(L) and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful.^(M)

Truthful Speech

¹² Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath.^(N) But let your “yes” mean “yes,” and your “no” mean “no,” so that you won’t fall under judgment.^[b]

Effective Prayer

¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.^{(O) 14} Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.^{(P) 15} The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.^{(Q) 16} Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.^{(R) 17} Elijah was a human being as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land.^{(S) 18} Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its fruit.^(T)

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if any among you strays from the truth,^(U) and someone turns him back,^{(V) 20} let that person know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.^(W)

Psalm 119

Delight in God’s Word

א Aleph

ב Beth

The Inner Gates

²⁸ Then he brought me to the inner court through the south gate. When he measured the south gate, it had the same measurements as the others. ²⁹ Its recesses, jambs, and portico had the same measurements as the others. Both it and its portico had windows all around. It was 87½ feet long and 43¾ feet wide. ³⁰ (There were porticoes all around, 43¾ feet long and 8¾ feet wide.^[a]) ³¹ Its portico faced the outer court, and its jambs were decorated with palm trees. Its stairway had eight steps.

³² Then he brought me to the inner court on the east side. When he measured the gate, it had the same measurements as the others. ³³ Its recesses, jambs, and portico had the same measurements as the others. Both it and its portico had windows all around. It was 87½ feet long and 43¾ feet wide. ³⁴ Its portico faced the outer court, and its jambs were decorated with palm trees on each side. Its stairway had eight steps.

³⁵ Then he brought me to the north gate.^(A) When he measured it, it had the same measurements as the others, ³⁶ as did its recesses, jambs, and portico. It also had windows all around. It was 87½ feet long and 43¾ feet wide. ³⁷ Its portico^[b] faced the outer court, and its jambs were decorated with palm trees on each side. Its stairway had eight steps.

Rooms for Preparing Sacrifices

³⁸ There was a chamber whose door opened into the gate’s portico.^[c] The burnt offering was to be washed there.^{(B) 39} Inside the gate’s portico there were two tables on each side, on which to slaughter the burnt offering, sin offering,^(C) and guilt offering.^{(D) 40} Outside, as one approaches the entrance of the north gate, there were two tables on one side and two more tables on the other side of the gate’s portico. ⁴¹ So there were four tables inside the gate and four outside, eight tables in all on which the slaughtering was to be done. ⁴² There were also four tables of cut stone for the burnt offering,^(E) each 31½ inches^[d] long, 31½ inches wide, and 21 inches high. The utensils used to slaughter the burnt offerings and other sacrifices were placed on them. ⁴³ There were three-inch^[e] hooks^[f] fastened all around the inside of the room, and the flesh of the offering was to be laid on the tables.

Rooms for Singers and Priests

⁴⁴ Outside the inner gate, within the inner court, there were chambers for the singers:^[g](F) one^[h] beside the north gate, facing south, and another beside the south^[i] gate, facing north. ⁴⁵ Then the man said to me, “This chamber that faces south is for the priests who keep charge of the temple.^{(G) 46} The chamber that faces north is for the priests who keep charge of the altar. These are the sons of Zadok,^(H) the ones from the sons of Levi who may approach the Lord to serve him.”^{(I) 47} Next he measured the court. It was square, 175 feet long and 175 feet wide. The altar^(J) was in front of the temple.

⁴⁸ Then he brought me to the portico of the temple and measured the jambs of the portico; they were 8¾ feet thick on each side. The width of the gate was 24½ feet,^[j] and the side walls of the gate were^[k] 5¼ feet^[l] wide on each side. ⁴⁹ The portico was 35 feet^[m] across and 21^[n] feet^[o] deep, and 10 steps led^[p] up to it.^(K) There were pillars by the jambs, one on each side.^(L)

Inside the Temple

41 Next he brought me into the great hall and measured the jambs;^(M) on each side the width of the jamb was 10½ feet.^{[q][r] 2} The width of the entrance was 17½ feet,^[s] and the side walls of the entrance were 8¾ feet^[t] wide on each side. He also measured the length of the great hall, 70 feet,^[u] and the width, 35 feet.^{[v](N) 3} He went inside the next room and measured the jambs at the entrance;^(O) they were 3½ feet^[w] wide. The entrance was 10½ feet wide, and the width of the entrance’s side walls on each side^[x] was 12¼ feet.^{[y] 4} He then measured the length of the room adjacent to the great hall, 35 feet, and the width, 35 feet.^(P) And he said to me, “This is the most holy place.”^(Q)

Outside the Temple

⁵ Then he measured the wall of the temple; it was 10½ feet thick. The width of the side rooms all around the temple was 7 feet.^{[z](R) 6} The side rooms were arranged one above another in three stories of thirty rooms each.^[aa] There were ledges on the wall of the temple all around to serve as supports for the side rooms, so that the supports would not be in the temple wall itself.^{(S) 7} The side rooms surrounding the temple widened at each successive story, for the structure surrounding the temple went up by stages. This was the reason for the temple’s broadness as it rose. And so, one would go up from the lowest story to the highest by means of the middle one.^[ab](T)

⁸ I saw that the temple had a raised platform surrounding it; this foundation for the side rooms was 10½ feet high.^{[ac](U) 9} The thickness of the outer wall of the side rooms was 8¾ feet. The free space between the side rooms of the temple ¹⁰ and the outer chambers was 35 feet wide all around the temple.^{(V) 11} The side rooms opened into the free space, one entrance toward the north and another to the south. The area of free space was 8¾ feet wide all around.

¹² Now the building that faced the temple yard toward the west was 122½ feet^[ad] wide. The wall of the building was 8¾ feet thick on all sides, and the building’s length was 157½ feet.^[ae]

¹³ Then the man measured the temple; it was 175 feet^[af] long.^(W) In addition, the temple yard and the building, including its walls, were 175 feet long. ¹⁴ The width of the front of the temple along with the temple yard to the east was 175 feet. ¹⁵ Next he measured the length of the building facing the temple yard to the west, with its galleries^[ag] on each side;^(X) it was 175 feet.

Interior Wooden Structures

The interior of the great hall and the porticoes of the court— ¹⁶ the thresholds, the beveled windows,^(Y) and the balconies all around with their three levels opposite the threshold—were overlaid with wood on all sides.^(Z) They were paneled from the ground to the windows (but the windows were covered), ¹⁷ reaching to the top of the entrance, and as far as the inner temple and on the outside. On every wall all around, on the inside and outside, was a pattern ¹⁸ carved with cherubim and palm trees.^(AA) There was a palm tree between each pair of cherubim.^(AB) Each cherub had two faces: ¹⁹ a human face turned toward the palm tree on one side,^(AC) and a lion’s face turned toward it on the other. They were carved throughout the temple on all sides. ²⁰ Cherubim and palm trees were carved from the ground to the top of the entrance and on the wall of the great hall.

²¹ The doorposts of the great hall were square,^(AD) and the front of the sanctuary had the same appearance. ²² The altar was^[ah] made of wood, 5¼ feet^[ai] high and 3½ feet long.^[aj] It had corners, and its length^[ak] and sides were of wood.^(AE) The man told me, “This is the table that stands before the Lord.”^(AF)

²³ The great hall and the sanctuary each had a double door,^{(AG) 24} and each of the doors had two swinging panels.^(AH) There were two panels for one door and two for the other. ²⁵ Cherubim and palm trees were carved on the doors of the great hall like those carved on the walls. There was a wooden canopy^[al](AI) outside, in front of the portico. ²⁶ There were beveled windows and palm trees on both sides,^(AJ) on the side walls of the portico, the side rooms of the temple, and the canopies.^[am]

Proud or Humble

4 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from your passions^(A) that wage war within you?^{[a] 2} You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war.^[b] You do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.^(B)

⁴ You adulterous people!^[c] Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God.^{(C) 5} Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely?^[d](D)

⁶ But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says:

⁷ Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.^{(F) 8} Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.^{(G) 9} Be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.^{(H) 10} Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

¹¹ Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters. Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer^[f] defames and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.^{(I) 12} There is one lawgiver and judge^[g] who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?^(J)

Our Will and God’s Will

¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.”^{(K) 14} Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.^(L)

¹⁵ Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.^{(M) 17} So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.^(N)

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)

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)

Psalm 118

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)’

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)

Psalm 117

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)”

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.

Psalm 116

Renewal of Ezekiel’s Call as Watchman

33 The word of the Lord came to me: ² “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword^(A) against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman,^{(B) 3} and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet^(C) to warn the people, ⁴ then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning^(D) and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head.^{(E) 5} Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head.^(F) If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves.^{(G) 6} But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’^(H)

⁷ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman^(I) for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.^{(J) 8} When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,^(K)’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for^[a] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.^{(L) 9} But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so,^(M) they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.^(N)

¹⁰ “Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away^(O) because of^[b] them. How then can we live?^(P)”’ ¹¹ Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.^(Q) Turn!^(R) Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’^(S)

¹² “Therefore, son of man, say to your people,^(T) ‘If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person’s former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person’s former wickedness will not bring condemnation. The righteous person who sins will not be allowed to live even though they were formerly righteous.’^{(U) 13} If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done.^{(V) 14} And if I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just^(W) and right— ¹⁵ if they give back what they took in pledge^(X) for a loan, return what they have stolen,^(Y) follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die.^{(Z) 16} None of the sins^(AA) that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live.^(AB)

¹⁷ “Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But it is their way that is not just. ¹⁸ If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil,^(AC) they will die for it.^{(AD) 19} And if a wicked person turns away from their wickedness and does what is just and right, they will live by doing so.^{(AE) 20} Yet you Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But I will judge each of you according to your own ways.”^(AF)

Jerusalem’s Fall Explained

²¹ In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month on the fifth day, a man who had escaped^(AG) from Jerusalem came to me and said, “The city has fallen!^(AH)” ²² Now the evening before the man arrived, the hand of the Lord was on me,^(AI) and he opened my mouth^(AJ) before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer silent.^(AK)

²³ Then the word of the Lord came to me: ²⁴ “Son of man, the people living in those ruins^(AL) in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many;^(AM) surely the land has been given to us as our possession.’^{(AN) 25} Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Since you eat^(AO) meat with the blood^(AP) still in it and look to your idols and shed blood, should you then possess the land?^{(AQ) 26} You rely on your sword, you do detestable things,^(AR) and each of you defiles his neighbor’s wife.^(AS) Should you then possess the land?’

²⁷ “Say this to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live, those who are left in the ruins will fall by the sword, those out in the country I will give to the wild animals to be devoured, and those in strongholds and caves will die of a plague.^{(AT) 28} I will make the land a desolate waste, and her proud strength will come to an end, and the mountains^(AU) of Israel will become desolate so that no one will cross them.^{(AV) 29} Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I have made the land a desolate^(AW) waste because of all the detestable things they have done.’^(AX)

³⁰ “As for you, son of man, your people are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord.’ ³¹ My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before^(AY) you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy^(AZ) for unjust gain.^{(BA) 32} Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs^(BB) with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.^(BC)

³³ “When all this comes true—and it surely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.^(BD)”

The Lord Will Be Israel’s Shepherd

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 Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?^{(BE) 3} You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.^{(BF) 4} You have not strengthened the weak or healed^(BG) the sick or bound up^(BH) the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.^{(BI) 5} So they were scattered because there was no shepherd,^(BJ) and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.^{(BK) 6} My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill.^(BL) They were scattered^(BM) over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.^(BN)

⁷ “‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: ⁸ As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered^(BO) and has become food for all the wild animals,^(BP) and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock,^{(BQ) 9} therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: ¹⁰ This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against^(BR) the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue^(BS) my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.^(BT)

¹¹ “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep^(BU) and look after them. ¹² As a shepherd^(BV) looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.^{(BW) 13} I will bring them out from the nations and gather^(BX) them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land.^(BY) I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land.^{(BZ) 14} I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel^(CA) will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture^(CB) on the mountains of Israel.^{(CC) 15} I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down,^(CD) declares the Sovereign Lord.^{(CE) 16} I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up^(CF) the injured and strengthen the weak,^(CG) but the sleek and the strong I will destroy.^(CH) I will shepherd the flock with justice.^(CI)

¹⁷ “‘As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats.^{(CJ) 18} Is it not enough^(CK) for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet?^(CL) Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? ¹⁹ Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet?

²⁰ “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.^{(CM) 21} Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns^(CN) until you have driven them away, ²² I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another.^{(CO) 23} I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend^(CP) them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.^{(CQ) 24} I the Lord will be their God,^(CR) and my servant David^(CS) will be prince among them.^(CT) I the Lord have spoken.^(CU)

²⁵ “‘I will make a covenant^(CV) of peace^(CW) with them and rid the land of savage beasts^(CX) so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety.^{(CY) 26} I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing.^[c](CZ) I will send down showers in season;^(DA) there will be showers of blessing.^{(DB) 27} The trees will yield their fruit^(DC) and the ground will yield its crops;^(DD) the people will be secure^(DE) in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke^(DF) and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them.^{(DG) 28} They will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety,^(DH) and no one will make them afraid.^{(DI) 29} I will provide for them a land renowned^(DJ) for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine^(DK) in the land or bear the scorn^(DL) of the nations.^{(DM) 30} Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them and that they, the Israelites, are my people, declares the Sovereign Lord.^{(DN) 31} You are my sheep,^(DO) the sheep of my pasture,^(DP) and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”