Category: DAB Readings

Punishment of Exile

¹⁶ “I am about to send for many fishermen”^(A)—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and they will fish for them. Then I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill and out of the clefts of the rocks, ¹⁷ for my gaze takes in all their ways.^(B) They are not concealed from me, and their iniquity is not hidden from my sight. ¹⁸ I will first repay them double for their iniquity^(C) and sin because they have polluted my land. They have filled my inheritance with the carcasses of their abhorrent and detestable idols.”

The Persistent Sin of Judah

Curse and Blessing

⁵ This is what the Lord says:

The Deceitful Heart

Jeremiah’s Plea

Observing the Sabbath

¹⁹ This is what the Lord said to me, “Go and stand at the People’s Gate, through which the kings of Judah enter and leave, as well as at all the gates of Jerusalem. ²⁰ Announce to them, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, kings of Judah, all Judah, and all the residents of Jerusalem who enter through these gates. ²¹ This is what the Lord says: Watch yourselves; do not pick up a load and bring it in through Jerusalem’s gates on the Sabbath day.^{(AK) 22} Do not carry a load out of your houses on the Sabbath day or do any work,^(AL) but keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your ancestors.^{(AM) 23} They wouldn’t listen or pay attention but became obstinate,^(AN) not listening or accepting discipline.

²⁴ “‘However, if you listen to me—this is the Lord’s declaration—and do not bring loads through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but keep the Sabbath day holy and do no work on it, ²⁵ kings and princes will enter through the gates of this city. They will sit on the throne of David;^(AO) they will ride in chariots and on horses^(AP) with their officials, the men of Judah, and the residents of Jerusalem. This city will be inhabited forever. ²⁶ Then people will come from the cities of Judah and from the area around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin and from the Judean foothills, from the hill country and from the Negev^(AQ) bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, and thanksgiving sacrifices to the house of the Lord. ²⁷ But if you do not listen to me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying a load while entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, I will set fire to its gates,^(AR) and it will consume the citadels^(AS) of Jerusalem^(AT) and not be extinguished.’”^(AU)

Parable of the Potter

18 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Go down at once to the potter’s house;^(AV) there I will reveal my words to you.” ³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, working away at the wheel.^{[e] 4} But the jar that he was making from the clay became flawed in the potter’s hand, so he made it into another jar, as it seemed right for him to do.^(AW)

⁵ The word of the Lord came to me: ⁶ “House of Israel, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay?”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.^{(AX) 7} At one moment I might announce concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will uproot, tear down, and destroy it.^{(AY) 8} However, if that nation about which I have made the announcement turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the disaster I had planned to do to it.^{(AZ) 9} At another time I might announce concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it.^{(BA) 10} However, if it does what is evil in my sight by not listening to me, I will relent concerning the good I had said I would do to it.^{(BB) 11} So now, say to the men of Judah and to the residents of Jerusalem, ‘This is what the Lord says: Look, I am about to bring harm to you and make plans against you. Turn now, each from your evil way, and correct your ways and your deeds.’^{(BC) 12} But they will say, ‘It’s hopeless.^(BD) We will continue to follow our plans, and each of us will continue to act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’”

Deluded Israel

¹³ Therefore, this is what the Lord says:

Plot against Jeremiah

¹⁸ Then certain ones said, “Come, let’s make plans against Jeremiah,^(BO) for instruction will never be lost from the priest,^(BP) or counsel from the wise, or a word from the prophet.^(BQ) Come, let’s denounce him^[h] and pay no attention to all his words.”

The Call to Sanctification

4 Additionally then, brothers and sisters, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received instruction from us on how you should live and please God—as you are doing^[a]—do this even more. ² For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

³ For this is God’s will,^(A) your sanctification:^(B) that you keep away^(C) from sexual immorality, ⁴ that each of you knows how to control his own body^[b] in holiness and honor, ⁵ not with lustful passions,^(D) like the Gentiles, who don’t know God. ⁶ This means one must not transgress against and take advantage^(E) of a brother or sister in this manner, because the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses, as we also previously told and warned you. ⁷ For God has not called us to impurity^(F) but to live in holiness. ⁸ Consequently, anyone who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.^(G)

Loving and Working

⁹ About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God^(H) to love one another.^{(I) 10} In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers and sisters in the entire region of Macedonia.^(J) But we encourage you, brothers and sisters, to do this even more, ¹¹ to seek to lead a quiet life,^(K) to mind your own business,^[c] and to work^(L) with your own hands, as we commanded you, ¹² so that you may behave properly^(M) in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.^[d](N)

The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

¹³ We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.^{(O) 14} For if we believe that Jesus died and rose^(P) again,^(Q) in the same way, through Jesus,^(R) God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁵ For we say this to you by a word from the Lord:^(S) We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming^(T) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.^{(U) 16} For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,^[e](V) with the archangel’s^(W) voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ^(X) will rise first. ¹⁷ Then^(Y) we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds^(Z) to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage^[f] one another with these words.

The Day of the Lord

5 About the times and the seasons:^(AA) Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord^(AB) will come just like a thief^(AC) in the night. ³ When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction^(AD) will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Psalm 81

A Call to Obedience

For the choir director: on the Gittith. Of Asaph.^(A)

False Prophets to Be Punished

¹¹ Then the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of these people.^{(A) 12} If they fast, I will not hear their cry of despair. If they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. Rather, I will finish them off by sword, famine, and plague.”^(B)

¹³ And I replied, “Oh no, Lord God! The prophets are telling them, ‘You won’t see sword or suffer famine. I will certainly give you lasting peace in this place.’”^(C)

¹⁴ But the Lord said to me, “These prophets are prophesying a lie in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, worthless divination, the deceit^(D) of their own minds.^(E)

¹⁵ “Therefore, this is what the Lord says concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name, though I did not send them, and who say, ‘There will never be sword or famine in this land.’ By sword and famine these prophets will meet their end. ¹⁶ The people they are prophesying to will be thrown into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword. There will be no one to bury them^(F)—they, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. I will pour out their own evil on them.”

Jeremiah’s Request

The Lord’s Negative Response

15 Then the Lord said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel^(R) should stand before me,^(S) my compassions would not reach out to these people. Send them from my presence, and let them go.^{(T) 2} If they ask you, ‘Where will we go?’ tell them: This is what the Lord says:

³ “I will ordain four kinds^[b] of judgment for them”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away,^(V) and the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the land^(W) to devour and destroy. ⁴ I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of Manasseh^(X) son of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, for what he did in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah’s Complaint

The Lord’s Response

¹¹ The Lord said:

Jeremiah’s Prayer for Vengeance

Jeremiah Told to Repent

¹⁹ Therefore, this is what the Lord says:

No Marriage for Jeremiah

16 The word of the Lord came to me: ² “Do not marry or have sons or daughters in this place. ³ For this is what the Lord says concerning sons and daughters born in this place as well as concerning the mothers who bear them and the fathers who father them in this land: ⁴ They will die from deadly diseases. They will not be mourned or buried but will be like manure on the soil’s surface.^(AT) They will be finished off by sword and famine. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the sky and for the wild animals of the land.^(AU)

⁵ “For this is what the Lord says: Don’t enter a house where a mourning feast is taking place.^[f] Don’t go to lament or sympathize with them, for I have removed my peace from these people as well as my faithful love and compassion.” This is the Lord’s declaration.^{(AV) 6} “Both great and small will die in this land without burial. No lament will be made for them, nor will anyone cut himself or^(AW) shave his head for them.^{[g] 7} Food won’t be provided for the mourner^(AX) to comfort him because of the dead. A consoling drink won’t be given him for the loss of his father or mother. ⁸ Do not enter the house where feasting is taking place to sit with them to eat and drink. ⁹ For this is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I am about to eliminate from this place, before your very eyes and in your time, the sound of joy and gladness, the voice of the groom and the bride.^(AY)

Abandoning the Lord and His Law

¹⁰ “When you tell these people all these things, they will say to you, ‘Why has the Lord declared all this terrible disaster against us?^(AZ) What is our iniquity? What is our sin that we have committed against the Lord our God?’ ¹¹ Then you will answer them, ‘Because your ancestors abandoned me^(BA)—this is the Lord’s declaration—and followed other gods, served them, and bowed in worship to them.^(BB) Indeed, they abandoned me and did not keep my instruction. ¹² You did more evil than your ancestors.^(BC) Look, each one of you was following the stubbornness of his evil heart, not obeying me. ¹³ So I will hurl you from this land into a land that you and your ancestors have not known.^(BD) There you will worship other gods^(BE) both day and night, for I will not grant you grace.’^[h]

¹⁴ “However, look, the days are coming”^(BF)—the Lord’s declaration—“when it will no longer be said, ‘As the Lord lives who brought the Israelites from the land of Egypt,’^{(BG) 15} but rather, ‘As the Lord lives who brought the Israelites from the land of the north^(BH) and from all the other lands where he had banished them.’ For I will return them to their land that I gave to their ancestors.^(BI)

⁹ For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers and sisters. Working^(A) night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you. ¹⁰ You are witnesses,^(B) and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously,^(C) and blamelessly^(D) we conducted ourselves with you believers. ¹¹ As you know, like a father with his own children,^{(E) 12} we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God,^(F) who calls you into his own kingdom^(G) and glory.^(H)

Reception and Opposition to the Message

¹³ This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is,^(I) the word of God,^(J) which also works effectively in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea,^(K) since you have also suffered^(L) the same things from people of your own country,^(M) just as they did from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus^(N) and the prophets and persecuted us.^(O) They displease God and are hostile to everyone, ¹⁶ by keeping us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. As a result, they are constantly filling up their sins to the limit,^(P) and wrath has overtaken them at last.^[a]

Paul’s Desire to See Them

¹⁷ But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave you^[b] for a short time (in person, not in heart^(Q)), we greatly desired and made every effort to return^(R) and see you face to face. ¹⁸ So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan^(S) hindered us. ¹⁹ For who is our hope or joy^(T) or crown^(U) of boasting^(V) in the presence of our Lord^(W) Jesus at his coming?^(X) Is it not you?^{(Y) 20} Indeed you are our glory^(Z) and joy!

Anxiety in Athens

3 Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens.^{(AA) 2} And we sent Timothy,^(AB) our brother and God’s coworker^[c] in the gospel of Christ,^(AC) to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, ³ so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. ⁴ In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. ⁵ For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.

Encouraged by Timothy

⁶ But now Timothy has come to us^(AD) from you and brought us good news about your faith and love. He reported that you always have good memories of us and that you long to see us, as we also long to see you.^{(AE) 7} Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction, we were encouraged about you through your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you stand firm^(AF) in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy^(AG) we experience before our God because of you, ¹⁰ as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face^(AH) and to complete what is lacking in your faith?^(AI)

Prayer for the Church

¹¹ Now may our God and Father^(AJ) himself, and our Lord Jesus,^(AK) direct our way to you. ¹² And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love^(AL) for one another^(AM) and for everyone, just as we do for you. ¹³ May he make your hearts blameless^(AN) in holiness^(AO) before our God and Father at the coming^(AP) of our Lord^(AQ) Jesus with all his saints. Amen.^[d]

Psalm 80

A Prayer for Restoration

For the choir director: according to “The Lilies.”^(A) A testimony of Asaph.^(B) A psalm.

Hezekiah’s Collection

Jeremiah’s Complaint

The Lord’s Response

¹⁴ This is what the Lord says: “Concerning all my evil neighbors who attack the inheritance that I bequeathed to my people, Israel, I am about to uproot them^(X) from their land, and I will uproot the house of Judah from them. ¹⁵ After I have uprooted them, I will once again have compassion^(Y) on them and return each one to his inheritance and to his land. ¹⁶ If they will diligently learn the ways of my people^(Z)—to swear by my name, ‘As the Lord lives,’ just as they taught my people to swear by Baal—they will be built up among my people. ¹⁷ However, if they will not obey, then I will uproot and destroy that nation.”^(AA)

This is the Lord’s declaration.

Linen Underwear

13 This is what the Lord said to me: “Go and buy yourself a linen undergarment^(AB) and put it on.^[f] But do not put it in water.” ² So I bought underwear as the Lord instructed me and put it on.

³ Then the word of the Lord came to me a second time: ⁴ “Take the underwear that you bought and are wearing,^[g] and go at once to the Euphrates^[h] and hide it in a rocky crevice.”^{(AC) 5} So I went and hid it by the Euphrates, as the Lord commanded me.

⁶ A long time later the Lord said to me, “Go at once to the Euphrates and get the underwear that I commanded you to hide there.” ⁷ So I went to the Euphrates and dug up the underwear and got it from the place where I had hidden it, but it was ruined—of no use at all.

⁸ Then the word of the Lord came to me: ⁹ “This is what the Lord says: Just like this I will ruin the great pride of both Judah and Jerusalem.^{(AD) 10} These evil people, who refuse to listen to me, who follow the stubbornness of their own hearts,^(AE) and who have followed other gods to serve and bow in worship—they will be like this underwear, of no use at all. ¹¹ Just as underwear clings to one’s waist, so I fastened the whole house of Israel and of Judah to me”^(AF)—this is the Lord’s declaration—“so that they might be my people for my fame, praise, and glory,^(AG) but they would not obey.

The Wine Jars

¹² “Say this to them: ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Every jar should be filled with wine.’ Then they will respond to you, ‘Don’t we know that every jar should be filled with wine?’ ¹³ And you will say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am about to fill all who live in this land—the kings who reign for David on his throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the residents of Jerusalem—with drunkenness. ¹⁴ I will smash them against each other, fathers and sons alike—this is the Lord’s declaration. I will allow no mercy, pity, or compassion to keep me from destroying them.’”^(AH)

The Lord’s Warning

The Destiny of Jerusalem

The Drought

14 This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:^(AW)

¹⁰ This is what the Lord says concerning these people:

Greeting

1 Paul, Silvanus,^[a](A) and Timothy:^(B)

To the church of the Thessalonians^(C) in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace to you and peace.^[b]

Thanksgiving

² We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers. ³ We recall, in the presence of our God and Father,^(D) your work produced by faith,^(E) your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(F) 4} For we know, brothers and sisters loved^(G) by God,^(H) that he has chosen you,^{(I) 5} because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit,^(J) and with full assurance. You know how we lived among you^(K) for your benefit, ⁶ and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message^(L) with joy from the Holy Spirit. ⁷ As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia^(M) and Achaia.^{(N) 8} For the word of the Lord rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith^[c](O) in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything, ⁹ for they themselves report^[d] what kind of reception^(P) we had from you: how you turned^(Q) to God from idols^(R) to serve the living^(S) and true^(T) God ¹⁰ and to wait^(U) for his Son^(V) from heaven, whom he raised from the dead^(W)—Jesus, who rescues us^(X) from the coming wrath.^(Y)

Paul’s Conduct

2 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit^(Z) with you was not without result. ² On the contrary, after we had previously suffered^(AA) and were treated outrageously in Philippi,^(AB) as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. ³ For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity^(AC) or an intent to deceive.^{(AD) 4} Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted^(AE) with the gospel,^(AF) so we speak, not to please people, but rather God,^(AG) who examines our hearts.^{(AH) 5} For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy^(AI) motives^(AJ)—God is our witness^(AK)— ⁶ and we didn’t seek glory^(AL) from people, either from you or from others. ⁷ Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles,^(AM) instead we were gentle^[e] among you, as a nurse^[f] nurtures her own children. ⁸ We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

Psalm 79

Faith amid Confusion

A psalm of Asaph.^(A)

God and Idols^(A)

10 Hear what the Lord says to you, people of Israel. ² This is what the Lord says:

¹¹ “Tell them this: ‘These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish^(Z) from the earth and from under the heavens.’”^[a]

Coming Destruction

Jeremiah’s Prayer

The Covenant Is Broken

11 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Listen to the terms of this covenant^(BL) and tell them to the people of Judah and to those who live in Jerusalem. ³ Tell them that this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Cursed^(BM) is the one who does not obey the terms of this covenant— ⁴ the terms I commanded your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt,^(BN) out of the iron-smelting furnace.^(BO)’ I said, ‘Obey^(BP) me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people,^(BQ) and I will be your God. ⁵ Then I will fulfill the oath I swore^(BR) to your ancestors, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey’^(BS)—the land you possess today.”

I answered, “Amen,^(BT) Lord.”

⁶ The Lord said to me, “Proclaim^(BU) all these words in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem: ‘Listen to the terms of this covenant and follow^(BV) them. ⁷ From the time I brought your ancestors up from Egypt until today, I warned them again and again,^(BW) saying, “Obey me.” ⁸ But they did not listen or pay attention;^(BX) instead, they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts.^(BY) So I brought on them all the curses^(BZ) of the covenant I had commanded them to follow but that they did not keep.^(CA)’”

⁹ Then the Lord said to me, “There is a conspiracy^(CB) among the people of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem. ¹⁰ They have returned to the sins of their ancestors,^(CC) who refused to listen to my words.^(CD) They have followed other gods^(CE) to serve them.^(CF) Both Israel and Judah have broken the covenant^(CG) I made with their ancestors. ¹¹ Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I will bring on them a disaster^(CH) they cannot escape.^(CI) Although they cry^(CJ) out to me, I will not listen^(CK) to them. ¹² The towns of Judah and the people of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they burn incense,^(CL) but they will not help them at all when disaster^(CM) strikes. ¹³ You, Judah, have as many gods^(CN) as you have towns;^(CO) and the altars you have set up to burn incense^(CP) to that shameful^(CQ) god Baal are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’

¹⁴ “Do not pray^(CR) for this people or offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen^(CS) when they call to me in the time of their distress.

¹⁷ The Lord Almighty, who planted^(CY) you, has decreed disaster^(CZ) for you, because the people of both Israel and Judah have done evil and aroused^(DA) my anger by burning incense to Baal.^(DB)

Plot Against Jeremiah

¹⁸ Because the Lord revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing. ¹⁹ I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter;^(DC) I did not realize that they had plotted^(DD) against me, saying,

²¹ Therefore this is what the Lord says about the people of Anathoth^(DK) who are threatening to kill you,^(DL) saying, “Do not prophesy^(DM) in the name of the Lord or you will die^(DN) by our hands”— ²² therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will punish them. Their young men^(DO) will die by the sword, their sons and daughters by famine. ²³ Not even a remnant^(DP) will be left to them, because I will bring disaster on the people of Anathoth in the year of their punishment.^(DQ)”

Instructions for Christian Households^(A)

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,^(B) as is fitting in the Lord.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

²¹ Fathers,^[a] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

²² Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance^(C) from the Lord as a reward.^(D) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.^(E)

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,^(F) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

² Devote yourselves to prayer,^(G) being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door^(H) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery^(I) of Christ, for which I am in chains.^{(J) 4} Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵ Be wise^(K) in the way you act toward outsiders;^(L) make the most of every opportunity.^{(M) 6} Let your conversation be always full of grace,^(N) seasoned with salt,^(O) so that you may know how to answer everyone.^(P)

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus^(Q) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant^[b](R) in the Lord. ⁸ I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our^[c] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.^{(S) 9} He is coming with Onesimus,^(T) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.^(U) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

¹⁰ My fellow prisoner Aristarchus^(V) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,^(W) the cousin of Barnabas.^(X) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) ¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews^[d] among my co-workers^(Y) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras,^(Z) who is one of you^(AA) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,^(AB) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature^(AC) and fully assured. ¹³ I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea^(AD) and Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Our dear friend Luke,^(AE) the doctor, and Demas^(AF) send greetings. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,^(AG) and to Nympha and the church in her house.^(AH)

¹⁶ After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read^(AI) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

¹⁷ Tell Archippus:^(AJ) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”^(AK)

¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.^(AL) Remember^(AM) my chains.^(AN) Grace be with you.^(AO)

⁷ Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says:

¹² Who is wise^(BR) enough to understand this? Who has been instructed by the Lord and can explain it? Why has the land been ruined and laid waste like a desert that no one can cross?

¹³ The Lord said, “It is because they have forsaken my law, which I set before them; they have not obeyed me or followed my law.^{(BS) 14} Instead, they have followed^(BT) the stubbornness of their hearts;^(BU) they have followed the Baals, as their ancestors taught them.” ¹⁵ Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “See, I will make this people eat bitter food^(BV) and drink poisoned water.^{(BW) 16} I will scatter them among nations^(BX) that neither they nor their ancestors have known,^(BY) and I will pursue them with the sword^(BZ) until I have made an end of them.”^(CA)

¹⁷ This is what the Lord Almighty says:

²² Say, “This is what the Lord declares:

²³ This is what the Lord says:

²⁵ “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh^(CR)— ²⁶ Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab and all who live in the wilderness in distant places.^[g](CS) For all these nations are really uncircumcised,^(CT) and even the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.^(CU)”

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,^(A) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^{(B) 2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^{(C) 3} For you died,^(D) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life,^(E) appears,^(F) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(G)

⁵ Put to death,^(H) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(I) sexual immorality,^(J) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(K) which is idolatry.^{(L) 6} Because of these, the wrath of God^(M) is coming.^{[b] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^{(N) 8} But now you must also rid yourselves^(O) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,^(P) and filthy language from your lips.^{(Q) 9} Do not lie to each other,^(R) since you have taken off your old self^(S) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self,^(T) which is being renewed^(U) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^{(V) 11} Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(W) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(X) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(Y) but Christ is all,^(Z) and is in all.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves^(AA) with compassion, kindness, humility,^(AB) gentleness and patience.^{(AC) 13} Bear with each other^(AD) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.^{(AE) 14} And over all these virtues put on love,^(AF) which binds them all together in perfect unity.^(AG)

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ^(AH) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body^(AI) you were called to peace.^(AJ) And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ^(AK) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(AL) through psalms,^(AM) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^{(AN) 17} And whatever you do,^(AO) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks^(AP) to God the Father through him.

¹⁶ This is what the Lord says:

²¹ Therefore this is what the Lord says:

²² This is what the Lord says:

False Religion Worthless

7 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Stand^(AN) at the gate of the Lord’s house and there proclaim this message:

“‘Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the Lord. ³ This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways^(AO) and your actions, and I will let you live^(AP) in this place. ⁴ Do not trust^(AQ) in deceptive^(AR) words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” ⁵ If you really change^(AS) your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly,^{(AT) 6} if you do not oppress^(AU) the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood^(AV) in this place, and if you do not follow other gods^(AW) to your own harm, ⁷ then I will let you live in this place, in the land^(AX) I gave your ancestors^(AY) for ever and ever. ⁸ But look, you are trusting^(AZ) in deceptive^(BA) words that are worthless.

⁹ “‘Will you steal^(BB) and murder,^(BC) commit adultery^(BD) and perjury,^[a](BE) burn incense to Baal^(BF) and follow other gods^(BG) you have not known, ¹⁰ and then come and stand^(BH) before me in this house,^(BI) which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things?^{(BJ) 11} Has this house,^(BK) which bears my Name, become a den of robbers^(BL) to you? But I have been watching!^(BM) declares the Lord.

¹² “‘Go now to the place in Shiloh^(BN) where I first made a dwelling^(BO) for my Name,^(BP) and see what I did^(BQ) to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel. ¹³ While you were doing all these things, declares the Lord, I spoke^(BR) to you again and again,^(BS) but you did not listen;^(BT) I called^(BU) you, but you did not answer.^{(BV) 14} Therefore, what I did to Shiloh^(BW) I will now do to the house that bears my Name,^(BX) the temple^(BY) you trust in, the place I gave to you and your ancestors. ¹⁵ I will thrust you from my presence,^(BZ) just as I did all your fellow Israelites, the people of Ephraim.’^(CA)

¹⁶ “So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea^(CB) or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen^(CC) to you. ¹⁷ Do you not see what they are doing in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? ¹⁸ The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough and make cakes to offer to the Queen of Heaven.^(CD) They pour out drink offerings^(CE) to other gods to arouse^(CF) my anger. ¹⁹ But am I the one they are provoking?^(CG) declares the Lord. Are they not rather harming themselves, to their own shame?^(CH)

²⁰ “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign^(CI) Lord says: My anger^(CJ) and my wrath will be poured^(CK) out on this place—on man and beast, on the trees of the field and on the crops of your land—and it will burn and not be quenched.^(CL)

²¹ “‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices^(CM) and eat^(CN) the meat yourselves! ²² For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands^(CO) about burnt offerings and sacrifices,^{(CP) 23} but I gave them this command:^(CQ) Obey^(CR) me, and I will be your God and you will be my people.^(CS) Walk in obedience to all^(CT) I command you, that it may go well^(CU) with you. ²⁴ But they did not listen^(CV) or pay attention;^(CW) instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts.^(CX) They went backward^(CY) and not forward. ²⁵ From the time your ancestors left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again^(CZ) I sent you my servants^(DA) the prophets.^{(DB) 26} But they did not listen to me or pay attention.^(DC) They were stiff-necked^(DD) and did more evil than their ancestors.’^(DE)

²⁷ “When you tell^(DF) them all this, they will not listen^(DG) to you; when you call to them, they will not answer.^{(DH) 28} Therefore say to them, ‘This is the nation that has not obeyed the Lord its God or responded to correction.^(DI) Truth^(DJ) has perished; it has vanished from their lips.

²⁹ “‘Cut off^(DK) your hair and throw it away; take up a lament^(DL) on the barren heights, for the Lord has rejected and abandoned^(DM) this generation that is under his wrath.

The Valley of Slaughter

³⁰ “‘The people of Judah have done evil^(DN) in my eyes, declares the Lord. They have set up their detestable idols^(DO) in the house that bears my Name and have defiled^(DP) it. ³¹ They have built the high places of Topheth^(DQ) in the Valley of Ben Hinnom^(DR) to burn their sons and daughters^(DS) in the fire—something I did not command, nor did it enter my mind.^{(DT) 32} So beware, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when people will no longer call it Topheth or the Valley of Ben Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter,^(DU) for they will bury^(DV) the dead in Topheth until there is no more room. ³³ Then the carcasses^(DW) of this people will become food^(DX) for the birds and the wild animals, and there will be no one to frighten them away.^{(DY) 34} I will bring an end to the sounds^(DZ) of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom^(EA) in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem,^(EB) for the land will become desolate.^(EC)

8 “‘At that time, declares the Lord, the bones of the kings and officials of Judah, the bones of the priests and prophets, and the bones^(ED) of the people of Jerusalem will be removed^(EE) from their graves. ² They will be exposed to the sun and the moon and all the stars of the heavens, which they have loved and served^(EF) and which they have followed and consulted and worshiped.^(EG) They will not be gathered up or buried,^(EH) but will be like dung lying on the ground.^{(EI) 3} Wherever I banish them,^(EJ) all the survivors of this evil nation will prefer death to life,^(EK) declares the Lord Almighty.’

Sin and Punishment

⁴ “Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: