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

Then we flip over to First Corinthians, and fast forward 500 years from the time of Ezra, and we see the same kind of willful rebellion taking place. And Paul was exasperated, and I quote from Paul, “it is actually being said that there is sexual immorality among you so terrible, that not even the heathen would be guilty of it. It is not right for you to be proud. You know the saying; a little bit of yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise.” So, in both of these stories Old and New Testament, we…we have a visual of the extremes of deception. The people involved knew the truth, but deception, and then pride, allowed them to rationalize immorality, and the same thing happens to us when we allow deception, a deception, to get in and twist us up inside, we will invariably begin walking a path that will lead us into immorality. That doesn’t mean sexual immorality alone, that means we will invariably be walking a path that we know is wrong, and that will lead us to do wrong. And in that place of deception and pride, we can justify just about anything, sometimes even in the name of God. So, what’s the point? Like what…what how can we sew these together, these stories, intermingling with sin, walking down a path, even a step or two, in a direction that we know is wrong will lead us to destruction in the end. This was true 2500 years ago with Ezra. This was true 2000 years ago for Paul and they blip up and show up in the Bible and it’s still true today. Allowing deception in our lives to breed pride and arrogance that forces us to double down on our sin and rationalize things, makes a new normal in our lives and new default, rooted in deception. We start living as if the deception were true, and very quickly, we are living a false reality. And when the whole thing blows up and falls apart. We’re surprised. But if were honest, we knew better from the very beginning. And so, let’s think about it today. What have we’ve been catching ourselves rationalizing? What…what are we justifying and why? Deception will tell us that there isn’t an issue. It’ll tell us that freedom is where there are no boundaries, ethics and morality, these are cages to control us, but that’s a lie and believing it allows us to live in a false reality. Actual freedom, I think, actual freedom comes when there isn’t anything false, and there isn’t anything to hide. And so, spending some time in the presence of God today, considering what we are hiding, will become like a spotlight’s toward where we find deception in our lives.

Prayer:

So, Holy Spirit, come, come into this this. This is a weighty thing to invite You to show us places that we’ve believed things and acted upon things that were intended to deceive us. We ask almost every day that You would lead us into all truth. We are asking that again, and we are asking You to shine the light of truth upon us. We open up everything, all of the windows of our lives, all of the doors of our lives, all of the closets of our lives, all of the basements of our lives, all of the storage containers of our lives, all of the issues of our lives. We open ourselves to You and say come, shine the light of truth, break the powers of deception in us. We pray in the mighty, capable, powerful, name of Jesus. Amen.

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

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Alright so, in our reading from both the Old and New Testaments today. So, from Ezra and First…

Ezra 8:21-9:15, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, Psalm 31:1-8, Proverbs 21:1-2

Today is the ninth day of August, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian and it is wonderful to be here with you today, another day, another step forward, altogether, all on the same page, moving forward. We’ve been moving forward by taking steps through the book of Ezra in the Old Testament and we’re continuing our journey today, before we move back into the New Testament and First Corinthians and take the next step forward there. So, let’s dive in, Ezra chapter 8 verse 21 through 9:15 today.

Commentary:

Alright so, in our reading from both the Old and New Testaments today. So, from Ezra and First Corinthians today, we get a picture of some pretty exasperated people. People who are exasperated over sin that is obvious. And so, it is being participated in willfully. So, in Ezra we followed along with Ezra’s journey to arrive in the holy city of Jerusalem in God’s temple. And when he arrived there, he quickly learned what was going on. He was told about the behavior of the survivors, the…the exiles, who had already returned, and he was exasperated. And I quote from Ezra, “when I heard this, I tore my clothes in despair, tore my hair and my beard and sat down crushed with grief. I sat there grieving until the time for the evening sacrifice to be offered and people began to gather around me, all those were frightened because of what the God of Israel had said about the sins of those would return from exile.” What was so shocking to Ezra, was the fact that the few, the remnant, the few who were allowed and who had survived and were able to go back to Jerusalem, their leaders were chief in leading them to participate in some of the very things that had destroyed their culture and weaken them and ultimately led to their overthrow. Their willful abandoning of God’s commands, with foreknowledge they were rebelling against God. And so, Ezra says, and I quote, “I am too ashamed to raise my head in your presence. Our sins pile up higher than our heads. They reach as high as the heavens.” So, in this case, it is the intermingling with what is forbidden. Intermingling with what will lead to ultimate destruction. Willfully knowing that you are doing the wrong thing and that it will lead nowhere and doing it anyway.

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Friday August 11, 2023 (NIV)

Nehemiah 1:1-3:14

1 The words of Nehemiah(A) son of Hacaliah:

News from Jerusalem

During the month of Chislev(B) in the twentieth year,(C) when I was in the fortress city of Susa,(D) 2 Hanani,(E) one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant(F) that had survived the exile.(G) 3 They said to me, “The remnant in the province,(H) who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.”(I)

Nehemiah’s Prayer

4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying(J) before the God of the heavens.(K) 5 I said,(L)

Lord, the God of the heavens, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him(M) and keep his commands,(N) 6 let your eyes be open and your ears be attentive(O) to hear your servant’s prayer that I now pray to you day and night(P) for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins[a] we have committed against you. Both I and my father’s family have sinned.(Q) 7 We have acted corruptly toward you and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances you gave your servant Moses.(R) 8 Please remember what you commanded your servant Moses: “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples.(S) 9 But if you return to me and carefully observe my commands, even though your exiles were banished to the farthest horizon,[b] I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have my name dwell.”(T) 10 They are your servants and your people. You redeemed them by your great power and strong hand.(U) 11 Please, Lord, let your ear be attentive(V) to the prayer of your servant and to that of your servants who delight to revere your name. Give your servant success today,(W) and grant him compassion in the presence of this man.[c](X)

At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.(Y)

Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem

2 During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes,(Z) when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, 2 so the king said to me, “Why do you look so sad,(AA) when you aren’t sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.”(AB)

I was overwhelmed with fear 3 and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I[d] not be sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” (AC)

4 Then the king asked me, “What is your request?”

So I prayed to the God of the heavens(AD) 5 and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried,[e](AE) so that I may rebuild it.”(AF)

6 The king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So I gave him a definite time,(AG) and it pleased the king to send me.

7 I also said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let me have letters written to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River,(AH) so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah.(AI) 8 And let me have a letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple’s fortress,(AJ) the city wall, and the home where I will live.”[f](AK) The king granted my requests, for the gracious hand of my God was on me.(AL)

9 I went to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters.(AM) The king had also sent officers of the infantry and cavalry with me. 10 When Sanballat the Horonite(AN) and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard that someone had come to pursue the prosperity of the Israelites, they were greatly displeased.(AO)

Preparing to Rebuild the Walls

11 After I arrived in Jerusalem and had been there three days,(AP) 12 I got up at night and took a few men with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal I took[g] was the one I was riding. 13 I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Serpent’s[h] Well and the Dung Gate,(AQ) and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.(AR) 14 I went on to the Fountain Gate(AS) and the King’s Pool,(AT) but farther down it became too narrow for my animal to go through. 15 So I went up at night by way of the valley and inspected the wall. Then heading back, I entered through the Valley Gate(AU) and returned. 16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, for I had not yet told the Jews, priests, nobles, officials, or the rest of those who would be doing the work. 17 So I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned.(AV) Come, let’s rebuild Jerusalem’s wall,(AW) so that we will no longer be a disgrace.” 18 I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me,(AX) and what the king had said to me.

They said, “Let’s start rebuilding,” and their hands were strengthened[i] to do this good work.

19 When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official,(AY) and Geshem the Arab(AZ) heard about this, they mocked and despised us, and said, “What is this you’re doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”

20 I gave them this reply, “The God of the heavens is the one who will grant us success. We, his servants, will start building, but you have no share, right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”(BA)

Rebuilding the Walls

3 The high priest Eliashib(BB) and his fellow priests began rebuilding the Sheep Gate.(BC) They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel,(BD) they dedicated it. 2 The men of Jericho(BE) built next to Eliashib,(BF) and next to them Zaccur son of Imri built.

Fish Gate

3 The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate.(BG) They built it with beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.(BH) 4 Next to them Meremoth(BI) son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz, made repairs. Beside them Meshullam(BJ) son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel, made repairs. Next to them Zadok son of Baana made repairs. 5 Beside them the Tekoites(BK) made repairs, but their nobles did not lift a finger to help[j] their supervisors.

Old Gate, Broad Wall, and Tower of the Ovens

6 Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old[k] Gate.(BL) They built it with beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars. 7 Next to them the repairs were done by Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, and the men of Gibeon(BM) and Mizpah, who were under the authority[l](BN) of the governor(BO) of the region west of the Euphrates River.(BP) 8 After him Uzziel son of Harhaiah, the goldsmith,(BQ) made repairs, and next to him Hananiah son of the perfumer made repairs. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.(BR)

9 Next to them Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs. 10 After them Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs across from his house.(BS) Next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah made repairs. 11 Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-moab made repairs to another section, as well as to the Tower of the Ovens.(BT) 12 Beside him Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs—he and his daughters.

Valley Gate, Dung Gate, and Fountain Gate

13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and installed its doors, bolts, and bars, and repaired five hundred yards[m] of the wall to the Dung Gate.(BU) 14 Malchijah son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem,(BV) repaired the Dung Gate.(BW) He rebuilt it and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.

Footnotes:

  1. 1:6 Lit sins of the Israelites
  2. 1:9 Lit skies
  3. 1:11 = the king
  4. 2:3 Lit my face
  5. 2:5 Lit city, the house of the graves of my fathers,
  6. 2:8 Lit enter
  7. 2:12 Lit animal with me
  8. 2:13 Or Dragon’s
  9. 2:18 Lit they put their hands
  10. 3:5 Lit not bring their neck to the work of
  11. 3:6 Or Jeshanah
  12. 3:7 Or Mizpah, the seat
  13. 3:13 Lit 1,000 cubits

Cross references:

  1. 1:1 : Neh 10:1
  2. 1:1 : Zch 7:1
  3. 1:1 : Ezr 7:1,8; Neh 2:1
  4. 1:1 : Est 1:2; Dn 8:2
  5. 1:2 : Neh 7:2
  6. 1:2 : Ezr 9:8,15; Is 10:20–22
  7. 1:2 : Ezr 1:11
  8. 1:3 : Ezr 2:1; Neh 11:3
  9. 1:3 : Ezr 4:12–13,16; Neh 2:13
  10. 1:4 : Ezr 9:3; 10:1; Ps 35:13; Dn 9:3; Lk 2:37; Ac 13:3
  11. 1:4 : Ezr 1:2; Neh 2:4
  12. 1:5–11 : Dn 9:4–19
  13. 1:5 : Dt 6:5; 7:9–11; Rm 8:28
  14. 1:5 : Dn 9:4
  15. 1:6 : 2Ch 6:40
  16. 1:6 : Ps 88:1–2; 2Tm 1:3
  17. 1:6 : Dn 9:5,8,20
  18. 1:7 : 2Ch 29:6; Dn 9:5–6,11
  19. 1:8 : Dt 4:25–27; 28:64; Dn 9:7
  20. 1:9 : Dt 30:1–5
  21. 1:10 : Dt 9:29; Dn 9:15
  22. 1:11 : 2Ch 6:40
  23. 1:11 : Gn 24:12
  24. 1:11 : Neh 2:1
  25. 1:11 : Gn 40:20
  26. 2:1 : Ezr 7:1,8; Neh 1:1
  27. 2:2 : Gn 40:7
  28. 2:1–2 : Pr 15:13
  29. 2:3 : Ezr 4:12,21; Neh 1:3
  30. 2:4 : Neh 1:4
  31. 2:5 : Neh 1:3
  32. 2:5 : Ezr 4:21; Dn 9:18
  33. 2:6 : Neh 13:6
  34. 2:7 : Ezr 4:8–9; 8:36
  35. 2:7 : Ezr 8:22
  36. 2:8 : Neh 7:2
  37. 2:8 : Ezr 3:7
  38. 2:8 : Ezr 7:6; Neh 2:18
  39. 2:9 : Ezr 8:36
  40. 2:10 : Jos 16:3,5; 18:13
  41. 2:10 : Neh 4:7
  42. 2:11 : Ezr 8:32
  43. 2:13 : Neh 3:13
  44. 2:13 : Ezr 4:12; Neh 1:3
  45. 2:14 : Neh 3:15; 12:37
  46. 2:14 : 2Kg 18:17; 20:20
  47. 2:15 : Neh 3:13
  48. 2:17 : Ezr 4:12; Neh 1:3; 2:3
  49. 2:17 : Neh 2:5
  50. 2:18 : Ezr 7:9; Neh 2:8
  51. 2:19 : Neh 4:7
  52. 2:19 : Neh 6:1,6
  53. 2:19–20 : Ezr 4:3–4
  54. 3:1 : Neh 12:10; 13:4,7,28
  55. 3:1 : Neh 3:32; 12:39; Jn 5:2
  56. 3:1 : Neh 12:39; Zch 14:10
  57. 3:2 : Ezr 2:34; Neh 7:36
  58. 3:2 : Neh 12:10
  59. 3:3 : Neh 12:39; Zph 1:10
  60. 3:3 : Neh 6:1; 7:1
  61. 3:4 : Ezr 8:33
  62. 3:4 : Ezr 10:15; Neh 3:30; 6:17–18
  63. 3:5 : Neh 3:27; Am 1:1
  64. 3:6 : Neh 12:39
  65. 3:7 : Jos 9:3
  66. 3:7 : 2Kg 25:23; Jr 40:5–12
  67. 3:7 : Neh 2:7–8; 5:14
  68. 3:7 : Neh 2:7,9
  69. 3:8 : Neh 3:31,32
  70. 3:8 : 2Ch 32:5; Neh 12:38
  71. 3:10 : Neh 3:23,28
  72. 3:11 : 2Ch 26:9; Neh 12:38
  73. 3:13 : Neh 2:13
  74. 3:14 : Jr 6:1
  75. 3:14 : Neh 2:13
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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

1 Corinthians 7:1-24

Principles of Marriage

7 Now in response to the matters you wrote[a] about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”[b] 2 But because sexual immorality is so common,[c](A) each man should have sexual relations with his own wife,(B) and each woman should have sexual relations with her own husband. 3 A husband should fulfill his marital duty(C) to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband. 4 A wife does not have the right over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband does not have the right over his own body, but his wife does. 5 Do not deprive(D) one another—except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to[d] prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all people were as I am. But each has his own gift(E) from God, one person has this gift, another has that.

A Word to the Unmarried

8 I say to the unmarried[e] and to widows:(F) It is good for them if they remain as I am. 9 But if they do not have self-control,(G) they should marry, since it is better to marry(H) than to burn with desire.

About Married People

10 To the married I give this command(I)—not I, but the Lord—a wife is not to leave[f] her husband. 11 But if she does leave, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband—and a husband is not to divorce his wife.(J) 12 But I (not the Lord) say to the rest: If any brother(K) has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 Also, if any woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce her husband. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy(L) by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy by the husband.[g] Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you[h] to live in peace. 16 Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.[i]

Various Situations of Life

17 Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called(M) him.[j] This is what I command in all the churches. 18 Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised. 19 Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter. Keeping God’s commands is what matters. 20 Let each of you remain in the situation[k] in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Don’t let it concern you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity.[l] 22 For he who is called by the Lord as a slave(N) is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought(O) at a price; do not become slaves of people. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person is to remain with God in the situation in which he was called.

Footnotes:

  1. 7:1 Other mss add to me
  2. 7:1 Or “It is good for a man not to use a woman for sex”; lit “It is good for a man not to touch a woman.”
  3. 7:2 Lit because of immoralities
  4. 7:5 Other mss add fasting and to
  5. 7:8 Or widowers
  6. 7:10 Or separate from, or divorce
  7. 7:14 Lit the brother
  8. 7:15 Other mss read us
  9. 7:16 Or Wife, how do you know that you will save your husband? Husband, how do you know that you will save your wife?
  10. 7:17 Lit called each
  11. 7:20 Lit in the calling
  12. 7:21 Or But even though you can become free, make the most of your position as a slave

Cross references:

  1. 7:2 : 1Th 4:3
  2. 7:2 : Mt 1:6; 1Pt 3:1
  3. 7:3 : Rm 13:7
  4. 7:5 : Mk 10:19
  5. 7:7 : 2Co 1:11
  6. 7:8 : Jms 1:27
  7. 7:9 : 1Co 9:25
  8. 7:9 : 1Tm 5:14
  9. 7:10 : 1Tm 5:14
  10. 7:11 : Dt 22:19
  11. 7:12 : Ac 9:30
  12. 7:14 : Lk 11:2
  13. 7:17 : Col 3:15
  14. 7:22 : Rm 1:1; 2Tm 2:24
  15. 7:23 : 2Pt 2:1
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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

Psalm 31:19-24

19 How great is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you.
In the presence of everyone[a] you have acted
for those who take refuge in you.(A)
20 You hide them in the protection of your presence;(B)
you conceal them in a shelter
from human schemes,
from quarrelsome tongues.(C)
21 Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his faithful love to me
in a city under siege.(D)
22 In my alarm I said,
“I am cut off from your sight.”(E)
But you heard the sound of my pleading
when I cried to you for help.(F)

23 Love the Lord, all his faithful ones.(G)
The Lord protects the loyal,
but fully repays the arrogant.(H)
24 Be strong, and let your heart be courageous,(I)
all you who put your hope in the Lord.(J)

Footnotes:

  1. 31:19 Or of the descendants of Adam

Cross references:

  1. 31:19 : Ps 5:11; 23:5
  2. 31:20 : Ps 17:8
  3. 31:20 : Ps 27:5; 32:7
  4. 31:21 : Ps 28:6
  5. 31:22 : Ps 88:5; Is 38:11–12
  6. 31:22 : Ps 66:19; 145:19
  7. 31:23 : Ps 30:4
  8. 31:23 : Ps 94:2; Jms 4:6; 1Pt 5:5
  9. 31:24 : Dt 31:23; Jos 1:9
  10. 31:24 : Ps 27:14
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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

Proverbs 21:4

4 The lamp that guides the wicked—
haughty eyes and an arrogant heart(A)—is sin.

Cross references:

  1. 21:4 : Ps 101:5; Pr 6:16–17; 30:13
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Thursday August 10, 2023 (NIV)

Ezra 10

Sending Away Foreign Wives

10 While Ezra prayed and confessed, weeping and falling facedown(A) before the house of God, an extremely large assembly of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him. The people also wept bitterly.(B) 2 Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel,(C) an Elamite, responded to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the surrounding peoples,(D) but there is still hope for Israel in spite of this. 3 Therefore, let’s make a covenant before our God(E) to send away all the foreign wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God.(F) Let it be done according to the law. 4 Get up, for this matter is your responsibility,(G) and we support you. Be strong and take action!” (H)

5 Then Ezra got up and made the leading priests, Levites, and all Israel take an oath to do what had been said; so they took the oath.(I) 6 Ezra then went from the house of God and walked to the chamber of Jehohanan son of Eliashib, where he spent the night.[a] He did not eat food or drink water, because he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.(J)

7 They circulated a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the exiles should gather at Jerusalem. 8 Whoever did not come within three days would forfeit all his possessions,[b] according to the decision of the leaders and elders, and would be excluded(K) from the assembly of the exiles.

9 So all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered in Jerusalem within the three days. On the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people sat in the square at the house of God,(L) trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain. 10 Then the priest Ezra stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful by marrying foreign women, adding to Israel’s guilt.(M) 11 Therefore, make a confession to the Lord, the God of your ancestors, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the surrounding peoples and your foreign wives.”

12 Then all the assembly responded loudly, “Yes, we will do as you say! 13 But there are many people, and it is the rainy season. We don’t have the stamina to stay out in the open. This isn’t something that can be done in a day or two, for we have rebelled terribly in this matter. 14 Let our leaders represent the entire assembly. Then let all those in our towns who have married foreign women come at appointed times, together with the elders and judges of each town, in order to avert the fierce anger of our God(N) concerning[c] this matter.” 15 Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this, with Meshullam(O) and Shabbethai the Levite supporting them.

16 The exiles did what had been proposed. The priest Ezra selected men[d] who were family heads, all identified by name, to represent[e] their ancestral families.[f] They convened on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter, 17 and by the first day of the first month they had dealt with all the men who had married foreign women.

Those Married to Foreign Wives

18 The following were found to have married foreign women from the descendants of the priests:

from the descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. 19 They pledged[g] to send their wives away, and being guilty, they offered a ram from the flock for their guilt;(P)

20 Hanani and Zebadiah from Immer’s(Q) descendants;

21 Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah from Harim’s(R) descendants;

22 Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah from Pashhur’s(S) descendants.

23 The Levites:(T)

Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.

24 The singers:(U)

Eliashib.

The gatekeepers:(V)

Shallum, Telem, and Uri.

25 The Israelites:(W)

Parosh’s descendants:(X) Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah,[h] and Benaiah;

26 Elam’s descendants:(Y) Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah;

27 Zattu’s descendants:(Z) Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza;

28 Bebai’s descendants:(AA) Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai;

29 Bani’s descendants:(AB) Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth;

30 Pahath-moab’s descendants:(AC) Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh;

31 Harim’s descendants:(AD) Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, 32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah;

33 Hashum’s descendants:(AE) Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei;

34 Bani’s descendants:(AF) Maadai, Amram, Uel, 35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, 37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu, 38 Bani, Binnui, Shimei, 39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, 40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, 41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, 42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph;

43 Nebo’s descendants:(AG) Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah.

44 All of these(AH) had married foreign women, and some of the wives had given birth to children.(AI)

Footnotes:

  1. 10:6 1 Esdras 9:2, Syr; MT, Vg read he went
  2. 10:8 Lit would set apart all his possessions for destruction
  3. 10:14 Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg; other Hb mss read until
  4. 10:16 1 Esdras 9:16, Syr; MT, Vg read priest and men were selected
  5. 10:16 Lit name, for
  6. 10:16 Lit the house of their fathers
  7. 10:19 Lit gave their hand
  8. 10:25 Some LXX mss, 1 Esdras 9:26 read Hashabiah

Cross references:

  1. 10:1 : Ezr 9:3,5; Neh 1:4; Dn 9:3–4,20
  2. 10:1 : Ezr 3:12–13
  3. 10:2 : Ezr 10:26
  4. 10:2 : Ezr 9:1–2; 10:18,44; Neh 13:23–28
  5. 10:3 : 2Ch 34:31
  6. 10:3 : Ezr 9:4
  7. 10:4 : Ezr 7:25–26
  8. 10:4 : Jos 1:6–9
  9. 10:5 : Neh 10:29–30; 13:25
  10. 10:6 : Dt 9:18–19
  11. 10:7–8 : Ezr 7:26
  12. 10:9 : Neh 8:1
  13. 10:10 : Ezr 9:1–2; Neh 13:23–27
  14. 10:14 : 2Ch 29:10; 30:8
  15. 10:15 : Ezr 8:16
  16. 10:19 : Lv 5:14–6:7
  17. 10:20 : 1Ch 24:14
  18. 10:21 : 1Ch 24:8
  19. 10:22 : 1Ch 9:12
  20. 10:23 : Ezr 2:40
  21. 10:24 : Ezr 2:41
  22. 10:24 : Ezr 2:42
  23. 10:25–43 : Ezr 2:3–35; Neh 7:8–38
  24. 10:25 : Ezr 2:3
  25. 10:26 : Ezr 2:7; 10:2
  26. 10:27 : Ezr 2:8
  27. 10:28 : Ezr 2:11
  28. 10:29 : Ezr 2:10
  29. 10:30 : Ezr 2:6
  30. 10:31 : Ezr 2:32
  31. 10:33 : Ezr 2:19
  32. 10:34 : Ezr 2:10
  33. 10:43 : Ezr 2:29
  34. 10:44 : Ezr 10:18–43
  35. 10:44 : Neh 13:24
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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1 Corinthians 6

Lawsuits among Believers

6 If any of you has a dispute against another, how dare you take it to court(A) before the unrighteous,[a] and not before the saints? 2 Or don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the trivial cases? 3 Don’t you know that we will judge angels—how much more matters of this life? 4 So if you have such matters, do you appoint as your judges those who have no standing(B) in the church? 5 I say this to your shame!(C) Can it be that there is not one wise person among you who is able to arbitrate between fellow believers?(D) 6 Instead, brother goes to court against brother, and that before unbelievers!(E)

7 As it is, to have legal disputes against one another is already a defeat for you.(F) Why not rather be wronged?(G) Why not rather be cheated?(H) 8 Instead, you yourselves do wrong and cheat—and you do this to brothers and sisters! 9 Don’t you know that the unrighteous(I) will not inherit God’s kingdom?(J) Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters,(K) adulterers,(L) or males who have sex with males,[b](M) 10 no thieves,(N) greedy(O) people, drunkards, verbally abusive people,(P) or swindlers(Q) will inherit God’s kingdom. 11 And some of you used to be like this.(R) But you were washed, you were sanctified,(S) you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Glorifying God in Body and Spirit

12 “Everything is permissible(T) for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 “Food(U) is for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God will do away with both of them. However, the body is not for sexual immorality(V) but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 God raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.(W) 15 Don’t you know that your bodies are a part of Christ’s body?(X) So should I take a part of Christ’s body and make it part of a prostitute? Absolutely not! 16 Don’t you know that anyone joined to a prostitute is one body with her? For Scripture says, The two will become one flesh.[c](Y) 17 But anyone joined(Z) to the Lord is one spirit(AA) with him.

18 Flee(AB) sexual immorality! Every other sin[d] a person commits is outside the body, but the person who is sexually immoral(AC) sins against his own body. 19 Don’t you know that your body is a temple(AD) of the Holy Spirit(AE) who is in you,(AF) whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought(AG) at a price. So glorify God with your body.[e]

Footnotes:

  1. 6:1 Unbelievers; v. 6
  2. 6:9 Both passive and active participants in homosexual acts
  3. 6:16 Gn 2:24
  4. 6:18 Lit Every sin
  5. 6:20 Other mss add and in your spirit, which belong to God.

Cross references:

  1. 6:1 : Mt 18:15–17
  2. 6:4 : Lk 18:9
  3. 6:5 : 1Co 4:14
  4. 6:5 : Ac 9:30
  5. 6:6 : Lk 12:46
  6. 6:7 : Rm 11:12
  7. 6:7 : Rv 2:11
  8. 6:7 : Mk 10:19
  9. 6:9 : Lk 16:10
  10. 6:9 : Mk 1:15; Ac 20:25
  11. 6:9 : Eph 5:5
  12. 6:9 : Lk 18:11
  13. 6:9 : Gn 19:5
  14. 6:10 : Jn 10:1
  15. 6:10 : Eph 5:5
  16. 6:10 : 1Co 5:11
  17. 6:10 : Lk 18:11
  18. 6:11 : Eph 2:2–3; 4:22; 5:8; Ti 3:3
  19. 6:11 : Lk 11:2
  20. 6:12 : Jn 18:31
  21. 6:13 : 1Tm 6:8
  22. 6:13 : 1Th 4:3
  23. 6:14 : Mk 5:30; Lk 1:35; 6:19; Ac 19:11; 2Co 13:4; Rv 11:17
  24. 6:15 : Rm 12:5; 1Co 12:27; Eph 5:30
  25. 6:16 : Gn 2:24
  26. 6:17 : Jn 11:52
  27. 6:17 : Ps 51:12
  28. 6:18 : Jms 4:7
  29. 6:18 : 1Co 10:8
  30. 6:19 : Lk 1:21
  31. 6:19 : Rm 8:9,23; 1Co 7:40; 2Co 4:13; Jd 19
  32. 6:19 : Jms 4:5; 1Jn 4:4
  33. 6:20 : 2Pt 2:1
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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Psalm 31:9-18

9 Be gracious to me, Lord,
because I am in distress;(A)
my eyes are worn out from frustration—
my whole being[a] as well.(B)
10 Indeed, my life is consumed with grief
and my years with groaning;(C)
my strength has failed
because of my iniquity,[b]
and my bones waste away.(D)
11 I am ridiculed by all my adversaries
and even by my neighbors.
I am dreaded by my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street run from me.(E)
12 I am forgotten: gone from memory
like a dead person—like broken pottery.(F)
13 I have heard the gossip of many;
terror is on every side.(G)
When they conspired against me,
they plotted to take my life.(H)

14 But I trust in you, Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”(I)
15 The course of my life is in your power;(J)
rescue me from the power of my enemies
and from my persecutors.(K)
16 Make your face shine on your servant;(L)
save me by your faithful love.(M)
17 Lord, do not let me be disgraced when I call on you.(N)
Let the wicked be disgraced;
let them be quiet[c][d] in Sheol.(O)
18 Let lying lips(P)
that arrogantly speak against the righteous
in proud contempt be silenced.(Q)

Footnotes:

  1. 31:9 Lit my soul and my belly
  2. 31:10 LXX, Syr, Sym read affliction
  3. 31:17 LXX reads brought down
  4. 31:17 Or them wail

Cross references:

  1. 31:9 : Ps 69:17
  2. 31:9 : Ps 6:7; 63:1
  3. 31:10 : Ps 102:3
  4. 31:10 : Ps 32:3; 38:3
  5. 31:11 : Jb 19:13; Ps 38:11; 88:8,18
  6. 31:12 : Ps 88:5; Ec 9:5
  7. 31:13 : Jr 6:25; 20:10; 46:5; 49:29
  8. 31:13 : Ps 41:7; Mt 27:1
  9. 31:14 : Ps 140:6
  10. 31:15 : Jb 14:5; 24:1
  11. 31:15 : Ps 59:1
  12. 31:16 : Nm 6:25
  13. 31:16 : Ps 6:4; 119:135
  14. 31:17 : Ps 25:2–3,20
  15. 31:17 : Ps 94:17; 115:17
  16. 31:18 : Ps 120:2
  17. 31:18 : 1Sm 2:3; Ps 94:4
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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Proverbs 21:3

3 Doing what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(A)

Cross references:

  1. 21:3 : 1Sm 15:22; Pr 15:8; Hs 6:6; Mc 6:7–8; Mt 9:13
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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Posted on

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Wednesday August 9, 2023 (NIV)

Ezra 8:21-9:15

Preparing to Return

21 I proclaimed a fast(A) by the Ahava River,[a] so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us, our dependents, and all our possessions. 22 I did this because I was ashamed to ask the king for infantry and cavalry to protect us from enemies during the journey, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek him, but his fierce anger is against all who abandon him.”(B) 23 So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and he was receptive to our prayer.

24 I selected twelve of the leading priests, along with Sherebiah,(C) Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers. 25 I weighed out to them the silver, the gold, and the articles—the contribution for the house of our God that the king, his counselors, his leaders, and all the Israelites who were present had offered. 26 I weighed out to them 24 tons[b] of silver, silver articles weighing 7,500 pounds,[c] 7,500 pounds of gold, 27 twenty gold bowls worth a thousand gold coins,[d] and two articles of fine gleaming bronze, as valuable as gold.(D) 28 Then I said to them, “You are holy to the Lord, and the articles are holy. The silver and gold are a freewill offering(E) to the Lord God of your ancestors. 29 Guard them carefully until you weigh them out in the chambers of the Lord’s house before the leading priests, Levites, and heads of the Israelite families in Jerusalem.” 30 So the priests and Levites took charge of the silver, the gold, and the articles that had been weighed out, to bring them to the house of our God in Jerusalem.(F)

Arrival in Jerusalem

31 We set out from the Ahava River on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. We were strengthened by our God,[e](G) and he kept us from the grasp of the enemy and from ambush along the way.(H) 32 So we arrived at Jerusalem and rested there for three days.(I) 33 On the fourth day the silver, the gold, and the articles were weighed out in the house of our God into the care of the priest Meremoth son of Uriah. Eleazar son of Phinehas was with him. The Levites Jozabad(J) son of Jeshua and Noadiah son of Binnui were also with them. 34 Everything was verified by number and weight, and the total weight was recorded at that time.

35 The exiles who had returned from the captivity(K) offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, and seventy-seven lambs, along with twelve male goats as a sin offering. All this was a burnt offering for the Lord.(L) 36 They also delivered the king’s edicts to the royal satraps and governors of the region west of the Euphrates,(M) so that they would support the people and the house of God.(N)

Israel’s Intermarriage

9 After these things had been done, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves(O) from the surrounding peoples whose detestable practices(P) are like those of the Canaanites, Hethites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.(Q) 2 Indeed, the Israelite men[f] have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed(R) has become mixed with the surrounding peoples.(S) The leaders[g] and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!” (T) 3 When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and robe, pulled out some of the hair from my head and beard, and sat down devastated.(U)

Ezra’s Confession

4 Everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel(V) gathered around me, because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles,(W) while I sat devastated until the evening offering.(X) 5 At the evening offering, I got up from my time of humiliation, with my tunic and robe torn. Then I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God.(Y) 6 And I said:(Z)

My God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face toward you, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads and our guilt is as high as the heavens.(AA) 7 Our guilt has been terrible from the days of our ancestors until the present. Because of our iniquities we have been handed over, along with our kings and priests, to the surrounding kings, and to the sword, captivity, plundering, and open shame,(AB) as it is today. 8 But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from the Lord our God to preserve a remnant(AC) for us and give us a stake(AD) in his holy place. Even in our slavery, God has given us a little relief and light to our eyes.(AE) 9 Though we are slaves,(AF) our God has not abandoned us in our slavery. He has extended grace to us in the presence of the Persian kings,(AG) giving us relief, so that we can rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins,(AH) to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

10 Now, our God, what can we say in light of[h] this? For we have abandoned the commands 11 you gave through your servants the prophets, saying, “The land you are entering to possess is an impure land. The surrounding peoples have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness by their impurity and detestable practices.(AI) 12 So do not give your daughters to their sons in marriage or take their daughters for your sons.(AJ) Never pursue their welfare or prosperity,(AK) so that you will be strong, eat the good things of the land, and leave it as an inheritance to your sons forever.” 13 After all that has happened to us because of our evil deeds and terrible guilt—though you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve and have allowed us to survive[i](AL)— 14 should we break your commands again and intermarry with the peoples who commit these detestable practices?(AM) Wouldn’t you become so angry with us that you would destroy us, leaving neither remnant nor survivor?(AN) 15 Lord God of Israel, you are righteous, for we survive as a remnant(AO) today. Here we are before you with our guilt, though no one can stand in your presence because of this.(AP)

Footnotes:

  1. 8:21 Or Canal, also in v. 31
  2. 8:26 Lit 650 talents
  3. 8:26 Lit 100 talents
  4. 8:27 Or 1,000 drachmas, or 1,000 darics
  5. 8:31 Lit The hand of our God was on us
  6. 9:2 Lit they
  7. 9:2 Lit hand of the leaders
  8. 9:10 Lit say after
  9. 9:13 Lit and gave us a remnant like this

Cross references:

  1. 8:21 : Is 58:3–8
  2. 8:22 : Dt 31:6,17
  3. 8:24 : Neh 10:9,11
  4. 8:25–27 : Ezr 7:15–20
  5. 8:28 : Ezr 1:4; 2:68–69
  6. 8:29–30 : Neh 13:4–5,9
  7. 8:31 : Ezr 7:9; Neh 2:18
  8. 8:31 : Ezr 8:21–22
  9. 8:32 : Neh 2:11
  10. 8:33 : Neh 11:16
  11. 8:35 : Ezr 2:1; 6:16
  12. 8:35 : Lv 1:3–15; 2Ch 29:24,27,31–35
  13. 8:36 : Ezr 7:21,25
  14. 8:36 : Ezr 7:21–24
  15. 9:1 : Ezk 5:10–12
  16. 9:1 : Dt 12:29–31; Ezr 9:11
  17. 9:1 : Gn 15:18; Lv 18:24–30; Dt 7:1
  18. 9:2 : Dt 14:2
  19. 9:2 : Dt 7:1–4; Ezr 9:12; Neh 13:1–3,23
  20. 9:2 : Neh 13:28
  21. 9:3 : 2Kg 18:37–19:2; Neh 1:4; Dn 9:3
  22. 9:4 : Ezr 10:3; Is 66:2,5
  23. 9:4 : Ezr 2:1; 6:16
  24. 9:4 : Ex 29:38–39
  25. 9:5 : Ex 9:29; Dn 6:10
  26. 9:6–15 : Neh 1:5–11; Dn 9:4–19
  27. 9:6 : Jr 51:9; Rv 18:5
  28. 9:7 : Neh 9:30,36; Dn 9:7
  29. 9:8 : Is 10:20–22
  30. 9:8 : Is 10:23
  31. 9:8 : 1Sm 14:29
  32. 9:9 : Neh 9:36
  33. 9:9 : 2Kg 25:28; Ezr 6:22
  34. 9:9 : Ezr 1:4; 7:12–20
  35. 9:10–11 : Dt 12:29–31; Ezr 9:1
  36. 9:12 : Dt 7:1–4; Ezr 9:2; Neh 13:23–28
  37. 9:12 : Dt 7:3; 23:6
  38. 9:13 : Is 10:20–22
  39. 9:14 : Ezr 9:1–2; Neh 13:23–28
  40. 9:14 : Dt 29:26–28
  41. 9:15 : Neh 1:3
  42. 9:15 : Ps 130:3
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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1 Corinthians 5

Immoral Church Members

5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality(A) among you, and the kind of sexual immorality that is not even tolerated[a] among the Gentiles(B)—a man is sleeping with his father’s wife.(C) 2 And you are arrogant! Shouldn’t you be filled with grief(D) and remove from your congregation the one who did this? 3 Even though I am absent in the body, I am present in spirit.(E) As one who is present with you in this way, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who has been doing such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus, and I am with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 hand that one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,(F) so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.(G)

6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little leaven[b](H) leavens the whole batch of dough?(I) 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as indeed you are. For Christ our Passover lamb(J) has been sacrificed.[c] 8 Therefore, let us observe the feast, not with old leaven or with the leaven of malice and evil,(K) but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Church Discipline

9 I wrote to you in a letter not to associate(L) with sexually immoral people.(M) 10 I did not mean the immoral people of this world or the greedy(N) and swindlers(O) or idolaters; otherwise you would have to leave the world.(P) 11 But actually, I wrote[d] you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister(Q) and is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard(R) or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. 12 For what business is it of mine to judge(S) outsiders? Don’t you judge those who are inside? 13 God judges outsiders. Remove the evil person from among you.[e](T)

Footnotes:

  1. 5:1 Other mss read named
  2. 5:6 Or yeast, also in vv. 7,8
  3. 5:7 Other mss add for us
  4. 5:11 Or But now I am writing
  5. 5:13 Dt 17:7

Cross references:

  1. 5:1 : 1Th 4:3
  2. 5:1 : Gl 1:16
  3. 5:1 : Lv 18:8; Dt 22:30; 27:20
  4. 5:2 : Lk 6:25
  5. 5:3 : Col 2:5; 1Th 2:17
  6. 5:5 : 1Jn 5:16
  7. 5:5 : Mt 25:13; Ac 2:20; Php 1:6
  8. 5:6 : Lk 13:21; Gl 5:9
  9. 5:6–8 : Lk 13:21
  10. 5:7 : Ex 12
  11. 5:8 : Mk 7:22; Rm 1:29
  12. 5:9 : 2Th 3:14
  13. 5:9 : 1Co 6:9; Eph 5:5; 1Tm 1:10; Heb 12:16; 13:4; Rv 21:8; 22:15
  14. 5:10 : Eph 5:5
  15. 5:10 : Lk 18:11
  16. 5:10 : Jn 17:6
  17. 5:11 : 2Th 3:6
  18. 5:11 : 1Co 6:10
  19. 5:12 : Lk 6:37
  20. 5:13 : Dt 17:7
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Psalm 31:1-8

Psalm 31

A Plea for Protection

For the choir director. A psalm of David.

1 Lord, I seek refuge in you;
let me never be disgraced.(A)
Save me by your righteousness.
2 Listen closely to me; rescue me quickly.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a mountain fortress to save me.(B)
3 For you are my rock and my fortress;(C)
you lead and guide me
for your name’s sake.(D)
4 You will free me from the net
that is secretly set for me,
for you are my refuge.(E)
5 Into your hand I entrust my spirit;(F)
you have redeemed me,[a] Lord, God of truth.(G)

6 I[b] hate those who are devoted to worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.(H)
7 I will rejoice and be glad in your faithful love
because you have seen my affliction.
You know the troubles of my soul(I)
8 and have not handed me over to the enemy.(J)
You have set my feet in a spacious place.(K)

Footnotes:

  1. 31:5 Or spirit. Redeem me
  2. 31:6 One Hb ms, LXX, Syr, Vg, Jer read You

Cross references:

  1. 31:1 : Ps 25:2
  2. 31:2 : Ps 71:1–2
  3. 31:3 : Ps 18:2; 71:3
  4. 31:3 : Ps 23:3; 25:11
  5. 31:4 : Ps 25:15; 46:1
  6. 31:5 : Lk 23:46
  7. 31:5 : Ps 25:5
  8. 31:6 : Ps 26:5; Jnh 2:8
  9. 31:7 : Ps 10:14
  10. 31:8 : Dt 32:30
  11. 31:8 : Jb 36:16
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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

Proverbs 21:1-2

21 A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand:
He directs it wherever he chooses.(A)

2 All a person’s ways seem right to him,
but the Lord weighs hearts.(B)

Cross references:

  1. 21:1 : Ezr 6:22
  2. 21:2 : Pr 12:15; 16:2; 17:3; 24:12; Lk 16:15
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Tuesday August 8, 2023 (NIV)

Ezra 7:1-8:20

Ezra’s Arrival

7 After these events, during the reign of King Artaxerxes(A) of Persia, Ezra—

Seraiah’s(B) son, Azariah’s son,

Hilkiah’s(C) son, 2 Shallum’s son,

Zadok’s(D) son, Ahitub’s son,

3 Amariah’s son, Azariah’s son,

Meraioth’s son, 4 Zerahiah’s son,

Uzzi’s son, Bukki’s son,

5 Abishua’s son, Phinehas’s son,

Eleazar’s son, the chief priest Aaron’s son(E)

6 —came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses,(F) which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he requested(G) because the hand of the Lord his God was on him.(H) 7 Some of the Israelites, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants(I) accompanied him to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.

8 Ezra[a] came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, during the seventh year of the king. 9 He began the journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month(J) and arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month(K) since the gracious hand of his God was on him.(L) 10 Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach(M) its statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Letter from Artaxerxes

11 This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest and scribe, an expert in matters of the Lord’s commands and statutes for Israel:[b]

12 Artaxerxes, king of kings,(N) to Ezra the priest, an expert in the law of the God of the heavens:

Greetings.

13 I issue a decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including their priests and Levites, who want to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.(O) 14 You are sent by the king and his seven counselors(P) to evaluate Judah and Jerusalem according to the law of your God, which is in your possession. 15 You are also to bring the silver and gold the king and his counselors have willingly given to the God of Israel,(Q) whose dwelling is in Jerusalem,(R) 16 and all the silver and gold you receive throughout the province of Babylon, together with the freewill offerings given by the people and the priests to the house of their God in Jerusalem.(S) 17 Then you are to be diligent to buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs, along with their grain and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your God in Jerusalem.(T) 18 You may do whatever seems best to you and your brothers with the rest of the silver and gold, according to the will of your God. 19 Deliver to the God of Jerusalem all the articles given to you for the service of the house of your God.(U) 20 You may use the royal treasury[c] to pay for anything else needed for the house of your God.(V)

21 I, King Artaxerxes, issue a decree to all the treasurers in the region west of the Euphrates River:(W)

Whatever Ezra the priest, an expert in the law of the God of the heavens, asks of you must be provided in full,(X) 22 up to 7,500 pounds[d] of silver, 500 bushels[e] of wheat, 550 gallons[f] of wine, 550 gallons of oil, and salt without limit.[g] 23 Whatever is commanded by the God of the heavens must be done diligently for the house of the God of the heavens, so that wrath will not fall on the realm of the king and his sons.(Y) 24 Be advised that you do not have authority to impose tribute, duty, and land tax on any priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.

25 And you, Ezra, according to[h] God’s wisdom that you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people in the region west of the Euphrates who know the laws of your God and to teach anyone who does not know them.(Z) 26 Anyone who does not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, let the appropriate judgment be executed against him, whether death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.(AA)

27 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s mind(AB) to glorify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem,(AC) 28 and who has shown favor to me before the king,(AD) his counselors, and all his powerful officers. So I took courage because I was strengthened by the hand of the Lord my God,[i](AE) and I gathered Israelite leaders to return with me.(AF)

Those Returning with Ezra

8 These are the family heads and the genealogical records of those who returned with me from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes:(AG)

2 Gershom, from Phinehas’s descendants;

Daniel, from Ithamar’s descendants;

Hattush, from David’s descendants,

3 who was of Shecaniah’s descendants;(AH)

Zechariah, from Parosh’s(AI) descendants,

and 150 men[j] with him who were registered by genealogy;

4 Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah

from Pahath-moab’s descendants,(AJ)

and 200 men with him;

5 Shecaniah[k] son of Jahaziel

from Zattu’s descendants,

and 300 men with him;

6 Ebed son of Jonathan

from Adin’s descendants,(AK)

and 50 men with him;

7 Jeshaiah son of Athaliah

from Elam’s descendants,

and 70 men with him;

8 Zebadiah son of Michael

from Shephatiah’s descendants,

and 80 men with him;

9 Obadiah son of Jehiel

from Joab’s descendants,

and 218 men with him;

10 Shelomith[l] son of Josiphiah

from Bani’s descendants,

and 160 men with him;

11 Zechariah son of Bebai

from Bebai’s descendants,

and 28 men with him;

12 Johanan son of Hakkatan

from Azgad’s descendants,

and 110 men with him;

13 these are the last ones, from Adonikam’s descendants,(AL)

and their names are

Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah,

and 60 men with them;

14 Uthai and Zaccur[m]

from Bigvai’s descendants,

and 70 men with them.

15 I gathered them at the river[n] that flows to Ahava,(AM) and we camped there for three days. I searched among the people and priests, but found no Levites(AN) there. 16 Then I summoned the leaders: Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam,(AO) as well as the teachers Joiarib and Elnathan. 17 I sent them to Iddo, the leader at Casiphia, with a message for[o] him and his brothers, the temple servants(AP) at Casiphia, that they should bring us ministers for the house of our God. 18 Since the gracious hand of our God was on us,(AQ) they brought us Sherebiah(AR)—a man of insight from the descendants of Mahli, a descendant of Levi son of Israel—along with his sons and brothers, 18 men, 19 plus Hashabiah,(AS) along with Jeshaiah, from the descendants of Merari, and his brothers and their sons, 20 men. 20 There were also 220 of the temple servants,(AT) who had been appointed by David and the leaders for the work of the Levites. All were identified by name.

Footnotes:

  1. 7:8 LXX, Syr, Vg read They
  2. 7:11 Ezr 7:12–26 is written in Aramaic.
  3. 7:20 Lit the king’s house
  4. 7:22 Lit 100 talents
  5. 7:22 Lit 100 cors
  6. 7:22 Lit 100 baths
  7. 7:22 Lit without instruction
  8. 7:25 Lit to your
  9. 7:28 Lit because the hand of the Lord my God was on me
  10. 8:3 Or males; also in vv. 4–14
  11. 8:5 LXX, 1 Esdras 8:32; MT reads the descendants of Shecaniah
  12. 8:10 Some LXX mss, 1 Esdras 8:36; MT reads the descendants of Shelomith
  13. 8:14 Alt Hb tradition, some LXX mss read Zabud
  14. 8:15 Or canal
  15. 8:17 Lit Casiphia, and I put in their mouth the words to speak to

Cross references:

  1. 7:1 : Ezr 4:7; 6:14; Neh 2:1
  2. 7:1 : 2Kg 25:18–21; Jr 52:24–27
  3. 7:1 : 2Kg 22:4; 23:4
  4. 7:2 : 1Sm 8:17; 1Kg 1:7–8; 2:35
  5. 7:1–5 : 1Ch 6:3–15
  6. 7:6 : Ezr 7:11–12,21
  7. 7:6 : Neh 2:4–8
  8. 7:6 : Ezr 7:28; 8:22; Neh 2:8,18
  9. 7:7 : Ezr 2:1–58; Neh 7:6–60
  10. 7:9 : Ezr 8:15,21,31
  11. 7:9 : Ezr 8:32
  12. 7:9 : Ezr 7:28; 8:18,31; Neh 2:8,18
  13. 7:10 : Neh 8:1–8
  14. 7:12 : Ezk 26:7; Dn 2:37
  15. 7:13 : Ezr 1:3
  16. 7:14 : Est 1:14
  17. 7:15 : Hg 2:8
  18. 7:15 : Dt 12:5–6; 2Ch 6:2
  19. 7:16 : Ex 3:22; Ezr 1:6
  20. 7:17 : Nm 15:1–14; Ezr 6:9
  21. 7:19 : Ezr 8:33
  22. 7:20 : Ezr 6:4,8; 7:22–23
  23. 7:21 : Ezr 4:10; 7:25
  24. 7:21 : Ezr 6:8
  25. 7:23 : Ezr 6:10
  26. 7:25 : Ezr 7:10; Neh 8:1–3,8
  27. 7:26 : Ezr 6:11
  28. 7:27 : Ezr 6:22
  29. 7:27 : Is 60:7,13
  30. 7:28 : Ezr 9:9
  31. 7:28 : Ezr 7:6; 8:18
  32. 7:28 : Ezr 8:1–14,16
  33. 8:1 : Ezr 7:7
  34. 8:3 : 1Ch 3:22
  35. 8:3 : Ezr 2:3; 10:25
  36. 8:4 : Ezr 2:6
  37. 8:6 : Ezr 2:15; Neh 7:20
  38. 8:13 : Ezr 2:13
  39. 8:15 : Ezr 8:21,31
  40. 8:15 : Ezr 2:40; 7:7
  41. 8:16 : Ezr 10:15
  42. 8:17 : Ezr 2:43; Neh 7:46
  43. 8:18 : Ezr 7:6
  44. 8:18 : Ezr 8:24; Neh 8:7
  45. 8:19 : Neh 12:24
  46. 8:20 : Ezr 2:43; 7:7
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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

1 Corinthians 4

The Faithful Manager

4 A person should think of us in this way: as servants(A) of Christ and managers(B) of the mysteries of God.(C) 2 In this regard, it is required that managers be found faithful.(D) 3 It is of little(E) importance to me that I should be judged(F) by you or by any human court.[a] In fact, I don’t even judge myself. 4 For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified(G) by this. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 So don’t judge(H) anything prematurely, before the Lord comes,(I) who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.(J)

The Apostles’ Example of Humility

6 Now, brothers and sisters,(K) I have applied these things to myself and Apollos(L) for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying: “Nothing beyond what is written.” The purpose is that none of you will be arrogant, favoring one person over another. 7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it? 8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have begun to reign as kings without us—and I wish you did reign, so that we could also reign with you! 9 For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ!(M) We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; 12 we labor, working(N) with our own hands.(O) When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage.(P)

Paul’s Fatherly Care

14 I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children.(Q) 15 For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father(R) in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 This is why I have sent(S) Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful(T) child in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

18 Now some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon,(U) if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk, but the power of those who are arrogant. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod,(V) or in love and a spirit of gentleness?(W)

Footnotes:

  1. 4:3 Lit a human day

Cross references:

  1. 4:1 : Jn 18:36
  2. 4:1 : Lk 16:1
  3. 4:1 : 1Co 2:7
  4. 4:2 : Nm 12:7
  5. 4:3 : Mt 5:19
  6. 4:3 : 1Co 2:14
  7. 4:4 : Ac 13:39
  8. 4:5 : Lk 6:37
  9. 4:5 : Mk 8:38; 1Pt 5:6
  10. 4:5 : 2Co 10:18
  11. 4:6 : Ac 9:30
  12. 4:6 : Ti 3:13
  13. 4:10 : 1Pt 5:14
  14. 4:12 : 2Jn 8
  15. 4:12 : Ac 18:3
  16. 4:13 : Is 64:6; Lm 3:45
  17. 4:14 : 1Th 2:11; Phm 1
  18. 4:15 : Gl 4:19; Phm 10
  19. 4:17 : 2Co 9:3; Eph 6:21–22; Col 4:7–8; Phm 12
  20. 4:17 : Nm 12:7
  21. 4:19 : Ac 19:21; 1Co 16:5; 2Co 1:15–16
  22. 4:21 : 2Co 1:23; 2:1,3; 12:20–21; 13:2,10
  23. 4:21 : Jms 3:13
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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

Psalm 30

Psalm 30

Joy in the Morning

A psalm; a dedication song for the house. Of David.

1 I will exalt you, Lord,
because you have lifted me up(A)
and have not allowed my enemies
to triumph over me.(B)
2 Lord my God,
I cried to you for help, and you healed me.(C)
3 Lord, you brought me up from Sheol;(D)
you spared me from among those
going down[a] to the Pit.(E)

4 Sing to the Lord, you his faithful ones,
and praise his holy name.(F)
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor, a lifetime.
Weeping may stay overnight,
but there is joy in the morning.(G)

6 When I was secure, I said,
“I will never be shaken.”(H)
7 Lord, when you showed your favor,
you made me stand like a strong mountain;(I)
when you hid your face, I was terrified.(J)
8 Lord, I called to you;
I sought favor from my Lord:(K)
9 “What gain is there in my death,
if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your truth?(L)
10 Lord, listen and be gracious to me;
Lord, be my helper.”(M)

11 You turned my lament into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,(N)
12 so that I can sing to you and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever.(O)

Footnotes:

  1. 30:3 Some Hb mss, LXX, Theod, Orig, Syr; other Hb mss, Aq, Sym, Tg, Jer read from going down

Cross references:

  1. 30:1 : Ps 3:3
  2. 30:1 : Ps 25:2; 35:19
  3. 30:2 : Ps 88:13
  4. 30:3 : Ps 86:13
  5. 30:3 : Ps 28:1; 88:4; 143:7
  6. 30:4 : Ps 50:5; 149:1
  7. 30:5 : Ps 103:9; Is 54:7–8; 2Co 4:17
  8. 30:6 : Ps 10:6; 62:2,6
  9. 30:7 : Ps 20:8
  10. 30:7 : Ps 104:29
  11. 30:8 : Ps 119:58
  12. 30:9 : Ps 6:5; 88:10–12
  13. 30:10 : Ps 4:1; 27:7
  14. 30:11 : Ec 3:4; Is 61:10; Jr 31:13
  15. 30:12 : Ps 44:8; 108:1
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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

Proverbs 20:28-30

28 Loyalty and faithfulness guard a king;
through loyalty he maintains his throne.

29 The glory of young men is their strength,
and the splendor of old men is gray hair.(A)

30 Lashes and wounds purge away evil,(B)
and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.[a]

Footnotes:

  1. 20:30 Lit beatings the chambers of the belly

Cross references:

  1. 20:29 : Lv 19:32; Pr 16:31
  2. 20:30 : Is 53:5
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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8/7/2023 DAB Transcript

Ezra 4:24-6:22, 1 Corinthian 3:5-23, Psalm 29:1-11, Proverbs 20:26-27

Today is the seventh day of August, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian and it is fantastic to be here with you as we begin our work week, and as we gather to take the next step forward on our journey through the Scriptures this year. And our journey always leads us to where we left off. We left off yesterday in the book of Ezra, the returned exiles are rebuilding but they are facing quite a bit of opposition, and now the opposition is become political in nature and letters are being written to kings and at this point, the work has been commanded to stop. But let’s pick up the story, Ezra chapter 4 verse 24 through 6 verse 22 today.

Commentary:

Okay, in Ezra today we continue to watch the rebuilding take place. We went through all of this, we saw how exile happened, we saw the destruction of Jerusalem, and now the exiles are returning to rebuild, an entire generation has passed, and there were people that were moved into that land once the Israelites were cast out of the land, and they’ve been living there all this time. And so, this new group of people, who are like coming back to their homeland, are seen as new people coming into this this situation. So, it causes disruption and intimidation and all kinds of word battles and threats. And then it gets political, and letters are written all the way back to the emperor, until the emperor finally puts his foot down and says leave them alone and let them build. And not only let them build but supply them with what they need. And so now, the children of Israel can build freely, and we can look into this story and see a story of steadfast resoluteness to obey God and to finish what God had tasked them to do, regardless of the opposition. Which isn’t to say that the opposition wasn’t real. It was very real, the threats were real, the psychological dread that was upon the people because of the intimidation, that was real. The letters being written back and forth to the emperor, they were real. These were real things. But they ultimately did not allow those things to stop their own obedience to God. A lesson for all of us.

And then, we’re in first Corinthians now. And Paul is discussing an issue that’s happening in Corinth and that is that, that the congregation of people are dividing themselves into groups of people who swear their loyalty to a certain person. In this case, like one of the more popular preachers or teachers, so like some say, yeah, I follow Paul, other people say, yeah, I follow Apollos, other people say I follow Peter. And so, camps of people within the church are formed. And we should probably pay attention to this because this issue is a pervasive issue that still exists today. In fact, I would wager that the problem is worse now than when Paul is addressing it, and we have had instruction and counsel on this issue for 2000 years. To Paul’s way of thinking believers were getting a spiritual identity based on the team that they were on, rather than actually growing in intimacy with Jesus. Paul says it like this, “when one of you says, I follow Paul and another I follow Apollo’s, aren’t you acting like worldly people. After all, who is Apollos and who is Paul? We are simply God’s servants by whom you were led to believe. Each one of us does the work which the Lord gave him to do. I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plant, but it was God who made the plant grow. The one who plants and the one who waters really do not matter. It is God who matters because He makes the plant grow.” Since Paul said these things to the church in Corinth, millennia have passed and faith in Jesus Christ to spread throughout the entire earth, but we have tens of thousands of distinct denominations around ‘how to have faith in Jesus’ and the problem isn’t that we are vast and diverse and on all continents and in all cultural contexts, the problem starts to happen when we think that the team we’re on, that the community that we belong to is the one that has the truth that nobody else has. And so, we attempt to gain this spiritual identity through what our team believes, instead of having an always on, never off, ever evolving intimate relationship with Jesus Himself. Paul is trying to tell the Corinthians who were kinda dividing themselves into camps that it’s basically just a construct. We are all built on the same foundation, we’re on the same team, we’re in the same family. Paul says it like this, “surely you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you. No one then, should boast about what human beings can do. Actually, everything belongs to you. Paul, Apollos, and Peter, this world, life and death, the present and the future, all these are yours and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.” And so, this leads us to consider our own spiritual identity. Where do we get that sense of identity? Is it the person or them movements that we follow, the church we attend, the pastor that we sit under? Or does our identity come from a first person relationship with Jesus. In other words, are we trying to have a relationship with God by proxy because of the people that we run with, or are we actually in a relationship with God for ourselves? And may we invite the Holy Spirit into that, as we consider it today.

Prayer:

And so, Holy Spirit, come into, into this. Where are we getting an identity, and when we look at these things, we see all of the interconnectedness, we see the deep need to belong and these are things that you have placed within us. They are good things, until we cultivate pride in that arrangement. Pride that gives us a sense of superiority in our belonging, over and against another brother and sister. And we try to get an identity, contrasting how, what our convictions are, versus theirs. And then divisions begin to happen on small scales and on very, very large scales. When the truth is, none of us deserve to be having the conversation at all. We are all so fortunate to be here at all. It is your grace and your kindness, your love and your mercy, that sustains us. All of us, even those who don’t share the exact same set of convictions that we do. We all need You the same. We all need you desperately. So, once again, we are invited to keep our eyes on You and not everybody else. Our identity flows from You and You have called us good, You have called us Your child. What other identity do we need. Open our eyes and we may see our brothers and sisters with the compassion and mercy, that You see them with. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Announcements:

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

Prayer and Encouragements:

Hi, God bless you all. I can’t tell you how much I love all of you and I pray for you. I really do. This is a first for me. I haven’t called in and thank you to the Hardin’s, of course. And I pray for them as well. All of you. I’m just really, I’m really struggling. I can’t say this fast enough before the two minutes is up. My brother-in-law had three aneurisms. They were trying to help him and he ended up on life support for three weeks. I’ve lifted him in prayer and asked for prayer and so forth. And my sister, she sent me an email today. She says I’m agnostic and she said I’m agnostic, don’t push your Jesus, don’t talk to me, if you want anything to do with me, if you want to connect with me you lay off. And I haven’t responded yes but I cannot. I will not hide Jesus and if I need to say his name, or speak or whatever, I will. My family is not yet saved. They’re loved ones aren’t saved. I plead it for them. And then I just got the news that another sister is so desperately ill in ICU. She found out she had cancer and I just got the news she died and I’m asking you please pray for my family. Please pray for my son that’s chosen Islam over Christianity that he was raised in and he knew Jesus Christ. He is not a kid, he’s old enough to know better. Please, just pray.

Good morning DAB. This is Virgil in Texas. Cowboy for Christ. I pray for all of you often. I may not call in very much but I’m in the background praying. And today I have a prayer request for my sister, Nikina. She suffers from Parkinson and she’s going in the hospital for blood transfusion. I just pray to the Lord God that He will watch over her, heal her, comfort her, relieve her pain. And Lord, just strengthen her faith in You, that You will carry her through this. And if all of you people out there would please say a prayer for her. And it’s in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Good morning DAB family. This is Be Filled Bridgette from New York City. And I’m hitting you guys up to ask you to please pray for me. I’ve been having a really rough few months in my marriage and just in general. Just please lift me in prayer. My daughter, the second person is going to trial September 5th. His name is Thomas. Please pray for him. Pray that he will be saved. Pray that he will give his life to the Lord. Pray that my daughter would be healed and that that this chapter of our lives would finally be closed and resolved. Pray for my husband who is really emotionally disconnected and doesn’t even recognize it. He doesn’t see his choices are impacting us. And it just kinda feels lonely. My 14-year-old, pray for her, that she would have a zeal for the Lord and for my son, who is sober a week now. Please pray that he would make Christ his all-and-all. And that he would stay sober. I love you guys. I’m praying for you. I thank you. And God bless you.

Hello, this is Linda, His Beloved in North Idaho. I’m calling regarding Brian speaking today on August 3rd regarding gossip, betrayal and a lack of sense of safety. Many people call in, mostly men, regarding their marriages and their wives wanting to divorce them or separate from them. I just want to know, want to say that it’s not just gossip, of course, that makes us feel betrayed and unsafe. Unfortunately, in our marriages to often, husbands do things that crush us as wives and it takes a long time to get over the betrayal and to feel safe. My husband, you have the ability to win your wife back. I want to encourage you to humble yourself in the side of the Lord and when He lifts you up, He will give you the wisdom, the knowledge, and the discernment and the courage to do the right thing in order to redeem your family. So please, humble yourself, be broken before the cross. Win back your beloved wife. Win back your family. Be a redeemed man. Make her and your family feel safe again. You can do it because Christ is in you. Thank you.

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Monday August 7, 2023 (NIV)

Ezra 4:24-6:22

24 Then the work on God’s temple in Jerusalem was stopped. Nothing more was done until Darius’ second year as king of Persia.

Work Resumed on the Temple

5 The prophet Haggai and Zechariah, grandson of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of Israel’s God, who was over them. 2 Then Zerubbabel, who was Shealtiel’s son, and Jeshua, who was Jozadak’s son, began to rebuild God’s temple in Jerusalem. God’s prophets were with them and supported them.

3 At the same time, Governor Tattenai ⌞from the province⌟ west of the Euphrates River, Shethar Bozenai, and their group went to the Jews and asked them, “Who gave you permission to rebuild this temple and finish its walls?” 4 They also asked the Jews for the names of the men who were working on this building.

5 But the leaders of the Jews were under God’s watchful eye. They couldn’t be stopped until Darius received a report and sent a reply to it.

Permission Requested from Darius

6 Here is a copy of the letter Governor Tattenai ⌞from the province⌟ west of the Euphrates River, Shethar Bozenai and his group (the Persians west of that river) sent to King Darius. 7 They sent him the following report:

To King Darius,

We wish you peace and prosperity in everything you do.

8 Your Majesty should know that we went to the province of Judah, to the temple of the great God. The temple is being built with large stones and with wooden beams laid in its walls. The builders are doing an excellent job and making rapid progress. 9 We asked their leaders the following question: “Who gave you permission to rebuild this temple and finish its walls?” 10 For your information, we also asked them for their names so that we would have a record of the men who were their leaders. 11 This was their reply to us:

“We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth. We are rebuilding the temple that was originally built many years ago by a great king of Israel. 12 But because our ancestors made the God of heaven angry, he handed them over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (a Chaldean). So Nebuchadnezzar destroyed this temple and deported its people to Babylon.

13 “However, in the first year of the reign of King Cyrus of Babylon, Cyrus gave permission for God’s temple to be rebuilt. 14 In addition, Cyrus took out of a temple in Babylon the gold and silver utensils that belonged to God’s temple. (Nebuchadnezzar had taken them out of God’s temple in Jerusalem and brought them into a temple in Babylon.) Cyrus gave them to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor. 15 Cyrus told him, ‘Take these utensils. Place them in the temple in Jerusalem. Rebuild God’s temple on its original site.’ 16 Then Sheshbazzar laid the foundation of God’s temple in Jerusalem. The temple has been under construction from that time until now, but it still isn’t finished.”

17 If it pleases Your Majesty, allow someone to search the king’s archives in Babylon to determine whether King Cyrus gave permission for the temple of God to be rebuilt in Jerusalem. Then please send us Your Majesty’s decision on this matter.

King Darius Finds King Cyrus’ Memorandum

6 Then King Darius gave the order to search the library where the archives were stored in Babylon. 2 A scroll was found in the palace of Ecbatana, which is in the province of Media. This was written on it:

MEMORANDUM

3 Date: Cyrus’ first year as king

From: King Cyrus

Subject: God’s temple in Jerusalem

The temple should be rebuilt as a place to offer sacrifices. Its foundation should be laid. It should be 90 feet high and 90 feet wide 4 with three rows of large stones and a row of wood. The king’s palace will pay for it. 5 In addition, Cyrus took out of a temple in Babylon the gold and silver utensils that belonged to God’s temple. (Nebuchadnezzar had taken them out of God’s temple in Jerusalem and brought them into a temple in Babylon.) They should be returned to their proper place in the temple in Jerusalem. You should put each one in God’s temple.

6 Governor Tattenai ⌞from the province⌟ west of the Euphrates, Shethar Bozenai, and those of your group (the Persians west of the river):

You must stay away from there. 7 Don’t interfere with the work on God’s temple. Let the governor of the Jews and the leaders of Judah rebuild God’s temple on its ⌞original⌟ foundation. 8 I am issuing this decree about how you must help the Jewish leaders rebuild God’s temple:

The cost ⌞for this⌟ should be paid out of the king’s own money from the taxes ⌞on the province⌟ west of the Euphrates. Full payment should be made to these men so that the work is not interrupted. 9 Also, whatever the priests in Jerusalem need for burnt offerings to the God of heaven—young bulls, rams, lambs, wheat, salt, wine, and olive oil—should be provided for them each day. Make sure that nothing is omitted. 10 Then they can offer sacrifices that please the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.

11 I am also issuing a decree that if anyone tampers with my orders, that person should be impaled on a beam torn from his own house and his house should be turned into a pile of rubble. 12 May the God whose name is worshiped there cause the downfall of each king and nation who tries to tamper with my orders or tries to destroy the temple of the God in Jerusalem.

I, Darius, have issued a decree. It’s to be carried out exactly as ordered.

13 Then Governor Tattenai ⌞from the province⌟ west of the Euphrates River, Shethar Bozenai, and their group did exactly what King Darius had ordered. 14 So the Jewish leaders continued to make progress because of the message from the prophet Haggai and Zechariah, the grandson of Iddo. They finished building as the God of Israel had ordered and as Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes (the kings of Persia) had ordered. 15 This temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar in the sixth year of King Darius’ reign.

The Temple Is Completed and Dedicated

16 Then the people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the others who had returned from exile celebrated at the dedication of God’s temple. 17 At the dedication of God’s temple, they sacrificed 100 bulls, 200 rams, and 400 lambs. They sacrificed 12 male goats as an offering for sin, one goat for each of the tribes of Israel.

18 The priests were assigned to their divisions and the Levites to their groups ⌞to lead⌟ the worship of God in Jerusalem by following the directions written in the Book of Moses.

The Passover Is Celebrated

19 On the fourteenth day of the first month, those who had returned from exile celebrated the Passover. 20 Since the priests and Levites had cleansed themselves, all of them were ⌞now⌟ clean.[a] They killed the Passover lambs for all the people who had returned from exile, for the rest of the priests, and for themselves. 21 The lambs were eaten by the Israelites who had returned from exile and by all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of the non-Jews in the land to worship the Lord God of Israel. 22 So for seven days they celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread because the Lord had made them joyful. The Lord had made the king of Assyria change his mind so that he supported the people in their work on the temple of God, the God of Israel.

Footnotes:

  1. 6:20 “Clean   ” refers to anything that Moses’ Teachings say is presentable to God.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God’s Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.

1 Corinthians 3:5-23

5 Who is Apollos? Who is Paul? They are servants who helped you come to faith. Each did what the Lord gave him to do. 6 I planted, and Apollos watered, but God made it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is important because ⌞only⌟ God makes it grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have the same goal, and each will receive a reward for his own work. 9 We are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field.

You are God’s building. 10 As a skilled and experienced builder, I used the gift [a] that God gave me to lay the foundation ⌞for that building⌟. However, someone else is building on it. Each person must be careful how he builds on it. 11 After all, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that is already laid, and that foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 People may build on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw. 13 The day will make what each one does clearly visible because fire will reveal it. That fire will determine what kind of work each person has done. 14 If what a person has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If his work is burned up, he will suffer ⌞the loss⌟. However, he will be saved, though it will be like going through a fire.

16 Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him because God’s temple is holy. You are that holy temple!

18 Don’t deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise in the ways of this world, you should give up that wisdom in order to become really wise. 19 The wisdom of this world is nonsense in God’s sight. That’s why Scripture says, “God catches the wise in their cleverness.” 20 Again Scripture says, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are pointless.”

21 So don’t brag about people. Everything belongs to you. 22 Whether it is Paul, Apollos, Cephas, the world, life or death, present or future things, everything belongs to you. 23 You belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Footnotes:

  1. 3:10 Or “grace.”
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God’s Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.

Psalm 29

A psalm by David.

29 Give to the Lord, you heavenly beings.
Give to the Lord glory and power.
2 Give to the Lord the glory his name deserves.
Worship the Lord in ⌞his⌟ holy splendor.

3 The voice of the Lord rolls over the water.
The God of glory thunders.
The Lord shouts over raging water.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful.
The voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars.
The Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip along like a calf
and Mount Sirion like a wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the Lord makes the wilderness tremble.
The Lord makes the wilderness of Kadesh tremble.
9 The voice of the Lord splits the oaks
and strips ⌞the trees of⌟ the forests bare.
Everyone in his temple is saying, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sat enthroned over the flood.
The Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
11 The Lord will give power to his people.
The Lord will bless his people with peace.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God’s Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 20:26-27

26 A wise king scatters the wicked
and then runs them over.
27 A person’s soul is the Lord’s lamp.
It searches his entire innermost being.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God’s Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.

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8/6/2023 DAB Chronological Transcription

Zephaniah 1-3

Welcome to Daily Audio Bible Chronological. I’m China, today is the 6th day of August. Welcome. So great to be here with you today as this is our first day together in August. Hope that it has been a good couple of days as we journey together through another month of reading the word of the Lord. Excited that you are here with us today as we begin a new week. And we also begin a new book today. And this is a really cool book. I was looking it up and just kind of studying it a little bit. And we’re going to be in the book of Zephaniah today, chapters one through three. And if you don’t know, I think Zeff and is like a really cool name. First of all, so this contains some of the most intense images of God’s justice and hope found in the prophetic books. So Zephaniah is a prophetic book. Prophet. He is going to…we’re about to read this in a second, but, alright, he’s here to warn Israel and surrounding nations of the day of the Lord that it it’s near. And he’s coming and umm God’s gonna judge them. And there’s going to be a purification from sin and evil and violence, and so I just thought that was really cool, that you know, we again have another voice and other writing, another record of God’s intense mercy and grace and judgment. And again, it just really solidifies who he is and what He’s about and how we can trust him, how we can approach him, how we can think about him as Father God, but also as Lord of Lord, King of Kings and God of Gods. And him just ruling and reigning over all. So I’m excited to read this book today with you. This week we are in the Good News translation and today we’re in Zephaniah 1 through 3.

Commentary:

I really feel that theme of intense judgment, intense mercy, where we’re ending with a song of joy. And there is this call to sing and shout for joy. Rejoice with all of your heart. The Lord has stopped. Your punishment is removed, all your enemies. The Lord, the King of Israel is with you. There is now no reason to be afraid. Listen, that is good news. I know that contextually in the story that is huge, but then to apply this kind of to our own lives that the Lord is kind. He is merciful, and I think these are things that we don’t always feel or we’re not always taught these things, or shown these things from people, or like in the capital C Church. And it’s more so like how do we get people to come to the Lord? Oh, let’s, you know, tell them about the how bad hell’s going to be. Let’s let’s almost create an emotional response which can feel like emotional manipulation. And I’m not saying every church does this. I’m saying this is what can happen. This is what I hear a lot of people’s stories and they forget that God is merciful. They don’t know that he is and they actually don’t know these parts of his heart because we don’t know his word and so we can read scriptures all over and we can read them out of context and or we can read them just one at a time or we can hear someone recite them, whatever it is. But if we don’t understand God’s word ourselves, they’re not really getting the full picture of who he is. Just in the same way as if you’re overhearing someone talking or gossiping about somebody’s story or what happened with them, you may have a a strong judgment of a person you may or may not have ever met. But you’re not getting the full story of what’s happening. You’re just kind of like listening, eavesdropping, and that person shouldn’t even be saying those things in the first place, you know? But it’s it’s kind of like that where if we don’t know that person, we don’t know their story. We don’t actually know the fullness of who they are and what they’re doing, like what’s going on. They could just had a really bad day. That person could have totally misunderstood what was going on. They may not even know that person. They may just be repeating what somebody else told them. But my point here is that it’s so important to understand God’s word, to be in it. And I personally really love reading it chronologically because it brings it together in a way that helps things click a little differently, maybe not better, but just differently. And we can see God’s heart. And that’s something that he really instilled in me a couple years ago. I remember it was right when Ben and I got married, my husband and I just remember like, there was this long street to get to our house, like to get to our apartment, we would drive this, like really long street, and then we turn into our complex. And I remember every time I would get on that street, the Lord would, it would pop into my head. I’m kinder than you were believing me to be. And I was like, what does this mean? Like what do you, what do you mean? And the Lord just was constantly chipping away at this wall that I like…this lie that I had believed that I don’t like the Lord is just angry with me. I haven’t done what he’s asked of me. I don’t know what my calling in life is. I gotta figure it out. I’m late umm. You know, all these things and just realizing I didn’t actually know who the Lord was, I didn’t understand a lot of his heart or his characteristics had just been believing the things that were being taught, or were being shared, or being told and I really didn’t know him or myself. And so and that was someone who was reading the Bible every day. So just to really grasp this concept of He’s kinder than what we’re believing, and he loves us deeper than what we can imagine. And when you really sit with those things, things began to shift. You may feel a little uncomfortable. You may be like, OK, well, what does this look like? What does this mean? And you can ask Him to show you, and he’ll be faithful to to tell you, hey actually, like these ideologies this, theology, this thing that you are believing in building up around isn’t true and I would love to show you who I really AM and that’s what I believe. I believe that the Lord does that for us, and I believe that as we continue to stay rooted in His word we really see these things coming to to pass.

Prayer:

So Father, I just thank you for your word. I thank you that your heart is never hidden from us when you’re never having to question how you feel about us. Or is this, is this true? Could God really feel this about me. Could this really be true? I’m not sure. I think you that you have always encouraged in your word to taste and see and with a pure heart that is diligently seeking you out. God, I thank you that you reveal yourself to us. And I just pray that we would be people who wouldn’t grow weary in the the pursuit of you God. That we would not become people who are so busy and so distracted, but that we would be people who are constantly seeking you, constantly pursuing you in, in studying and learning your word. And so I just thank you for that. And it’s in your name we pray. Amen.

Announcements:

Dailyaudiobible.com is our website. That’s the place of connection. You’ll be sure to check that out. If you have prayer requests and things that we as a community can come alongside of you and encourage you and lift you up and pray over you, please call in at 800-583-2164. And if you listen through the app, you can also record your prayer request through there, and they get sent in and played at the end of every day’s podcast. That is all for today. I’m China. I love you. I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer Line:

Good morning, this is Cynthia calling from upstate New York, and I have two prayer requests. One is for my brother George. He is going to be undergoing a procedure to have a port umm inserted so that he can begin chemo. He’s had prostate cancer for the last 12 years. Umm and he’s been doing well with various medications and now his PSA is starting to go up again. So now they’re moving towards chemo in this manner. So needless to say, he’s very nervous and he works every day and he has worked every day since his diagnosis. He’s not not really skipped a beat, but he’s really just nervous and worried about how much more this is going to impact him. Boy, just ask my prayer warriors, so please just surround him with love, with prayer, prayers for peace, prayers for the procedure to go well. Who knows they may decide that they don’t need to do it, but right now that’s the path they’re on. So I just ask for prayer for my brother George. The other prayer request is for my mother, umm Miss Alberta and she’s been taking steroid drops four times a day in her left eye and we’re just praying for some improvement. She has had little and we’re trying to avoid surgery as well as the doctor. They don’t really want to do surgery so he just said for the next eight weeks he wants her to take drops, so please keep her in prayer for that. And I just say thank you to each and everyone of you for your kindness, your love support and I am praying for people as I hear the messages come across the DABC on feed after the podcast. Oh please, just take care of yourselves and and love each other just as Jill tells us. And we’re going to be OK. Love you guys. Bye.

Greetings, Daily Audio Bible. This is Walking in the Light in Tennessee. It’s been awhile since I’ve called in. Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. I appreciate your prayers. It’s just been a year, maybe two years now of challenges in my life. I’m praying that the God who delivers will deliver. Everything’s not right, but everything’s not wrong, so God is still good. Listening to the many prayers and comments that come in. I love, love, love the Daily Audio Bible. And Jill, you are killing it, my sister. Daily Audio Bible Chronological. Just love your insight, your sincerity. And so again, this is Walking in the Light in Tennessee, wanting to say God is still good and to let everyone know that I’m still here. I don’t call in as often as I used to, but I could certainly use your prayers. Prayers for my son, for my home life, for myself. Also, just a lot, a lot, a lot of things I know that God will. I won’t say that, God will say. I know that God is seeing me through. And I know that he’s seeing you through and there been some very um serious calls that have come in, people dealing with all kinds of issues, hurt, pain, loss. I’m praying for the 14 year old boy who I heard about tonight and so many others that are just living with pain and sorrow and heartache. But as always, I like to remind you that the joy of the Lord truly is your strength. So go to God in prayer, trust Him, trust the process, and keep walking in the light as I do in Tennessee. God is good. Have a great day. Bye bye.

Good morning, DAB family. This is Jennifer from Minneapolis. First time I’m calling in. First off, I want to say I love this platform. I listen to it every single day. Thank you for bringing this to us. I just want to give a word of praise to God. Nine years ago I was just existing to get high and forget the pain and hurt I was causing my kids and my family because I didn’t see a way out of my addiction. It’s broken, and at the lowest point in my life, I surrendered my my life to God and gave up. Gave it all up to him. Since then, he has changed me. He has molded me into a new person that I am today. I can actually look in the mirror now and not feel any shame or disgust. I love my life. He has blessed me with a relationship with my children, again, with my new grandbabies. The loving family, a wonderful husband, and so much more. And I just want to say thank you, Lord, for umm taking me out of the that mire of addiction and and putting me back on my feet and showing me the way and I just want to let everybody out there and encourage people, you know, if you just let him lead, He will take control and do amazing things in your life, things you can never even comprehend. I would never believe I would end up where I am today. In my imagination. I thank you, DAB, for being there. And everybody have a wonderful, blessed day. Love you all.

This is Daughter of the Silversmith. Father God, I come to you. I lift Tammy up to you, Tammy from California. I pray that you’ll be with her and you’ll watch over her, and that you’ll comfort her in her time of heartache and stress. Father be with her children. Her youngest is not wanting to spend time with her, and you know this already. I pray that you will give her a yearning to want to be with her mom again. Just want to long for that special thing that mom always did, that nobody else did. I pray that she…that urge will grow stronger, Father, that her wants her Mama. But Lord, I pray you open up a dialogue between the two of them and that’s you’ll heal them physically, emotionally and mentally. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Greetings may dearly beloved, the DABC community. This is Fill My Cup Lord from California. Father, good morning and thank you so much for giving us life. Thank you so much for bringing us into a new month. And thank you so much further for opening our eyes to see things that You want us to see at the time you want us to see them. Dear Lord, Father, I thank you so much for giving us health. I thank you so much, Father, for giving us the opportunities to call on you dear Lord when either things are good or things are not good. I pray, Father, for the people who are in hospitals fighting for their lives, hoping for another opportunity to be able to see the outdoors, to see their families, to see their loved ones for they pray for healing. I pray for those who do not have anyone, dear Lord, but they’re in the hospital. I pray God for kind and loving nurses and care staff. Dear God, father, Lord, who will show them your love. Father, I also come to you to pray for some of your daughters and sons. Dear God, I pray for Under Construction. Lord, I honestly do not understand um, what she’s going through and because it’s hard and somehow she continues on. Dear Lord, so, Father, you know, you know why she’s staying in this relationship. And you know what she’s asking for Father. Please hear her cries, Hear her, hear her desires. Lord, please provide a way out for her dear God. And also to help with their bills. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.