The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Sunday February 9, 2025 (NIV)

Exodus 29:1-30:10

Dedication of the Priests

29 “This is the ceremony you must follow when you consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams with no defects. Then, using choice wheat flour and no yeast, make loaves of bread, thin cakes mixed with olive oil, and wafers spread with oil. Place them all in a single basket, and present them at the entrance of the Tabernacle, along with the young bull and the two rams.

“Present Aaron and his sons at the entrance of the Tabernacle,[a] and wash them with water. Dress Aaron in his priestly garments—the tunic, the robe worn with the ephod, the ephod itself, and the chestpiece. Then wrap the decorative sash of the ephod around him. Place the turban on his head, and fasten the sacred medallion to the turban. Then anoint him by pouring the anointing oil over his head. Next present his sons, and dress them in their tunics. Wrap the sashes around the waists of Aaron and his sons, and put their special head coverings on them. Then the right to the priesthood will be theirs by law forever. In this way, you will ordain Aaron and his sons.

10 “Bring the young bull to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on its head. 11 Then slaughter the bull in the Lord’s presence at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 12 Put some of its blood on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest at the base of the altar. 13 Take all the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat around them, and burn it all on the altar. 14 Then take the rest of the bull, including its hide, meat, and dung, and burn it outside the camp as a sin offering.

15 “Next Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on the head of one of the rams. 16 Then slaughter the ram, and splatter its blood against all sides of the altar. 17 Cut the ram into pieces, and wash off the internal organs and the legs. Set them alongside the head and the other pieces of the body, 18 then burn the entire animal on the altar. This is a burnt offering to the Lord; it is a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the Lord.

19 “Now take the other ram, and have Aaron and his sons lay their hands on its head. 20 Then slaughter it, and apply some of its blood to the right earlobes of Aaron and his sons. Also put it on the thumbs of their right hands and the big toes of their right feet. Splatter the rest of the blood against all sides of the altar. 21 Then take some of the blood from the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his sons and on their garments. In this way, they and their garments will be set apart as holy.

22 “Since this is the ram for the ordination of Aaron and his sons, take the fat of the ram, including the fat of the broad tail, the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat around them, along with the right thigh. 23 Then take one round loaf of bread, one thin cake mixed with olive oil, and one wafer from the basket of bread without yeast that was placed in the Lord’s presence. 24 Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons to be lifted up as a special offering to the Lord. 25 Afterward take the various breads from their hands, and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering. It is a pleasing aroma to the Lord, a special gift for him. 26 Then take the breast of Aaron’s ordination ram, and lift it up in the Lord’s presence as a special offering to him. Then keep it as your own portion.

27 “Set aside the portions of the ordination ram that belong to Aaron and his sons. This includes the breast and the thigh that were lifted up before the Lord as a special offering. 28 In the future, whenever the people of Israel lift up a peace offering, a portion of it must be set aside for Aaron and his descendants. This is their permanent right, and it is a sacred offering from the Israelites to the Lord.

29 “Aaron’s sacred garments must be preserved for his descendants who succeed him, and they will wear them when they are anointed and ordained. 30 The descendant who succeeds him as high priest will wear these clothes for seven days as he ministers in the Tabernacle and the Holy Place.

31 “Take the ram used in the ordination ceremony, and boil its meat in a sacred place. 32 Then Aaron and his sons will eat this meat, along with the bread in the basket, at the Tabernacle entrance. 33 They alone may eat the meat and bread used for their purification[b] in the ordination ceremony. No one else may eat them, for these things are set apart and holy. 34 If any of the ordination meat or bread remains until the morning, it must be burned. It may not be eaten, for it is holy.

35 “This is how you will ordain Aaron and his sons to their offices, just as I have commanded you. The ordination ceremony will go on for seven days. 36 Each day you must sacrifice a young bull as a sin offering to purify them, making them right with the Lord.[c] Afterward, cleanse the altar by purifying it[d]; make it holy by anointing it with oil. 37 Purify the altar, and consecrate it every day for seven days. After that, the altar will be absolutely holy, and whatever touches it will become holy.

38 “These are the sacrifices you are to offer regularly on the altar. Each day, offer two lambs that are a year old, 39 one in the morning and the other in the evening. 40 With one of them, offer two quarts of choice flour mixed with one quart of pure oil of pressed olives; also, offer one quart of wine[e] as a liquid offering. 41 Offer the other lamb in the evening, along with the same offerings of flour and wine as in the morning. It will be a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the Lord.

42 “These burnt offerings are to be made each day from generation to generation. Offer them in the Lord’s presence at the Tabernacle entrance; there I will meet with you and speak with you. 43 I will meet the people of Israel there, in the place made holy by my glorious presence. 44 Yes, I will consecrate the Tabernacle and the altar, and I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. 45 Then I will live among the people of Israel and be their God, 46 and they will know that I am the Lord their God. I am the one who brought them out of the land of Egypt so that I could live among them. I am the Lord their God.

Plans for the Incense Altar

30 “Then make another altar of acacia wood for burning incense. Make it 18 inches square and 36 inches high,[f] with horns at the corners carved from the same piece of wood as the altar itself. Overlay the top, sides, and horns of the altar with pure gold, and run a gold molding around the entire altar. Make two gold rings, and attach them on opposite sides of the altar below the gold molding to hold the carrying poles. Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. Place the incense altar just outside the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant,[g] in front of the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that covers the tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant.[h] I will meet with you there.

“Every morning when Aaron maintains the lamps, he must burn fragrant incense on the altar. And each evening when he lights the lamps, he must again burn incense in the Lord’s presence. This must be done from generation to generation. Do not offer any unholy incense on this altar, or any burnt offerings, grain offerings, or liquid offerings.

10 “Once a year Aaron must purify[i] the altar by smearing its horns with blood from the offering made to purify the people from their sin. This will be a regular, annual event from generation to generation, for this is the Lord’s most holy altar.”

Footnotes:

  1. 29:4 Hebrew Tent of Meeting; also in 29:10, 11, 30, 32, 42, 44.
  2. 29:33 Or their atonement.
  3. 29:36a Or to make atonement.
  4. 29:36b Or by making atonement for it; similarly in 29:37.
  5. 29:40 Hebrew 1⁄10 [of an ephah] [2.2 liters] of choice flour . . . 1⁄4 of a hin [1 liter] of pure oil . . . 1⁄4 of a hin of wine.
  6. 30:2 Hebrew 1 cubit [46 centimeters] long and 1 cubit wide, a square, and 2 cubits [92 centimeters] high.
  7. 30:6a Or Ark of the Testimony; also in 30:26.
  8. 30:6b Hebrew that covers the Testimony; see note on 25:16.
  9. 30:10 Or make atonement for; also in 30:10b.
New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.


Matthew 26:14-46

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

14 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests 15 and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

The Last Supper

17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?”

18 “As you go into the city,” he told them, “you will see a certain man. Tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus told them and prepared the Passover meal there.

20 When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table[a] with the Twelve. 21 While they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”

22 Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one, Lord?”

23 He replied, “One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me. 24 For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”

25 Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, “Rabbi, am I the one?”

And Jesus told him, “You have said it.”

26 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”

27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant[b] between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. 29 Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”

30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,

‘God will strike[c] the Shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

33 Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.”

34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

35 “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away[d] unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.

44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

Footnotes:

  1. 26:20 Or Jesus reclined.
  2. 26:28 Some manuscripts read the new covenant.
  3. 26:31 Greek I will strike. Zech 13:7.
  4. 26:42 Greek If this cannot pass.
New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.


Psalm 31:19-24

19 How great is the goodness
you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,
blessing them before the watching world.
20 You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
safe from those who conspire against them.
You shelter them in your presence,
far from accusing tongues.

21 Praise the Lord,
for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.
He kept me safe when my city was under attack.
22 In panic I cried out,
“I am cut off from the Lord!”
But you heard my cry for mercy
and answered my call for help.

23 Love the Lord, all you godly ones!
For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him,
but he harshly punishes the arrogant.
24 So be strong and courageous,
all you who put your hope in the Lord!

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.


Proverbs 8:14-26

14 Common sense and success belong to me.
Insight and strength are mine.
15 Because of me, kings reign,
and rulers make just decrees.
16 Rulers lead with my help,
and nobles make righteous judgments.[a]

17 “I love all who love me.
Those who search will surely find me.
18 I have riches and honor,
as well as enduring wealth and justice.
19 My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,
my wages better than sterling silver!
20 I walk in righteousness,
in paths of justice.
21 Those who love me inherit wealth.
I will fill their treasuries.

22 “The Lord formed me from the beginning,
before he created anything else.
23 I was appointed in ages past,
at the very first, before the earth began.
24 I was born before the oceans were created,
before the springs bubbled forth their waters.
25 Before the mountains were formed,
before the hills, I was born—
26 before he had made the earth and fields
and the first handfuls of soil.

Footnotes:

  1. 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Greek version read and nobles are judges over the earth.
New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.


The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Saturday February 8, 2025 (NIV)

Exodus 28

The Priestly Garments

28 “Have Aaron(A) your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu,(B) Eleazar and Ithamar,(C) so they may serve me as priests.(D) Make sacred garments(E) for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor.(F) Tell all the skilled workers(G) to whom I have given wisdom(H) in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece,(I) an ephod,(J) a robe,(K) a woven tunic,(L) a turban(M) and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.(N)

The Ephod(O)

“Make the ephod(P) of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen—the work of skilled hands. It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened. Its skillfully woven waistband(Q) is to be like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen.

“Take two onyx stones and engrave(R) on them the names of the sons of Israel 10 in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other. 11 Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings 12 and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders(S) as a memorial(T) before the Lord. 13 Make gold filigree settings 14 and two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings.

The Breastpiece(U)

15 “Fashion a breastpiece(V) for making decisions—the work of skilled hands. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 16 It is to be square—a span[a] long and a span wide—and folded double. 17 Then mount four rows of precious stones(W) on it. The first row shall be carnelian, chrysolite(X) and beryl; 18 the second row shall be turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; 19 the third row shall be jacinth, agate and amethyst; 20 the fourth row shall be topaz, onyx and jasper.[b] Mount them in gold filigree settings. 21 There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel,(Y) each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.(Z)

22 “For the breastpiece make braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. 23 Make two gold rings for it and fasten them to two corners of the breastpiece. 24 Fasten the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece, 25 and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. 26 Make two gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod. 27 Make two more gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod. 28 The rings of the breastpiece are to be tied to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband, so that the breastpiece will not swing out from the ephod.

29 “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place,(AA) he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord. 30 Also put the Urim and the Thummim(AB) in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.

Other Priestly Garments(AC)

31 “Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, 32 with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar[c] around this opening, so that it will not tear. 33 Make pomegranates(AD) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. 34 The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. 35 Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die.

36 “Make a plate(AE) of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the Lord.(AF) 37 Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. 38 It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt(AG) involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable(AH) to the Lord.

39 “Weave the tunic(AI) of fine linen and make the turban(AJ) of fine linen. The sash is to be the work of an embroiderer. 40 Make tunics, sashes and caps for Aaron’s sons(AK) to give them dignity and honor.(AL) 41 After you put these clothes(AM) on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint(AN) and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.(AO)

42 “Make linen undergarments(AP) as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. 43 Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the tent of meeting(AQ) or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place,(AR) so that they will not incur guilt and die.(AS)

“This is to be a lasting ordinance(AT) for Aaron and his descendants.

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 28:16 That is, about 9 inches or about 23 centimeters
  2. Exodus 28:20 The precise identification of some of these precious stones is uncertain.
  3. Exodus 28:32 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.

Cross references:

  1. Exodus 28:1 : Lev 8:30; Ps 99:6; Heb 5:4
  2. Exodus 28:1 : S Ex 6:23; 24:9
  3. Exodus 28:1 : S Ex 6:23
  4. Exodus 28:1 : Lev 8:2; 21:1; Nu 18:1-7; Dt 18:5; 1Sa 2:28; Heb 5:1
  5. Exodus 28:2 : Ex 29:5, 29; 31:10; 35:19; 39:1; Lev 8:7-9, 30; 16:32; Nu 20:26-28
  6. Exodus 28:2 : ver 40
  7. Exodus 28:3 : Ex 31:6; 35:10, 25, 35; 36:1
  8. Exodus 28:3 : Ex 31:3; Dt 34:9; Isa 11:2; 1Co 12:8; S Eph 1:17
  9. Exodus 28:4 : ver 15-30
  10. Exodus 28:4 : S Ex 25:7
  11. Exodus 28:4 : ver 31-35
  12. Exodus 28:4 : ver 39; Lev 10:5
  13. Exodus 28:4 : ver 37
  14. Exodus 28:5 : Ex 25:4
  15. Exodus 28:6 : 28:6-14pp — Ex 39:2-7
  16. Exodus 28:6 : S Ex 25:7
  17. Exodus 28:8 : Ex 29:5
  18. Exodus 28:9 : SS 8:6; Isa 49:16; Hag 2:23
  19. Exodus 28:12 : Dt 33:12; Job 31:36
  20. Exodus 28:12 : ver 29; Ex 30:16; Nu 10:10; 31:54; Jos 4:7; Zec 6:14
  21. Exodus 28:15 : 28:15-28pp — Ex 39:8-21
  22. Exodus 28:15 : S Ex 25:7
  23. Exodus 28:17 : Eze 28:13; Rev 21:19-20
  24. Exodus 28:17 : Eze 1:16; 10:9; Da 10:6
  25. Exodus 28:21 : Jos 4:8
  26. Exodus 28:21 : Rev 21:12
  27. Exodus 28:29 : ver 43
  28. Exodus 28:30 : Lev 8:8; Nu 27:21; Dt 33:8; 1Sa 28:6; Ezr 2:63; Ne 7:65
  29. Exodus 28:31 : 28:31-43pp — Ex 39:22-31
  30. Exodus 28:33 : Nu 13:23; 1Sa 14:2; 1Ki 7:18; SS 4:3; Jer 52:22; Joel 1:12; Hag 2:19
  31. Exodus 28:36 : ver 37; Ex 29:6; Lev 8:9
  32. Exodus 28:36 : Zec 14:20
  33. Exodus 28:38 : Lev 5:1; 10:17; 16:22; 22:9, 16; Nu 18:1; Isa 53:5, 6, 11; Eze 4:4-6; Heb 9:28; 1Pe 2:24
  34. Exodus 28:38 : S Ge 32:20; Lev 22:20, 27; 23:11; Isa 56:7
  35. Exodus 28:39 : ver 4
  36. Exodus 28:39 : Ex 29:6; Lev 16:4; Eze 24:17, 23; 44:18
  37. Exodus 28:40 : ver 4; Ex 29:8-9; 39:41; 40:14; Lev 8:13
  38. Exodus 28:40 : ver 2
  39. Exodus 28:41 : Ex 40:13
  40. Exodus 28:41 : Ex 29:7; Lev 6:20; 10:7; 21:12; Nu 35:25
  41. Exodus 28:41 : Ex 29:7-9; 30:30; 40:15; Lev 4:3; 6:22; 8:1-36; Nu 3:3; Heb 7:28
  42. Exodus 28:42 : Lev 6:10; 16:4, 23; Eze 44:18
  43. Exodus 28:43 : S Ex 27:21
  44. Exodus 28:43 : ver 29
  45. Exodus 28:43 : Ex 30:20, 21; Lev 16:13; 22:9; Nu 1:51; 4:15, 20; 18:22
  46. Exodus 28:43 : S Ex 27:21
New International Version (NIV)

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

Matthew 25:31-26:13

The Sheep and the Goats

31 “When the Son of Man comes(A) in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.(B) 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate(C) the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.(D) 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom(E) prepared for you since the creation of the world.(F) 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,(G) 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me,(H) I was sick and you looked after me,(I) I was in prison and you came to visit me.’(J)

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’(K)

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me,(L) you who are cursed, into the eternal fire(M) prepared for the devil and his angels.(N) 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’(O)

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.(P)(Q)

The Plot Against Jesus(R)

26 When Jesus had finished saying all these things,(S) he said to his disciples, “As you know, the Passover(T) is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled(U) in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,(V) and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.(W) “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot(X) among the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany(Y)(Z)

While Jesus was in Bethany(AA) in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you,[a](AB) but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.(AC) 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 26:11 See Deut. 15:11.
New International Version (NIV)

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

Psalm 31:9-18

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;(A)
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,(B)
my soul and body(C) with grief.
10 My life is consumed by anguish(D)
and my years by groaning;(E)
my strength fails(F) because of my affliction,[a](G)
and my bones grow weak.(H)
11 Because of all my enemies,(I)
I am the utter contempt(J) of my neighbors(K)
and an object of dread to my closest friends—
those who see me on the street flee from me.
12 I am forgotten as though I were dead;(L)
I have become like broken pottery.
13 For I hear many whispering,(M)
“Terror on every side!”(N)
They conspire against me(O)
and plot to take my life.(P)

14 But I trust(Q) in you, Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times(R) are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
from those who pursue me.
16 Let your face shine(S) on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.(T)
17 Let me not be put to shame,(U) Lord,
for I have cried out to you;
but let the wicked be put to shame
and be silent(V) in the realm of the dead.
18 Let their lying lips(W) be silenced,
for with pride and contempt
they speak arrogantly(X) against the righteous.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 31:10 Or guilt
New International Version (NIV)

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

Proverbs 8:12-13

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.(A)
13 To fear the Lord(B) is to hate evil;(C)
I hate(D) pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.

New International Version (NIV)

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Friday February 7, 2025 (NIV)

Exodus 26-27

The Tabernacle(A)

26 “Make the tabernacle(B) with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim(C) woven into them by a skilled worker. All the curtains are to be the same size(D)—twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide.[a] Join five of the curtains together, and do the same with the other five. Make loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and do the same with the end curtain in the other set. Make fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the other set, with the loops opposite each other. Then make fifty gold clasps and use them to fasten the curtains together so that the tabernacle is a unit.(E)

“Make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven altogether. All eleven curtains are to be the same size(F)—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide.[b] Join five of the curtains together into one set and the other six into another set. Fold the sixth curtain double at the front of the tent. 10 Make fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in one set and also along the edge of the end curtain in the other set. 11 Then make fifty bronze clasps and put them in the loops to fasten the tent together as a unit.(G) 12 As for the additional length of the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over is to hang down at the rear of the tabernacle. 13 The tent curtains will be a cubit[c] longer on both sides; what is left will hang over the sides of the tabernacle so as to cover it. 14 Make for the tent a covering(H) of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.[d](I)

15 “Make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 16 Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide,[e] 17 with two projections set parallel to each other. Make all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. 18 Make twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle 19 and make forty silver bases(J) to go under them—two bases for each frame, one under each projection. 20 For the other side, the north side of the tabernacle, make twenty frames 21 and forty silver bases(K)—two under each frame. 22 Make six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle, 23 and make two frames for the corners at the far end. 24 At these two corners they must be double from the bottom all the way to the top and fitted into a single ring; both shall be like that. 25 So there will be eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame.

26 “Also make crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, 27 five for those on the other side, and five for the frames on the west, at the far end of the tabernacle. 28 The center crossbar is to extend from end to end at the middle of the frames. 29 Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.

30 “Set up the tabernacle(L) according to the plan(M) shown you on the mountain.

31 “Make a curtain(N) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim(O) woven into it by a skilled worker. 32 Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases.(P) 33 Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain.(Q) The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.(R) 34 Put the atonement cover(S) on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place. 35 Place the table(T) outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand(U) opposite it on the south side.

36 “For the entrance to the tent make a curtain(V) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer.(W) 37 Make gold hooks for this curtain and five posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold. And cast five bronze bases for them.

The Altar of Burnt Offering(X)

27 “Build an altar(Y) of acacia wood, three cubits[f] high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide.[g] Make a horn(Z) at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze. Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots to remove the ashes, and its shovels, sprinkling bowls,(AA) meat forks and firepans.(AB) Make a grating for it, a bronze network, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the network. Put it under the ledge of the altar so that it is halfway up the altar. Make poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlay them with bronze.(AC) The poles are to be inserted into the rings so they will be on two sides of the altar when it is carried.(AD) Make the altar hollow, out of boards. It is to be made just as you were shown(AE) on the mountain.

The Courtyard(AF)

“Make a courtyard(AG) for the tabernacle. The south side shall be a hundred cubits[h] long and is to have curtains of finely twisted linen, 10 with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases and with silver hooks and bands on the posts. 11 The north side shall also be a hundred cubits long and is to have curtains, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases and with silver hooks and bands on the posts.

12 “The west end of the courtyard shall be fifty cubits[i] wide and have curtains, with ten posts and ten bases. 13 On the east end, toward the sunrise, the courtyard shall also be fifty cubits wide. 14 Curtains fifteen cubits[j] long are to be on one side of the entrance, with three posts and three bases, 15 and curtains fifteen cubits long are to be on the other side, with three posts and three bases.

16 “For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain(AH) twenty cubits[k] long, of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer(AI)—with four posts and four bases. 17 All the posts around the courtyard are to have silver bands and hooks, and bronze bases. 18 The courtyard shall be a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide,[l] with curtains of finely twisted linen five cubits[m] high, and with bronze bases. 19 All the other articles used in the service of the tabernacle, whatever their function, including all the tent pegs for it and those for the courtyard, are to be of bronze.

Oil for the Lampstand(AJ)

20 “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil(AK) of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning. 21 In the tent of meeting,(AL) outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law,(AM) Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps(AN) burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance(AO) among the Israelites for the generations to come.

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 26:2 That is, about 42 feet long and 6 feet wide or about 13 meters long and 1.8 meters wide
  2. Exodus 26:8 That is, about 45 feet long and 6 feet wide or about 13.5 meters long and 1.8 meters wide
  3. Exodus 26:13 That is, about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters
  4. Exodus 26:14 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals (see 25:5)
  5. Exodus 26:16 That is, about 15 feet long and 2 1/4 feet wide or about 4.5 meters long and 68 centimeters wide
  6. Exodus 27:1 That is, about 4 1/2 feet or about 1.4 meters
  7. Exodus 27:1 That is, about 7 1/2 feet or about 2.3 meters long and wide
  8. Exodus 27:9 That is, about 150 feet or about 45 meters; also in verse 11
  9. Exodus 27:12 That is, about 75 feet or about 23 meters; also in verse 13
  10. Exodus 27:14 That is, about 23 feet or about 6.8 meters; also in verse 15
  11. Exodus 27:16 That is, about 30 feet or about 9 meters
  12. Exodus 27:18 That is, about 150 feet long and 75 feet wide or about 45 meters long and 23 meters wide
  13. Exodus 27:18 That is, about 7 1/2 feet or about 2.3 meters

Cross references:

  1. Exodus 26:1 : 26:1-37pp — Ex 36:8-38
  2. Exodus 26:1 : Ex 29:42; 40:2; Lev 8:10; Nu 1:50; Jos 22:19, 29; 2Sa 7:2; 1Ki 1:39; Ac 7:44; Heb 8:2, 5; 13:10; S Rev 21:3
  3. Exodus 26:1 : S Ex 25:18
  4. Exodus 26:2 : ver 8
  5. Exodus 26:6 : ver 11
  6. Exodus 26:8 : ver 2
  7. Exodus 26:11 : ver 6
  8. Exodus 26:14 : Nu 3:25
  9. Exodus 26:14 : Nu 4:25
  10. Exodus 26:19 : ver 21, 25, 32; Ex 38:27
  11. Exodus 26:21 : S ver 19
  12. Exodus 26:30 : Ex 40:2; Nu 9:15
  13. Exodus 26:30 : S Ex 25:9
  14. Exodus 26:31 : Nu 4:5; 2Ch 3:14; Mt 27:51; Lk 23:45; Heb 9:3
  15. Exodus 26:31 : S Ex 25:18
  16. Exodus 26:32 : S ver 19
  17. Exodus 26:33 : Ex 27:21; 35:12; 40:3, 21; Lev 16:2; Nu 3:31; 4:5; 2Ch 3:14
  18. Exodus 26:33 : Lev 16:2, 16; 1Ki 6:16; 7:50; 8:6; 2Ch 3:8; 5:7; Eze 41:4; Heb 9:2-3
  19. Exodus 26:34 : Ex 25:21; 30:6; 37:6; Lev 16:2; Heb 9:5
  20. Exodus 26:35 : S Ex 25:23; Heb 9:2
  21. Exodus 26:35 : S Ex 25:31
  22. Exodus 26:36 : Ex 35:15; 40:5, 28
  23. Exodus 26:36 : Ps 45:14; Eze 16:10; 26:16; 27:7
  24. Exodus 27:1 : 27:1-8pp — Ex 38:1-7
  25. Exodus 27:1 : S Ex 20:24; S 40:6; S 1Ki 8:64
  26. Exodus 27:2 : Ex 29:12; 30:2; 37:25; Lev 4:7; 1Ki 1:50; 2:28; Ps 118:27; Jer 17:1; Eze 43:15; Am 3:14; Zec 9:15
  27. Exodus 27:3 : Nu 7:13; 1Ki 7:40, 45; 2Ki 12:13
  28. Exodus 27:3 : Nu 4:14; 1Ch 28:17; Jer 52:18
  29. Exodus 27:6 : S Ex 25:13
  30. Exodus 27:7 : Ex 25:14, 28
  31. Exodus 27:8 : S Ex 25:9
  32. Exodus 27:9 : 27:9-19pp — Ex 38:9-20
  33. Exodus 27:9 : Ex 35:17; 40:8, 33; Lev 6:16, 26; Eze 40:14; 42:1
  34. Exodus 27:16 : Ex 40:33
  35. Exodus 27:16 : Ex 36:37
  36. Exodus 27:20 : 27:20-21pp — Lev 24:1-3
  37. Exodus 27:20 : S Ex 25:6
  38. Exodus 27:21 : Ex 28:43; 29:42; 30:36; 33:7; Lev 1:1; 6:26; 8:3, 31; Nu 1:1; 31:54; Jos 18:1; 1Ki 1:39
  39. Exodus 27:21 : S Ex 16:34
  40. Exodus 27:21 : S Ex 25:37
  41. Exodus 27:21 : Ex 29:9; 30:21; Lev 3:17; 16:34; 17:7; Nu 18:23; 19:21; 1Sa 30:25
New International Version (NIV)

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Matthew 25:1-30

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like(A) ten virgins who took their lamps(B) and went out to meet the bridegroom.(C) Five of them were foolish and five were wise.(D) The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.(E)

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’(F)

“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.(G) And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’(H)

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.(I)

The Parable of the Bags of Gold(J)

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey,(K) who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability.(L) Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.(M) 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.(N) Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.(O) Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.(P) 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’(Q)

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 25:15 Greek five talents … two talents … one talent; also throughout this parable; a talent was worth about 20 years of a day laborer’s wage.
New International Version (NIV)

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Psalm 31:1-8

Psalm 31[a](A)

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;(B)
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.(C)
Turn your ear to me,(D)
come quickly to my rescue;(E)
be my rock of refuge,(F)
a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress,(G)
for the sake of your name(H) lead and guide me.
Keep me free from the trap(I) that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.(J)
Into your hands I commit my spirit;(K)
deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.(L)

I hate those who cling to worthless idols;(M)
as for me, I trust in the Lord.(N)
I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my affliction(O)
and knew the anguish(P) of my soul.
You have not given me into the hands(Q) of the enemy
but have set my feet in a spacious place.(R)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 31:1 In Hebrew texts 31:1-24 is numbered 31:2-25.
New International Version (NIV)

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Proverbs 8:1-11

Wisdom’s Call

Does not wisdom call out?(A)
Does not understanding raise her voice?
At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:(B)
“To you, O people, I call out;(C)
I raise my voice to all mankind.
You who are simple,(D) gain prudence;(E)
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]
Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
My mouth speaks what is true,(F)
for my lips detest wickedness.
All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,(G)
11 for wisdom is more precious(H) than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.(I)

Footnotes:

  1. Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
New International Version (NIV)

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Thursday February 6, 2025 (NIV)

Exodus 23:14-25:40

The Three Annual Festivals

14 “Three times(A) a year you are to celebrate a festival to me.

15 “Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread;(B) for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Aviv,(C) for in that month you came out of Egypt.

“No one is to appear before me empty-handed.(D)

16 “Celebrate the Festival of Harvest(E) with the firstfruits(F) of the crops you sow in your field.

“Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering(G) at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.(H)

17 “Three times(I) a year all the men are to appear before the Sovereign Lord.

18 “Do not offer the blood of a sacrifice to me along with anything containing yeast.(J)

“The fat of my festival offerings must not be kept until morning.(K)

19 “Bring the best of the firstfruits(L) of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.

“Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.(M)

God’s Angel to Prepare the Way

20 “See, I am sending an angel(N) ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.(O) 21 Pay attention to him and listen(P) to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive(Q) your rebellion,(R) since my Name(S) is in him. 22 If you listen carefully to what he says and do(T) all that I say, I will be an enemy(U) to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you. 23 My angel will go ahead of you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites,(V) and I will wipe them out. 24 Do not bow down before their gods or worship(W) them or follow their practices.(X) You must demolish(Y) them and break their sacred stones(Z) to pieces. 25 Worship the Lord your God,(AA) and his blessing(AB) will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness(AC) from among you, 26 and none will miscarry or be barren(AD) in your land. I will give you a full life span.(AE)

27 “I will send my terror(AF) ahead of you and throw into confusion(AG) every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run.(AH) 28 I will send the hornet(AI) ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites(AJ) out of your way. 29 But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals(AK) too numerous for you. 30 Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession(AL) of the land.

31 “I will establish your borders from the Red Sea[a] to the Mediterranean Sea,[b] and from the desert to the Euphrates River.(AM) I will give into your hands the people who live in the land, and you will drive them out(AN) before you. 32 Do not make a covenant(AO) with them or with their gods. 33 Do not let them live in your land or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare(AP) to you.”

The Covenant Confirmed

24 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron,(AQ) Nadab and Abihu,(AR) and seventy of the elders(AS) of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, but Moses alone is to approach(AT) the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.”

When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws,(AU) they responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.”(AV) Moses then wrote(AW) down everything the Lord had said.

He got up early the next morning and built an altar(AX) at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars(AY) representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings(AZ) and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings(BA) to the Lord. Moses(BB) took half of the blood(BC) and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed(BD) against the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant(BE) and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.”(BF)

Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people(BG) and said, “This is the blood of the covenant(BH) that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders(BI) of Israel went up 10 and saw(BJ) the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli,(BK) as bright blue as the sky.(BL) 11 But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw(BM) God, and they ate and drank.(BN)

12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone(BO) with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”

13 Then Moses set out with Joshua(BP) his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain(BQ) of God. 14 He said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur(BR) are with you, and anyone involved in a dispute(BS) can go to them.”

15 When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud(BT) covered it, 16 and the glory(BU) of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai.(BV) For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud.(BW) 17 To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire(BX) on top of the mountain. 18 Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty(BY) days and forty nights.(BZ)

Offerings for the Tabernacle(CA)

25 The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts(CB) them to give. These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn(CC) and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather[c];(CD) acacia wood;(CE) olive oil(CF) for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;(CG) and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod(CH) and breastpiece.(CI)

“Then have them make a sanctuary(CJ) for me, and I will dwell(CK) among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern(CL) I will show you.

The Ark(CM)

10 “Have them make an ark[d](CN) of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.[e] 11 Overlay(CO) it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. 12 Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, with two rings(CP) on one side and two rings on the other. 13 Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.(CQ) 14 Insert the poles(CR) into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it. 15 The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed.(CS) 16 Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law,(CT) which I will give you.

17 “Make an atonement cover(CU) of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 18 And make two cherubim(CV) out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. 20 The cherubim(CW) are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing(CX) the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. 21 Place the cover on top of the ark(CY) and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law(CZ) that I will give you. 22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim(DA) that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet(DB) with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.(DC)

The Table(DD)

23 “Make a table(DE) of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high.[f] 24 Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it. 25 Also make around it a rim a handbreadth[g] wide and put a gold molding on the rim. 26 Make four gold rings for the table and fasten them to the four corners, where the four legs are. 27 The rings are to be close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. 28 Make the poles of acacia wood, overlay them with gold(DF) and carry the table with them. 29 And make its plates and dishes of pure gold, as well as its pitchers and bowls for the pouring out of offerings.(DG) 30 Put the bread of the Presence(DH) on this table to be before me at all times.

The Lampstand(DI)

31 “Make a lampstand(DJ) of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. 32 Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. 33 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. 34 And on the lampstand there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. 35 One bud shall be under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all. 36 The buds and branches shall all be of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.(DK)

37 “Then make its seven lamps(DL) and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. 38 Its wick trimmers and trays(DM) are to be of pure gold. 39 A talent[h] of pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories. 40 See that you make them according to the pattern(DN) shown you on the mountain.

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 23:31 Or the Sea of Reeds
  2. Exodus 23:31 Hebrew to the Sea of the Philistines
  3. Exodus 25:5 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals
  4. Exodus 25:10 That is, a chest
  5. Exodus 25:10 That is, about 3 3/4 feet long and 2 1/4 feet wide and high or about 1.1 meters long and 68 centimeters wide and high; similarly in verse 17
  6. Exodus 25:23 That is, about 3 feet long, 1 1/2 feet wide and 2 1/4 feet high or about 90 centimeters long, 45 centimeters wide and 68 centimeters high
  7. Exodus 25:25 That is, about 3 inches or about 7.5 centimeters
  8. Exodus 25:39 That is, about 75 pounds or about 34 kilograms

Cross references:

  1. Exodus 23:14 : ver 17; S Ex 12:14; 34:23, 24; Dt 16:16; 1Ki 9:25; 2Ch 8:13; Eze 46:9
  2. Exodus 23:15 : S Ex 12:17; Mt 26:17; Lk 22:1; Ac 12:3
  3. Exodus 23:15 : S Ex 12:2
  4. Exodus 23:15 : S Ex 22:29
  5. Exodus 23:16 : Lev 23:15-21; Nu 28:26; Dt 16:9; 2Ch 8:13
  6. Exodus 23:16 : S Ex 22:29; S 34:22
  7. Exodus 23:16 : Ex 34:22; Lev 23:34, 42; Dt 16:16; 31:10; Ezr 3:4; Ne 8:14; Zec 14:16
  8. Exodus 23:16 : Lev 23:39; Dt 16:13; Jer 40:10
  9. Exodus 23:17 : S ver 14
  10. Exodus 23:18 : Ex 34:25; Lev 2:11
  11. Exodus 23:18 : S Ex 12:8
  12. Exodus 23:19 : S Ex 22:29; S 34:22; S Nu 18:12
  13. Exodus 23:19 : Ex 34:26; Dt 14:21
  14. Exodus 23:20 : S Ge 16:7
  15. Exodus 23:20 : Ex 15:17
  16. Exodus 23:21 : Dt 18:19; Jer 13:15
  17. Exodus 23:21 : Dt 29:20; 2Ki 24:4; La 1:17
  18. Exodus 23:21 : Nu 17:10; Dt 9:7; 31:27; Jos 24:19; Ps 25:7; 78:8, 40, 56; 106:33; 107:11; 1Jn 5:16
  19. Exodus 23:21 : S Ex 3:15
  20. Exodus 23:22 : S Ex 15:26
  21. Exodus 23:22 : S Ge 12:3; Isa 41:11; Jer 30:20
  22. Exodus 23:23 : Nu 13:29; 21:21; Jos 3:10; 24:8, 11; Ezr 9:1; Ps 135:11
  23. Exodus 23:24 : S Ex 20:5
  24. Exodus 23:24 : Lev 18:3; 20:23; Dt 9:4; 12:30-31; Jer 10:2
  25. Exodus 23:24 : Ex 34:13; Nu 33:52; Dt 7:5; 12:3; Jdg 2:2; 2Ki 18:4; 23:14
  26. Exodus 23:24 : Lev 26:1; Dt 16:22; 1Ki 14:23; 2Ki 3:2; 10:26; 17:10; 2Ch 14:3; Isa 27:9
  27. Exodus 23:25 : Mt 4:10
  28. Exodus 23:25 : Lev 26:3-13; Dt 7:12-15; 28:1-14
  29. Exodus 23:25 : S Ex 15:26
  30. Exodus 23:26 : Lev 26:3-4; Dt 7:14; 28:4; Mal 3:11
  31. Exodus 23:26 : S Ge 15:15; Dt 4:1, 40; 32:47; Ps 90:10
  32. Exodus 23:27 : S Ge 35:5; S Ex 15:14
  33. Exodus 23:27 : S Ex 14:24; Dt 7:23
  34. Exodus 23:27 : 2Sa 22:41; Ps 18:40; 21:12
  35. Exodus 23:28 : Dt 7:20; Jos 24:12
  36. Exodus 23:28 : Ex 33:2; 34:11, 24; Nu 13:29; Dt 4:38; 11:23; 18:12; Jos 3:10; 24:11; Ps 78:55
  37. Exodus 23:29 : Dt 7:22
  38. Exodus 23:30 : Jos 23:5
  39. Exodus 23:31 : S Ge 2:14; Dt 34:2; Ezr 4:20
  40. Exodus 23:31 : Dt 7:24; 9:3; Jos 21:44; 24:12, 18; Ps 80:8
  41. Exodus 23:32 : S Ge 26:28; Ex 34:12; Dt 7:2; Jos 9:7; Jdg 2:2; 1Sa 11:1; 1Ki 15:19; 20:34; Eze 17:13
  42. Exodus 23:33 : S Ex 10:7
  43. Exodus 24:1 : S Ex 19:24
  44. Exodus 24:1 : S Ex 6:23
  45. Exodus 24:1 : ver 9; Nu 11:16
  46. Exodus 24:2 : Nu 12:6-8
  47. Exodus 24:3 : S Ex 21:1; Gal 3:19
  48. Exodus 24:3 : S Ex 19:8; Jos 24:24
  49. Exodus 24:4 : S Ex 17:14
  50. Exodus 24:4 : S Ge 8:20
  51. Exodus 24:4 : S Ge 28:18; S Dt 27:2
  52. Exodus 24:5 : Lev 1:3
  53. Exodus 24:5 : S Ge 31:54
  54. Exodus 24:6 : Ex 14:15; 32:31; Ps 99:6
  55. Exodus 24:6 : Heb 9:18
  56. Exodus 24:6 : Lev 1:11; 3:2, 8, 13; 5:9; Mt 26:28
  57. Exodus 24:7 : 2Ki 23:2, 21; Heb 9:19
  58. Exodus 24:7 : Ex 19:8; Jer 40:3; 42:6, 21; 43:2
  59. Exodus 24:8 : Heb 9:19; 1Pe 1:2
  60. Exodus 24:8 : Lev 26:3; Dt 5:2-3; Jos 24:25; 2Ki 11:17; Jer 11:4, 8; 31:32; 34:13; Zec 9:11; S Mt 26:28; S Lk 22:20; Heb 9:20*
  61. Exodus 24:9 : S ver 1
  62. Exodus 24:10 : S Ge 16:13; Nu 12:6; Isa 6:1; Eze 1:1; 8:3; 40:2; S Jn 1:18
  63. Exodus 24:10 : Job 28:16; Isa 54:11; Eze 1:26; 10:1
  64. Exodus 24:10 : Rev 4:3
  65. Exodus 24:11 : S ver 10; S Ex 3:6; S 19:21
  66. Exodus 24:11 : Eze 44:3; Mt 26:29
  67. Exodus 24:12 : Ex 31:18; 32:15-16; 34:1, 28, 29; Dt 4:13; 5:22; 8:3; 9:9, 10, 11; 10:4; 2Co 3:3
  68. Exodus 24:13 : S Ex 17:9
  69. Exodus 24:13 : S Ex 3:1
  70. Exodus 24:14 : S Ex 17:10
  71. Exodus 24:14 : Ex 18:16
  72. Exodus 24:15 : S Ex 19:9; Mt 17:5
  73. Exodus 24:16 : S Ex 16:7; Lev 9:23; Nu 14:10; 1Sa 4:21, 22; Eze 8:4; 11:22
  74. Exodus 24:16 : S Ex 19:11
  75. Exodus 24:16 : Ps 99:7
  76. Exodus 24:17 : S Ex 15:7; S 19:18; Heb 12:18, 29
  77. Exodus 24:18 : 1Ki 19:8
  78. Exodus 24:18 : S Ge 7:4; Mt 4:2
  79. Exodus 25:1 : 25:1-7pp — Ex 35:4-9
  80. Exodus 25:2 : Ex 35:21, 22, 26, 27, 29; 36:2; 2Ki 12:4; 1Ch 29:5, 7, 9; 2Ch 24:10; 29:31; Ezr 2:68; Ne 7:70-72; 2Co 8:11-12; 9:7
  81. Exodus 25:4 : Ex 28:4-8
  82. Exodus 25:5 : Nu 4:6, 10
  83. Exodus 25:5 : Dt 10:3
  84. Exodus 25:6 : Ex 27:20; 30:22-32; 35:28; 39:37; Nu 4:16
  85. Exodus 25:6 : Ex 30:1, 7, 35; 31:11; 35:28; Lev 16:12; Nu 4:16; 7:14; 2Ch 13:11
  86. Exodus 25:7 : Ex 28:4, 6-14; 29:5; Jdg 8:27; Hos 3:4
  87. Exodus 25:7 : Lev 8:8
  88. Exodus 25:8 : Ex 36:1-5; Lev 4:6; 10:4, 7; 21:12, 23; Nu 3:28; Heb 9:1-2
  89. Exodus 25:8 : Ex 29:45; Lev 26:11-12; Nu 5:3; Dt 12:11; 1Ki 6:13; Zec 2:10; 2Co 6:16
  90. Exodus 25:9 : ver 40; Ex 26:30; 27:8; 31:11; 39:32, 42, 43; Nu 8:4; 1Ch 28:11, 19; Ac 7:44; Heb 8:5
  91. Exodus 25:10 : 25:10-20pp — Ex 37:1-9
  92. Exodus 25:10 : Dt 10:1-5; 1Ki 6:19; Heb 9:4
  93. Exodus 25:11 : ver 24; Ex 30:3
  94. Exodus 25:12 : ver 26; Ex 30:4
  95. Exodus 25:13 : ver 28; Ex 27:6; 30:5; 37:28
  96. Exodus 25:14 : Ex 27:7; 40:20; 1Ch 15:15
  97. Exodus 25:15 : 1Ki 8:8
  98. Exodus 25:16 : S Ex 16:34; Heb 9:4
  99. Exodus 25:17 : ver 21; Lev 16:13; Ro 3:25
  100. Exodus 25:18 : Ex 26:1, 31; 36:35; 1Ki 6:23, 27; 8:6; 2Ch 3:10-13; Heb 9:5
  101. Exodus 25:20 : S Ge 3:24
  102. Exodus 25:20 : Ex 37:9; 1Ki 8:7; 1Ch 28:18; Heb 9:5
  103. Exodus 25:21 : ver 10-15; Ex 26:34; 40:20; Dt 10:5
  104. Exodus 25:21 : S Ex 16:34; Heb 9:4
  105. Exodus 25:22 : Nu 7:89; 1Sa 4:4; 2Sa 6:2; 22:11; 2Ki 19:15; 1Ch 13:6; 28:18; Ps 18:10; 80:1; 99:1; Isa 37:16
  106. Exodus 25:22 : S Ex 19:3; 29:42; 30:6, 36; Lev 1:1; 16:2; Nu 17:4
  107. Exodus 25:22 : Jer 3:16
  108. Exodus 25:23 : 25:23-29pp — Ex 37:10-16
  109. Exodus 25:23 : ver 30; Ex 26:35; 40:4, 22; Lev 24:6; Nu 3:31; 1Ki 7:48; 1Ch 28:16; 2Ch 4:8, 19; Eze 41:22; 44:16; Heb 9:2
  110. Exodus 25:28 : S ver 13
  111. Exodus 25:29 : Nu 4:7
  112. Exodus 25:30 : Ex 35:13; 39:36; 40:4, 23; Lev 24:5-9; Nu 4:7; 1Sa 21:4-6; 1Ki 7:48; 1Ch 23:29
  113. Exodus 25:31 : 25:31-39pp — Ex 37:17-24
  114. Exodus 25:31 : Ex 26:35; 31:8; 35:14; 39:37; 40:4, 24; Lev 24:4; Nu 3:31; 1Ki 7:49; 2Ch 4:7; Zec 4:2; Heb 9:2; Rev 1:12
  115. Exodus 25:36 : ver 18; Nu 8:4
  116. Exodus 25:37 : Ex 27:21; 30:8; Lev 24:3-4; Nu 8:2; 1Sa 3:3; 2Ch 13:11
  117. Exodus 25:38 : S ver 37; Nu 4:9
  118. Exodus 25:40 : S ver 9; Ac 7:44; Heb 8:5*
New International Version (NIV)

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

Matthew 24:29-51

29 “Immediately after the distress of those days

“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[a](A)

30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[b] will mourn(B) when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven,(C) with power and great glory.[c] 31 And he will send his angels(D) with a loud trumpet call,(E) and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[d] is near, right at the door.(F) 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.(G) 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.(H)

The Day and Hour Unknown(I)(J)

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[e] but only the Father.(K) 37 As it was in the days of Noah,(L) so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,(M) up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.(N) 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.(O) 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.(P)

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.(Q) 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming,(R) he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready,(S) because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant,(T) whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.(U) 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.(V) 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.(W) 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(X)

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 24:29 Isaiah 13:10; 34:4
  2. Matthew 24:30 Or the tribes of the land
  3. Matthew 24:30 See Daniel 7:13-14.
  4. Matthew 24:33 Or he
  5. Matthew 24:36 Some manuscripts do not have nor the Son.
New International Version (NIV)

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

Psalm 30

Psalm 30[a]

A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple.[b] Of David.

I will exalt(A) you, Lord,
for you lifted me out of the depths(B)
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.(C)
Lord my God, I called to you for help,(D)
and you healed me.(E)
You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;(F)
you spared me from going down to the pit.(G)

Sing(H) the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;(I)
praise his holy name.(J)
For his anger(K) lasts only a moment,(L)
but his favor lasts a lifetime;(M)
weeping(N) may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.(O)

When I felt secure, I said,
“I will never be shaken.”(P)
Lord, when you favored me,
you made my royal mountain[c] stand firm;
but when you hid your face,(Q)
I was dismayed.

To you, Lord, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:
“What is gained if I am silenced,
if I go down to the pit?(R)
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?(S)
10 Hear,(T) Lord, and be merciful to me;(U)
Lord, be my help.(V)

11 You turned my wailing(W) into dancing;(X)
you removed my sackcloth(Y) and clothed me with joy,(Z)
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise(AA) you forever.(AB)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 30:1 In Hebrew texts 30:1-12 is numbered 30:2-13.
  2. Psalm 30:1 Title: Or palace
  3. Psalm 30:7 That is, Mount Zion
New International Version (NIV)

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

Proverbs 7:24-27

24 Now then, my sons, listen(A) to me;
pay attention to what I say.
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways
or stray into her paths.(B)
26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is a highway to the grave,
leading down to the chambers of death.(C)

New International Version (NIV)

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

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Wednesday February 5, 2025 (NIV)

Exodus 21:22-23:13

22 “If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely[a] but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands(A) and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,(B) 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth,(C) hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

26 “An owner who hits a male or female slave in the eye and destroys it must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye. 27 And an owner who knocks out the tooth of a male or female slave must let the slave go free to compensate for the tooth.

28 “If a bull gores a man or woman to death, the bull is to be stoned to death,(D) and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. 29 If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up(E) and it kills a man or woman, the bull is to be stoned and its owner also is to be put to death. 30 However, if payment is demanded, the owner may redeem his life by the payment of whatever is demanded.(F) 31 This law also applies if the bull gores a son or daughter. 32 If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels[b](G) of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull is to be stoned to death.

33 “If anyone uncovers a pit(H) or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the one who opened the pit must pay the owner for the loss and take the dead animal in exchange.

35 “If anyone’s bull injures someone else’s bull and it dies, the two parties are to sell the live one and divide both the money and the dead animal equally. 36 However, if it was known that the bull had the habit of goring, yet the owner did not keep it penned up,(I) the owner must pay, animal for animal, and take the dead animal in exchange.

Protection of Property

22 [c]“Whoever steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it must pay back(J) five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

“If a thief is caught breaking in(K) at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;(L) but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed.

“Anyone who steals must certainly make restitution,(M) but if they have nothing, they must be sold(N) to pay for their theft. If the stolen animal is found alive in their possession(O)—whether ox or donkey or sheep—they must pay back double.(P)

“If anyone grazes their livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in someone else’s field, the offender must make restitution(Q) from the best of their own field or vineyard.

“If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns shocks(R) of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.(S)

“If anyone gives a neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping(T) and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.(U) But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges,(V) and they must[d] determine whether the owner of the house has laid hands on the other person’s property. In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, ‘This is mine,’ both parties are to bring their cases before the judges.[e](W) The one whom the judges declare[f] guilty must pay back double to the other.

10 “If anyone gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep or any other animal to their neighbor for safekeeping(X) and it dies or is injured or is taken away while no one is looking, 11 the issue between them will be settled by the taking of an oath(Y) before the Lord that the neighbor did not lay hands on the other person’s property. The owner is to accept this, and no restitution is required. 12 But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, restitution(Z) must be made to the owner. 13 If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, the neighbor shall bring in the remains as evidence and shall not be required to pay for the torn animal.(AA)

14 “If anyone borrows an animal from their neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, they must make restitution.(AB) 15 But if the owner is with the animal, the borrower will not have to pay. If the animal was hired, the money paid for the hire covers the loss.(AC)

Social Responsibility

16 “If a man seduces a virgin(AD) who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price,(AE) and she shall be his wife. 17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins.

18 “Do not allow a sorceress(AF) to live.

19 “Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal(AG) is to be put to death.

20 “Whoever sacrifices to any god(AH) other than the Lord must be destroyed.[g](AI)

21 “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner,(AJ) for you were foreigners(AK) in Egypt.

22 “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.(AL) 23 If you do and they cry out(AM) to me, I will certainly hear their cry.(AN) 24 My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.(AO)

25 “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.(AP) 26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge,(AQ) return it by sunset, 27 because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in?(AR) When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.(AS)

28 “Do not blaspheme God[h](AT) or curse(AU) the ruler of your people.(AV)

29 “Do not hold back offerings(AW) from your granaries or your vats.[i]

“You must give me the firstborn of your sons.(AX) 30 Do the same with your cattle and your sheep.(AY) Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.(AZ)

31 “You are to be my holy people.(BA) So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts;(BB) throw it to the dogs.

Laws of Justice and Mercy

23 “Do not spread false reports.(BC) Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.(BD)

“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice(BE) by siding with the crowd,(BF) and do not show favoritism(BG) to a poor person in a lawsuit.

“If you come across your enemy’s(BH) ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it.(BI) If you see the donkey(BJ) of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.

“Do not deny justice(BK) to your poor people in their lawsuits. Have nothing to do with a false charge(BL) and do not put an innocent(BM) or honest person to death,(BN) for I will not acquit the guilty.(BO)

“Do not accept a bribe,(BP) for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.

“Do not oppress a foreigner;(BQ) you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.

Sabbath Laws

10 “For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, 11 but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused.(BR) Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what is left. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.

12 “Six days do your work,(BS) but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.(BT)

13 “Be careful(BU) to do everything I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods;(BV) do not let them be heard on your lips.(BW)

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 21:22 Or she has a miscarriage
  2. Exodus 21:32 That is, about 12 ounces or about 345 grams
  3. Exodus 22:1 In Hebrew texts 22:1 is numbered 21:37, and 22:2-31 is numbered 22:1-30.
  4. Exodus 22:8 Or before God, and he will
  5. Exodus 22:9 Or before God
  6. Exodus 22:9 Or whom God declares
  7. Exodus 22:20 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.
  8. Exodus 22:28 Or Do not revile the judges
  9. Exodus 22:29 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.

Cross references:

  1. Exodus 21:22 : ver 30
  2. Exodus 21:23 : Lev 24:19; Dt 19:21
  3. Exodus 21:24 : S ver 23; Mt 5:38*
  4. Exodus 21:28 : ver 32; Ge 9:5
  5. Exodus 21:29 : ver 36
  6. Exodus 21:30 : ver 22
  7. Exodus 21:32 : Ge 37:28; Zec 11:12-13; Mt 26:15; 27:3, 9
  8. Exodus 21:33 : Lk 14:5
  9. Exodus 21:36 : ver 29
  10. Exodus 22:1 : Lev 6:1-7; 2Sa 12:6; Pr 6:31; S Lk 19:8
  11. Exodus 22:2 : Job 24:16; Jer 2:34; Hos 7:1; Mt 6:19-20; 24:43
  12. Exodus 22:2 : Nu 35:27
  13. Exodus 22:3 : ver 1
  14. Exodus 22:3 : S Ex 21:2; S Mt 18:25
  15. Exodus 22:4 : 1Sa 12:5
  16. Exodus 22:4 : S Ge 43:12
  17. Exodus 22:5 : ver 1
  18. Exodus 22:6 : Jdg 15:5
  19. Exodus 22:6 : ver 1
  20. Exodus 22:7 : ver 10; Lev 6:2
  21. Exodus 22:7 : S Ge 43:12
  22. Exodus 22:8 : S Ex 21:6
  23. Exodus 22:9 : ver 8; Dt 25:1
  24. Exodus 22:10 : S ver 7
  25. Exodus 22:11 : Lev 6:3; 1Ki 8:31; 2Ch 6:22; Heb 6:16
  26. Exodus 22:12 : ver 1
  27. Exodus 22:13 : Ge 31:39
  28. Exodus 22:14 : ver 1
  29. Exodus 22:15 : Lev 19:13; Job 17:5
  30. Exodus 22:16 : Dt 22:28
  31. Exodus 22:16 : S Ge 34:12
  32. Exodus 22:18 : S Ex 7:11; Lev 19:26, 31; 20:27; Dt 18:11; 1Sa 28:3; 2Ch 33:6; Isa 57:3
  33. Exodus 22:19 : Lev 18:23; 20:15; Dt 27:21
  34. Exodus 22:20 : S Ex 20:23; 34:15; Lev 17:7; Nu 25:2; Dt 32:17; Ps 106:37
  35. Exodus 22:20 : Lev 27:29; Dt 13:5; 17:2-5; 18:20; 1Ki 18:40; 19:1; 2Ki 10:25; 23:20; 2Ch 15:13
  36. Exodus 22:21 : Ex 23:9; Lev 19:33; 24:22; Nu 15:14; Dt 1:16; 24:17; Eze 22:29
  37. Exodus 22:21 : Dt 10:19; 27:19; Zec 7:10; Mal 3:5
  38. Exodus 22:22 : ver 26; Dt 10:18; 24:6, 10, 12, 17; Job 22:6, 9; 24:3, 21; Ps 68:5; 146:9; Pr 23:10; Isa 1:17; Jer 7:5, 6; 21:12; 22:3; Eze 18:5-9, 12; Zec 7:9-10; Mal 3:5; Jas 1:27
  39. Exodus 22:23 : Lk 18:7
  40. Exodus 22:23 : Dt 10:18; 15:9; 24:15; Job 34:28; 35:9; Ps 10:14, 17; 12:5; 18:6; 34:15; Jas 5:4
  41. Exodus 22:24 : Ps 69:24; 109:9; La 5:3
  42. Exodus 22:25 : Lev 25:35-37; Dt 15:7-11; 23:20; Ne 5:7, 10; Ps 15:5; Eze 18:8
  43. Exodus 22:26 : S ver 22; Pr 20:16; Eze 33:15; Am 2:8
  44. Exodus 22:27 : Dt 24:13, 17; Job 22:6; 24:7; 29:11; 31:19-20; Eze 18:12, 16
  45. Exodus 22:27 : Ex 34:6; Dt 4:31; 2Ch 30:9; Ne 9:17; Ps 99:8; 103:8; 116:5; 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jnh 4:2
  46. Exodus 22:28 : S Ex 20:7
  47. Exodus 22:28 : 2Sa 16:5, 9; 19:21; 1Ki 21:10; 2Ki 2:23; Ps 102:8
  48. Exodus 22:28 : Ecc 10:20; Ac 23:5*
  49. Exodus 22:29 : Ex 23:15, 16, 19; 34:20, 26; Lev 19:24; 23:10; Nu 18:13; 28:26; Dt 18:4; 26:2, 10; 1Sa 6:3; Ne 10:35; Pr 3:9; Mal 3:10
  50. Exodus 22:29 : S Ex 13:2; Nu 8:16-17; Lk 2:23
  51. Exodus 22:30 : Ex 34:19; Dt 15:19
  52. Exodus 22:30 : Ge 17:12; Lev 12:3; 22:27
  53. Exodus 22:31 : Ex 19:6; Lev 19:2; 22:31; Ezr 9:2
  54. Exodus 22:31 : Lev 7:24; 17:15; 22:8; Dt 14:21; Eze 4:14; 44:31
  55. Exodus 23:1 : S Ge 39:17; Mt 19:18; Lk 3:14
  56. Exodus 23:1 : S Ex 20:16; Dt 5:20; 19:16-21; Ps 27:12; 35:11; Pr 19:5; Ac 6:11
  57. Exodus 23:2 : ver 3, 6, 9; Lev 19:15, 33; Dt 1:17; 16:19; 24:17; 27:19; 1Sa 8:3
  58. Exodus 23:2 : Job 31:34
  59. Exodus 23:3 : Dt 1:17
  60. Exodus 23:4 : Ro 12:20
  61. Exodus 23:4 : Lev 6:3; 19:11; Dt 22:1-3
  62. Exodus 23:5 : Dt 22:4
  63. Exodus 23:6 : S ver 2; Dt 23:16; Pr 22:22
  64. Exodus 23:7 : S Ex 20:16; S Eph 4:25
  65. Exodus 23:7 : Mt 27:4
  66. Exodus 23:7 : S Ge 18:23
  67. Exodus 23:7 : Ex 34:7; Dt 19:18; 25:1
  68. Exodus 23:8 : S Ex 18:21; Lev 19:15; Dt 10:17; 27:25; Job 15:34; 36:18; Ps 26:10; Pr 6:35; 15:27; 17:8; Isa 1:23; 5:23; Mic 3:11; 7:3
  69. Exodus 23:9 : S ver 2; S Ex 22:21; Lev 19:33-34; Eze 22:7
  70. Exodus 23:11 : Lev 25:1-7; Ne 10:31
  71. Exodus 23:12 : S Ex 20:9; Lk 13:14
  72. Exodus 23:12 : Ge 2:2-3
  73. Exodus 23:13 : Dt 4:9, 23; 1Ti 4:16
  74. Exodus 23:13 : ver 32; Dt 12:3; Jos 23:7; Ps 16:4; Zec 13:2
  75. Exodus 23:13 : Dt 18:20; Jos 23:7; Ps 16:4; Hos 2:17
New International Version (NIV)

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Matthew 24:1-28

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times(A)

24 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another;(B) every one will be thrown down.”

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives,(C) the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming(D) and of the end of the age?”(E)

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.(F) For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.(G) You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.(H) There will be famines(I) and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted(J) and put to death,(K) and you will be hated by all nations because of me.(L) 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets(M) will appear and deceive many people.(N) 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.(O) 14 And this gospel of the kingdom(P) will be preached in the whole world(Q) as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

15 “So when you see standing in the holy place(R) ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’[a](S) spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop(T) go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!(U) 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.(V)

22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect(W) those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.(X) 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders(Y) to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.

26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning(Z) that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming(AA) of the Son of Man.(AB) 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.(AC)

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 24:15 Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11
New International Version (NIV)

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Psalm 29

Psalm 29

A psalm of David.

Ascribe to the Lord,(A) you heavenly beings,(B)
ascribe to the Lord glory(C) and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his[a] holiness.(D)

The voice(E) of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory(F) thunders,(G)
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.(H)
The voice of the Lord is powerful;(I)
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.(J)
He makes Lebanon leap(K) like a calf,
Sirion[b](L) like a young wild ox.(M)
The voice of the Lord strikes
with flashes of lightning.(N)
The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.(O)
The voice of the Lord twists the oaks[c](P)
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”(Q)

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;(R)
the Lord is enthroned as King forever.(S)
11 The Lord gives strength to his people;(T)
the Lord blesses his people with peace.(U)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 29:2 Or Lord with the splendor of
  2. Psalm 29:6 That is, Mount Hermon
  3. Psalm 29:9 Or Lord makes the deer give birth
New International Version (NIV)

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Proverbs 7:6-23

At the window of my house
I looked down through the lattice.
I saw among the simple,
I noticed among the young men,
a youth who had no sense.(A)
He was going down the street near her corner,
walking along in the direction of her house
at twilight,(B) as the day was fading,
as the dark of night set in.

10 Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is unruly(C) and defiant,
her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares,
at every corner she lurks.)(D)
13 She took hold of him(E) and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:(F)

14 “Today I fulfilled my vows,
and I have food from my fellowship offering(G) at home.
15 So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed(H)
with myrrh,(I) aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
let’s enjoy ourselves with love!(J)
19 My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took his purse filled with money
and will not be home till full moon.”

21 With persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.(K)
22 All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer[a] stepping into a noose[b](L)
23 till an arrow pierces(M) his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.(N)

Footnotes:

  1. Proverbs 7:22 Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew fool
  2. Proverbs 7:22 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.
New International Version (NIV)

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Tuesday February 4, 2025 (NIV)

Exodus 19:16-21:21

16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder(A) and lightning, with a thick cloud(B) over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast.(C) Everyone in the camp trembled.(D) 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.(E) 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke,(F) because the Lord descended on it in fire.(G) The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace,(H) and the whole mountain[a] trembled(I) violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice(J) of God answered(K) him.[b]

20 The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai(L) and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up 21 and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see(M) the Lord and many of them perish.(N) 22 Even the priests, who approach(O) the Lord, must consecrate(P) themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.”(Q)

23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai,(R) because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits(S) around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”

24 The Lord replied, “Go down and bring Aaron(T) up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them.”(U)

25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

The Ten Commandments(V)

20 And God spoke(W) all these words:(X)

“I am the Lord your God,(Y) who brought you out(Z) of Egypt,(AA) out of the land of slavery.(AB)

“You shall have no other gods before[c] me.(AC)

“You shall not make for yourself an image(AD) in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship(AE) them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,(AF) punishing the children for the sin of the parents(AG) to the third and fourth generation(AH) of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand(AI) generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.(AJ)

“Remember the Sabbath(AK) day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work,(AL) 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath(AM) to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth,(AN) the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested(AO) on the seventh day.(AP) Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

12 “Honor your father and your mother,(AQ) so that you may live long(AR) in the land(AS) the Lord your God is giving you.

13 “You shall not murder.(AT)

14 “You shall not commit adultery.(AU)

15 “You shall not steal.(AV)

16 “You shall not give false testimony(AW) against your neighbor.(AX)

17 “You shall not covet(AY) your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet(AZ) and saw the mountain in smoke,(BA) they trembled with fear.(BB) They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak(BC) to us or we will die.”(BD)

20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid.(BE) God has come to test(BF) you, so that the fear(BG) of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”(BH)

21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness(BI) where God was.

Idols and Altars

22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven:(BJ) 23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me;(BK) do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.(BL)

24 “‘Make an altar(BM) of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings(BN) and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name(BO) to be honored, I will come to you and bless(BP) you. 25 If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool(BQ) on it. 26 And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts(BR) may be exposed.’

21 “These are the laws(BS) you are to set before them:

Hebrew Servants(BT)(BU)

“If you buy a Hebrew servant,(BV) he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free,(BW) without paying anything. If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.

“But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’(BX) then his master must take him before the judges.[d](BY) He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce(BZ) his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.(CA)

“If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as male servants do. If she does not please the master who has selected her for himself,[e] he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, because he has broken faith with her. If he selects her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter. 10 If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights.(CB) 11 If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.

Personal Injuries

12 “Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.(CC) 13 However, if it is not done intentionally, but God lets it happen, they are to flee to a place(CD) I will designate. 14 But if anyone schemes and kills someone deliberately,(CE) that person is to be taken from my altar and put to death.(CF)

15 “Anyone who attacks[f] their father or mother is to be put to death.

16 “Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death,(CG) whether the victim has been sold(CH) or is still in the kidnapper’s possession.

17 “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.(CI)

18 “If people quarrel and one person hits another with a stone or with their fist[g] and the victim does not die but is confined to bed, 19 the one who struck the blow will not be held liable if the other can get up and walk around outside with a staff; however, the guilty party must pay the injured person for any loss of time and see that the victim is completely healed.

20 “Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies as a direct result, 21 but they are not to be punished if the slave recovers after a day or two, since the slave is their property.(CJ)

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 19:18 Most Hebrew manuscripts; a few Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint and all the people
  2. Exodus 19:19 Or and God answered him with thunder
  3. Exodus 20:3 Or besides
  4. Exodus 21:6 Or before God
  5. Exodus 21:8 Or master so that he does not choose her
  6. Exodus 21:15 Or kills
  7. Exodus 21:18 Or with a tool

Cross references:

  1. Exodus 19:16 : 1Sa 2:10; Isa 29:6
  2. Exodus 19:16 : S ver 9
  3. Exodus 19:16 : Heb 12:18-19; Rev 4:1
  4. Exodus 19:16 : S Ge 3:10; 1Sa 13:7; 14:15; 28:5; Ps 99:1; Heb 12:21
  5. Exodus 19:17 : S ver 2; Dt 4:11
  6. Exodus 19:18 : Ex 20:18; Ps 104:32; Isa 6:4; Rev 15:8
  7. Exodus 19:18 : S Ex 3:2; 24:17; Lev 9:24; Dt 4:11, 24, 33, 36; 5:4; 9:3; 1Ki 18:24, 38; 1Ch 21:26; 2Ch 7:1; Ps 18:8; Heb 12:18
  8. Exodus 19:18 : S Ge 19:28; Rev 9:2
  9. Exodus 19:18 : Jdg 5:5; 2Sa 22:8; Ps 18:7; 68:8; Isa 2:19; 5:25; 41:15; 64:1; Jer 4:24; 10:10; Mic 1:4; Na 1:5; Hab 3:6, 10; Hag 2:6
  10. Exodus 19:19 : S ver 9; Dt 4:33; Ne 9:13
  11. Exodus 19:19 : Ps 81:7
  12. Exodus 19:20 : S ver 11
  13. Exodus 19:21 : Ex 24:10-11; Nu 4:20; 1Sa 6:19
  14. Exodus 19:21 : S ver 13
  15. Exodus 19:22 : Lev 10:3
  16. Exodus 19:22 : 1Sa 16:5; 2Ch 29:5; Joel 2:16
  17. Exodus 19:22 : ver 24; 2Sa 6:7
  18. Exodus 19:23 : ver 11
  19. Exodus 19:23 : ver 12
  20. Exodus 19:24 : Ex 24:1, 9
  21. Exodus 19:24 : ver 22
  22. Exodus 20:1 : 20:1-17pp — Dt 5:6-21
  23. Exodus 20:1 : Dt 10:4
  24. Exodus 20:1 : Ne 9:13; Ps 119:9; 147:19; Mal 4:4
  25. Exodus 20:2 : S Ge 17:7; Ex 16:12; Lev 19:2; 20:7; Isa 43:3; Eze 20:19
  26. Exodus 20:2 : S Ge 15:7
  27. Exodus 20:2 : S Ex 6:6
  28. Exodus 20:2 : Ex 13:3; Eze 20:6
  29. Exodus 20:3 : ver 23; Ex 34:14; Dt 6:14; 13:10; 2Ki 17:35; Ps 44:20; 81:9; Jer 1:16; 7:6, 9; 11:13; 19:4; 25:6; 35:15
  30. Exodus 20:4 : ver 5, 23; Ex 32:8; 34:17; Lev 19:4; 26:1; Dt 4:15-19, 23; 27:15; 2Sa 7:22; 1Ki 14:9; 2Ki 17:12; Isa 40:19; 42:8; 44:9
  31. Exodus 20:5 : Ex 23:13, 24; Jos 23:7; Jdg 6:10; 2Ki 17:35; Isa 44:15, 17, 19; 46:6
  32. Exodus 20:5 : Ex 34:14; Dt 4:24; Jos 24:19; Na 1:2
  33. Exodus 20:5 : S Ge 9:25; S Lev 26:39
  34. Exodus 20:5 : Ex 34:7; Nu 14:18; Jer 32:18
  35. Exodus 20:6 : Ex 34:7; Nu 14:18; Dt 7:9; Jer 32:18; Lk 1:50; Ro 11:28
  36. Exodus 20:7 : Ex 22:28; Lev 18:21; 19:12; 22:2; 24:11, 16; Dt 6:13; 10:20; Job 2:5, 9; Ps 63:11; Isa 8:21; Eze 20:39; 39:7; S Mt 5:33
  37. Exodus 20:8 : S Ex 16:23; 31:13-16; 35:3; Lev 19:3, 30; 26:2; Isa 56:2; Jer 17:21-27; Eze 22:8
  38. Exodus 20:9 : Ex 23:12; 31:13-17; 34:21; 35:2-3; Lev 23:3; Lk 13:14
  39. Exodus 20:10 : S Ge 2:3; Ex 31:14; Lev 23:38; Nu 28:9; Isa 56:2; Eze 20:12, 20
  40. Exodus 20:11 : Ge 1:3-2:1
  41. Exodus 20:11 : S Ge 2:2
  42. Exodus 20:11 : Ex 31:17; Heb 4:4
  43. Exodus 20:12 : S Ge 31:35; S Dt 5:16; Mt 15:4*; 19:19*; Mk 7:10*; 10:19*; Lk 18:20*; Eph 6:2
  44. Exodus 20:12 : Dt 6:2; Eph 6:3
  45. Exodus 20:12 : Dt 11:9; 25:15; Jer 35:7
  46. Exodus 20:13 : S Ge 4:23; Mt 5:21*; 19:18*; Mk 10:19*; Lk 18:20*; Ro 13:9*; Jas 2:11*
  47. Exodus 20:14 : Lev 18:20; 20:10; Nu 5:12, 13, 29; Pr 6:29, 32; Mt 5:27*; 19:18*; Mk 10:19*; Lk 18:20*; Ro 13:9*; Jas 2:11*
  48. Exodus 20:15 : Lev 19:11, 13; Eze 18:7; Mt 19:18*; Mk 10:19*; Lk 18:20*; Ro 13:9*
  49. Exodus 20:16 : Lev 19:11; Jer 9:3, 5
  50. Exodus 20:16 : Ex 23:1, 7; Lev 19:18; Ps 50:20; 101:5; 119:29; Mt 19:18*; Mk 10:19; Lk 3:14*; 18:20*
  51. Exodus 20:17 : Lk 12:15; Ro 7:7*; 13:9*; Eph 5:3; Heb 13:5
  52. Exodus 20:18 : Ex 19:16-19; Dt 4:36; Isa 58:1; Jer 6:17; Eze 33:3; Heb 12:18-19; Rev 1:10
  53. Exodus 20:18 : S Ex 19:18
  54. Exodus 20:18 : S Ge 3:10; S Ex 14:31; S 19:16
  55. Exodus 20:19 : Job 37:4, 5; 40:9; Ps 29:3-4
  56. Exodus 20:19 : Dt 5:5, 23-27; 18:16; Gal 3:19
  57. Exodus 20:20 : S Ge 15:1
  58. Exodus 20:20 : S Ge 22:1
  59. Exodus 20:20 : Dt 4:10; 6:2, 24; 10:12; Ps 111:10; 128:1; Pr 1:7; Ecc 12:13; Isa 8:13
  60. Exodus 20:20 : Job 1:8; 2:3; 28:28; Pr 3:7; 8:13; 14:16; 16:6
  61. Exodus 20:21 : S Ex 19:9; Dt 5:22; Ps 18:9; 68:4; 97:2; Isa 19:1
  62. Exodus 20:22 : Dt 5:24, 26; Ne 9:13
  63. Exodus 20:23 : S ver 3
  64. Exodus 20:23 : Ex 22:20; 32:4, 8, 31; 34:17; Dt 29:17-18; Ne 9:18
  65. Exodus 20:24 : Ex 27:1; 40:29; Nu 16:38; Dt 27:5; Jos 8:30; 2Ki 16:14; 2Ch 4:1; Ezr 3:2; Eze 43:13
  66. Exodus 20:24 : S Ge 8:20; S Ex 18:12
  67. Exodus 20:24 : Dt 12:5; 16:6, 11; 26:2; 1Ki 9:3; 2Ki 21:4, 7; 2Ch 6:6; 12:13; Ezr 6:12
  68. Exodus 20:24 : S Ge 12:2; 22:17
  69. Exodus 20:25 : Jos 8:31; 1Ki 6:7
  70. Exodus 20:26 : Eze 43:17
  71. Exodus 21:1 : Ex 24:3; 34:32; Dt 4:14; 6:1
  72. Exodus 21:2 : 21:2-6pp — Dt 15:12-18
  73. Exodus 21:2 : 21:2-11Ref — Lev 25:39-55
  74. Exodus 21:2 : Ex 22:3
  75. Exodus 21:2 : ver 7; Jer 34:8, 14
  76. Exodus 21:5 : Dt 15:16
  77. Exodus 21:6 : Ex 22:8-9; Dt 17:9; 19:17; 25:1
  78. Exodus 21:6 : Ps 40:6
  79. Exodus 21:6 : Job 39:9; 41:4
  80. Exodus 21:10 : 1Co 7:3-5
  81. Exodus 21:12 : ver 15, 17; S Ge 4:14, 23; Ex 31:15; Lev 20:9, 10; 24:16; 27:29; Nu 1:51; 35:16, 30-31; Dt 13:5; 19:11; 22:22; 27:16; Job 31:11; Pr 20:20; S Mt 26:52
  82. Exodus 21:13 : Nu 35:10-34; Dt 4:42; 19:2-13; Jos 20:9
  83. Exodus 21:14 : Ge 4:8; Nu 35:20; 2Sa 3:27; 20:10; Heb 10:26
  84. Exodus 21:14 : Dt 19:11-12; 1Ki 2:28-34
  85. Exodus 21:16 : Ex 22:4; Dt 24:7
  86. Exodus 21:16 : Ge 37:28
  87. Exodus 21:17 : S ver 12; S Dt 5:16; Mt 15:4*; Mk 7:10*
  88. Exodus 21:21 : Lev 25:44-46
New International Version (NIV)

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Matthew 23:13-39

Seven Woes on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees

13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!(A) You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.(B) [14] [a]

15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert,(C) and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell(D) as you are.

16 “Woe to you, blind guides!(E) You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’(F) 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?(G) 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?(H) 20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells(I) in it. 22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.(J)

23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth(K) of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.(L) You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides!(M) You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish,(N) but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.(O) 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs,(P) which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets(Q) and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.(R) 32 Go ahead, then, and complete(S) what your ancestors started!(T)

33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers!(U) How will you escape being condemned to hell?(V) 34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify;(W) others you will flog in your synagogues(X) and pursue from town to town.(Y) 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel(Z) to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah,(AA) whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.(AB) 36 Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.(AC)

37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,(AD) how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,(AE) and you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate.(AF) 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’[b](AG)

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 23:14 Some manuscripts include here words similar to Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47.
  2. Matthew 23:39 Psalm 118:26
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Psalm 28

Psalm 28

Of David.

To you, Lord, I call;
you are my Rock,
do not turn a deaf ear(A) to me.
For if you remain silent,(B)
I will be like those who go down to the pit.(C)
Hear my cry for mercy(D)
as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands(E)
toward your Most Holy Place.(F)

Do not drag me away with the wicked,
with those who do evil,
who speak cordially with their neighbors
but harbor malice in their hearts.(G)
Repay them for their deeds
and for their evil work;
repay them for what their hands have done(H)
and bring back on them what they deserve.(I)

Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord
and what his hands have done,(J)
he will tear them down
and never build them up again.

Praise be to the Lord,(K)
for he has heard my cry for mercy.(L)
The Lord is my strength(M) and my shield;
my heart trusts(N) in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,(O)
and with my song I praise him.(P)

The Lord is the strength(Q) of his people,
a fortress of salvation(R) for his anointed one.(S)
Save your people(T) and bless your inheritance;(U)
be their shepherd(V) and carry them(W) forever.

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Proverbs 7:1-5

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

My son,(A) keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
Keep my commands and you will live;(B)
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.(C)
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and to insight, “You are my relative.”
They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words.(D)

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Monday February 3, 2025 (NIV)

Exodus 17:8-19:15

The Amalekites Defeated

The Amalekites(A) came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.(B) Moses said to Joshua,(C) “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff(D) of God in my hands.”

10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur(E) went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning,(F) but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.(G) 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite(H) army with the sword.

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write(I) this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out(J) the name of Amalek(K) from under heaven.”

15 Moses built an altar(L) and called(M) it The Lord is my Banner. 16 He said, “Because hands were lifted up against[a] the throne of the Lord,[b] the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites(N) from generation to generation.”(O)

Jethro Visits Moses

18 Now Jethro,(P) the priest of Midian(Q) and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.(R)

After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah,(S) his father-in-law Jethro received her and her two sons.(T) One son was named Gershom,[c] for Moses said, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land”;(U) and the other was named Eliezer,[d](V) for he said, “My father’s God was my helper;(W) he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.”

Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, together with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain(X) of God. Jethro had sent word to him, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”

So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down(Y) and kissed(Z) him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent. Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships(AA) they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved(AB) them.

Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things(AC) the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, “Praise be to the Lord,(AD) who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods,(AE) for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.”(AF) 12 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law,(AG) brought a burnt offering(AH) and other sacrifices(AI) to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal(AJ) with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence(AK) of God.

13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”

15 Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will.(AL) 16 Whenever they have a dispute,(AM) it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.”(AN)

17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.(AO) 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.(AP) You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes(AQ) to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions,(AR) and show them the way they are to live(AS) and how they are to behave.(AT) 21 But select capable men(AU) from all the people—men who fear(AV) God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain(AW)—and appoint them as officials(AX) over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case(AY) to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share(AZ) it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25 He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders(BA) of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.(BB) 26 They served as judges(BC) for the people at all times. The difficult cases(BD) they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.(BE)

27 Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.(BF)

At Mount Sinai

19 On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt(BG)—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai.(BH) After they set out from Rephidim,(BI) they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.(BJ)

Then Moses went up to God,(BK) and the Lord called(BL) to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt,(BM) and how I carried you on eagles’ wings(BN) and brought you to myself.(BO) Now if you obey me fully(BP) and keep my covenant,(BQ) then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.(BR) Although the whole earth(BS) is mine, you[e] will be for me a kingdom of priests(BT) and a holy nation.’(BU) These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

So Moses went back and summoned the elders(BV) of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak.(BW) The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.”(BX) So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.

The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud,(BY) so that the people will hear me speaking(BZ) with you and will always put their trust(CA) in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.

10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate(CB) them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes(CC) 11 and be ready by the third day,(CD) because on that day the Lord will come down(CE) on Mount Sinai(CF) in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits(CG) for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. 13 They are to be stoned(CH) or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn(CI) sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”(CJ)

14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.(CK) 15 Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain(CL) from sexual relations.”

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 17:16 Or to
  2. Exodus 17:16 The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.
  3. Exodus 18:3 Gershom sounds like the Hebrew for a foreigner there.
  4. Exodus 18:4 Eliezer means my God is helper.
  5. Exodus 19:6 Or possession, for the whole earth is mine. You

Cross references:

  1. Exodus 17:8 : S Ge 36:12
  2. Exodus 17:8 : S ver 1
  3. Exodus 17:9 : Ex 24:13; 32:17; 33:11; Nu 11:28; 27:22; Dt 1:38; Jos 1:1; Ac 7:45
  4. Exodus 17:9 : S Ex 4:17
  5. Exodus 17:10 : ver 10-12; Ex 24:14; 31:2
  6. Exodus 17:11 : Jas 5:16
  7. Exodus 17:12 : Jos 8:26
  8. Exodus 17:13 : ver 8
  9. Exodus 17:14 : Ex 24:4; 34:27; Nu 33:2; Dt 31:9; Job 19:23; Isa 30:8; Jer 36:2; 45:1; 51:60
  10. Exodus 17:14 : Ex 32:33; Dt 29:20; Job 18:17; Ps 9:5; 34:16; 109:15; Eze 18:4
  11. Exodus 17:14 : ver 13; S Ge 36:12; Nu 24:7; Jdg 3:13; 1Sa 30:17-18; Ps 83:7
  12. Exodus 17:15 : S Ge 8:20
  13. Exodus 17:15 : S Ge 22:14
  14. Exodus 17:16 : Nu 24:7; 1Sa 15:8, 32; 1Ch 4:43; Est 3:1; 8:3; 9:24
  15. Exodus 17:16 : Est 9:5
  16. Exodus 18:1 : S Ex 2:18
  17. Exodus 18:1 : S Ex 2:16
  18. Exodus 18:1 : S Ex 6:6
  19. Exodus 18:2 : S Ex 2:21
  20. Exodus 18:3 : S Ex 4:20; Ac 7:29
  21. Exodus 18:3 : Ex 2:22
  22. Exodus 18:4 : 1Ch 23:15
  23. Exodus 18:4 : S Ge 49:25; S Dt 33:29
  24. Exodus 18:5 : S Ex 3:1
  25. Exodus 18:7 : S Ge 17:3; S 43:28
  26. Exodus 18:7 : S Ge 29:13
  27. Exodus 18:8 : Nu 20:14; Ne 9:32
  28. Exodus 18:8 : Ex 15:6, 16; Ps 81:7
  29. Exodus 18:9 : Jos 21:45; 1Ki 8:66; Ne 9:25; Ps 145:7; Isa 63:7
  30. Exodus 18:10 : S Ge 9:26; S 24:27
  31. Exodus 18:11 : S Ex 12:12; S 1Ch 16:25
  32. Exodus 18:11 : S Ex 1:10; S Lk 1:51
  33. Exodus 18:12 : S Ex 3:1
  34. Exodus 18:12 : Ex 10:25; 20:24; Lev 1:2-9
  35. Exodus 18:12 : Ge 31:54; Ex 24:5
  36. Exodus 18:12 : S Ge 26:30
  37. Exodus 18:12 : Dt 12:7
  38. Exodus 18:15 : S ver 19; S Ge 25:22
  39. Exodus 18:16 : Ex 24:14
  40. Exodus 18:16 : ver 15; Lev 24:12; Nu 15:34; Dt 1:17; 2Ch 19:7; Pr 24:23; Mal 2:9
  41. Exodus 18:18 : Nu 11:11, 14, 17; Dt 1:9, 12
  42. Exodus 18:19 : Ex 3:12
  43. Exodus 18:19 : ver 15; Nu 27:5
  44. Exodus 18:20 : Dt 4:1, 5; 5:1; Ps 119:12, 26, 68
  45. Exodus 18:20 : Ps 143:8
  46. Exodus 18:20 : S Ge 39:11
  47. Exodus 18:21 : S Ge 47:6; Ac 6:3
  48. Exodus 18:21 : S Ge 22:12
  49. Exodus 18:21 : Ex 23:8; Dt 16:19; 1Sa 12:3; Ps 15:5; Pr 17:23; 28:8; Ecc 7:7; Eze 18:8; 22:12
  50. Exodus 18:21 : Nu 1:16; 7:2; 10:4; Dt 16:18; Ezr 7:25
  51. Exodus 18:22 : Lev 24:11; Dt 1:17-18
  52. Exodus 18:22 : Nu 11:17; Dt 1:9
  53. Exodus 18:25 : Nu 1:16; 7:2; 11:16; Dt 16:18
  54. Exodus 18:25 : Dt 1:13-15
  55. Exodus 18:26 : Dt 16:18; 2Ch 19:5; Ezr 7:25
  56. Exodus 18:26 : Dt 1:17
  57. Exodus 18:26 : ver 22
  58. Exodus 18:27 : Nu 10:29-30
  59. Exodus 19:1 : S Ex 6:6
  60. Exodus 19:1 : Nu 1:1; 3:14; 33:15
  61. Exodus 19:2 : S Ex 17:1
  62. Exodus 19:2 : S ver 17; S Ex 3:1; Dt 5:2-4
  63. Exodus 19:3 : Ex 20:21
  64. Exodus 19:3 : S Ex 3:4; S 25:22; Ac 7:38
  65. Exodus 19:4 : Dt 29:2; Jos 24:7
  66. Exodus 19:4 : Dt 32:11; Ps 103:5; Isa 40:31; Jer 4:13; 48:40; Rev 12:14
  67. Exodus 19:4 : Dt 33:12; Isa 31:5; Eze 16:6
  68. Exodus 19:5 : Ex 15:26; Dt 6:3; Ps 78:10; Jer 7:23
  69. Exodus 19:5 : S Ge 17:9; S Ex 3:1
  70. Exodus 19:5 : S Ex 8:22; S 34:9; S Dt 8:1; S Tit 2:14
  71. Exodus 19:5 : S Ex 9:29; 1Co 10:26
  72. Exodus 19:6 : Isa 61:6; 66:21; S 1Pe 2:5
  73. Exodus 19:6 : Ge 18:19; Lev 11:44-45; Dt 4:37; 7:6; 26:19; 28:9; 29:13; 33:3; Isa 4:3; 62:12; Jer 2:3; Am 3:2
  74. Exodus 19:7 : Ex 18:12; Lev 4:15; 9:1; Nu 16:25
  75. Exodus 19:7 : Ex 4:30; 1Sa 8:10
  76. Exodus 19:8 : Ex 24:3, 7; Dt 5:27; 26:17
  77. Exodus 19:9 : ver 16; Ex 20:21; 24:15-16; 33:9; 34:5; Dt 4:11; 2Sa 22:10, 12; 2Ch 6:1; Ps 18:11; 97:2; 99:7; Mt 17:5
  78. Exodus 19:9 : Dt 4:12, 36; Jn 12:29-30
  79. Exodus 19:9 : S Ex 4:5
  80. Exodus 19:10 : ver 14, 22; Lev 11:44; Nu 11:18; 1Sa 16:5; Joel 2:16; Heb 10:22
  81. Exodus 19:10 : S Ge 35:2; Rev 22:14
  82. Exodus 19:11 : ver 16
  83. Exodus 19:11 : S Ge 11:5
  84. Exodus 19:11 : ver 3, 20; S Ex 3:1; 24:16; 31:18; 34:2, 4, 29, 32; Lev 7:38; 26:46; 27:34; Nu 3:1; Dt 10:5; Ne 9:13; Gal 4:24-25
  85. Exodus 19:12 : ver 23
  86. Exodus 19:13 : Heb 12:20*
  87. Exodus 19:13 : Jos 6:4; 1Ch 15:28; Ps 81:3; 98:6
  88. Exodus 19:13 : ver 21; Ex 34:3
  89. Exodus 19:14 : S Ge 35:2
  90. Exodus 19:15 : 1Sa 21:4; 1Co 7:5
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Matthew 22:34-23:12

The Greatest Commandment(A)

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,(B) the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law,(C) tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a](D) 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b](E) 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”(F)

Whose Son Is the Messiah?(G)

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”

“The son of David,”(H) they replied.

43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,

44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet.”’[c](I)

45 If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” 46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.(J)

A Warning Against Hypocrisy(K)(L)

23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law(M) and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.(N)

“Everything they do is done for people to see:(O) They make their phylacteries[d](P) wide and the tassels on their garments(Q) long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;(R) they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.(S)

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father,(T) and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant.(U) 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.(V)

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 22:37 Deut. 6:5
  2. Matthew 22:39 Lev. 19:18
  3. Matthew 22:44 Psalm 110:1
  4. Matthew 23:5 That is, boxes containing Scripture verses, worn on forehead and arm
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Psalm 27:7-14

Hear my voice(A) when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.(B)
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!(C)
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Do not hide your face(D) from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;(E)
you have been my helper.(F)
Do not reject me or forsake(G) me,
God my Savior.(H)
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way,(I) Lord;
lead me in a straight path(J)
because of my oppressors.(K)
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses(L) rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord(M)
in the land of the living.(N)
14 Wait(O) for the Lord;
be strong(P) and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

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Proverbs 6:27-35

27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap
without his clothes being burned?
28 Can a man walk on hot coals
without his feet being scorched?
29 So is he who sleeps(A) with another man’s wife;(B)
no one who touches her will go unpunished.

30 People do not despise a thief if he steals
to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.
31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold,(C)
though it costs him all the wealth of his house.
32 But a man who commits adultery(D) has no sense;(E)
whoever does so destroys himself.
33 Blows and disgrace are his lot,
and his shame will never(F) be wiped away.

34 For jealousy(G) arouses a husband’s fury,(H)
and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
35 He will not accept any compensation;
he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.(I)

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Sunday February 2, 2025 (NIV)

Exodus 15:19-17:7

19 When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen[a] went into the sea,(A) the Lord brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.(B) 20 Then Miriam(C) the prophet,(D) Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels(E) and dancing.(F) 21 Miriam sang(G) to them:

“Sing to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver(H)
he has hurled into the sea.”(I)

The Waters of Marah and Elim

22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert(J) of Shur.(K) For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.(L) 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.[b](M)) 24 So the people grumbled(N) against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”(O)

25 Then Moses cried out(P) to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw(Q) it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.

There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test.(R) 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep(S) all his decrees,(T) I will not bring on you any of the diseases(U) I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals(V) you.”

27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped(W) there near the water.

Manna and Quail

16 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin,(X) which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt.(Y) In the desert the whole community grumbled(Z) against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt!(AA) There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food(AB) we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”(AC)

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven(AD) for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test(AE) them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice(AF) as much as they gather on the other days.”

So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt,(AG) and in the morning you will see the glory(AH) of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling(AI) against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?”(AJ) Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling(AK) against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”(AL)

Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’”

10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory(AM) of the Lord appearing in the cloud.(AN)

11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling(AO) of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”(AP)

13 That evening quail(AQ) came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew(AR) around the camp. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost(AS) on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know(AT) what it was.

Moses said to them, “It is the bread(AU) the Lord has given you to eat. 16 This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer[c](AV) for each person you have in your tent.’”

17 The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. 18 And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.(AW) Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.

19 Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.”(AX)

20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell.(AY) So Moses was angry(AZ) with them.

21 Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. 22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice(BA) as much—two omers[d] for each person—and the leaders of the community(BB) came and reported this to Moses. 23 He said to them, “This is what the Lord commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath(BC) to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’”

24 So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. 25 “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a sabbath to the Lord. You will not find any of it on the ground today. 26 Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath,(BD) there will not be any.”

27 Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. 28 Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you[e] refuse to keep my commands(BE) and my instructions? 29 Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

31 The people of Israel called the bread manna.[f](BF) It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. 32 Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.’”

33 So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar and put an omer of manna(BG) in it. Then place it before the Lord to be kept for the generations to come.”

34 As the Lord commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna with the tablets of the covenant law,(BH) so that it might be preserved. 35 The Israelites ate manna(BI) forty years,(BJ) until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.(BK)

36 (An omer(BL) is one-tenth of an ephah.)(BM)

Water From the Rock

17 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin,(BN) traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim,(BO) but there was no water(BP) for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water(BQ) to drink.”(BR)

Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”(BS)

But the people were thirsty(BT) for water there, and they grumbled(BU) against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die(BV) of thirst?”

Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone(BW) me.”

The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff(BX) with which you struck the Nile,(BY) and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb.(BZ) Strike(CA) the rock, and water(CB) will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the place Massah[g](CC) and Meribah[h](CD) because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 15:19 Or charioteers
  2. Exodus 15:23 Marah means bitter.
  3. Exodus 16:16 That is, possibly about 3 pounds or about 1.4 kilograms; also in verses 18, 32, 33 and 36
  4. Exodus 16:22 That is, possibly about 6 pounds or about 2.8 kilograms
  5. Exodus 16:28 The Hebrew is plural.
  6. Exodus 16:31 Manna sounds like the Hebrew for What is it? (see verse 15).
  7. Exodus 17:7 Massah means testing.
  8. Exodus 17:7 Meribah means quarreling.

Cross references:

  1. Exodus 15:19 : S Ex 14:28
  2. Exodus 15:19 : S Ex 14:22
  3. Exodus 15:20 : ver 21; Ex 2:4; Nu 12:1; 20:1; 26:59; 1Ch 4:17; 6:3
  4. Exodus 15:20 : Jdg 4:4; 2Ki 22:14; 2Ch 34:22; Ne 6:14; Isa 8:3; Eze 13:17
  5. Exodus 15:20 : S Ge 31:27; 1Sa 18:6; Ps 81:2; Isa 30:32
  6. Exodus 15:20 : S Ge 4:21; Jdg 11:34; 21:21; 1Sa 18:6; 2Sa 6:5, 14, 16; Ps 30:11; 149:3; 150:4; SS 6:13; Jer 31:4, 13
  7. Exodus 15:21 : 1Sa 18:7
  8. Exodus 15:21 : Am 2:15; Hag 2:22
  9. Exodus 15:21 : S Ex 14:27
  10. Exodus 15:22 : Ps 78:52
  11. Exodus 15:22 : S Ge 16:7
  12. Exodus 15:22 : Ex 17:1, 3; Nu 20:2, 5; 33:14; Ps 107:5
  13. Exodus 15:23 : Nu 33:8; Ru 1:20
  14. Exodus 15:24 : S Ex 14:12; 16:2; 7:3; Nu 14:2; Jos 9:18; Ps 78:18, 42; 106:13, 25; Eze 16:43
  15. Exodus 15:24 : Mt 6:31
  16. Exodus 15:25 : S Ex 14:10
  17. Exodus 15:25 : 2Ki 2:21; 4:41; 6:6
  18. Exodus 15:25 : S Ge 22:1; Jdg 3:4; Job 23:10; Ps 81:7; Isa 48:10
  19. Exodus 15:26 : Ex 23:22; Dt 11:13; 15:5; 28:1; Jer 11:6
  20. Exodus 15:26 : Ex 19:5-6; 20:2-17; Dt 7:12
  21. Exodus 15:26 : Dt 7:15; 28:27, 58-60; 32:39; 1Sa 5:6; Ps 30:2; 41:3-4; 103:3
  22. Exodus 15:26 : Ex 23:25-26; 2Ki 20:5; Ps 25:11; 103:3; 107:20; Jer 30:17; Hos 11:3
  23. Exodus 15:27 : Nu 33:9
  24. Exodus 16:1 : Ex 17:1; Nu 33:11, 12
  25. Exodus 16:1 : S Ex 6:6; 12:1-2
  26. Exodus 16:2 : S Ex 15:24; 1Co 10:10
  27. Exodus 16:3 : Ex 17:3; Nu 14:2; 20:3
  28. Exodus 16:3 : Nu 11:4, 34; Dt 12:20; Ps 78:18; 106:14; Jer 44:17
  29. Exodus 16:3 : S Ge 47:15; Dt 8:3
  30. Exodus 16:4 : ver 14-15; Dt 8:3; Ne 9:15; Ps 78:24; 105:40; S Jn 6:31*
  31. Exodus 16:4 : S Ge 22:1
  32. Exodus 16:5 : ver 22; Lev 25:21
  33. Exodus 16:6 : S Ex 6:6
  34. Exodus 16:7 : ver 10; Ex 24:16; 29:43; 33:18, 22; 40:34; Lev 9:6; Nu 16:19, 42; Dt 5:24; 1Ki 8:11; Ps 63:2; Isa 6:3; 35:2; 40:5; 44:23; 60:1; 66:18; Eze 1:28; 10:4; 43:5; Hab 2:14; Hag 2:7; Jn 11:40
  35. Exodus 16:7 : ver 12; Nu 11:1, 18; 14:2, 27, 28; 17:5
  36. Exodus 16:7 : Nu 16:11
  37. Exodus 16:8 : ver 7
  38. Exodus 16:8 : Nu 23:21; Dt 33:5; Jdg 8:23; 1Sa 8:7; 12:12; S Mt 10:40; Ro 13:2; 1Th 4:8
  39. Exodus 16:10 : S ver 7; Jn 11:4
  40. Exodus 16:10 : Ex 13:21; 40:34-35; 1Ki 8:10; 2Ch 7:1; Eze 10:4
  41. Exodus 16:12 : S ver 7
  42. Exodus 16:12 : S Ex 6:2; S 20:2
  43. Exodus 16:13 : Nu 11:31; Ps 78:27-28; 105:40; 106:15
  44. Exodus 16:13 : Nu 11:9
  45. Exodus 16:14 : ver 31; Nu 11:7-9; Dt 8:3, 16; Ps 105:40
  46. Exodus 16:15 : Dt 8:16
  47. Exodus 16:15 : S ver 4; Ne 9:20; S Jn 6:31
  48. Exodus 16:16 : ver 32, 36
  49. Exodus 16:18 : 2Co 8:15*
  50. Exodus 16:19 : ver 23; Ex 12:10
  51. Exodus 16:20 : ver 24
  52. Exodus 16:20 : Ex 32:19
  53. Exodus 16:22 : S ver 5
  54. Exodus 16:22 : Ex 34:31
  55. Exodus 16:23 : S Ge 2:3; S Ex 20:8; Dt 5:13-14
  56. Exodus 16:26 : ver 23
  57. Exodus 16:28 : Jos 9:14; Ps 78:10; 106:13; 107:11; 119:1; Jer 32:23
  58. Exodus 16:31 : S ver 14
  59. Exodus 16:33 : Heb 9:4; Rev 2:17
  60. Exodus 16:34 : Ex 25:16, 21, 22; 27:21; 31:18; 40:20; Lev 16:13; Nu 1:50; 7:89; 10:11; 17:4, 10; Dt 10:2; 1Ki 8:9; 2Ch 5:10
  61. Exodus 16:35 : Jn 6:31, 49
  62. Exodus 16:35 : Nu 14:33; 33:38; Dt 1:3; 2:7; 8:2-4; Jos 5:6; Jdg 3:11; Ne 9:21; Ps 95:10; Am 5:25
  63. Exodus 16:35 : Jos 5:12
  64. Exodus 16:36 : S ver 16
  65. Exodus 16:36 : Lev 5:11; 6:20; Nu 5:15; 15:4; 28:5
  66. Exodus 17:1 : S Ex 16:1
  67. Exodus 17:1 : ver 8; Ex 19:2; Nu 33:15
  68. Exodus 17:1 : Nu 20:5; 21:5; 33:14
  69. Exodus 17:2 : Nu 20:2; 33:14; Ps 107:5
  70. Exodus 17:2 : S Ex 14:12
  71. Exodus 17:2 : Dt 6:16; Ps 78:18, 41; 106:14; Mt 4:7; 1Co 10:9
  72. Exodus 17:3 : S Ex 15:22
  73. Exodus 17:3 : S Ex 15:24
  74. Exodus 17:3 : S Ex 14:11
  75. Exodus 17:4 : Nu 14:10; 1Sa 30:6; S Jn 8:59
  76. Exodus 17:5 : S Ex 4:2; S 10:12-13
  77. Exodus 17:5 : Ex 7:20
  78. Exodus 17:6 : S Ex 3:1
  79. Exodus 17:6 : Nu 20:8
  80. Exodus 17:6 : Nu 20:11; Dt 8:15; Jdg 15:19; 2Ki 3:20; Ne 9:15; Ps 74:15; 78:15-16; 105:41; 107:35; 114:8; Isa 30:25; 35:6; 43:19; 48:21; 1Co 10:4
  81. Exodus 17:7 : Dt 6:16; 9:22; 33:8; Ps 95:8
  82. Exodus 17:7 : Nu 20:13, 24; 27:14; Ps 81:7; 106:32
New International Version (NIV)

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Matthew 22:1-33

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet(A)

22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like(B) a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants(C) to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

“Then he sent some more servants(D) and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

“But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers(E) and burned their city.

“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners(F) and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good,(G) and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend(H)?’ The man was speechless.

13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’(I)

14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”(J)

Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar(K)

15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians.(L) “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a](M) to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s,(N) and to God what is God’s.”

22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.(O)

Marriage at the Resurrection(P)

23 That same day the Sadducees,(Q) who say there is no resurrection,(R) came to him with a question. 24 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.(S) 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26 The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. 27 Finally, the woman died. 28 Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?”

29 Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures(T) or the power of God. 30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage;(U) they will be like the angels in heaven. 31 But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’[b]?(V) He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”

33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.(W)

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 22:17 A special tax levied on subject peoples, not on Roman citizens
  2. Matthew 22:32 Exodus 3:6
New International Version (NIV)

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Psalm 27:1-6

Psalm 27

Of David.

The Lord is my light(A) and my salvation(B)
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold(C) of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?(D)

When the wicked advance against me
to devour[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.(E)
Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;(F)
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.(G)

One thing(H) I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,(I)
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble(J)
he will keep me safe(K) in his dwelling;
he will hide me(L) in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.(M)

Then my head will be exalted(N)
above the enemies who surround me;(O)
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice(P) with shouts of joy;(Q)
I will sing(R) and make music(S) to the Lord.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 27:2 Or slander
New International Version (NIV)

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

Proverbs 6:20-26

Warning Against Adultery

20 My son,(A) keep your father’s command
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(B)
21 Bind them always on your heart;
fasten them around your neck.(C)
22 When you walk, they will guide you;
when you sleep, they will watch over you;
when you awake, they will speak to you.
23 For this command is a lamp,
this teaching is a light,(D)
and correction and instruction
are the way to life,(E)
24 keeping you from your neighbor’s wife,
from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.(F)

25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty
or let her captivate you with her eyes.

26 For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread,
but another man’s wife preys on your very life.(G)

New International Version (NIV)

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Saturday February 1, 2025 (NIV)

Exodus 13:17-15:18

Pillars of Cloud and Fire

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by the way that goes to the land of the Philistines, although it was more direct, for God said, “If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people by the way that goes through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.[a] The Israelites went up from the land of Egypt in battle formation.

19 Moses also took the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. Joseph had said, “God will surely come to your aid. Then you must bring up my bones with you from Egypt.” 20 They set out from Sukkoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. 21 The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on their way and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light. In this way they could travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never left its place in front of the people.

Crossing the Red Sea

14 Then the Lord spoke to Moses: “Tell the Israelites to turn back and camp in front of Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to camp by the sea, facing Baal Zephon. Then Pharaoh will say about the Israelites, ‘They are wandering around in the land. The wilderness has shut them in.’ I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them, and I will gain glory through Pharaoh and his entire army. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So that is what the Israelites did.

When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials had a change of heart concerning the people. They said, “What have we done? We have let Israel go! They will not serve us anymore!” So Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his troops with him. He also took six hundred of the best chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites. The Israelites were going out defiantly.[b] The Egyptians pursued them. All the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his charioteers,[c] and his army caught up with them where they were camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, which faces Baal Zephon.

10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians marching after them. The Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you took us to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Wasn’t this what we said to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone. Let us serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

13 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and see the salvation from the Lord, which he will perform for you today. For the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you. You must wait quietly.”

15 The Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to set out. 16 As for you, lift up your staff, stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide the sea so that the Israelites can go through the middle of the sea on dry ground. 17 I myself will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go into the sea after them, and I will gain glory through Pharaoh and his entire army, through his chariots and his charioteers. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord, when I have gained glory through Pharaoh, his chariots, and his charioteers.”

19 Then the Angel of God, who was going in front of the Israelite forces, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and stood behind them. 20 It went between the Egyptian forces and the Israelite forces. The cloud was dark on one side, but it lit up the night on the other. Neither group approached the other all night long.

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all night long the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned the sea into dry land. The waters were divided. 22 The Israelites went into the middle of the sea on dry ground. The waters were like a wall for them on their right and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all of Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his charioteers went after them into the middle of the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night, the Lord looked down on the Egyptian forces from the pillar of fire and cloud. Then he confused the Egyptian forces. 25 He jammed[d] their chariot wheels, and they had difficulty driving them. The Egyptians said, “We must flee from Israel, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!”

26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, and the waters will come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their charioteers.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal place. While the Egyptians were fleeing from it, the Lord threw the Egyptians into the middle of the sea. 28 The waters came back and covered the chariots and the charioteers, the entire army of Pharaoh that went into the sea after the Israelites. Not even one of them survived.

29 But the Israelites went through the middle of the sea on dry land, and the waters were like a wall for them on their right and on their left. 30 On that day the Lord saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the mighty hand which the Lord put into action against the Egyptians, and the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in Moses, his servant.

The Song of Moses and Miriam

15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord. They said:

I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea.

The Lord[e] is my strength and song.
He has become my salvation.
This is my God, and I will praise him;
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a warrior.
The Lord is his name.
He has cast Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea.
His elite officers are drowned in the Red Sea.
The deep waters covered them.
They sank down to the depths like a stone.
Lord, your right hand is glorious in power.
Lord, your right hand has shattered the enemy.
In your great majesty you overthrew those who opposed you.
You sent out your burning anger.
It consumed them like stubble.
At the blast from your nostrils the waters piled up.
The flowing waters stood up like a dam.
The deep waters became solid in the heart of the sea.
The enemy said, “I will pursue.
I will overtake. I will divide the plunder.
I will do whatever I want with them.
I will draw my sword,
and my hand will destroy them.”
10 But you blew with your breath,
and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
11 Lord, who is like you among the gods?
Who is like you, glorious in holiness,
awesome in praise, working wonders?
12 You stretched out your right hand,
and the earth swallowed them.
13 In your mercy you will lead the people that you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them to your holy pastureland.[f]
14 The nations will hear and tremble.
Anguish will grip the inhabitants of Philistia.
15 Then the chiefs of Edom will be terrified.
Trembling will seize the leaders of Moab.
All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away in despair.
16 Terror and dread will fall upon them.
By the great power of your arm they will be as still as stone
until your people pass by, O Lord,
until the people whom you have purchased pass by.
17 You will bring them in and plant them
on the mountain that belongs to you,
the place, O Lord, that you have made for your dwelling,
the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established.
18 The Lord will reign forever and ever.

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 13:18 The Hebrew name for the sea, Yam Suf, seems to mean Sea of Reeds and includes the present Red Sea, the Gulf of Suez west of the Sinai Peninsula, and the Gulf of Aqaba east of the Sinai Peninsula.
  2. Exodus 14:8 Literally with an upraised hand
  3. Exodus 14:9 At this point of military history, the Hebrew word often translated horsemen very likely refers to chariot crews, not cavalry. It seems cavalry was not common before the Assyrian period.
  4. Exodus 14:25 The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Greek and Syriac versions read bound up or jammed. The Hebrew reads removed.
  5. Exodus 15:2 The divine name Yahweh here appears in the shortened form Yah.
  6. Exodus 15:13 That is, the land of Israel
Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)

The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Matthew 21:23-46

Jesus’ Authority Questioned

23 When Jesus went into the temple courts, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him while he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things?” and “Who gave you this authority?”

24 Jesus answered them, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer it, I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?”

They discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the crowd, since they all regard John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.”

He said to them, “Then I will not tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Two Sons

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered, ‘I will not,’ but later he changed his mind and went. 30 He came to the second and said the same thing. The second son answered, ‘I will go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?”

They said to him, “The first.”

Jesus said to them, “Amen I tell you: The tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, but you did not believe him. However, the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him. Even when you saw this, you did not change your mind and believe him.

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

33 “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a watchtower. He leased it out to some tenant farmers and went away on a journey. 34 When the time approached to harvest the fruit, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 The tenant farmers seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36 Then the landowner sent even more servants than the first time. The tenant farmers treated them the same way. 37 Finally, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. 38 But when the tenant farmers saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance!’ 39 They took him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 So when the landowner comes, what will he do to those tenant farmers?”

41 They told him, “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end. Then he will lease out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his fruit when it is due.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?[a]

43 “That is why I tell you the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces its fruit. 44 Whoever falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.”

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was talking about them. 46 Although they were looking for a way to arrest him, they were afraid of the crowds because the people regarded him as a prophet.

Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)

The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Psalm 26

Psalm 26

Vindicate Me, O Lord

Heading
By David.

Affirmation of Innocence and Plea for Judgment

Judge me favorably, O Lord,
because I have walked in my integrity.
In the Lord I have trusted. I have not wavered.
Test me, O Lord, and examine me.
Refine my thoughts and my emotions,
for your mercy is in front of my eyes,
and I keep walking in your truth.

Separation From Evil

I do not sit with deceivers.
I do not associate with hypocrites.
I hate the company of evildoers.
I do not sit with the wicked.

Affirmation of Innocence and Love for God

I wash my hands from sin,
so I can march around your altar, O Lord,
to shout thanks to you
and to proclaim all your wonderful deeds.
Lord, I love the house where you reside,
the place where your glory dwells.

Separation From Evil

Do not snatch my soul away along with sinners,
nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 who grasp wicked schemes in their hands,
whose right hands are full of bribes.

Affirmation of Innocence and Prayer for Redemption

11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity.
Redeem me and be merciful to me.
12 My feet stand on level ground.
In the assemblies I will bless the Lord.

Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)

The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 6:16-19

Things That Are Disgusting to the Lord

16 These are six things the Lord hates,
seven things that really disgust him:
17 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that run quickly to do evil,
19 a false witness who breathes lies,
and a person who spreads conflict between brothers.

Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)

The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Friday January 31, 2025 (NIV)

Exodus 12:14-13:16

14 This day shall be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a festival to the Lord. Throughout your generations you must celebrate it as a permanent regulation. 15 For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you must be sure to remove all yeast from your houses, for whoever eats anything leavened from the first day until the seventh day will be cut off from Israel. 16 On the first day you are to have a holy convocation; also on the seventh day there is to be a holy convocation. You shall not do any work, except to prepare what everybody needs to eat. That is all you may do.

17 You shall observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because on this very day I brought your divisions out from the land of Egypt. You shall observe this day throughout your generations as a permanent regulation. 18 In the first month, you shall eat unleavened bread from the evening of the fourteenth day of the month until the evening of the twenty-first day of the month. 19 No yeast is to be found in your houses for seven days, for whoever eats something leavened must be cut off from the Israelite community, whether a foreigner or native-born of the land. 20 You shall not eat anything leavened. You shall eat unleavened bread in every place you live.

21 Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take lambs for yourselves according to your family size, and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22 You shall take a bundle of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and paint the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you are to go out of the door of your house until morning. 23 When the Lord passes through to strike Egypt and sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over that door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.

24 “You shall observe these instructions as a perpetual regulation for you and your descendants. 25 When you enter the land that the Lord will give you just as he said he would, you shall observe this ceremony. 26 So when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ 27 you will say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Passover to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. When he struck the Egyptians, he spared our houses.’”

The people bowed down and worshipped. 28 The Israelites went and did all this. They did just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron.

The Exodus

29 At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, even all the firstborn of the livestock. 30 During the night Pharaoh got up—he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians—and there was a loud outcry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not someone dead. 31 Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron that night and said, “Get up, get away from my people! Both you and the Israelites, go, serve the Lord, as you have said! 32 Take also your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and go! But also bless me!”

33 The Egyptians urged the people to leave the land quickly, for the Egyptians said, “We are all going to die!” 34 The Israelites took their dough before it was leavened. They carried their kneading bowls, which were wrapped in their clothing, on their shoulders. 35 The Israelites did just as Moses had said, and they asked the Egyptians for articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. 36 The Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians so that they let the Israelites have what they asked for. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.

37 The Israelites set out from Rameses to Sukkoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides their families. 38 A mixed group of non-Israelites also went up along with them, as well as a large amount of livestock, both flocks and herds. 39 The Israelites baked the dough which they had brought out of Egypt into unleavened loaves, for it had not been leavened, because they had been driven out of Egypt and could not delay. They also had not prepared any provisions for themselves.

40 The amount of time that the Israelites lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years. 41 At the end of four hundred thirty years, to the very day, all of the Lord’s divisions went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It was a night that the Lord kept vigil to bring them out of the land of Egypt. This same night is dedicated to the Lord. All the Israelites are to keep vigil throughout their generations.

Passover Restrictions

43 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the regulation concerning the Passover: No foreigner may eat it. 44 But any slave whom you have purchased may eat it if you circumcise him. 45 A temporary resident or a hired servant may not eat it. 46 It must be eaten inside one house. You are not to carry any of the meat outside of the house. Do not break any of its bones. 47 The whole community of Israel shall do this. 48 If a resident alien among you wants to observe the Passover to the Lord, every male in his household must be circumcised. Then he may take part in it. He will be treated like a native-born of the land. But no uncircumcised person may eat it. 49 The same law will apply to the native-born and to the alien who resides among you.” 50 So that is what all the Israelites did. They did just as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron. 51 That same day the Lord brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, lined up by their divisions.

Instructions for Remembering the Passover

13 The Lord spoke to Moses: “Set apart all the firstborn for me, the firstborn of every mother[a] among the Israelites, both people and animals. The firstborn belongs to me.”

Then Moses said this to the people:

Remember this day when you came out of Egypt, where you were slaves.[b] For by the strength of his hand the Lord brought you out from there. Nothing with leaven[c] may be eaten. Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving. So when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites—the land he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey—you are to perform this ceremony during this month: Seven days you must eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there is to be a festival to the Lord. Unleavened bread must be eaten throughout the seven days. No leavened bread is to be seen among you. No yeast is to be seen among you, anywhere in your entire territory. On that day you are to explain this to your son, “It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.” This will serve as a sign for you on your wrist and a reminder on your forehead[d] so that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth. For with a mighty hand the Lord brought you out of Egypt. 10 You must keep this regulation at its appointed time from year to year.

11 When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites—just as he swore to you and to your fathers—and gives it to you, 12 then you must dedicate the firstborn of every mother to the Lord. Every firstborn of your livestock, the ones that are males, will belong to the Lord. 13 Every firstborn donkey you are to redeem with a lamb. But if you do not want to redeem it, then you are to break its neck. However, you must redeem all the firstborn among your sons.

14 In the future, when your son asks you, “What is this about?” you will say to him, “By the strength of his hand the Lord