Month: July 2017

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Sunday July 9, 2017 (NIV)

1 Chronicles 7-8

If the Levites are servants of the temple, then why can they live anywhere besides Jerusalem? The temple calendar is set up so that each Levite only serves for two weeks each year at the temple. For the remainder of the year, the Levites are spread throughout the nation and live in pastoral settings, planting grains and tending flocks just as most of the Israelites do. But they have one more function. Within the various cities, they collect the temple taxes that each Israelite owes based on the tribal area where he lives. This way the Levites keep all of the Israelites accountable to God year round.

7 Issachar fathered four sons: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron. 2 Tola’s sons were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Samuel. These were heroic warriors, and their clans numbered 22,600 during King David’s reign.

3 Uzzi’s son Izrahiah fathered Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Isshiah, and all were the chiefs of their own generations. 4 The clans these men led numbered 36,000 troops because the men had many wives and sons. 5 These clans, in addition to the other clans of Issachar, totaled 87,000 heroic warriors.

6 Benjamin fathered three sons: Bela, Becher, and Jediael. 7 Bela’s five sons were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri. They were chiefs of their clans, heroic warriors numbering 22,034. 8 Becher’s sons were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. 9 They were chiefs in their clans, heroic warriors numbering 20,200. 10 Jediael’s son was Bilhan. Bilhan’s sons were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar. 11 They were chiefs in their clans, heroic warriors numbering 17,200. 12 And Ir fathered Shuppim and Huppim. Aher fathered Hushim.

13 Israel’s concubine Bilhah gave birth to Naphtali, who fathered Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum.

14 The sons of Manasseh and his Aramean concubine were Asriel and Machir (father of Gilead). 15 Machir found a wife for Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister was Maacah.[a] The second sister was Zelophehad, who had only daughters. 16 Machir’s wife, Maacah, bore Peresh. His brother was Sheresh, who fathered Ulam and Rakem. 17 Ulam’s son was Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead (son of Machir, son of Manasseh). 18 His sister, Hammolecheth, gave birth to Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah. 19 Shemida fathered Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.

20 Ephraim’s lineage descended seven generations: Shuthelah, Bered, Tahath, Eleadah, Tahath, 21 Zabad, and Shuthelah. Ezer and Elead (Shuthelah’s sons) were killed by men of the Philistine city Gath because the brothers stole livestock. 22 Their father Ephraim mourned many days, and his relatives comforted him. 23 His wife became pregnant and birthed Beriah (whose name means “misfortune” and commemorates the tragedy in Ephraim’s family). 24 His daughter, Sheerah, built lower and upper Beth-horon and Uzzen-sheerah. 25 His sons were Rephah and Resheph. Resheph’s lineage descended seven generations: Telah, Tahan, 26 Ladan, Ammihud, Elishama, 27 Non, and Joshua.

28-29 The tribes descended from Joseph bordered each other. The Ephraimites occupied Bethel with its towns, to the east Naaran, and to the west the cities and towns of Gezer, Shechem, and Ayyah. Their borders lined Manasseh’s territories: the cities and towns of Beth-shean, Taanach, Megiddo, and Dor.

30 Asher fathered four sons, Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah, and their sister Serah. 31 Beriah’s sons were Heber and Malchiel (father of Birzaith). 32 Heber fathered three sons, Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham, and their sister Shua. 33 Japhlet’s sons were Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. 34 Shemer fathered Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram. 35 His brother Helem fathered Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal. 36 Zophah’s sons were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, 37 Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera. 38 Jether fathered Jephunneh, Pispa, and Ara. 39 Ulla fathered Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia. 40 All these men were heroic warriors and chiefs of their clans. The Asherites contributed 26,000 men to the army.

8 1-2 Benjamin fathered five sons: Bela, Ashbel, Aharah, Nohah, and Rapha. 3 Bela’s sons were Addar, Gera, Abihud, 4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, 5 Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram.

6 Ehud’s sons were the clan leaders in Geba who were exiled to Manahath:[b] 7 Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera (who led them into exile and fathered Uzza and Ahihud).

8 After sending away his two wives, Hushim and Baara, Shaharaim fathered children in the country of Moab. 9-10 By his wife Hodesh he fathered these clan leaders: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. 11 By Hushim he fathered Abitub and Elpaal. 12 Elpaal’s sons were Eber, Misham, Shemed (who built the cities and towns of Ono and Lod), 13 Beriah and Shema (who were clan leaders in Aijalon and drove away the people of the Philistine city Gath), 14 Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth. 15-16 Beriah’s sons were Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, Michael, Ishpah, and Joha. 17-18 Elpaal also fathered Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab. 19-21 Shimei’s sons were Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath. 22-25 Shashak’s sons were Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, Iphdeiah, and Penuel. 26-27 Jeroham’s sons were Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri. 28 These men were leaders of their clans who lived in Jerusalem.

Although these ancestral and tribal lists seem tedious and monotonous, they are absolutely essential for marking identity and place in the postexilic community. For example, a person from Saul’s line among Benjamin may have positioned himself for the Judean throne during a time of political and economic weakness. If such a person has arisen from Benjamin or any other tribe such as Ephraim, which is the dominant tribe of the Northern Kingdom, then the scribes in Jerusalem can simply consult the tribal lists in the book of Chronicles.

These lists are not just for noting the “insiders” and “outsiders,” but they also serve the purpose of setting forth a long and special covenant identity before the Eternal One and the specific roles within His nation and people called “Israel.” The ancestry lists of Chronicles support the one who says, “I am a singer before the Eternal One,” and those who say, “We are guards at the house of our God.”

29 In Gibeon, Jeiel (the father of Gibeon) lived with his wife Maacah. 30 His sons were Abdon (the firstborn), then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, 31 Gedor, Ahio, and Zecher. 32 Mikloth fathered Shimeah, and they also lived with their relatives in Jerusalem across from their other relatives. 33 Ner fathered Kish, the father of Saul, the first king in Israel. Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

34 Jonathan’s son Merib-baal fathered Micah. 35 The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz. 36 Ahaz fathered Jehoaddah, who then fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri’s lineage descended five generations: Moza, 37 Binea, Raphah, Eleasah, and Azel. 38 Azel had six sons: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. 39 His brother, Eshek, fathered three sons in order: Ulam, Jeush, and Eliphelet. 40 Ulam’s sons were heroic warriors and archers who had 150 sons and grandsons. All of these were of the tribe of Benjamin.

Footnotes:

  1. 7:15 Hebrew is obscure here. In verse 16, Maacah is Machir’s wife and Shuppim and Huppim in verse 12 are sons of Ir.
  2. 8:6 Geba was six miles north and east of Jerusalem, but the location of Manahath is unknown. It was possibly a journey of a couple of days. A more likely possibility was into Moab.
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The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.

Acts 27:1-20

At different points in Acts, Luke shows how the good news of Jesus challenges Greco-Roman culture and religion, but he also shows that Christianity is not subversive to the Roman government. These direct statements by Roman officials about Paul’s innocence support this message. However, a challenge to culture and religion always ends up becoming a challenge to the government, as later Christians will learn.

27 The date was set for us to depart for Rome, and Paul and some other prisoners were transferred to the custody of a Roman officer named Julius, a member of the Augustan Division. 2 I, Luke, was permitted to join Paul for his journey to Rome, along with Aristarchus, a Macedonian brother from Thessalonica. We boarded a ship from Adramyttium that was stopping in ports along the coast of Asia. 3 We stopped the next day at Sidon, and Julius kindly allowed Paul to visit friends and be taken care of by them. 4 We sailed from there north of Cyprus because the winds were unfavorable. 5 We passed Cilicia and Pamphylia on our right and then came to Myra in Lycia. 6 There Julius found a ship from Alexandria heading directly to Italy, to which we transferred. 7 The winds were still contrary, so we made slow progress for a number of days and with difficulty passed Cnidus and sailed south toward Crete and past Cape Salmone on its eastern end. 8 Sailing conditions were adverse to say the least. Finally we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea on the south coast of Crete. 9 We had lost a lot of time already—it was late in the year for sailing—following the Day of Atonement, and conditions had deteriorated from adverse to dangerous. Paul tried to warn those in charge.

Paul: 10 Sirs, if we proceed, I can see that our voyage will be dangerous and will involve heavy loss, not only of cargo, but of the ship itself; not only of the ship, but also of our lives.

11 But the officer ignored Paul and instead trusted the ship’s pilot and owner who felt they could proceed.

12 We had two choices. We could anchor in the harbor at Fair Havens and spend the winter, or we could proceed west along the coastline, hoping to reach Phoenix and wait there for calmer spring weather. Fair Havens was not a good option, though, being vulnerable to winter storms; so most of us agreed we should try to reach Phoenix, whose harbor was more protected. 13 One day a moderate south wind began to blow, which made an attempt possible. We weighed anchor and sailed west, staying near shore. 14 Then things got scary. A violent northeaster, the Euraquilo, blew down across Crete. 15 We were caught. We couldn’t turn and sail into this fierce wind, so we had no choice but to let it drive us. 16 We briefly found a bit of shelter from the wind near the island of Clauda. We had been having trouble securing the ship’s lifeboat; 17 but we were able there to hoist it up and send down cables to brace the hull, which was in danger of breaking apart under the strain of the storm. The wind was relentless, and soon we were again being driven southwest at the mercy of the storm. We feared it would drive us all the way to the Syrtis Banks, down near the North African coast, so we threw out the sea anchor to slow us down. 18 All through the night, the storm pounded us violently. The next day, the crew threw the ship’s cargo overboard; 19 and the day after that, they discarded any of the ship’s equipment they could do without. 20 Days passed without relief from the furious winds, without a single break in the clouds to see sun or stars, even for a moment. Despair set in, as if all hope of rescue had been cast overboard as well.

The Voice (VOICE)

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.

Psalm 7

Psalm 7

A song[a] of David to the Eternal regarding Cush, the Benjaminite.

1 O Eternal my God, in You I seek refuge.
Save me from those who are chasing me. Rescue me,
2 Or else they will tear me to pieces as a lion devours his prey;
they will carry me off with no one to snatch me from their jaws.

3 O Eternal my God, if I have done anything wrong to deserve this,
if there is blood on my hands,
4 If I have mistreated a friend,
or if I have stolen from an adversary without just cause,
5 Then let my enemy come after me and catch me,
stomping me into the ground, ending my life,
and grinding my honor into the dirt.

[pause][b]

6 Arise, O Eternal One, inflamed by Your anger.
Come and counter the rage of my adversaries;
open Your eyes, my God; hear my plea for justice once and for all.

7 Let the people gather around You.
Return to Your rightful place above them in the high court.
8 The Eternal will judge the nations.
Judge me now, Eternal One, according to my virtue and integrity.

9 Please, bring the evil actions of these wicked, wicked people to an end!
But secure the righteous,
For You, righteous God,
examine our hearts and minds.
10 God is my defender;
He rescues those who have a pure heart.
11 God is a just judge;
He passes judgment daily against the person who does evil.

12 If the wicked do not turn from their evil deeds, God will sharpen His sword;
He will bend His bow, stringing it in readiness.
13 Yes, He has prepared His deadly weapons
with His arrows flaming hot.
14 See, my enemies are fertile with evil.
They conceive trouble
and give birth to deception.
15 They prepare a trap, digging a deep pit,
and fall into the snare they have made.
16 The trouble they plan will return to punish them,
and their violent acts will come back to haunt them.

17 As a result, I will thank the Eternal for His justice
and sing praises in honor of the Eternal, Most High.

Footnotes:

  1. 7:title Hebrew, shiggaion, meaning is uncertain.
  2. 7:5 Literally, selah, likely a musical direction from a Hebrew root meaning “to lift up”
The Voice (VOICE)

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.

Proverbs 18:22

22 The man who finds a wife finds something good,
and the favor of the Eternal is indeed his.

The Voice (VOICE)

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Friday July 7, 2017 (NIV)

1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17

5 (A)Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah; 6 Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. 7 The sons of Helah: Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. 8 Koz fathered Anub, Zobebah, and the clans of Aharhel, the son of Harum. 9 Jabez was (B)more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”[a] 10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm[b] so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. 11 Chelub, the brother of Shuhah, fathered Mehir, who fathered Eshton. 12 Eshton fathered Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah, the father of Ir-nahash. These are the men of Recah. 13 The sons of (C)Kenaz: (D)Othniel and Seraiah; and the sons of Othniel: Hathath and Meonothai.[c] 14 Meonothai fathered Ophrah; and Seraiah fathered Joab, the father of Ge-harashim,[d] so-called because they were craftsmen. 15 The sons of (E)Caleb the son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam; and the son[e] of Elah: Kenaz. 16 The sons of Jehallelel: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel. 17 The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. These are the sons of Bithiah, the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered married;[f] and she conceived and bore[g] Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah, the father of Eshtemoa. 18 And his Judahite wife bore (F)Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. 19 The sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and Eshtemoa the Maacathite. 20 The sons of Shimon: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. The sons of Ishi: Zoheth and Ben-zoheth. 21 The sons of (G)Shelah the son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the clans of the house of linen workers at Beth-ashbea; 22 and Jokim, and the men of Cozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who ruled in Moab and returned to Lehem[h] (now the records[i] are ancient). 23 These were the potters who were inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah. They lived there in the king's service.

Descendants of Simeon

24 (H)The sons of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul; 25 Shallum was his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son. 26 The sons of Mishma: Hammuel his son, Zaccur his son, Shimei his son. 27 Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers did not have many children, (I)nor did all their clan multiply (J)like the men of Judah. 28 (K)They lived in Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, 29 (L)Bilhah, Ezem, (M)Tolad, 30 (N)Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, 31 Beth-marcaboth, (O)Hazar-susim, (P)Beth-biri, and (Q)Shaaraim. These were their cities until David reigned. 32 And their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan, five cities, 33 along with all their villages that were around these cities as far as (R)Baal. These were their settlements, and they kept a genealogical record.

34 Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah the son of Amaziah, 35 Joel, Jehu the son of Joshibiah, son of Seraiah, son of Asiel, 36 Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, 37 Ziza the son of Shiphi, son of Allon, son of Jedaiah, son of Shimri, son of Shemaiah— 38 these mentioned by name were princes in their clans, (S)and their fathers' houses increased greatly. 39 They journeyed to the entrance of (T)Gedor, to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks, 40 where they found rich, good pasture, and the land was very broad, (U)quiet, and peaceful, for the former inhabitants there belonged to Ham. 41 (V)These, registered by name, came in the days of Hezekiah, king of Judah, and destroyed their tents and the Meunites who were found there, and marked them for destruction to this day, (W)and settled in their place, because there was pasture there for their flocks. 42 And some of them, five hundred men of the Simeonites, went to (X)Mount Seir, having as their leaders Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi. 43 And they defeated (Y)the remnant of the Amalekites who had escaped, and they have lived there to this day.

Descendants of Reuben

5 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel ((Z)for he was the firstborn, but because (AA)he defiled his father's couch, (AB)his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, so that he could not be enrolled as the oldest son; 2 (AC)though Judah became strong among his brothers and a (AD)chief came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph), 3 the (AE)sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. 4 The sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, 5 Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son, 6 Beerah his son, whom (AF)Tiglath-pileser[j] king of Assyria carried away into exile; he was a chief of the Reubenites. 7 And his kinsmen by their clans, (AG)when the genealogy of their generations was recorded: the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah, 8 and Bela the son of Azaz, son of (AH)Shema, son of Joel, who lived in (AI)Aroer, as far as (AJ)Nebo and (AK)Baal-meon. 9 He also lived to the east as far as the entrance of the desert this side of the Euphrates, because their livestock had multiplied (AL)in the land of Gilead. 10 And in the days of Saul they waged war against the (AM)Hagrites, who fell into their hand. And they lived in their tents throughout all the region east of Gilead.

Descendants of Gad

11 The sons of Gad lived over against them in the land of Bashan as far as (AN)Salecah: 12 Joel the chief, Shapham the second, Janai, and Shaphat in Bashan. 13 And their kinsmen according to their fathers' houses: Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia and Eber, seven. 14 These were the sons of Abihail the son of Huri, son of Jaroah, son of Gilead, son of Michael, son of Jeshishai, son of Jahdo, son of Buz. 15 Ahi the son of Abdiel, son of Guni, was chief in their fathers' houses, 16 and they lived in Gilead, in Bashan and in its towns, and in all the pasturelands of (AO)Sharon to their limits. 17 All of these were recorded in genealogies in the days of (AP)Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of (AQ)Jeroboam king of Israel.

Footnotes:

  1. 1 Chronicles 4:9 Jabez sounds like the Hebrew for pain
  2. 1 Chronicles 4:10 Or evil
  3. 1 Chronicles 4:13 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew lacks Meonothai
  4. 1 Chronicles 4:14 Ge-harashim means valley of craftsmen
  5. 1 Chronicles 4:15 Hebrew sons
  6. 1 Chronicles 4:17 The clause These are… married is transposed from verse 18
  7. 1 Chronicles 4:17 Hebrew lacks and bore
  8. 1 Chronicles 4:22 Vulgate (compare Septuagint); Hebrew and Jashubi-lahem
  9. 1 Chronicles 4:22 Or matters
  10. 1 Chronicles 5:6 Hebrew Tilgath-pilneser; also verse 26

Cross references:

  1. 1 Chronicles 4:5 : ch. 2:24
  2. 1 Chronicles 4:9 : [Gen. 34:19]
  3. 1 Chronicles 4:13 : Josh. 15:17
  4. 1 Chronicles 4:13 : Judg. 1:13; 3:9, 11
  5. 1 Chronicles 4:15 : Num. 13:6
  6. 1 Chronicles 4:18 : [ver. 4]
  7. 1 Chronicles 4:21 : ch. 2:3; Gen. 38:1, 5; 46:12; Num. 26:20
  8. 1 Chronicles 4:24 : Num. 26:12
  9. 1 Chronicles 4:27 : [ver. 38]
  10. 1 Chronicles 4:27 : [Num. 2:4, 13; 26:14, 22]
  11. 1 Chronicles 4:28 : For ver. 28-33, see Josh. 19:2-8
  12. 1 Chronicles 4:29 : [Josh. 19:3]
  13. 1 Chronicles 4:29 : [Josh. 19:4]
  14. 1 Chronicles 4:30 : [See ver. 29 above]; [Josh. 19:4]
  15. 1 Chronicles 4:31 : [Josh. 19:5, 6]
  16. 1 Chronicles 4:31 : [Josh. 19:5, 6]
  17. 1 Chronicles 4:31 : [Josh. 19:5, 6]
  18. 1 Chronicles 4:33 : [Josh. 19:8]
  19. 1 Chronicles 4:38 : [ver. 27]
  20. 1 Chronicles 4:39 : ver. 4, 18
  21. 1 Chronicles 4:40 : [Judg. 18:7, 27]
  22. 1 Chronicles 4:41 : See ver. 34-38
  23. 1 Chronicles 4:41 : [ch. 5:22]
  24. 1 Chronicles 4:42 : Gen. 36:8
  25. 1 Chronicles 4:43 : [1 Sam. 15:8; 30:17]
  26. 1 Chronicles 5:1 : Gen. 29:32; 49:3
  27. 1 Chronicles 5:1 : Gen. 35:22; 49:4
  28. 1 Chronicles 5:1 : See Gen. 48:15-22
  29. 1 Chronicles 5:2 : See Gen. 49:8-10
  30. 1 Chronicles 5:2 : Mic. 5:2; Matt. 2:6
  31. 1 Chronicles 5:3 : Gen. 46:9; Ex. 6:14; Num. 26:5, 6
  32. 1 Chronicles 5:6 : 2 Chr. 28:20
  33. 1 Chronicles 5:7 : ver. 17
  34. 1 Chronicles 5:8 : [ver. 4]
  35. 1 Chronicles 5:8 : Deut. 2:36; Josh. 13:16
  36. 1 Chronicles 5:8 : Num. 32:3
  37. 1 Chronicles 5:8 : Num. 32:38
  38. 1 Chronicles 5:9 : Josh. 22:9
  39. 1 Chronicles 5:10 : ver. 19, 20; ch. 11:38; 27:30
  40. 1 Chronicles 5:11 : Josh. 12:5; 13:11
  41. 1 Chronicles 5:16 : ch. 27:29
  42. 1 Chronicles 5:17 : 2 Kgs. 15:5, 32
  43. 1 Chronicles 5:17 : 2 Kgs. 14:16, 28
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Acts 25

Paul Appeals to Caesar

25 Now three days after Festus had arrived in (A)the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews (B)laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, 3 asking as a favor against Paul[a] that he summon him to Jerusalem—because (C)they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. 4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. 5 “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”

6 After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on (D)the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. 7 When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him (E)that they could not prove. 8 Paul argued in his defense, “Neither (F)against (G)the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor (H)against Caesar have I committed any offense.” 9 But Festus, (I)wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's (J)tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. (K)I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice

13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, (L)“There is a man left prisoner by Felix, 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case (M)against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 (N)I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone (O)before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. 17 (P)So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on (Q)the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. 19 Rather they (R)had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about (S)a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I (T)asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21 But (U)when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of (V)the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then (W)Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”

23 So on the next day (X)Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom (Y)the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, (Z)shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that (AA)he had done nothing deserving death. And (AB)as he himself appealed to (AC)the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”

Footnotes:

  1. Acts 25:3 Greek him

Cross references:

  1. Acts 25:1 : ch. 23:34
  2. Acts 25:2 : ver. 15
  3. Acts 25:3 : See ch. 9:24
  4. Acts 25:6 : ver. 10, 17; See Matt. 27:19
  5. Acts 25:7 : ch. 24:13
  6. Acts 25:8 : [ch. 24:12; 28:17]; See ch. 6:13
  7. Acts 25:8 : John 7:19; 19:7
  8. Acts 25:8 : John 19:12
  9. Acts 25:9 : ch. 24:27
  10. Acts 25:10 : ver. 6, 17
  11. Acts 25:11 : ch. 26:32; 28:19
  12. Acts 25:14 : ch. 24:27
  13. Acts 25:15 : ver. 2, 3
  14. Acts 25:16 : ver. 4, 5
  15. Acts 25:16 : [John 7:51]; See ch. 23:30
  16. Acts 25:17 : ver. 7, 24
  17. Acts 25:17 : ver. 6, 10
  18. Acts 25:19 : ch. 18:15; 23:29
  19. Acts 25:19 : [ch. 17:18]
  20. Acts 25:20 : ver. 9
  21. Acts 25:21 : See ver. 11
  22. Acts 25:21 : ver. 25
  23. Acts 25:22 : See ch. 9:15
  24. Acts 25:23 : ver. 13; ch. 26:30
  25. Acts 25:24 : ver. 2, 7
  26. Acts 25:24 : ch. 22:22
  27. Acts 25:25 : See ch. 23:29
  28. Acts 25:25 : ver. 11, 12
  29. Acts 25:25 : ver. 21
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 5

Lead Me in Your Righteousness

To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.

5 Give ear to my words, O Lord;
consider my (A)groaning.
2 Give attention to the sound of my cry,
my (B)King and my God,
for (C)to you do I pray.
3 O Lord, in (D)the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you[a] and (E)watch.

4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil may not dwell with you.
5 The (F)boastful shall not (G)stand before your eyes;
you (H)hate all evildoers.
6 You destroy those who speak (I)lies;
the Lord abhors (J)the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house.
I will (K)bow down (L)toward your (M)holy temple
in the fear of you.
8 (N)Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
(O)make your way straight before me.

9 For there is no truth in their mouth;
their inmost self is (P)destruction;
(Q)their throat is (R)an open grave;
they (S)flatter with their tongue.
10 (T)Make them bear their guilt, O God;
let them (U)fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,
for they have rebelled against you.

11 But let all who (V)take refuge in you (W)rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may (X)exult in you.
12 For you (Y)bless the righteous, O Lord;
you (Z)cover him with favor as with (AA)a shield.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 5:3 Or I direct my prayer to you

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 5:1 : [Ps. 39:3]
  2. Psalm 5:2 : Ps. 84:3
  3. Psalm 5:2 : Ps. 65:2
  4. Psalm 5:3 : Ps. 88:13; 119:147; 130:6
  5. Psalm 5:3 : [Hab. 2:1]
  6. Psalm 5:5 : Ps. 73:3; 75:4; [Hab. 1:13]
  7. Psalm 5:5 : See Ps. 1:5
  8. Psalm 5:5 : Ps. 11:5
  9. Psalm 5:6 : [Ps. 4:2]; Rev. 21:8; 22:15
  10. Psalm 5:6 : Ps. 55:23
  11. Psalm 5:7 : Ps. 132:7
  12. Psalm 5:7 : 1 Kgs. 8:29, 30
  13. Psalm 5:7 : Ps. 11:4; 79:1
  14. Psalm 5:8 : [Ps. 23:3; 25:4, 5]
  15. Psalm 5:8 : [Ezra 8:21]
  16. Psalm 5:9 : Ps. 52:2
  17. Psalm 5:9 : Cited Rom. 3:13
  18. Psalm 5:9 : Jer. 5:16
  19. Psalm 5:9 : Ps. 12:2; Prov. 2:16; 7:5
  20. Psalm 5:10 : [Isa. 24:6]
  21. Psalm 5:10 : [2 Sam. 15:31; 17:14, 23]
  22. Psalm 5:11 : Ps. 2:12
  23. Psalm 5:11 : Ps. 33:21
  24. Psalm 5:11 : [Ps. 9:2; 1 Sam. 2:1]
  25. Psalm 5:12 : Ps. 115:13
  26. Psalm 5:12 : [Ps. 103:4]
  27. Psalm 5:12 : [Ps. 35:2]
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Proverbs 18:19

19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Posted on

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Wednesday July 5, 2017 (NIV)

1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17

From Adam to Abraham

1 [a] (A)Adam, Seth, Enosh; 2 (B)Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared; 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech; 4 Noah, (C)Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

5 (D)The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 6 The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath,[b] and Togarmah. 7 The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.

8 (E)The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan. 9 The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. 10 Cush fathered Nimrod. He was the first on earth to be a mighty man.[c]

11 (F)Egypt fathered Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, 12 Pathrusim, Casluhim (from whom the Philistines came), and Caphtorim.

13 Canaan fathered Sidon his firstborn and Heth, 14 and the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, 15 the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, 16 the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites.

17 (G)The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. And the sons of Aram:[d] Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. 18 Arpachshad fathered Shelah, and Shelah fathered Eber. 19 To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg[e] (for in his days the earth was divided), and his brother's name was Joktan. 20 Joktan fathered Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 21 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 22 Obal,[f] Abimael, Sheba, 23 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all these were the sons of Joktan.

24 (H)Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah; 25 Eber, Peleg, Reu; 26 Serug, Nahor, Terah; 27 Abram, that is, Abraham.

From Abraham to Jacob

28 The sons of Abraham: (I)Isaac and (J)Ishmael. 29 (K)These are their genealogies: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, and Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 30 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, 31 Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael. 32 (L)The sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bore Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan. 33 The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the descendants of Keturah.

34 Abraham fathered (M)Isaac. The sons of Isaac: (N)Esau and (O)Israel. 35 (P)The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. 36 The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz, and of Timna,[g] Amalek. 37 The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

38 (Q)The sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. 39 The sons of Lotan: Hori and Hemam;[h] and Lotan's sister was Timna. 40 The sons of Shobal: Alvan,[i] Manahath, Ebal, Shepho,[j] and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. 41 The son[k] of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hemdan,[l] Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. 42 The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan.[m] The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.

43 (R)These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the people of Israel: Bela the son of Beor, the name of his city being Dinhabah. 44 Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of (S)Bozrah reigned in his place. 45 Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the (T)Temanites reigned in his place. 46 Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, reigned in his place, the name of his city being Avith. 47 Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. 48 Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth on the Euphrates[n] reigned in his place. 49 Shaul died, and Baal-hanan, the son of Achbor, reigned in his place. 50 Baal-hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place, the name of his city being Pai; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. 51 And Hadad died.

The chiefs of Edom were: chiefs Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, 52 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, 53 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, 54 Magdiel, and Iram; these are the chiefs of Edom.

A Genealogy of David

2 These are the sons of (U)Israel: (V)Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, (W)Issachar, Zebulun, 2 (X)Dan, (Y)Joseph, (Z)Benjamin, (AA)Naphtali, (AB)Gad, and Asher. 3 (AC)The sons of Judah: (AD)Er, Onan and Shelah; these three Bath-shua the Canaanite bore to him. Now Er, Judah's firstborn, was evil in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death. 4 His daughter-in-law (AE)Tamar also bore him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.

5 The (AF)sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. 6 The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara, five in all. 7 The son[o] of Carmi: Achan, the troubler of Israel, who (AG)broke faith in the matter of the devoted thing; 8 and Ethan's son was Azariah.

9 The sons of Hezron that were born to him: Jerahmeel, (AH)Ram, and (AI)Chelubai. 10 (AJ)Ram fathered Amminadab, and (AK)Amminadab fathered (AL)Nahshon, prince of the sons of Judah. 11 Nahshon fathered (AM)Salmon,[p] Salmon fathered (AN)Boaz, 12 Boaz fathered Obed, (AO)Obed fathered Jesse. 13 (AP)Jesse fathered Eliab his firstborn, Abinadab the second, (AQ)Shimea the third, 14 Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, 15 Ozem the sixth, (AR)David the seventh. 16 And their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. (AS)The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three. 17 (AT)Abigail bore Amasa, and the father of Amasa was (AU)Jether the Ishmaelite.

Footnotes:

  1. 1 Chronicles 1:1 Many names in these genealogies are spelled differently in other biblical books
  2. 1 Chronicles 1:6 Septuagint; Hebrew Diphath
  3. 1 Chronicles 1:10 Or He began to be a mighty man on the earth
  4. 1 Chronicles 1:17 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks And the sons of Aram
  5. 1 Chronicles 1:19 Peleg means division
  6. 1 Chronicles 1:22 Septuagint, Syriac (compare Genesis 10:28); Hebrew Ebal
  7. 1 Chronicles 1:36 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:12); Hebrew lacks and of
  8. 1 Chronicles 1:39 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:22); Hebrew Homam
  9. 1 Chronicles 1:40 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:23); Hebrew Alian
  10. 1 Chronicles 1:40 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:23); Hebrew Shephi
  11. 1 Chronicles 1:41 Hebrew sons
  12. 1 Chronicles 1:41 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:26); Hebrew Hamran
  13. 1 Chronicles 1:42 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:27); Hebrew Jaakan
  14. 1 Chronicles 1:48 Hebrew the River
  15. 1 Chronicles 2:7 Hebrew sons
  16. 1 Chronicles 2:11 Septuagint (compare Ruth 4:21); Hebrew Salma

Cross references:

  1. 1 Chronicles 1:1 : Gen. 4:25, 26; 5:3, 6
  2. 1 Chronicles 1:2 : For ver. 2-4, see Gen. 5:9-32
  3. 1 Chronicles 1:4 : Gen. 6:10; 9:18
  4. 1 Chronicles 1:5 : For ver. 5-7, see Gen. 10:2-4
  5. 1 Chronicles 1:8 : For ver. 8-10, see Gen. 10:6-8
  6. 1 Chronicles 1:11 : For ver. 11-16, see Gen. 10:10-18
  7. 1 Chronicles 1:17 : For ver. 17-23, see Gen. 10:22-29
  8. 1 Chronicles 1:24 : For ver. 24, 27, see Gen. 11:10-26; Luke 3:34-36
  9. 1 Chronicles 1:28 : Gen. 21:2, 3
  10. 1 Chronicles 1:28 : Gen. 16:11, 15
  11. 1 Chronicles 1:29 : For ver. 29-31, see Gen. 25:13-16
  12. 1 Chronicles 1:32 : For ver. 32, 33, see Gen. 25:1-4
  13. 1 Chronicles 1:34 : [See ver. 28 above]; Gen. 21:2, 3
  14. 1 Chronicles 1:34 : Gen. 25:25, 26
  15. 1 Chronicles 1:34 : Gen. 32:28
  16. 1 Chronicles 1:35 : For ver. 35-37, see Gen. 36:4, 5, 9-13
  17. 1 Chronicles 1:38 : For ver. 38-42, see Gen. 36:20-28
  18. 1 Chronicles 1:43 : For ver. 43-54, see Gen. 36:31-43
  19. 1 Chronicles 1:44 : Isa. 34:6; 63:1
  20. 1 Chronicles 1:45 : Gen. 36:11; Job 2:11; Jer. 49:7, 20; Ezek. 25:13
  21. 1 Chronicles 2:1 : ch. 1:34
  22. 1 Chronicles 2:1 : Gen. 29:32-35
  23. 1 Chronicles 2:1 : Gen. 30:18-20
  24. 1 Chronicles 2:2 : Gen. 30:6
  25. 1 Chronicles 2:2 : Gen. 30:22-24
  26. 1 Chronicles 2:2 : Gen. 35:18
  27. 1 Chronicles 2:2 : Gen. 30:8
  28. 1 Chronicles 2:2 : Gen. 30:10-13
  29. 1 Chronicles 2:3 : Gen. 38:2-5; 46:12
  30. 1 Chronicles 2:3 : Gen. 38:7
  31. 1 Chronicles 2:4 : Gen. 38:11, 14, 29, 30; Ruth 4:12; Matt. 1:3
  32. 1 Chronicles 2:5 : Gen. 46:12; Ruth 4:18
  33. 1 Chronicles 2:7 : Josh. 6:18; 7:1
  34. 1 Chronicles 2:9 : Ruth 4:19; Matt. 1:3, 4
  35. 1 Chronicles 2:9 : [ver. 13, 42]
  36. 1 Chronicles 2:10 : [See ver. 9 above]; Ruth 4:19; Matt. 1:3, 4
  37. 1 Chronicles 2:10 : Ruth 4:19; Matt. 1:4
  38. 1 Chronicles 2:10 : Num. 1:7; 2:3
  39. 1 Chronicles 2:11 : [Ruth 4:20, 21; Matt. 1:4]
  40. 1 Chronicles 2:11 : Ruth 4:21, 22; Matt. 1:5, 6
  41. 1 Chronicles 2:12 : [See ver. 11 above]; Ruth 4:21, 22; Matt. 1:5, 6
  42. 1 Chronicles 2:13 : 1 Sam. 16:6, 8; 17:13
  43. 1 Chronicles 2:13 : [1 Sam. 16:9; 17:13]
  44. 1 Chronicles 2:15 : [1 Sam. 16:10; 17:12, 14]
  45. 1 Chronicles 2:16 : 2 Sam. 2:18
  46. 1 Chronicles 2:17 : [2 Sam. 17:25]
  47. 1 Chronicles 2:17 : [2 Sam. 17:25]
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Acts 23:11-35

11 (A)The following night (B)the Lord stood by him and said, (C)“Take courage, for (D)as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must (E)testify also in Rome.”

A Plot to Kill Paul

12 When it was day, (F)the Jews made a plot and (G)bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered (H)the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul (I)the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, (J)“The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who (K)have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”

Paul Sent to Felix the Governor

23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.[a] 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to (L)Felix (M)the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:

26 “Claudius Lysias, to (N)his Excellency the governor Felix, (O)greetings. 27 (P)This man was seized by the Jews and (Q)was about to be killed by them (R)when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, (S)having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And (T)desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused (U)about questions of their law, but (V)charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 (W)And when it was disclosed to me (X)that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, (Y)ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”

31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to (Z)the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what (AA)province he was from. And when he learned (AB)that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing (AC)when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's (AD)praetorium.

Footnotes:

  1. Acts 23:23 That is, 9 p.m.

Cross references:

  1. Acts 23:11 : ch. 18:9; 27:23
  2. Acts 23:11 : 1 Sam. 3:10
  3. Acts 23:11 : [2 Tim. 4:17]
  4. Acts 23:11 : [ch. 19:21]
  5. Acts 23:11 : ch. 22:15
  6. Acts 23:12 : ver. 30
  7. Acts 23:12 : ver. 14, 21
  8. Acts 23:16 : ver. 10, 32
  9. Acts 23:18 : See Eph. 3:1
  10. Acts 23:20 : ver. 14, 15
  11. Acts 23:21 : ver. 12, 14
  12. Acts 23:24 : ver. 26; ch. 24:2; 25:14
  13. Acts 23:24 : ver. 33; ch. 24:1, 10; 26:30; See Luke 20:20
  14. Acts 23:26 : ch. 24:1
  15. Acts 23:26 : See ch. 15:23
  16. Acts 23:27 : ch. 21:27
  17. Acts 23:27 : [ch. 21:32, 33]
  18. Acts 23:27 : [ch. 21:32, 33]
  19. Acts 23:27 : [ch. 22:25-29]
  20. Acts 23:28 : ch. 22:30
  21. Acts 23:29 : ch. 18:15; 25:19
  22. Acts 23:29 : ch. 25:25; 26:31; 28:18; [ver. 9]
  23. Acts 23:30 : ver. 20
  24. Acts 23:30 : ver. 12; See ch. 9:24
  25. Acts 23:30 : ver. 35; [ch. 24:19; 25:16]
  26. Acts 23:32 : ver. 10, 16
  27. Acts 23:34 : ch. 25:1
  28. Acts 23:34 : ch. 21:39
  29. Acts 23:35 : ver. 30
  30. Acts 23:35 : See Matt. 27:27
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 3

Save Me, O My God

A Psalm of David, (A)when he fled from Absalom his son.

3 O Lord, (B)how many are my foes!
Many are (C)rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
(D)“There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah[a]

3 But you, O Lord, are (E)a shield (F)about me,
my glory, and (G)the lifter of my head.
4 I (H)cried aloud to the Lord,
and he (I)answered me from his (J)holy hill. Selah

5 I (K)lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I (L)will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have (M)set themselves against me all around.

7 (N)Arise, O Lord!
Save me, O my God!
For you (O)strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you (P)break the teeth of the wicked.

8 (Q)Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people! Selah

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 3:2 The meaning of the Hebrew word Selah, used frequently in the Psalms, is uncertain. It may be a musical or liturgical direction

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 3:1 : See 2 Sam. 15:14-17
  2. Psalm 3:1 : 2 Sam. 15:12
  3. Psalm 3:1 : 2 Sam. 18:31, 32
  4. Psalm 3:2 : Ps. 71:11; [2 Sam. 16:8]
  5. Psalm 3:3 : Ps. 28:7; 84:9; 119:114; Gen. 15:1
  6. Psalm 3:3 : Job 1:10
  7. Psalm 3:3 : Ps. 27:5, 6; [Job 10:15]
  8. Psalm 3:4 : Ps. 77:1; 142:1
  9. Psalm 3:4 : Ps. 34:4; 60:5; 108:6; [Ps. 6:8; 34:6]
  10. Psalm 3:4 : See Ps. 2:6
  11. Psalm 3:5 : Ps. 4:8; [Lev. 26:6; Job 11:18, 19; Prov. 3:24]
  12. Psalm 3:6 : [Ps. 23:4; 27:3]
  13. Psalm 3:6 : Isa. 22:7; [1 Kgs. 20:12]
  14. Psalm 3:7 : Ps. 7:6; 9:19; 10:12; Num. 10:35
  15. Psalm 3:7 : See Job 16:10
  16. Psalm 3:7 : Ps. 58:6; Job 29:17
  17. Psalm 3:8 : Ps. 37:39; 62:7; Isa. 43:11; 45:21; Jer. 3:23; Hos. 13:4; Jonah 2:9; Rev. 7:10; 19:1
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Proverbs 18:14-15

14 A man's spirit will endure sickness,
but (A)a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Cross references:

  1. Proverbs 18:14 : ch. 15:13
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Sunday July 2, 2017 (NIV)

2 Kings 20:1-22:2

Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery

20 (A)In those days (B)Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, (C)‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, 3 “Now, O Lord, (D)please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and (E)with a whole heart, (F)and have done what is good in your sight.” (G)And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: 5 “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah (H)the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: (I)I have heard your prayer; (J)I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord, 6 and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, (K)and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David's sake.” 7 And Isaiah said, “Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover.”

8 And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the Lord on the third day?” 9 And Isaiah said, “This shall be (L)the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he has promised: shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?” 10 And Hezekiah answered, “It is an easy thing for the shadow (M)to lengthen ten steps. Rather let the shadow go back ten steps.” 11 And Isaiah the prophet called to the Lord, (N)and he brought the shadow back ten steps, by which it had gone down on the steps of Ahaz.

Hezekiah and the Babylonian Envoys

12 (O)At that time (P)Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, (Q)sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 13 And Hezekiah welcomed them, and he showed them (R)all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. 14 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “They have come from a far country, from Babylon.” 15 He said, “What have they seen in your house?” And Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.”

16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord: 17 Behold, the days are coming, when (S)all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. 18 (T)And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, (U)and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 19 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, (V)“The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?”

20 (W)The rest of the deeds of Hezekiah and all his might and how he made (X)the pool and the conduit (Y)and brought water into the city, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 21 (Z)And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and Manasseh his son reigned in his place.

Manasseh Reigns in Judah

21 (AA)Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah. 2 And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, (AB)according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel. 3 For he rebuilt the high places (AC)that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he erected altars for Baal and made (AD)an Asherah, (AE)as Ahab king of Israel had done, (AF)and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. 4 (AG)And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, (AH)“In Jerusalem will I put my name.” 5 And he built altars (AI)for all the host of heaven in (AJ)the two courts of the house of the Lord. 6 (AK)And he burned his son as an offering[a] and (AL)used fortune-telling and (AM)omens and dealt (AN)with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger. 7 And the carved image of (AO)Asherah that he had made he set in the house of which the Lord said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house, (AP)and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever. 8 (AQ)And I will not cause the feet of Israel to wander anymore out of the land that I gave to their fathers, if only they will be careful to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the Law that my servant Moses commanded them.” 9 But they did not listen, and Manasseh led them astray to do more evil than the nations had done whom the Lord destroyed before the people of Israel.

Manasseh's Idolatry Denounced

10 And the Lord said by his servants the prophets, 11 (AR)“Because Manasseh king of Judah has committed these abominations and has done things (AS)more evil than all that the Amorites did, who were before him, (AT)and has made Judah also to sin (AU)with his idols, 12 therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing upon Jerusalem and Judah such disaster[b] that the ears of everyone who hears of it (AV)will tingle. 13 (AW)And I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria, and the plumb line of the house of Ahab, and I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. 14 And I will forsake the remnant of my heritage and give them into the hand of their enemies, and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies, 15 because they have done what is evil in my sight and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came out of Egypt, even to this day.”

16 (AX)Moreover, Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides the sin (AY)that he made Judah to sin so that they did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.

17 (AZ)Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh and all that he did, and the sin that he committed, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 18 (BA)And Manasseh slept with his fathers and was buried in the garden of his house, (BB)in the garden of Uzza, and Amon his son reigned in his place.

Amon Reigns in Judah

19 Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. 20 And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, (BC)as Manasseh his father had done. 21 He walked in all the way in which his father walked and served (BD)the idols that his father served and worshiped them. 22 (BE)He abandoned the Lord, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the Lord. 23 And the servants of Amon conspired against him and put the king to death in his house. 24 But the people of the land struck down all those who had conspired against King Amon, and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his place. 25 Now the rest of the acts of Amon that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 26 And he was buried in his tomb (BF)in the garden of Uzza, and Josiah his son reigned in his place.

Josiah Reigns in Judah

22 (BG)Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of (BH)Bozkath. 2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father, (BI)and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.

Footnotes:

  1. 2 Kings 21:6 Hebrew made his son pass through the fire
  2. 2 Kings 21:12 Or evil

Cross references:

  1. 2 Kings 20:1 : For ver. 1-11, see Isa. 38:1-22
  2. 2 Kings 20:1 : 2 Chr. 32:24
  3. 2 Kings 20:1 : [2 Sam. 17:23]
  4. 2 Kings 20:3 : [Neh. 5:19; 13:14, 22, 31]
  5. 2 Kings 20:3 : See 1 Kgs. 8:61
  6. 2 Kings 20:3 : ch. 18:3
  7. 2 Kings 20:3 : [Ps. 39:12, 13]
  8. 2 Kings 20:5 : 1 Sam. 9:16; 10:1
  9. 2 Kings 20:5 : ch. 19:20; [Ps. 65:2]
  10. 2 Kings 20:5 : Ps. 39:12; 56:8
  11. 2 Kings 20:6 : ch. 19:34
  12. 2 Kings 20:9 : See ch. 19:29
  13. 2 Kings 20:10 : Ps. 102:11
  14. 2 Kings 20:11 : [Josh. 10:12, 13]
  15. 2 Kings 20:12 : For ver. 12-19, see Isa. 39:1-8
  16. 2 Kings 20:12 : [Isa. 39:1]
  17. 2 Kings 20:12 : [2 Chr. 32:31]
  18. 2 Kings 20:13 : [2 Chr. 32:27]
  19. 2 Kings 20:17 : ch. 24:13; Jer. 20:5; [ch. 25:13]; See Jer. 27:19-22
  20. 2 Kings 20:18 : ch. 24:12; 2 Chr. 33:11
  21. 2 Kings 20:18 : [Dan. 1:3]
  22. 2 Kings 20:19 : 1 Sam. 3:18; [2 Chr. 32:25, 26]
  23. 2 Kings 20:20 : [2 Chr. 32:32]
  24. 2 Kings 20:20 : ch. 18:17; Neh. 2:14; 3:16
  25. 2 Kings 20:20 : 2 Chr. 32:30; [Isa. 22:9, 11]
  26. 2 Kings 20:21 : 2 Chr. 32:33
  27. 2 Kings 21:1 : For ver. 1-9, see 2 Chr. 33:1-9
  28. 2 Kings 21:2 : [ch. 16:3]
  29. 2 Kings 21:3 : ch. 18:4
  30. 2 Kings 21:3 : See Deut. 16:21
  31. 2 Kings 21:3 : 1 Kgs. 16:32, 33
  32. 2 Kings 21:3 : ch. 17:16; 23:5; [Deut. 4:19]
  33. 2 Kings 21:4 : Jer. 7:30; 32:34
  34. 2 Kings 21:4 : ver. 7; ch. 23:27; 2 Sam. 7:13; 1 Kgs. 8:29; 9:3; [Deut. 12:11]
  35. 2 Kings 21:5 : [See ver. 3 above]; ch. 17:16; 23:5; [Deut. 4:19]
  36. 2 Kings 21:5 : ch. 23:12; 1 Kgs. 6:36; 7:12
  37. 2 Kings 21:6 : See Lev. 18:21
  38. 2 Kings 21:6 : See Lev. 19:26
  39. 2 Kings 21:6 : ch. 17:17
  40. 2 Kings 21:6 : ch. 23:24; See Lev. 19:31
  41. 2 Kings 21:7 : [See ver. 3 above]; See Deut. 16:21
  42. 2 Kings 21:7 : [See ver. 4 above]; ver. 7; ch. 23:27; 2 Sam. 7:13; 1 Kgs. 8:29; 9:3; [Deut. 12:11]
  43. 2 Kings 21:8 : [2 Sam. 7:19]
  44. 2 Kings 21:11 : ver. 2; ch. 23:26; 24:3, 4; Jer. 15:4
  45. 2 Kings 21:11 : 1 Kgs. 21:26
  46. 2 Kings 21:11 : ver. 16
  47. 2 Kings 21:11 : ver. 21
  48. 2 Kings 21:12 : 1 Sam. 3:11; Jer. 19:3
  49. 2 Kings 21:13 : Isa. 34:11; [Isa. 28:17; Lam. 2:8; Amos 7:7, 8]
  50. 2 Kings 21:16 : ch. 24:4
  51. 2 Kings 21:16 : ver. 11
  52. 2 Kings 21:17 : See 2 Chr. 33:11-19
  53. 2 Kings 21:18 : For ver. 18-24, see 2 Chr. 33:20-25
  54. 2 Kings 21:18 : ver. 26
  55. 2 Kings 21:20 : See ver. 2-6, 11
  56. 2 Kings 21:21 : ver. 11
  57. 2 Kings 21:22 : ch. 22:17; [1 Kgs. 11:33]
  58. 2 Kings 21:26 : ver. 18
  59. 2 Kings 22:1 : See 2 Chr. 34:1, 2
  60. 2 Kings 22:1 : Josh. 15:39
  61. 2 Kings 22:2 : See Deut. 5:32
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Acts 21:18-36

18 On the following day Paul went in with us to (A)James, and all (B)the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, (C)he related one by one (D)the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his (E)ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they (F)glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all (G)zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all (H)the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, (I)telling them (J)not to circumcise their children or (K)walk according to (L)our customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men (M)who are under a vow; 24 take these men and (N)purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, (O)so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, (P)we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled,[a] and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day (Q)he purified himself along with them and (R)went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and (S)the offering presented for each one of them.

Paul Arrested in the Temple

27 When (T)the seven days were almost completed, (U)the Jews from Asia, (V)seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who (W)is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and (X)the law and (Y)this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and (Z)has defiled (AA)this holy place.” 29 For they had previously seen (AB)Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and (AC)dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. 31 (AD)And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of (AE)the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 (AF)He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him (AG)to be bound (AH)with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. 34 (AI)Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into (AJ)the barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, (AK)“Away with him!”

Footnotes:

  1. Acts 21:25 Some manuscripts omit and from what has been strangled

Cross references:

  1. Acts 21:18 : See ch. 12:17
  2. Acts 21:18 : See ch. 11:30
  3. Acts 21:19 : See ch. 14:27
  4. Acts 21:19 : [Rom. 15:18, 19]
  5. Acts 21:19 : See ch. 1:17
  6. Acts 21:20 : ch. 11:18
  7. Acts 21:20 : ch. 22:3; Rom. 10:2; Gal. 1:14
  8. Acts 21:21 : [James 1:1]
  9. Acts 21:21 : ver. 28
  10. Acts 21:21 : [Rom. 2:28, 29; 1 Cor. 7:19]
  11. Acts 21:21 : [Mark 7:5; Gal. 2:14]
  12. Acts 21:21 : ch. 6:14; 15:1
  13. Acts 21:23 : [ch. 18:18]
  14. Acts 21:24 : ver. 26; ch. 24:18; [John 11:55]
  15. Acts 21:24 : [See ver. 23 above]; [ch. 18:18]
  16. Acts 21:25 : See ch. 15:19, 20, 29
  17. Acts 21:26 : [See ver. 24 above]; ver. 26; ch. 24:18; [John 11:55]
  18. Acts 21:26 : [Num. 6:13]
  19. Acts 21:26 : [Num. 6:9-12]
  20. Acts 21:27 : [See ver. 26 above]; [Num. 6:9-12]
  21. Acts 21:27 : See ch. 13:50
  22. Acts 21:27 : ch. 24:18; 26:21
  23. Acts 21:28 : ver. 21
  24. Acts 21:28 : See ch. 6:13
  25. Acts 21:28 : See ch. 6:13
  26. Acts 21:28 : ch. 24:6
  27. Acts 21:28 : See ch. 6:13
  28. Acts 21:29 : ch. 20:4
  29. Acts 21:30 : ch. 26:21; [2 Kgs. 11:15]
  30. Acts 21:31 : [See ver. 30 above]; ch. 26:21; [2 Kgs. 11:15]
  31. Acts 21:31 : See ch. 10:1
  32. Acts 21:32 : [ch. 23:27]
  33. Acts 21:33 : ch. 20:23; [ver. 11]
  34. Acts 21:33 : ch. 12:6; [ch. 22:29; 26:29; 28:20; Eph. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:16]
  35. Acts 21:34 : ch. 19:32
  36. Acts 21:34 : ch. 22:24; 23:10
  37. Acts 21:36 : ch. 22:22; [Luke 23:18; John 19:15]
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 150

Let Everything Praise the Lord

150 (A)Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his (B)sanctuary;
praise him in (C)his mighty heavens![a]
2 Praise him for his (D)mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent (E)greatness!

3 Praise him with (F)trumpet sound;
praise him with (G)lute and (H)harp!
4 Praise him with (I)tambourine and (J)dance;
praise him with (K)strings and (L)pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding (M)cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let (N)everything that has breath praise the Lord!
(O)Praise the Lord!

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 150:1 Hebrew expanse (compare Genesis 1:6–8)

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 150:1 : [See Ps. 148:14 above]; See Ps. 135:1
  2. Psalm 150:1 : [Ps. 11:4; 134:2]
  3. Psalm 150:1 : [Ps. 68:34]
  4. Psalm 150:2 : Ps. 145:12
  5. Psalm 150:2 : Deut. 3:24
  6. Psalm 150:3 : Ps. 98:6
  7. Psalm 150:3 : Ps. 33:2; 71:22
  8. Psalm 150:3 : Ps. 33:2; 71:22
  9. Psalm 150:4 : Ps. 149:3
  10. Psalm 150:4 : Ps. 149:3
  11. Psalm 150:4 : Ps. 45:8; [Isa. 38:20]
  12. Psalm 150:4 : Job 21:12
  13. Psalm 150:5 : 2 Sam. 6:5; 1 Chr. 15:16, 19, 28; 25:1, 6
  14. Psalm 150:6 : [Ps. 145:21]
  15. Psalm 150:6 : ver. 1
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Proverbs 18:9-10

9 Whoever is slack in his work
is a (A)brother to him who destroys.
10 (B)The name of the Lord is (C)a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and (D)is safe.

Cross references:

  1. Proverbs 18:9 : [ch. 28:24]
  2. Proverbs 18:10 : See Ex. 34:5-7
  3. Proverbs 18:10 : Ps. 61:3; [Ps. 18:2]; See 2 Sam. 22:3
  4. Proverbs 18:10 : [Ps. 20:1]
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Posted on

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Saturday July 1, 2017 (NIV)

2 Kings 18:13-19:37

King Sennacherib of Assyria Invades Judah

13 In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s rule in Judah, King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded the country and captured every walled city,[a] except Jerusalem. 14 Hezekiah sent this message to Sennacherib, who was in the town of Lachish: “I know I am guilty of rebellion. But I will pay you whatever you want, if you stop your attack.”

Sennacherib told Hezekiah to pay about eleven tons of silver and almost a ton of gold. 15 So Hezekiah collected all the silver from the Lord’s temple and the royal treasury. 16 He even stripped the gold that he had used to cover the doors and doorposts[b] in the temple. He gave it all to Sennacherib.

17 The king of Assyria ordered his three highest military officers to leave Lachish and take a large army to Jerusalem. When they arrived, the officers stood on the road near the cloth makers' shops along the canal from the upper pool. 18 They called out to Hezekiah, and three of his highest officials came out to meet them. One of them was Hilkiah’s son Eliakim, who was the prime minister. The other two were Shebna, assistant to the prime minister, and Joah son of Asaph, keeper of the government records.

19 One of the Assyrian commanders told them:

I have a message for Hezekiah from the great king of Assyria. Ask Hezekiah why he feels so sure of himself. 20 Does he think he can plan and win a war with nothing but words? Who is going to help him, now that he has turned against the king of Assyria? 21 Is he depending on Egypt and its king? That’s the same as leaning on a broken stick, and it will go right through his hand.

22 Is Hezekiah now depending on the Lord your God? Didn’t Hezekiah tear down all except one of the Lord’s altars and places of worship?[c] Didn’t he tell the people of Jerusalem and Judah to worship at that one place?

23 The king of Assyria wants to make a bet with you people. He will give you two thousand horses, if you have enough troops to ride them. 24 How could you even defeat our lowest ranking officer, when you have to depend on Egypt for chariots and cavalry? 25 Don’t forget that it was the Lord who sent me here with orders to destroy your nation!

26 Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said, “Sir, we don’t want the people listening from the city wall to understand what you are saying. So please speak to us in Aramaic instead of Hebrew.”

27 The Assyrian army commander answered, “My king sent me to speak to everyone, not just to you leaders. These people will soon have to eat their own body waste and drink their own urine! And so will the three of you.”

28 Then, in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, he shouted in Hebrew:

Listen to what the great king of Assyria says! 29 Don’t be fooled by Hezekiah. He can’t save you. 30 Don’t trust him when he tells you that the Lord will protect you from the king of Assyria. 31 Stop listening to Hezekiah! Pay attention to my king. Surrender to him. He will let you keep your own vineyards, fig trees, and cisterns 32 for a while. Then he will come and take you away to a country just like yours, where you can plant vineyards, raise your own grain, and have plenty of olive oil and honey. Believe me, you won’t starve there.

Hezekiah claims the Lord will save you. But don’t be fooled by him. 33 Were any other gods able to defend their land against the king of Assyria? 34 What happened to the gods of Hamath and Arpad? What about the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Were the gods of Samaria able to protect their land against the Assyrian forces? 35 None of these gods kept their people safe from the king of Assyria. Do you think the Lord your God can do any better?

36-37 Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah had been warned by King Hezekiah not to answer the Assyrian commander. So they tore their clothes in sorrow and reported to Hezekiah everything the commander had said.

Hezekiah Asks Isaiah the Prophet for Advice

19 As soon as Hezekiah heard the news, he tore off his clothes in sorrow and put on sackcloth. Then he went into the temple of the Lord. 2 He told Prime Minister Eliakim, Assistant Prime Minister Shebna, and the senior priests to dress in sackcloth and tell the prophet Isaiah:

3 These are difficult and disgraceful times. Our nation is like a woman too weak to give birth, when it’s time for her baby to be born. 4 Please pray for those of us who are left alive. The king of Assyria sent his army commander to insult the living God. Perhaps the Lord heard what he said and will do something, if you will pray.

5 When these leaders went to Isaiah, 6 he told them that the Lord had this message for Hezekiah:

I am the Lord. Don’t worry about the insulting things that have been said about me by these messengers from the king of Assyria. 7 I will upset him with rumors about what’s happening in his own country. He will go back, and there I will make him die a violent death.

8 Meanwhile, the commander of the Assyrian forces heard that his king had left the town of Lachish and was now attacking Libnah. So he went there.

9 About this same time the king of Assyria learned that King Tirhakah of Ethiopia[d] was on his way to attack him. Then the king of Assyria sent some messengers with this note for Hezekiah:

10 Don’t trust your God or be fooled by his promise to defend Jerusalem against me. 11 You have heard how we Assyrian kings have completely wiped out other nations. What makes you feel so safe? 12 The Assyrian kings before me destroyed the towns of Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and everyone from Eden who lived in Telassar. What good did their gods do them? 13 The kings of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah have all disappeared.

Hezekiah Prays

14 After Hezekiah had read the note from the king of Assyria, he took it to the temple and spread it out for the Lord to see. 15 He prayed:

Lord God of Israel, your throne is above the winged creatures.[e] You created the heavens and the earth, and you alone rule the kingdoms of this world. 16 But just look how Sennacherib has insulted you, the living God.

17 It is true, our Lord, that Assyrian kings have turned nations into deserts. 18 They destroyed the idols of wood and stone that the people of those nations had made and worshiped. 19 But you are our Lord and our God! We ask you to keep us safe from the Assyrian king. Then everyone in every kingdom on earth will know that you are the only God.

The Lord’s Answer to Hezekiah

20 Isaiah went to Hezekiah and told him that the Lord God of Israel had said:

Hezekiah, I heard your prayer about King Sennacherib of Assyria. 21 Now this is what I say to that king:

The people of Jerusalem
hate and make fun of you;
they laugh
behind your back.

22 Sennacherib, you cursed,
shouted, and sneered at me,
the holy God of Israel.
23 You let your officials
insult me, the Lord.
And here is what you
have said about yourself,
“I led my chariots
to the highest heights
of Lebanon’s mountains.
I went deep into its forest,
cutting down the best cedar
and cypress trees.
24 I dried up every stream
in the land of Egypt,
and I drank water
from wells I had dug.”

25 Sennacherib, now listen
to me, the Lord.
I planned all this long ago.
And you don’t even realize
that I alone am the one
who decided that you
would do these things.
I let you make ruins
of fortified cities.
26 Their people became weak,
terribly confused.
They were like wild flowers
or tender young grass
growing on a flat roof,
scorched before it matures.[f]

27 I know all about you,
even how fiercely angry
you are with me.
28 I have seen your pride
and the tremendous hatred
you have for me.
Now I will put a hook
in your nose,
a bit in your mouth,[g]
then I will send you back
to where you came from.

29 Hezekiah, I will tell you what’s going to happen. This year you will eat crops that grow on their own, and the next year you will eat whatever springs up where those crops grew. But the third year you will plant grain and vineyards, and you will eat what you harvest. 30 Those who survive in Judah will be like a vine that puts down deep roots and bears fruit. 31 I, the Lord All-Powerful, will see to it that some who live in Jerusalem will survive.

32 I promise that the king of Assyria won’t get into Jerusalem, or shoot an arrow into the city, or even surround it and prepare to attack. 33 As surely as I am the Lord, he will return by the way he came and will never enter Jerusalem. 34 I will protect it for myself and for my servant David.

The Death of King Sennacherib

35 That same night the Lord sent an angel to the camp of the Assyrians, and he killed one hundred eighty-five thousand of them. And so the next morning, the camp was full of dead bodies. 36 After this King Sennacherib went back to Assyria and lived in the city of Nineveh. 37 One day he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, when his sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer, killed him with their swords. They escaped to the land of Ararat, and his son Esarhaddon became king.[h]

Footnotes:

  1. 18.13 King Sennacherib. . . walled city: Sennacherib ruled Assyria 705-681 B.C., and this event probably took place in 701 B.C.
  2. 18.16 doorposts: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  3. 18.22 worship: Hezekiah actually had torn down the places where idols were worshiped, and he had told the people to worship the Lord at the one place of worship in Jerusalem. But the Assyrian leader was confused and thought these were also places where the Lord was supposed to be worshiped.
  4. 19.9 Ethiopia: The Hebrew text has “Cush,” which was a region south of Egypt that included parts of the present countries of Ethiopia and Sudan.
  5. 19.15 winged creatures: Two winged creatures made of gold were on the top of the sacred chest and were symbols of the Lord’s throne on earth (see Exodus 25.18; 2 Samuel 6.2).
  6. 19.26 tender young grass. . . matures: Many of the houses had roofs made of packed earth. Grass would sometimes grow out of the roof, but would die quickly because of the sun and hot winds.
  7. 19.28 I will put. . . your mouth: This is how the Assyrians treated their prisoners, and now the Lord will treat Sennacherib the same way.
  8. 19.37 Esarhaddon became king: Ruled Assyria 681-669 B.C.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Acts 21:1-17

Paul Goes to Jerusalem

21 After saying good-by, we sailed straight to Cos. The next day we reached Rhodes and from there sailed on to Patara. 2 We found a ship going to Phoenicia, so we got on board and sailed off.

3 We came within sight of Cyprus and then sailed south of it on to the port of Tyre in Syria, where the ship was going to unload its cargo. 4 We looked up the Lord’s followers and stayed with them for a week. The Holy Spirit had told them to warn Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 But when the week was over, we started on our way again. All the men, together with their wives and children, walked with us from the town to the seashore. We knelt on the beach and prayed. 6 Then after saying good-by to each other, we got into the ship, and they went back home.

7 We sailed from Tyre to Ptolemais, where we greeted the followers and stayed with them for a day. 8 The next day we went to Caesarea and stayed with Philip, the preacher. He was one of the seven men who helped the apostles, 9 and he had four unmarried[a] daughters who prophesied.

10 We had been in Caesarea for several days, when the prophet Agabus came to us from Judea. 11 He took Paul’s belt, and with it he tied up his own hands and feet. Then he told us, “The Holy Spirit says that some of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will tie up the man who owns this belt. They will also hand him over to the Gentiles.” 12 After Agabus said this, we and the followers living there begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem.

13 But Paul answered, “Why are you crying and breaking my heart? I am not only willing to be put in jail for the Lord Jesus. I am even willing to die for him in Jerusalem!”

14 Since we could not get Paul to change his mind, we gave up and prayed, “Lord, please make us willing to do what you want.”

15 Then we got ready to go to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the followers from Caesarea went with us and took us to stay in the home of Mnason. He was from Cyprus and had been a follower from the beginning.

Paul Visits James

17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the Lord’s followers gladly welcomed us.

Footnotes:

  1. 21.9 unmarried: Or “virgin.”
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Psalm 149

A New Song of Praise

149 Shout praises to the Lord!
Sing him a new song of praise
when his loyal people meet.
2 People of Israel, rejoice
because of your Creator.
People of Zion, celebrate
because of your King.
3 Praise his name by dancing
and playing music on harps
and tambourines.
4 The Lord is pleased
with his people,
and he gives victory
to those who are humble.
5 All of you faithful people,
praise our glorious Lord!
Celebrate and worship.
6 Praise God with songs
on your lips
and a sword in your hand.
7 Take revenge and punish
the nations.
8 Put chains of iron
on their kings and rulers.
9 Punish them as they deserve;
this is the privilege
of God’s faithful people.
Shout praises to the Lord!

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Proverbs 18:8

8 There’s nothing so delicious
as the taste of gossip!
It melts in your mouth.

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Posted on

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Saturday July 1, 2017 (NIV)

2 Kings 18:13-19:37

King Sennacherib of Assyria Invades Judah

13 In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s rule in Judah, King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded the country and captured every walled city,[a] except Jerusalem. 14 Hezekiah sent this message to Sennacherib, who was in the town of Lachish: “I know I am guilty of rebellion. But I will pay you whatever you want, if you stop your attack.”

Sennacherib told Hezekiah to pay about eleven tons of silver and almost a ton of gold. 15 So Hezekiah collected all the silver from the Lord’s temple and the royal treasury. 16 He even stripped the gold that he had used to cover the doors and doorposts[b] in the temple. He gave it all to Sennacherib.

17 The king of Assyria ordered his three highest military officers to leave Lachish and take a large army to Jerusalem. When they arrived, the officers stood on the road near the cloth makers' shops along the canal from the upper pool. 18 They called out to Hezekiah, and three of his highest officials came out to meet them. One of them was Hilkiah’s son Eliakim, who was the prime minister. The other two were Shebna, assistant to the prime minister, and Joah son of Asaph, keeper of the government records.

19 One of the Assyrian commanders told them:

I have a message for Hezekiah from the great king of Assyria. Ask Hezekiah why he feels so sure of himself. 20 Does he think he can plan and win a war with nothing but words? Who is going to help him, now that he has turned against the king of Assyria? 21 Is he depending on Egypt and its king? That’s the same as leaning on a broken stick, and it will go right through his hand.

22 Is Hezekiah now depending on the Lord your God? Didn’t Hezekiah tear down all except one of the Lord’s altars and places of worship?[c] Didn’t he tell the people of Jerusalem and Judah to worship at that one place?

23 The king of Assyria wants to make a bet with you people. He will give you two thousand horses, if you have enough troops to ride them. 24 How could you even defeat our lowest ranking officer, when you have to depend on Egypt for chariots and cavalry? 25 Don’t forget that it was the Lord who sent me here with orders to destroy your nation!

26 Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said, “Sir, we don’t want the people listening from the city wall to understand what you are saying. So please speak to us in Aramaic instead of Hebrew.”

27 The Assyrian army commander answered, “My king sent me to speak to everyone, not just to you leaders. These people will soon have to eat their own body waste and drink their own urine! And so will the three of you.”

28 Then, in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, he shouted in Hebrew:

Listen to what the great king of Assyria says! 29 Don’t be fooled by Hezekiah. He can’t save you. 30 Don’t trust him when he tells you that the Lord will protect you from the king of Assyria. 31 Stop listening to Hezekiah! Pay attention to my king. Surrender to him. He will let you keep your own vineyards, fig trees, and cisterns 32 for a while. Then he will come and take you away to a country just like yours, where you can plant vineyards, raise your own grain, and have plenty of olive oil and honey. Believe me, you won’t starve there.

Hezekiah claims the Lord will save you. But don’t be fooled by him. 33 Were any other gods able to defend their land against the king of Assyria? 34 What happened to the gods of Hamath and Arpad? What about the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Were the gods of Samaria able to protect their land against the Assyrian forces? 35 None of these gods kept their people safe from the king of Assyria. Do you think the Lord your God can do any better?

36-37 Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah had been warned by King Hezekiah not to answer the Assyrian commander. So they tore their clothes in sorrow and reported to Hezekiah everything the commander had said.

Hezekiah Asks Isaiah the Prophet for Advice

19 As soon as Hezekiah heard the news, he tore off his clothes in sorrow and put on sackcloth. Then he went into the temple of the Lord. 2 He told Prime Minister Eliakim, Assistant Prime Minister Shebna, and the senior priests to dress in sackcloth and tell the prophet Isaiah:

3 These are difficult and disgraceful times. Our nation is like a woman too weak to give birth, when it’s time for her baby to be born. 4 Please pray for those of us who are left alive. The king of Assyria sent his army commander to insult the living God. Perhaps the Lord heard what he said and will do something, if you will pray.

5 When these leaders went to Isaiah, 6 he told them that the Lord had this message for Hezekiah:

I am the Lord. Don’t worry about the insulting things that have been said about me by these messengers from the king of Assyria. 7 I will upset him with rumors about what’s happening in his own country. He will go back, and there I will make him die a violent death.

8 Meanwhile, the commander of the Assyrian forces heard that his king had left the town of Lachish and was now attacking Libnah. So he went there.

9 About this same time the king of Assyria learned that King Tirhakah of Ethiopia[d] was on his way to attack him. Then the king of Assyria sent some messengers with this note for Hezekiah:

10 Don’t trust your God or be fooled by his promise to defend Jerusalem against me. 11 You have heard how we Assyrian kings have completely wiped out other nations. What makes you feel so safe? 12 The Assyrian kings before me destroyed the towns of Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and everyone from Eden who lived in Telassar. What good did their gods do them? 13 The kings of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah have all disappeared.

Hezekiah Prays

14 After Hezekiah had read the note from the king of Assyria, he took it to the temple and spread it out for the Lord to see. 15 He prayed:

Lord God of Israel, your throne is above the winged creatures.[e] You created the heavens and the earth, and you alone rule the kingdoms of this world. 16 But just look how Sennacherib has insulted you, the living God.

17 It is true, our Lord, that Assyrian kings have turned nations into deserts. 18 They destroyed the idols of wood and stone that the people of those nations had made and worshiped. 19 But you are our Lord and our God! We ask you to keep us safe from the Assyrian king. Then everyone in every kingdom on earth will know that you are the only God.

The Lord’s Answer to Hezekiah

20 Isaiah went to Hezekiah and told him that the Lord God of Israel had said:

Hezekiah, I heard your prayer about King Sennacherib of Assyria. 21 Now this is what I say to that king:

The people of Jerusalem
hate and make fun of you;
they laugh
behind your back.

22 Sennacherib, you cursed,
shouted, and sneered at me,
the holy God of Israel.
23 You let your officials
insult me, the Lord.
And here is what you
have said about yourself,
“I led my chariots
to the highest heights
of Lebanon’s mountains.
I went deep into its forest,
cutting down the best cedar
and cypress trees.
24 I dried up every stream
in the land of Egypt,
and I drank water
from wells I had dug.”

25 Sennacherib, now listen
to me, the Lord.
I planned all this long ago.
And you don’t even realize
that I alone am the one
who decided that you
would do these things.
I let you make ruins
of fortified cities.
26 Their people became weak,
terribly confused.
They were like wild flowers
or tender young grass
growing on a flat roof,
scorched before it matures.[f]

27 I know all about you,
even how fiercely angry
you are with me.
28 I have seen your pride
and the tremendous hatred
you have for me.
Now I will put a hook
in your nose,
a bit in your mouth,[g]
then I will send you back
to where you came from.

29 Hezekiah, I will tell you what’s going to happen. This year you will eat crops that grow on their own, and the next year you will eat whatever springs up where those crops grew. But the third year you will plant grain and vineyards, and you will eat what you harvest. 30 Those who survive in Judah will be like a vine that puts down deep roots and bears fruit. 31 I, the Lord All-Powerful, will see to it that some who live in Jerusalem will survive.

32 I promise that the king of Assyria won’t get into Jerusalem, or shoot an arrow into the city, or even surround it and prepare to attack. 33 As surely as I am the Lord, he will return by the way he came and will never enter Jerusalem. 34 I will protect it for myself and for my servant David.

The Death of King Sennacherib

35 That same night the Lord sent an angel to the camp of the Assyrians, and he killed one hundred eighty-five thousand of them. And so the next morning, the camp was full of dead bodies. 36 After this King Sennacherib went back to Assyria and lived in the city of Nineveh. 37 One day he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, when his sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer, killed him with their swords. They escaped to the land of Ararat, and his son Esarhaddon became king.[h]

Footnotes:

  1. 18.13 King Sennacherib. . . walled city: Sennacherib ruled Assyria 705-681 B.C., and this event probably took place in 701 B.C.
  2. 18.16 doorposts: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  3. 18.22 worship: Hezekiah actually had torn down the places where idols were worshiped, and he had told the people to worship the Lord at the one place of worship in Jerusalem. But the Assyrian leader was confused and thought these were also places where the Lord was supposed to be worshiped.
  4. 19.9 Ethiopia: The Hebrew text has “Cush,” which was a region south of Egypt that included parts of the present countries of Ethiopia and Sudan.
  5. 19.15 winged creatures: Two winged creatures made of gold were on the top of the sacred chest and were symbols of the Lord’s throne on earth (see Exodus 25.18; 2 Samuel 6.2).
  6. 19.26 tender young grass. . . matures: Many of the houses had roofs made of packed earth. Grass would sometimes grow out of the roof, but would die quickly because of the sun and hot winds.
  7. 19.28 I will put. . . your mouth: This is how the Assyrians treated their prisoners, and now the Lord will treat Sennacherib the same way.
  8. 19.37 Esarhaddon became king: Ruled Assyria 681-669 B.C.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Acts 21:1-17

Paul Goes to Jerusalem

21 After saying good-by, we sailed straight to Cos. The next day we reached Rhodes and from there sailed on to Patara. 2 We found a ship going to Phoenicia, so we got on board and sailed off.

3 We came within sight of Cyprus and then sailed south of it on to the port of Tyre in Syria, where the ship was going to unload its cargo. 4 We looked up the Lord’s followers and stayed with them for a week. The Holy Spirit had told them to warn Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 But when the week was over, we started on our way again. All the men, together with their wives and children, walked with us from the town to the seashore. We knelt on the beach and prayed. 6 Then after saying good-by to each other, we got into the ship, and they went back home.

7 We sailed from Tyre to Ptolemais, where we greeted the followers and stayed with them for a day. 8 The next day we went to Caesarea and stayed with Philip, the preacher. He was one of the seven men who helped the apostles, 9 and he had four unmarried[a] daughters who prophesied.

10 We had been in Caesarea for several days, when the prophet Agabus came to us from Judea. 11 He took Paul’s belt, and with it he tied up his own hands and feet. Then he told us, “The Holy Spirit says that some of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will tie up the man who owns this belt. They will also hand him over to the Gentiles.” 12 After Agabus said this, we and the followers living there begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem.

13 But Paul answered, “Why are you crying and breaking my heart? I am not only willing to be put in jail for the Lord Jesus. I am even willing to die for him in Jerusalem!”

14 Since we could not get Paul to change his mind, we gave up and prayed, “Lord, please make us willing to do what you want.”

15 Then we got ready to go to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the followers from Caesarea went with us and took us to stay in the home of Mnason. He was from Cyprus and had been a follower from the beginning.

Paul Visits James

17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the Lord’s followers gladly welcomed us.

Footnotes:

  1. 21.9 unmarried: Or “virgin.”
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Psalm 149

A New Song of Praise

149 Shout praises to the Lord!
Sing him a new song of praise
when his loyal people meet.
2 People of Israel, rejoice
because of your Creator.
People of Zion, celebrate
because of your King.
3 Praise his name by dancing
and playing music on harps
and tambourines.
4 The Lord is pleased
with his people,
and he gives victory
to those who are humble.
5 All of you faithful people,
praise our glorious Lord!
Celebrate and worship.
6 Praise God with songs
on your lips
and a sword in your hand.
7 Take revenge and punish
the nations.
8 Put chains of iron
on their kings and rulers.
9 Punish them as they deserve;
this is the privilege
of God’s faithful people.
Shout praises to the Lord!

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Proverbs 18:8

8 There’s nothing so delicious
as the taste of gossip!
It melts in your mouth.

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society