The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Sunday October 18, 2020 (NIV)

Jeremiah 31:27-32:44

27 “Look, the days are coming”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“when I will sow the house of Israel(A) and the house of Judah with the seed of people and the seed of animals. 28 Just as I watched over them to uproot and to tear them down, to demolish and to destroy, and to cause disaster,(B) so will I watch over them to build and to plant them”(C)—this is the Lord’s declaration. 29 “In those days, it will never again be said,

‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’(D)

30 Rather, each will die for his own iniquity.(E) Anyone who eats sour grapes—his own teeth will be set on edge.

The New Covenant

31 “Look, the days are coming”(F)—this is the Lord’s declaration—“when I will make a new covenant(G) with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—my covenant that they broke even though I am their master”[a](H)—the Lord’s declaration. 33 “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—the Lord’s declaration. “I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’(I) for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them”(J)—this is the Lord’s declaration. “For I will forgive their iniquity(K) and never again remember their sin.

35 “This is what the Lord says:

The one who gives the sun for light by day,
the fixed order of moon and stars for light by night,
who stirs up the sea and makes its waves roar(L)
the Lord of Armies is his name:
36 If this fixed order departs from before me—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
only then will Israel’s descendants cease
to be a nation before me forever.(M)

37 “This is what the Lord says:

Only if the heavens above can be measured
and the foundations of the earth below explored,
will I reject all of Israel’s descendants
because of all they have done—
this is the Lord’s declaration.

38 “Look, the days are coming”—the Lord’s declaration—“when the city[b] from the Tower of Hananel(N) to the Corner Gate(O) will be rebuilt for the Lord. 39 A measuring line will once again stretch out straight to the hill of Gareb(P) and then turn toward Goah. 40 The whole valley—the corpses, the ashes, and all the fields as far as the Kidron Valley(Q) to the corner of the Horse Gate(R) to the east—will be holy to the Lord. It will never be uprooted or demolished again.”

Jeremiah’s Land Purchase

32 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the tenth year of King Zedekiah(S) of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.(T) At that time, the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem,(U) and the prophet Jeremiah was imprisoned in the guard’s courtyard(V) in the palace of the king of Judah. King Zedekiah of Judah had imprisoned him, saying, “Why are you prophesying as you do? You say, ‘This is what the Lord says: Look, I am about to hand this city over to Babylon’s king, and he will capture it. King Zedekiah of Judah will not escape from the Chaldeans; indeed, he will certainly be handed over to Babylon’s king. They will speak face to face[c] and meet eye to eye.(W) He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, where he will stay until I attend to him—this is the Lord’s declaration. For you will fight the Chaldeans, but you will not succeed.’”(X)

Jeremiah replied, “The word of the Lord came to me: Watch! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, is coming to you to say, ‘Buy my field in Anathoth(Y) for yourself, for you own the right of redemption(Z) to buy it.’

“Then, as the Lord had said, my cousin Hanamel came to the guard’s courtyard and urged me, ‘Please buy my field in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for you own the right of inheritance and redemption. Buy it for yourself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord. So I bought the field in Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel, and I weighed out the silver to him(AA)—seventeen shekels[d] of silver. 10 I recorded it on a scroll,(AB) sealed it, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. 11 I took the purchase agreement—the sealed copy with its terms and conditions and the open copy— 12 and gave the purchase agreement to Baruch(AC) son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah. I did this in the sight of my cousin[e] Hanamel, the witnesses who had signed the purchase agreement, and all the Judeans sitting in the guard’s courtyard.

13 “I charged Baruch in their sight, 14 ‘This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Take these scrolls—this purchase agreement with the sealed copy and this open copy—and put them in an earthen storage jar so they will last a long time. 15 For this is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields, and vineyards will again be bought in this land.’(AD)

16 “After I had given the purchase agreement to Baruch, son of Neriah, I prayed to the Lord:(AE) 17 Oh, Lord God! You yourself made the heavens and earth(AF) by your great power(AG) and with your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you!(AH) 18 You show faithful love to thousands but lay the fathers’ iniquity on their sons’ laps after them,(AI) great and mighty God(AJ) whose name is the Lord of Armies, 19 the one great in counsel and powerful in action. Your eyes are on all the ways of the children of men[f] in order to reward each person according to his ways and as the result of his actions.(AK) 20 You performed signs and wonders in the land of Egypt(AL) and still do today, both in Israel and among all mankind. You made a name(AM) for yourself, as is the case today. 21 You brought your people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and with great terror.(AN) 22 You gave them this land you swore to give to their ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey.(AO) 23 They entered and possessed it, but they did not obey you or live according to your instructions.(AP) They failed to perform all you commanded them to do,(AQ) and so you have brought all this disaster on them. 24 Look! Siege ramps(AR) have come against the city to capture it, and the city, as a result of the sword, famine, and plague, has been handed over to the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What you have spoken has happened. Look, you can see it! 25 Yet you, Lord God, have said to me, ‘Purchase the field and call in witnesses’—even though the city has been handed over to the Chaldeans!”

26 The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 27 “Look, I am the Lord, the God over every creature.(AS) Is anything too difficult for me?(AT) 28 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: I am about to hand this city over to the Chaldeans,(AU) to Babylon’s king Nebuchadnezzar, and he will capture it. 29 The Chaldeans who are fighting against this city will come and set this city on fire. They will burn it, including the houses where incense has been burned to Baal on their rooftops and where drink offerings have been poured out to other gods to anger me.(AV) 30 From their youth, the Israelites and Judeans have done nothing but what is evil in my sight! They have done nothing but anger me by the work of their hands”(AW)—this is the Lord’s declaration— 31 “for this city has caused my wrath and fury from the day it was built until now. I will therefore remove it from my presence(AX) 32 because of all the evil the Israelites and Judeans have done to anger me—they, their kings,(AY) their officials, their priests, and their prophets, the men of Judah, and the residents of Jerusalem. 33 They have turned their backs to me and not their faces.(AZ) Though I taught them time and time again,[g](BA) they do not listen and receive discipline. 34 They have placed their abhorrent things(BB) in the house that bears my name and have defiled it. 35 They have built the high places of Baal in Ben Hinnom Valley to sacrifice their sons and daughters in the fire[h] to Molech(BC)—something I had not commanded them. I had never entertained the thought[i] that they do this detestable act causing Judah to sin!

36 “Now therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to this city about which you said, ‘It has been handed over to Babylon’s king through sword, famine, and plague’: 37 I will certainly gather them from all the lands where I have banished them in my anger, fury, and intense wrath, and I will return them to this place and make them live in safety.(BD) 38 They will be my people, and I will be their God.(BE) 39 I will give them integrity of heart(BF) and action[j] so that they will fear me always, for their good and for the good of their descendants after them.

40 “I will make a permanent covenant with them:(BG) I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put fear of me in their hearts so they will never again turn away from me.(BH) 41 I will take delight in them to do what is good for them, and with all my heart and mind I will faithfully plant them in this land.(BI)

42 “For this is what the Lord says: Just as I have brought all this terrible disaster on these people,(BJ) so am I about to bring on them all the good I am promising them. 43 Fields will be bought in this land about which you are saying,(BK) ‘It’s a desolation(BL) without people or animals; it has been handed over to the Chaldeans!’ 44 Fields will be purchased, the transaction written on a scroll and sealed,(BM) and witnesses will be called on in the land of Benjamin,(BN) in the areas surrounding Jerusalem, and in Judah’s cities—the cities of the hill country, the cities of the Judean foothills, and the cities of the Negev—because I will restore their fortunes.”[k]

This is the Lord’s declaration.

Footnotes:

  1. 31:32 Or husband
  2. 31:38 = Jerusalem
  3. 32:4 Lit His mouth will speak with his mouth
  4. 32:9 About seven ounces
  5. 32:12 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr; other Hb mss read uncle
  6. 32:19 Or Adam
  7. 32:33 Lit them, rising up early and teaching
  8. 32:35 Lit to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire
  9. 32:35 Lit them, and it did not arise on my heart
  10. 32:39 Lit give them one heart and one way
  11. 32:44 Or will end their captivity

Cross references:

  1. 31:27 : Ezk 36:9,11; Hs 2:23
  2. 31:28 : Jr 21:10; 39:16; 44:27; Am 9:4
  3. 31:28 : Jr 1:10; 18:7–10; 44:27
  4. 31:29 : Ezk 18:2
  5. 31:30 : Dt 24:6; Ezk 18:20
  6. 31:31–34 : Heb 8:8–12; 10:16–17
  7. 31:31 : Ezk 37:26; Hs 2:18; Lk 22:20; 1Co 11:25; 2Co 3:6; Heb 9:15; 12:24
  8. 31:32 : Is 54:4; 62:4; Mal 2:11
  9. 31:34 : Jdg 2:10; 1Sm 3:7; Hs 2:20
  10. 31:34 : Est 1:20; Jr 6:13; 8:10; 42:1,8; 44:12
  11. 31:34 : Nm 14:19; Ps 103:3; Jr 36:3
  12. 31:35 : Ps 46:3; Is 51:15; Jr 5:22
  13. 31:36 : Jr 33:18; 35:19
  14. 31:38 : Neh 3:1; 12:39
  15. 31:38 : 2Kg 14:13; 2Ch 26:9; Zch 14:10
  16. 31:39 : Zch 2:1
  17. 31:40 : 2Kg 23:4
  18. 31:40 : Neh 3:28
  19. 32:1 : 2Kg 24:17–20; 2Ch 36:10–12; Jr 27:1–11
  20. 32:1 : Jr 29:1
  21. 32:2 : Jr 39:1
  22. 32:2 : Neh 3:25; Jr 33:1; 37:21; 38:6; 39:14
  23. 32:4 : Jr 34:3
  24. 32:3–5 : Jr 21:3–7; 27:22; 34:2–3; 37:11–14
  25. 32:7 : 1Kg 2:26; Jr 1:1; 11:21,23
  26. 32:7 : Lv 25:24–52; Ru 4:1–7
  27. 32:9 : Gn 23:16; Zch 11:12
  28. 32:10 : Jr 32:44
  29. 32:12 : Jr 36:4–32; 43:3,6; 45:1–2
  30. 32:15 : Jr 32:43
  31. 32:16 : Jr 42:4
  32. 32:17 : 2Kg 19:15; 2Ch 2:12; Is 37:16
  33. 32:17 : Dt 4:37; Neh 1:10; Jr 27:5
  34. 32:17 : Gn 18:14; Ex 3:20; 15:11; 34:10; Dt 17:8; Ps 40:5; 78:4; Jr 32:27; Zch 8:6; Mt 17:20; 19:26
  35. 32:18 : Ex 20:5–6; 34:7; Nm 14:18; Dt 5:9–10; 7:9
  36. 32:18 : Neh 9:32
  37. 32:19 : Jr 4:18; 17:10
  38. 32:20 : Ex 1–15; Dt 6:22; Neh 9:10
  39. 32:20 : Is 63:12,14; Dn 9:15
  40. 32:21 : Ex 7:3; Dt 4:34; 6:22; 26:8; 34:11; Ps 78:43; 135:9
  41. 32:22 : Ex 3:8,17; Lv 20:24; Nm 13:27; Dt 26:9
  42. 32:23 : Nm 14:22; Dt 28:45,62; Jos 5:6; Jdg 6:10; 2Kg 18:12; Ps 78:10; 81:11; Is 42:24; Jr 9:13; 32:23; 44:10
  43. 32:23 : Jr 11:8
  44. 32:24 : 2Kg 25:1; Jr 6:6; Ezk 4:2
  45. 32:27 : Nm 16:22; 27:16
  46. 32:27 : Gn 18:4
  47. 32:28 : Jr 32:3
  48. 32:29 : Jr 11:17; 44:3,8
  49. 32:30 : Jr 25:7
  50. 32:31 : 2Kg 23:27; 24:3
  51. 32:32 : Jr 2:26
  52. 32:33 : 2Ch 29:6; Jr 2:27; 18:17; Ezk 8:16
  53. 32:33 : Jr 7:13,25; 11:7; 25:3; 26:5; 29:19; 35:14,15; 44:4
  54. 32:34 : Jr 4:1; 7:30; Ezk 5:11
  55. 32:35 : Lv 18:21; 20:2–5; Dt 18:10; 2Kg 23:10; Jr 7:31; 19:4
  56. 32:37 : Dt 12:10; Is 11:12; Jr 23:3; 29:14; 30:10; 31:8–14; Ezk 11:17; 28:26; 34:25,28; 36:24
  57. 32:38 : Jr 11:4; 24:7; 30:22; Ezk 11:20; 14:11; 36:28; 37:23
  58. 32:39 : Ezk 11:19
  59. 32:40 : Gn 17:7,13,19; Is 55:3; 61:8; Jr 50:5; Ezk 16:60; 37:26
  60. 32:40 : Dt 19:20; Is 2:4; 60:18; Jr 3:16; 30:8; 31:34; Ezk 29:16; Jl 2:26–27; Am 9:15; Mc 4:3; Nah 1:15; Zph 3:11; Heb 8:11; 10:17
  61. 32:41 : Jr 24:6
  62. 32:42 : Jr 31:28
  63. 32:43 : Jr 32:15
  64. 32:43 : Jr 33:10
  65. 32:44 : Jr 32:10
  66. 32:44 : Jr 17:26
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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

1 Timothy 3

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

This saying is trustworthy:(A) “If anyone aspires to be an overseer,[a](B) he desires a noble work.” An overseer,(C) therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,(D) respectable, hospitable,(E) able to teach, not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy.(F) He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil.(G) Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s(H) trap.

Deacons,(I) likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith(J) with a clear conscience.(K) 10 They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives,[b](L) likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled,(M) faithful in everything. 12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Godliness

14 I write these things to you, hoping to come(N) to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household,(O) which is the church of the living God,(P) the pillar and foundation of the truth.(Q) 16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness(R) is great:

He[c] was manifested in the flesh,(S)
vindicated in the Spirit,(T)
seen by angels,
preached among the nations,
believed(U) on in the world,
taken up in glory.(V)

Footnotes:

  1. 3:1 Or bishop, pastor
  2. 3:11 Or Women
  3. 3:16 Other mss read God
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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

Psalm 88

Psalm 88

A Cry of Desperation

A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choir director: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.(A)

Lord, God of my salvation,
I cry out before you day and night.(B)
May my prayer reach your presence;
listen to my cry.(C)

For I have had enough troubles,
and my life is near Sheol.(D)
I am counted among those going down to the Pit.(E)
I am like a man without strength,(F)
abandoned[a] among the dead.
I am like the slain lying in the grave,(G)
whom you no longer remember,
and who are cut off from your care.[b](H)

You have put me in the lowest part of the Pit,
in the darkest places, in the depths.(I)
Your wrath weighs heavily on me;(J)
you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.(K)Selah
You have distanced my friends from me;
you have made me repulsive to them.(L)
I am shut in and cannot go out.
My eyes are worn out from crying.(M)
Lord, I cry out to you all day long;(N)
I spread out my hands to you.(O)

10 Do you work wonders for the dead?
Do departed spirits rise up to praise you?(P)Selah
11 Will your faithful love be declared in the grave,
your faithfulness in Abaddon?(Q)
12 Will your wonders be known in the darkness
or your righteousness in the land of oblivion?(R)

13 But I call to you for help, Lord;
in the morning my prayer meets you.(S)
14 Lord, why do you reject me?(T)
Why do you hide your face from me?(U)
15 From my youth,
I have been suffering and near death.
I suffer your horrors; I am desperate.(V)
16 Your wrath sweeps over me;
your terrors destroy me.(W)
17 They surround me like water all day long;
they close in on me from every side.(X)
18 You have distanced loved one and neighbor from me;
darkness is my only friend.[c](Y)

Footnotes:

  1. 88:5 Or set free
  2. 88:5 Or hand
  3. 88:18 Or from me, my friends. Oh darkness!
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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

Proverbs 25:20-22

20 Singing songs to a troubled heart
is like taking off clothing on a cold day
or like pouring vinegar on soda.[a](A)

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,(B)
22 for you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.(C)

Footnotes:

  1. 25:20 Lit natron, or sodium carbonate
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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