The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Saturday August 13, 2022 (NIV)

Nehemiah 5:14-7:73

Good and Bad Governors

14 Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes(A) appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah—from the twentieth year until his thirty-second year, twelve years(B)—I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor. 15 The governors(C) who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them food and wine as well as a pound[a] of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but because of the fear of God, I didn’t do this.(D) 16 Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of this wall,(E) and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn’t buy any land.(F)

17 There were 150 Jews and officials, as well as guests from the surrounding nations at my table.(G) 18 Each[b] day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine was provided every ten days.(H) But I didn’t demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy.

19 Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for this people.(I)

Attempts to Discourage the Builders

When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies(J) heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that no gap was left in it(K)—though at that time I had not installed the doors in the city gates(L) Sanballat and Geshem(M) sent me a message: “Come, let’s meet together in the villages of[c] the Ono Valley.”(N) They were planning to harm me.

So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing important work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same proposal, and I gave them the same reply.

Sanballat(O) sent me this same message a fifth time by his aide, who had an open letter in his hand. In it was written:

It is reported among the nations—and Geshem[d](P) agrees—that you and the Jews plan to rebel. This is the reason you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king and have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf, “There is a king in Judah.”(Q) These rumors will be heard by the king. So come, let’s confer together.

Then I replied to him, “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.”(R) For they were all trying to intimidate(S) us, saying, “They will drop their hands from[e] the work,(T) and it will never be finished.”

But now, my God, strengthen my hands.(U)

Attempts to Intimidate Nehemiah

10 I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was restricted to his house. He said:

Let’s meet at the house of God,
inside the temple.
Let’s shut the temple doors
because they’re coming to kill you.
They’re coming to kill you tonight![f]

11 But I said, “Should a man like me run away? How can someone like me enter the temple and live?(V) I will not go.” 12 I realized that God had not sent him, because of the prophecy he spoke against me. Tobiah and Sanballat(W) had hired him. 13 He was hired, so that I would be intimidated,(X) do as he suggested, sin, and get a bad reputation, in order that they could discredit me.

14 My God, remember(Y) Tobiah and Sanballat for what they have done, and also the prophetess Noadiah(Z) and the other prophets who wanted to intimidate me.

The Wall Completed

15 The wall was completed(AA) in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul.(AB) 16 When all our enemies(AC) heard this, all the surrounding nations were intimidated(AD) and lost their confidence,[g] for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God.(AE)

17 During those days, the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah,(AF) and Tobiah’s letters came to them. 18 For many in Judah were bound by oath(AG) to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam(AH) son of Berechiah. 19 These nobles kept mentioning Tobiah’s good deeds to me, and they reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate(AI) me.

The Exiles Return

When the wall had been rebuilt and I had the doors installed,(AJ) the gatekeepers,(AK) singers, and Levites were appointed. Then I put my brother Hanani(AL) in charge of Jerusalem,(AM) along with Hananiah,(AN) commander of the fortress,(AO) because he was a faithful man who feared God(AP) more than most. I said to them, “Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot, and let the doors be shut and securely fastened while the guards are on duty. Station the citizens of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some at their homes.”(AQ)

The city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and no houses had been built yet.(AR) Then my God put it into my mind(AS) to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the people to be registered by genealogy. I found the genealogical record of those who came back first, and I found the following written in it:(AT)

These are the people of the province who went up among the captive exiles deported by King Nebuchadnezzar(AU) of Babylon. Each of them returned to Jerusalem and Judah, to his own town.(AV) They came with Zerubbabel,(AW) Jeshua,(AX) Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah.

The number of the Israelite men included[h]

Parosh’s descendants(AY)2,172
Shephatiah’s descendants372
10 Arah’s descendants652
11 Pahath-moab’s descendants:
Jeshua’s and Joab’s descendants2,818
12 Elam’s descendants1,254
13 Zattu’s descendants845
14 Zaccai’s descendants760
15 Binnui’s descendants648
16 Bebai’s descendants628
17 Azgad’s descendants2,322
18 Adonikam’s descendants(AZ)667
19 Bigvai’s descendants2,067
20 Adin’s descendants(BA)655
21 Ater’s descendants: of Hezekiah98
22 Hashum’s descendants328
23 Bezai’s descendants324
24 Hariph’s descendants112
25 Gibeon’s[i] descendants95
26 Bethlehem’s(BB) and Netophah’s(BC) men188
27 Anathoth’s(BD) men128
28 Beth-azmaveth’s men42
29 Kiriath-jearim’s, Chephirah’s, and Beeroth’s men743
30 Ramah’s and Geba’s men621
31 Michmas’s men122
32 Bethel’s and Ai’s men(BE)123
33 the other Nebo’s men52
34 the other Elam’s people1,254
35 Harim’s people320
36 Jericho’s people(BF)345
37 Lod’s,(BG) Hadid’s, and Ono’s people721
38 Senaah’s people3,930.

39 The priests included

Jedaiah’s(BH) descendants of the house of Jeshua973
40 Immer’s descendants1,052
41 Pashhur’s descendants1,247
42 Harim’s descendants1,017.

43 The Levites(BI) included

Jeshua’s descendants: of Kadmiel
Hodevah’s descendants74.

44 The singers(BJ) included

Asaph’s descendants148.

45 The gatekeepers(BK) included

Shallum’s descendants, Ater’s descendants,
Talmon’s descendants, Akkub’s descendants,
Hatita’s descendants, Shobai’s descendants138.

46 The temple servants(BL) included

Ziha’s descendants, Hasupha’s descendants,

Tabbaoth’s descendants, 47 Keros’s descendants,

Sia’s descendants, Padon’s descendants,

48 Lebanah’s descendants, Hagabah’s descendants,

Shalmai’s descendants, 49 Hanan’s descendants,

Giddel’s descendants, Gahar’s descendants,

50 Reaiah’s descendants, Rezin’s descendants,

Nekoda’s descendants, 51 Gazzam’s descendants,

Uzza’s descendants, Paseah’s descendants,

52 Besai’s descendants, Meunim’s descendants,

Nephishesim’s[j] descendants, 53 Bakbuk’s descendants,

Hakupha’s descendants, Harhur’s descendants,

54 Bazlith’s descendants, Mehida’s descendants,

Harsha’s descendants, 55 Barkos’s descendants,

Sisera’s descendants, Temah’s descendants,

56 Neziah’s descendants, Hatipha’s descendants.

57 The descendants of Solomon’s servants(BM) included

Sotai’s descendants, Sophereth’s descendants,

Perida’s descendants, 58 Jaala’s descendants,

Darkon’s descendants, Giddel’s descendants,

59 Shephatiah’s descendants, Hattil’s descendants,

Pochereth-hazzebaim’s descendants, Amon’s descendants.

60 All the temple servants
and the descendants of Solomon’s servants(BN)392.

61 The following(BO) are those who came from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but were unable to prove that their ancestral families[k] and their lineage were Israelite:

62 Delaiah’s descendants,
Tobiah’s descendants,
and Nekoda’s descendants642

63 and from the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai—who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and who bore their name. 64 These searched for their entries in the genealogical records, but they could not be found, so they were disqualified from the priesthood. 65 The governor(BP) ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest who could consult the Urim and Thummim.(BQ)

66 The whole combined assembly numbered42,360
67 not including their 7,337 male and female servants,
as well as their 245 male and female singers.
68 They had 736 horses, 245 mules,[l]
69 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.(BR)

70 Some of the family heads contributed to the project. The governor gave 1,000 gold coins,[m] 50 bowls, and 530 priestly garments to the treasury. 71 Some of the family heads gave 20,000 gold coins and 2,200 silver minas to the treasury for the project. 72 The rest of the people gave 20,000 gold coins, 2,000 silver minas, and 67 priestly garments. 73 The priests, Levites, gatekeepers, temple singers, some of the people, temple servants, and all Israel settled in their towns.(BS)

Public Reading of the Law

When the seventh month(BT) came and the Israelites had settled in their towns,

Footnotes:

  1. 5:15 Lit 40 shekels
  2. 5:18 Lit And that which was prepared each
  3. 6:2 Or together at Kephirim in
  4. 6:6 Lit Gashmu
  5. 6:9 Or will give up on
  6. 6:10 Or by night
  7. 6:16 Lit and fell greatly in their eyes
  8. 7:7 Lit the men of the people of Israel
  9. 7:25 = Gibbar’s in Ezr 2:20
  10. 7:52 Alt Hb tradition reads Nephushesim’s
  11. 7:61 Lit the house of their fathers
  12. 7:68 Some Hb mss, LXX; Ezr 2:66; other Hb mss omit v. 68
  13. 7:70 Or drachmas, or darics; also in vv. 71,72

Cross references:

  1. 5:14 : Ezr 4:7; 7:1
  2. 5:14 : Neh 13:6
  3. 5:15 : Ezr 5:3,14; Hg 1:1
  4. 5:15 : Lv 25:36
  5. 5:16 : Neh 4:1; 6:1; 2Th 3:7–10
  6. 5:16 : Neh 5:3,7,11
  7. 5:17 : 1Kg 4:27; 18:19
  8. 5:18 : 1Kg 4:22–23
  9. 5:19 : Neh 13:14,22,31
  10. 6:1 : Neh 2:10,19
  11. 6:1 : Neh 4:6–7
  12. 6:1 : Neh 3:1
  13. 6:2 : Neh 2:10
  14. 6:2 : 1Ch 8:12
  15. 6:5 : Neh 2:10
  16. 6:6 : Neh 2:19
  17. 6:7 : Zch 9:9
  18. 6:8 : Jb 13:4; Ps 52:2
  19. 6:9 : Ezr 3:3
  20. 6:9 : Ezr 4:4
  21. 6:9 : Neh 5:19; 13:22; Ps 138:3
  22. 6:10–11 : Nm 18:7
  23. 6:12 : Neh 2:10; 6:1
  24. 6:13 : Ezr 3:3
  25. 6:14 : Neh 13:29
  26. 6:14 : Rv 2:20
  27. 6:15 : Neh 4:1,7; 6:1
  28. 6:15 : Ezr 6:15
  29. 6:16 : Neh 2:10; 6:1
  30. 6:16 : Ezr 3:3
  31. 6:16 : Ex 14:25
  32. 6:17 : Neh 6:1; 13:4–5,7–8
  33. 6:18 : Ezr 10:5
  34. 6:18 : Neh 3:4,30
  35. 6:19 : Neh 6:9,13
  36. 7:1 : Neh 6:1
  37. 7:1 : Ezr 2:40–42; Neh 7:43–45
  38. 7:2 : Neh 1:2
  39. 7:2 : Neh 3:9,12
  40. 7:2 : Neh 10:23
  41. 7:2 : Neh 2:8
  42. 7:2 : 1Kg 18:3; Neh 5:9,15
  43. 7:3 : Neh 4:13,16,22–23
  44. 7:4 : Neh 11:1
  45. 7:5 : Pr 2:6
  46. 7:5–73 : Ezr 2:1–70
  47. 7:6 : 2Ch 36:20
  48. 7:6 : Ezr 2:1
  49. 7:7 : Hg 1:1
  50. 7:7 : Ezr 2:2; 5:2; Zch 3:3,8
  51. 7:8 : Ezr 2:3; 8:3; 10:25; Neh 3:25
  52. 7:18 : Ezr 2:13; 8:13
  53. 7:20 : Ezr 2:15; 8:6
  54. 7:26 : Ezr 2:21; Mc 5:2
  55. 7:26 : 2Sm 23:28; 2Kg 25:23; Ezr 2:22
  56. 7:27 : Ezr 2:23; Neh 11:32; Jr 1:1
  57. 7:32 : Gn 12:8; Jos 7:2; Ezr 2:28
  58. 7:36 : Jos 6:1; Ezr 2:34; Neh 3:2
  59. 7:37 : 1Ch 8:12; Ezr 2:33; Ac 9:32
  60. 7:39 : 1Ch 24:7; Ezr 2:36
  61. 7:43 : Ezr 2:40; 7:7; 8:15; Neh 13:30
  62. 7:44 : 1Ch 15:16; Ezr 2:41–43
  63. 7:45 : 1Ch 9:17–27
  64. 7:46 : Neh 11:21
  65. 7:57 : 1Kg 9:21; Ezr 2:55
  66. 7:60 : Ezr 2:58
  67. 7:61–62 : Ezr 2:59–60
  68. 7:65 : Ezr 2:63; 5:14
  69. 7:65 : Ex 28:30; Lv 8:8; Ezr 2:63
  70. 7:69–72 : Ezr 2:64–70
  71. 7:73 : 1Ch 9:2; Ezr 2:70; Neh 7:6
  72. 7:73 : Lv 23:23–43; Ezr 3:1
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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

1 Corinthians 8

Food Offered to Idols

Now about food sacrificed to idols:(A) We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up,(B) but love(C) builds up. If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it.(D) But if anyone loves God,(E) he is known(F) by him.

About eating food sacrificed to idols, then, we know that “an idol is nothing in the world,”[a] and that “there is no God but one.”(G) For even if there are so-called gods,(H) whether in heaven or on earth—as there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet for us there is one God, the Father.(I) All things are from him,(J) and we exist for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through him, and we exist through him.(K)

However, not everyone has this knowledge. Some have been so used to idolatry up until now that when they eat food sacrificed to an idol, their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not bring us close to God.[b] We are not worse off if we don’t eat, and we are not better if we do eat.(L) But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block(M) to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, the one who has knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, won’t his weak conscience be encouraged[c] to eat food offered to idols? 11 So the weak person, the brother or sister for whom Christ died,(N) is ruined[d](O) by your knowledge.(P) 12 Now when you sin like this against brothers and sisters and wound their weak conscience, you are sinning against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother or sister to fall, I will never again eat meat,(Q) so that I won’t cause my brother or sister to fall.

Footnotes:

  1. 8:4 Or an idol has no real existence
  2. 8:8 Or bring us before (the judgment seat of) God
  3. 8:10 Or built up
  4. 8:11 Or destroyed
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 33:1-11

Psalm 33

Praise to the Creator

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones;
praise from the upright is beautiful.(A)
Praise the Lord with the lyre;
make music to him with a ten-stringed harp.(B)
Sing a new song to him;(C)
play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout.(D)

For the word of the Lord is right,
and all his work is trustworthy.(E)
He loves righteousness and justice;(F)
the earth is full of the Lord’s unfailing love.(G)

The heavens were made by the word of the Lord,(H)
and all the stars, by the breath of his mouth.(I)
He gathers the water of the sea into a heap;[a]
he puts the depths into storehouses.(J)
Let the whole earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.(K)
For he spoke, and it came into being;
he commanded, and it came into existence.(L)

10 The Lord frustrates the counsel of the nations;
he thwarts the plans of the peoples.(M)
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the plans of his heart from generation to generation.(N)

Footnotes:

  1. 33:7 LXX, Tg, Syr, Vg, Jer read sea as in a bottle
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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

Proverbs 21:8-10

A guilty one’s conduct is crooked,(A)
but the behavior of the innocent is upright.(B)

Better to live on the corner of a roof
than to share a house with a nagging wife.(C)

10 A wicked person desires evil;
he has no consideration[a] for his neighbor.(D)

Footnotes:

  1. 21:10 Or favor
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.