The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Friday March 22, 2019 (NIV)

Numbers 33:40-35:34

40 (The Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, which was in Canaan, heard that the Israelites were coming.)

41 They moved from Mount Hor and set up camp at Zalmonah.

42 They moved from Zalmonah and set up camp at Punon.

43 They moved from Punon and set up camp at Oboth.

44 They moved from Oboth and set up camp at Iye Abarim on the border of Moab.

45 They moved from Iyim[a] and set up camp at Dibon Gad.

46 They moved from Dibon Gad and set up camp at Almon Diblathaim.

47 They moved from Almon Diblathaim and set up camp in the Abarim Mountains east of Nebo.

48 They moved from the Abarim Mountains and set up camp on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho. 49 They set up camp on the plains of Moab along the Jordan. Their camp extended from Beth Jeshimoth to Abel Shittim.

The Canaanites Must Be Forced Out

50 The Lord said to Moses on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho, 51 “Tell the Israelites, ‘You will be crossing the Jordan River and entering Canaan. 52 As you advance, force out all the people who live there. Get rid of all their stone and metal idols, and destroy all their places of worship. 53 Take possession of the land and live there, because I will give it to you for your own. 54 Divide the land among your families by drawing lots. Give more land to larger families and less land to smaller ones. The land must be given to each family by drawing lots. Divide it among your ancestors’ tribes.

55 “‘But if you do not force out those who live in the land, they will be like splinters in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will constantly fight with you over the land you live in. 56 Then I will do to you what I planned to do to them.’”

The Boundaries of Israel’s Land

34 The Lord said to Moses, “Give the Israelites these instructions. When you enter Canaan, the land that will be given to you as your inheritance has these borders:

“The southern side includes part of the Desert of Zin along the border of Edom. In the east the southern border starts from the end of the Dead Sea and turns south of the Akrabbim Pass. It then goes past Zin and ends at Kadesh Barnea. From there it goes to Hazar Addar and on to Azmon. From Azmon it turns toward the River of Egypt so that the border ends at the Mediterranean Sea.

“The western border is the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.

“The northern border extends from the Mediterranean Sea to Mount Hor, and from Mount Hor to the border of Hamath so that it ends at Zedad. From there the border goes to Ziphron and ends at Hazar Enan.

10 “The eastern border extends from Hazar Enan to Shepham. 11 From Shepham the border goes down to Riblah, east of Ain, and continues along the eastern slope of the Sea of Galilee. 12 Then the border goes along the Jordan River so that it ends at the Dead Sea.

“This will be your land and the borders around it.”

13 Moses commanded the Israelites, “This is the land you will divide by drawing lots. The Lord has commanded that this land will be given to the nine-and-a-half tribes. 14 The households from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh have already received their land. 15 Those two-and-a-half tribes received land east of the Jordan River across from Jericho.”

Men Are Appointed to Divide the Land

16 The Lord said to Moses, 17 “These are the names of the men who will divide the land for you: the priest Eleazar and Joshua, son of Nun. 18 You must also take one leader from each tribe to divide the land. 19 These are their names:

Caleb, son of Jephunneh, from the tribe of Judah;

20 Shemuel, son of Ammihud, from the tribe of Simeon;

21 Elidad, son of Kislon, from the tribe of Benjamin;

22 Bukki, son of Jogli, the leader of the tribe of Dan;

23 Hanniel, son of Ephod, the leader of the tribe of Manasseh;

24 Kemuel, son of Shiphtan, the leader of the tribe of Ephraim;

(Manasseh and Ephraim are Joseph’s descendants.)[b]

25 Elizaphan, son of Parnach, the leader of the tribe of Zebulun;

26 Paltiel, son of Azzan, the leader of the tribe of Issachar;

27 Ahihud, son of Shelomi, the leader of the tribe of Asher;

28 Pedahel, son of Ammihud, the leader of the tribe of Naphtali.”

29 These are the men the Lord commanded to divide Canaan for the Israelites.

Cities for the Levites

35 The Lord spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho. He said, “Tell the Israelites to give the Levites some cities from their own property. They must also give the Levites the pastureland around those cities. Then the Levites will have cities to live in and pastureland for their cattle, the flocks they own, and any other animals they have.

“The land around the cities that you give the Levites will extend 1,500 feet from the city wall. Outside the city measure off 3,000 feet on the east side, 3,000 feet on the south side, 3,000 feet on the west side, and 3,000 feet on the north side, with the city in the center. This will be their pastureland around the city.

“Six of the cities you give the Levites will be cities of refuge. You must allow murderers to escape to these cities. In addition, you must also give the Levites 42 other cities. So you will give a total of 48 cities with pastureland to the Levites. The cities you give the Levites from the property of the other Israelites must be given based on the amount of land each tribe owns. Take more cities from larger tribes and fewer from smaller tribes.”

Cities of Refuge

The Lord said to Moses, 10 “Tell the Israelites: When you cross the Jordan River and enter Canaan, 11 select certain cities to be places of refuge. Anyone who unintentionally kills another person may run to them. 12 These cities will be places of refuge from any relative who can avenge the death. So anyone accused of murder will not have to die until he has had a trial in front of the community. 13 There will be six cities you select as places of refuge, 14 three on the east side of the Jordan River and three in Canaan. 15 These six cities will be places of refuge for Israelites, foreigners, and strangers among you. Anyone who unintentionally kills another person may flee to these cities.

16 “But if any of you uses an iron weapon to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death. 17 If any of you picks up a stone as a weapon and uses it to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death. 18 Or if any of you picks up a piece of wood as a weapon and uses it to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death. 19 The relative who can avenge the death must make sure a murderer is put to death. When he catches up with the murderer, he must kill him. 20 If any of you kills someone you hate by shoving him or by deliberately throwing something at him, 21 or if you beat your enemy to death with your bare hands, you must be put to death. You are a murderer. The relative who can avenge the death must kill you when he catches up with you, because you are a murderer.

22 “But suppose you accidentally kill someone who wasn’t your enemy. Maybe you shoved him or threw something at him but didn’t mean to kill him. 23 Or suppose you drop a big stone, and someone is killed. However, you didn’t know the person was there, he wasn’t your enemy, and you weren’t trying to harm him. 24 Then the community must use these rules in order to decide if you are innocent or if the dead person’s relative can avenge the death. 25 If you are innocent, the community must protect you from that relative. They must take you back to the city of refuge you fled to. You must live there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.

26 “But don’t go outside the city of refuge you fled to. 27 If the relative who can avenge the death finds you outside the city of refuge and kills you, the relative is not guilty of murder. 28 Accused murderers must stay in their city of refuge until the death of the high priest. They may go back to their own property only after his death.

29 “These will be the rules for future generations wherever you live.

30 “Whoever kills another person will be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of more than one witness. No one can be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

31 “Never accept a cash payment in exchange for the life of a convicted murderer who has been given the death penalty. Murderers must be put to death.

32 “An accused murderer who has fled to a city of refuge must never go back and live on his own land before the death of the high priest. Don’t accept a cash payment to allow him to do this.

33 “You must not pollute the land where you live. Murder is what pollutes the land. The land where a murder was committed can never make peace with the Lord except through the death of the murderer. 34 Never make the land where you and I live unclean.[c] I, the Lord, live among the Israelites.”

Footnotes:

  1. Numbers 33:45 Or “Iye Abarim.”
  2. Numbers 34:24 This sentence has been moved from verse 23 in order to express the complex Hebrew sentence structure more clearly in English.
  3. Numbers 35:34 “Unclean” refers to anything that is not presentable to God.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Luke 5:12-28

Jesus Cures a Man with a Skin Disease(A)

12 One day Jesus was in a city where there was a man covered with a serious skin disease. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground. He begged Jesus, “Sir, if you want to, you can make me clean.”[a]

13 Jesus reached out, touched him, and said, “I want to. So be clean!” Immediately, his skin disease went away.

14 Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone. Instead, show yourself to the priest. Then offer the sacrifice as Moses commanded as proof to people that you are clean.”

15 The news about Jesus spread even more. Large crowds gathered to hear him and have their diseases cured. 16 But he would go away to places where he could be alone for prayer.

Jesus Forgives Sins(B)

17 One day when Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and experts in Moses’ Teachings were present. They had come from every village in Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. Jesus had the power of the Lord to heal.

18 Some men brought a paralyzed man on a stretcher. They tried to take him into the house and put him in front of Jesus. 19 But they could not find a way to get him into the house because of the crowd. So they went up on the roof. They made an opening in the tiles and let the man down on his stretcher among the people. (They lowered him in front of Jesus.)

20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Sir, your sins are forgiven.” 21 The experts in Moses’ Teachings and the Pharisees thought, “Who is this man? He’s dishonoring God! Who besides God can forgive sins?”

22 Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, “What are you thinking? 23 Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

25 The man immediately stood up in front of them and picked up the stretcher he had been lying on. Praising God, he went home.

26 Everyone was amazed and praised God. They were filled with awe and said, “We’ve seen things today we can hardly believe!”

Jesus Chooses Levi [Matthew] to Be a Disciple(C)

27 After that, Jesus left. He saw a tax collector named Levi sitting in a tax office. Jesus said to him, “Follow me!” 28 So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.

Footnotes:

  1. Luke 5:12 “Clean” refers to anything that Moses’ Teachings say is presentable to God.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Psalm 65

Psalm 65

For the choir director; a psalm by David; a song.

You are praised with silence in Zion, O God,
and vows made to you must be kept.
You are the one who hears prayers.
Everyone will come to you.
Various sins overwhelm me.
You are the one who forgives our rebellious acts.
Blessed is the person you choose
and invite to live with you in your courtyards.
We will be filled with good food from your house,
from your holy temple.

You answer us with awe-inspiring acts done in righteousness,
O God, our savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the most distant sea,
the one who set the mountains in place with his strength,
the one who is clothed with power,
the one who calms the roar of the seas,
their crashing waves,
and the uproar of the nations.
Those who live at the ends of the earth are in awe of your miraculous signs.
The lands of the morning sunrise and evening sunset sing joyfully.

You take care of the earth, and you water it.
You make it much richer than it was.
(The river of God is filled with water.)
You provide grain for them.
Indeed, you even prepare the ground.
10 You drench plowed fields with rain
and level their clumps of soil.
You soften them with showers
and bless what grows in them.
11 You crown the year with your goodness,
and richness overflows wherever you are.
12 The pastures in the desert overflow with richness.
The hills are surrounded with joy.
13 The pastures are covered with flocks.
The valleys are carpeted with grain.
All of them shout triumphantly. Indeed, they sing.

Psalm 66

For the choir director; a song; a psalm.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Proverbs 11:23

23 The desire of righteous people ends only in good,
but the hope of wicked people ends only in fury.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Friday March 22, 2019 (NIV)

Numbers 33:40-35:34

40 (The Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, which was in Canaan, heard that the Israelites were coming.)

41 They moved from Mount Hor and set up camp at Zalmonah.

42 They moved from Zalmonah and set up camp at Punon.

43 They moved from Punon and set up camp at Oboth.

44 They moved from Oboth and set up camp at Iye Abarim on the border of Moab.

45 They moved from Iyim[a] and set up camp at Dibon Gad.

46 They moved from Dibon Gad and set up camp at Almon Diblathaim.

47 They moved from Almon Diblathaim and set up camp in the Abarim Mountains east of Nebo.

48 They moved from the Abarim Mountains and set up camp on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho. 49 They set up camp on the plains of Moab along the Jordan. Their camp extended from Beth Jeshimoth to Abel Shittim.

The Canaanites Must Be Forced Out

50 The Lord said to Moses on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho, 51 “Tell the Israelites, ‘You will be crossing the Jordan River and entering Canaan. 52 As you advance, force out all the people who live there. Get rid of all their stone and metal idols, and destroy all their places of worship. 53 Take possession of the land and live there, because I will give it to you for your own. 54 Divide the land among your families by drawing lots. Give more land to larger families and less land to smaller ones. The land must be given to each family by drawing lots. Divide it among your ancestors’ tribes.

55 “‘But if you do not force out those who live in the land, they will be like splinters in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will constantly fight with you over the land you live in. 56 Then I will do to you what I planned to do to them.’”

The Boundaries of Israel’s Land

34 The Lord said to Moses, “Give the Israelites these instructions. When you enter Canaan, the land that will be given to you as your inheritance has these borders:

“The southern side includes part of the Desert of Zin along the border of Edom. In the east the southern border starts from the end of the Dead Sea and turns south of the Akrabbim Pass. It then goes past Zin and ends at Kadesh Barnea. From there it goes to Hazar Addar and on to Azmon. From Azmon it turns toward the River of Egypt so that the border ends at the Mediterranean Sea.

“The western border is the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.

“The northern border extends from the Mediterranean Sea to Mount Hor, and from Mount Hor to the border of Hamath so that it ends at Zedad. From there the border goes to Ziphron and ends at Hazar Enan.

10 “The eastern border extends from Hazar Enan to Shepham. 11 From Shepham the border goes down to Riblah, east of Ain, and continues along the eastern slope of the Sea of Galilee. 12 Then the border goes along the Jordan River so that it ends at the Dead Sea.

“This will be your land and the borders around it.”

13 Moses commanded the Israelites, “This is the land you will divide by drawing lots. The Lord has commanded that this land will be given to the nine-and-a-half tribes. 14 The households from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh have already received their land. 15 Those two-and-a-half tribes received land east of the Jordan River across from Jericho.”

Men Are Appointed to Divide the Land

16 The Lord said to Moses, 17 “These are the names of the men who will divide the land for you: the priest Eleazar and Joshua, son of Nun. 18 You must also take one leader from each tribe to divide the land. 19 These are their names:

Caleb, son of Jephunneh, from the tribe of Judah;

20 Shemuel, son of Ammihud, from the tribe of Simeon;

21 Elidad, son of Kislon, from the tribe of Benjamin;

22 Bukki, son of Jogli, the leader of the tribe of Dan;

23 Hanniel, son of Ephod, the leader of the tribe of Manasseh;

24 Kemuel, son of Shiphtan, the leader of the tribe of Ephraim;

(Manasseh and Ephraim are Joseph’s descendants.)[b]

25 Elizaphan, son of Parnach, the leader of the tribe of Zebulun;

26 Paltiel, son of Azzan, the leader of the tribe of Issachar;

27 Ahihud, son of Shelomi, the leader of the tribe of Asher;

28 Pedahel, son of Ammihud, the leader of the tribe of Naphtali.”

29 These are the men the Lord commanded to divide Canaan for the Israelites.

Cities for the Levites

35 The Lord spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho. He said, “Tell the Israelites to give the Levites some cities from their own property. They must also give the Levites the pastureland around those cities. Then the Levites will have cities to live in and pastureland for their cattle, the flocks they own, and any other animals they have.

“The land around the cities that you give the Levites will extend 1,500 feet from the city wall. Outside the city measure off 3,000 feet on the east side, 3,000 feet on the south side, 3,000 feet on the west side, and 3,000 feet on the north side, with the city in the center. This will be their pastureland around the city.

“Six of the cities you give the Levites will be cities of refuge. You must allow murderers to escape to these cities. In addition, you must also give the Levites 42 other cities. So you will give a total of 48 cities with pastureland to the Levites. The cities you give the Levites from the property of the other Israelites must be given based on the amount of land each tribe owns. Take more cities from larger tribes and fewer from smaller tribes.”

Cities of Refuge

The Lord said to Moses, 10 “Tell the Israelites: When you cross the Jordan River and enter Canaan, 11 select certain cities to be places of refuge. Anyone who unintentionally kills another person may run to them. 12 These cities will be places of refuge from any relative who can avenge the death. So anyone accused of murder will not have to die until he has had a trial in front of the community. 13 There will be six cities you select as places of refuge, 14 three on the east side of the Jordan River and three in Canaan. 15 These six cities will be places of refuge for Israelites, foreigners, and strangers among you. Anyone who unintentionally kills another person may flee to these cities.

16 “But if any of you uses an iron weapon to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death. 17 If any of you picks up a stone as a weapon and uses it to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death. 18 Or if any of you picks up a piece of wood as a weapon and uses it to kill another person, you are a murderer. Murderers must be put to death. 19 The relative who can avenge the death must make sure a murderer is put to death. When he catches up with the murderer, he must kill him. 20 If any of you kills someone you hate by shoving him or by deliberately throwing something at him, 21 or if you beat your enemy to death with your bare hands, you must be put to death. You are a murderer. The relative who can avenge the death must kill you when he catches up with you, because you are a murderer.

22 “But suppose you accidentally kill someone who wasn’t your enemy. Maybe you shoved him or threw something at him but didn’t mean to kill him. 23 Or suppose you drop a big stone, and someone is killed. However, you didn’t know the person was there, he wasn’t your enemy, and you weren’t trying to harm him. 24 Then the community must use these rules in order to decide if you are innocent or if the dead person’s relative can avenge the death. 25 If you are innocent, the community must protect you from that relative. They must take you back to the city of refuge you fled to. You must live there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.

26 “But don’t go outside the city of refuge you fled to. 27 If the relative who can avenge the death finds you outside the city of refuge and kills you, the relative is not guilty of murder. 28 Accused murderers must stay in their city of refuge until the death of the high priest. They may go back to their own property only after his death.

29 “These will be the rules for future generations wherever you live.

30 “Whoever kills another person will be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of more than one witness. No one can be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

31 “Never accept a cash payment in exchange for the life of a convicted murderer who has been given the death penalty. Murderers must be put to death.

32 “An accused murderer who has fled to a city of refuge must never go back and live on his own land before the death of the high priest. Don’t accept a cash payment to allow him to do this.

33 “You must not pollute the land where you live. Murder is what pollutes the land. The land where a murder was committed can never make peace with the Lord except through the death of the murderer. 34 Never make the land where you and I live unclean.[c] I, the Lord, live among the Israelites.”

Footnotes:

  1. Numbers 33:45 Or “Iye Abarim.”
  2. Numbers 34:24 This sentence has been moved from verse 23 in order to express the complex Hebrew sentence structure more clearly in English.
  3. Numbers 35:34 “Unclean” refers to anything that is not presentable to God.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Luke 5:12-28

Jesus Cures a Man with a Skin Disease(A)

12 One day Jesus was in a city where there was a man covered with a serious skin disease. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground. He begged Jesus, “Sir, if you want to, you can make me clean.”[a]

13 Jesus reached out, touched him, and said, “I want to. So be clean!” Immediately, his skin disease went away.

14 Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone. Instead, show yourself to the priest. Then offer the sacrifice as Moses commanded as proof to people that you are clean.”

15 The news about Jesus spread even more. Large crowds gathered to hear him and have their diseases cured. 16 But he would go away to places where he could be alone for prayer.

Jesus Forgives Sins(B)

17 One day when Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and experts in Moses’ Teachings were present. They had come from every village in Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. Jesus had the power of the Lord to heal.

18 Some men brought a paralyzed man on a stretcher. They tried to take him into the house and put him in front of Jesus. 19 But they could not find a way to get him into the house because of the crowd. So they went up on the roof. They made an opening in the tiles and let the man down on his stretcher among the people. (They lowered him in front of Jesus.)

20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Sir, your sins are forgiven.” 21 The experts in Moses’ Teachings and the Pharisees thought, “Who is this man? He’s dishonoring God! Who besides God can forgive sins?”

22 Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, “What are you thinking? 23 Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

25 The man immediately stood up in front of them and picked up the stretcher he had been lying on. Praising God, he went home.

26 Everyone was amazed and praised God. They were filled with awe and said, “We’ve seen things today we can hardly believe!”

Jesus Chooses Levi [Matthew] to Be a Disciple(C)

27 After that, Jesus left. He saw a tax collector named Levi sitting in a tax office. Jesus said to him, “Follow me!” 28 So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.

Footnotes:

  1. Luke 5:12 “Clean” refers to anything that Moses’ Teachings say is presentable to God.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Psalm 65

Psalm 65

For the choir director; a psalm by David; a song.

You are praised with silence in Zion, O God,
and vows made to you must be kept.
You are the one who hears prayers.
Everyone will come to you.
Various sins overwhelm me.
You are the one who forgives our rebellious acts.
Blessed is the person you choose
and invite to live with you in your courtyards.
We will be filled with good food from your house,
from your holy temple.

You answer us with awe-inspiring acts done in righteousness,
O God, our savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the most distant sea,
the one who set the mountains in place with his strength,
the one who is clothed with power,
the one who calms the roar of the seas,
their crashing waves,
and the uproar of the nations.
Those who live at the ends of the earth are in awe of your miraculous signs.
The lands of the morning sunrise and evening sunset sing joyfully.

You take care of the earth, and you water it.
You make it much richer than it was.
(The river of God is filled with water.)
You provide grain for them.
Indeed, you even prepare the ground.
10 You drench plowed fields with rain
and level their clumps of soil.
You soften them with showers
and bless what grows in them.
11 You crown the year with your goodness,
and richness overflows wherever you are.
12 The pastures in the desert overflow with richness.
The hills are surrounded with joy.
13 The pastures are covered with flocks.
The valleys are carpeted with grain.
All of them shout triumphantly. Indeed, they sing.

Psalm 66

For the choir director; a song; a psalm.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Proverbs 11:23

23 The desire of righteous people ends only in good,
but the hope of wicked people ends only in fury.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Thursday March 21, 2019 (NIV)

Numbers 32:1-33:39

The Tribes of Reuben and Gad Request Land East of the Jordan River

32 The tribes of Reuben and Gad had a large number of livestock. They saw that the regions of Jazer and Gilead were a good place for livestock. So they came to Moses, the priest Eleazar, and the leaders of the community, and said to them, “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, the land that the Lord won for the community of Israel, is a good place for livestock. Gentlemen, we have livestock. Please give us this land as our property. Don’t make us cross the Jordan River.”

Moses asked the tribes of Gad and Reuben, “Are you going to stay here while the rest of the Israelites go to war? That might discourage them from entering the land the Lord has given them. That’s what your ancestors did when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to take a look at the land. They went as far as the Eshcol Valley and saw the land. But then they discouraged the rest of the Israelites from entering the land that the Lord had given them. 10 That day the Lord became angry and swore this oath, 11 ‘None of the people 20 years old or older, who came from Egypt, will see the land I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with an oath. This is because they didn’t wholeheartedly follow me.’ 12 Only Caleb (son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite) and Joshua (son of Nun) will get to see the land. This is because they wholeheartedly followed the Lord. 13 Since the Lord was angry with the Israelites, he made them wander in the desert for 40 years until the whole generation of those who had done evil in the Lord’s presence was gone.

14 “You’re just like your parents! You’re a bunch of sinners trying to make the Lord angry with Israel again. 15 If you turn away from him, he will abandon all these people in the desert. You would be responsible for their destruction.”

16 Then the tribes of Gad and Reuben came up to Moses and said, “Allow us to build stone fences for our livestock and cities for our families here. 17 Then we’ll be ready to march in battle formation[a] ahead of the other Israelites until we have brought them to their land. Meanwhile our families will live in walled cities, safe from the other people who live here. 18 We will not return to our homes until every Israelite has received his own land. 19 We won’t take possession of any land on the other side of the Jordan River, to the west and beyond. We already have our land here, east of the Jordan.”

20 Moses answered, “Do what you have said. In the Lord’s presence have all your armed men get ready for battle. 21 Have them cross the Jordan, and fight until the Lord forces out his enemies 22 and the land is conquered. Then you may come back. You will have fulfilled your military duty to the Lord and Israel. This land will be your own property in the Lord’s presence.

23 “If you don’t do all these things, you will be sinning against the Lord. You can be sure that you will be punished for your sin. 24 Build cities for your families and stone fences for your flocks, but do what you have promised.”

25 Then the tribes of Gad and Reuben said to Moses, “Sir, we will do as you command. 26 Our children, our wives, our livestock, and all our other animals will stay here in the cities of Gilead. 27 But in the Lord’s presence we will all get ready for battle and go with you, as you have said.”

28 So Moses gave orders about them to the priest Eleazar, Joshua (son of Nun), and the family heads of the tribes of Israel. 29 Moses told them, “If the tribes of Gad and Reuben get ready for battle in the Lord’s presence and cross the Jordan River with you and you conquer the land, give them Gilead as their own property. 30 If they don’t get ready for battle and go with you, the land they will take possession of must be in Canaan with yours.”

31 The tribes of Gad and Reuben answered, “Sir, we will do as the Lord has said. 32 We will enter Canaan as armed troops in the Lord’s presence, but the land we will take possession of is here, east of the Jordan.”

33 So Moses gave the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of the tribe of Manasseh, son of Joseph, the kingdoms of King Sihon of the Amorites and King Og of Bashan—the whole land with its cities and its surrounding territory.

34 The tribe of Gad rebuilt the cities of Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, 35 Atroth Shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, 36 Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran as walled cities. They also built stone fences for their flocks.

37 The tribe of Reuben rebuilt the cities of Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, 38 Nebo, Baal Meon (whose names were changed), and Sibmah. These are the names they gave the cities they rebuilt.

39 The descendants of Machir, son of Manasseh, went to Gilead, captured it, and forced out the Amorites who were there. 40 So Moses gave Gilead to the people of Machir (the descendants of Manasseh), and they lived there. 41 Then Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, captured the settlements in Gilead. He called them Havvoth Jair [Settlements of Jair]. 42 Nobah captured Kenath and its villages. He named it Nobah after himself.

A Summary of Israel’s Journeys after Leaving Egypt

33 This is a list of all the places where the Israelites set up camp after they left Egypt in organized groups under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. At the Lord’s command Moses wrote down the places where they went as they traveled. This is the list:

They moved from Rameses on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day after the Passover. The Israelites boldly left in full view of all the Egyptians. The Egyptians were burying all their firstborn sons, whom the Lord had killed in a mighty act of judgment on their gods.

The Israelites moved from Rameses and set up camp at Succoth.

They moved from Succoth and set up camp at Etham, on the edge of the desert.

They moved from Etham and turned back to Pi Hahiroth, east of Baal Zephon, and set up camp near Migdol.

They moved from Pi Hahiroth[b] and went through the middle of the sea into the desert. After they traveled for three days in the Desert of Etham, they set up camp at Marah.

They moved from Marah and came to Elim. Elim had 12 springs and 70 palm trees, so they set up camp there.

10 They moved from Elim and set up camp by the Red Sea.

11 They moved from the Red Sea and set up camp in the Desert of Sin.

12 They moved from the Desert of Sin and set up camp at Dophkah.

13 They moved from Dophkah and set up camp at Alush.

14 They moved from Alush and set up camp at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.

15 They moved from Rephidim and set up camp in the Desert of Sinai.

16 They moved from the Desert of Sinai and set up camp at Kibroth Hattaavah.

17 They moved from Kibroth Hattaavah and set up camp at Hazeroth.

18 They moved from Hazeroth and set up camp at Rithmah.

19 They moved from Rithmah and set up camp at Rimmon Perez.

20 They moved from Rimmon Perez and set up camp at Libnah.

21 They moved from Libnah and set up camp at Rissah.

22 They moved from Rissah and set up camp at Kehelathah.

23 They moved from Kehelathah and set up camp at Mount Shepher.

24 They moved from Mount Shepher and set up camp at Haradah.

25 They moved from Haradah and set up camp at Makheloth.

26 They moved from Makheloth and set up camp at Tahath.

27 They moved from Tahath and set up camp at Terah.

28 They moved from Terah and set up camp at Mithcah.

29 They moved from Mithcah and set up camp at Hashmonah.

30 They moved from Hashmonah and set up camp at Moseroth.

31 They moved from Moseroth and set up camp at Bene Jaakan.

32 They moved from Bene Jaakan and set up camp at Hor Haggidgad.

33 They moved from Hor Haggidgad and set up camp at Jotbathah.

34 They moved from Jotbathah and set up camp at Abronah.

35 They moved from Abronah and set up camp at Ezion Geber.

36 They moved from Ezion Geber and set up camp at Kadesh in the Desert of Zin.

37 They moved from Kadesh and set up camp at Mount Hor on the border of Edom. 38 At the Lord’s command the priest Aaron went up on Mount Hor. He died there on the first day of the fifth month in the fortieth year after the Israelites had left Egypt. 39 Aaron was 123 years old when he died on Mount Hor.

Footnotes:

  1. Numbers 32:17 Greek, Latin; Masoretic Text “ready to march ahead quickly.”
  2. Numbers 33:8 Most Hebrew manuscripts, Samaritan Pentateuch, Syriac, Latin; some Hebrew manuscripts “moved from in front of Hahiroth.”
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Luke 4:31-5:11

Jesus Forces an Evil Spirit out of a Man(A)

31 Jesus went to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and taught them on a day of rest—a holy day. 32 The people were amazed at his teachings because he spoke with authority.

33 In the synagogue was a man possessed by a spirit, an evil demon. He shouted very loudly, 34 “Oh, no! What do you want with us, Jesus from Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

35 Jesus ordered the spirit, “Keep quiet, and come out of him!” The demon threw the man down in the middle of the synagogue and came out without hurting him.

36 Everyone was stunned. They said to one another, “What kind of command is this? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits, and they come out.”

37 So news about him spread to every place throughout the surrounding region.

Jesus Cures Simon’s Mother-in-Law and Many Others(B)

38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a high fever. They asked Jesus to help her. 39 He bent over her, ordered the fever to leave, and it went away. She got up immediately and prepared a meal for them.

40 When the sun was setting, everyone who had friends suffering from various diseases brought them to him. He placed his hands on each of them and cured them. 41 Demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But Jesus ordered them not to speak. After all, they knew he was the Messiah.

Spreading the Good News(C)

42 In the morning he went to a place where he could be alone. The crowds searched for him. When they came to him, they tried to keep him from leaving. 43 But he said to them, “I have to tell the Good News about God’s kingdom in other cities also. That’s what I was sent to do.”

44 So he spread his message in the synagogues of Judea.[a]

Calling of the First Disciples(D)

One day Jesus was standing by the Sea of Galilee. The people crowded around him as they listened to God’s word. Jesus saw two boats on the shore. The fishermen had stepped out of them and were washing their nets. So Jesus got into the boat that belonged to Simon and asked him to push off a little from the shore. Then Jesus sat down and taught the crowd from the boat.

When he finished speaking, he told Simon, “Take the boat into deep water, and lower your nets to catch some fish.”

Simon answered, “Teacher, we worked hard all night and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll lower the nets.”

After the men had done this, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to tear. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. Their partners came and filled both boats until the boats nearly sank.

When Simon Peter saw this, he knelt in front of Jesus and said, “Leave me, Lord! I’m a sinful person!” Simon and everyone who was with him were amazed to see the large number of fish they had caught. 10 James and John, who were Zebedee’s sons and Simon’s partners, were also amazed.

Jesus told Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will catch people instead of fish.”

11 Simon and his partners brought the boats to shore, left everything, and followed Jesus.

Footnotes:

  1. Luke 4:44 Some manuscripts read “in the synagogues of Galilee.”
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Psalm 64

Psalm 64

For the choir director; a psalm by David.

Hear my voice, O God, when I complain.
Protect my life from a terrifying enemy.
Hide me from the secret plots of criminals,
from the mob of troublemakers.
They sharpen their tongues like swords.
They aim bitter words like arrows
to shoot at innocent people from their hiding places.
They shoot at them suddenly, without any fear.
They encourage one another in their evil plans.
They talk about setting traps and say,
“Who can see them?”
They search for the perfect crime and say,
“We have perfected a foolproof scheme!”
Human nature and the human heart are a mystery!

But God will shoot them with an arrow.
Suddenly, they will be struck dead.
They will trip over their own tongues.
Everyone who sees them will shake his head.
Everyone will be afraid and conclude,
“This is an act of God!”
They will learn from what he has done.

10 Righteous people will find joy in the Lord and take refuge in him.
Everyone whose motives are decent will be able to brag.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Proverbs 11:22

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout,
so is a beautiful woman who lacks good taste.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Wednesday March 20, 2019 (NIV)

Numbers 30-31

Teachings about Vows

30 [a]Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel, “This is what the Lord has commanded about vows: If a man makes a vow to the Lord that he will do something or swears an oath that he won’t do something, he must not break his word. He must do everything he said he would do.

“A young girl, who still lives in her father’s house, might make a vow to the Lord that she will do something or swear an oath that she won’t do something. If her father says nothing to her when he hears about it, her vow or oath must be kept. But if her father objects when he hears about it, her vow or oath doesn’t have to be kept. The Lord will free her from this vow or oath because her father objected.

“An unmarried woman might make a vow that she will do something or carelessly promise that she won’t do something. When she marries, her husband may hear about it but say nothing to her. Then her vow or oath must be kept. But if her husband objects when he hears about it, he can cancel the vow or promise she made. The Lord will free her from this vow or promise.

“But a widow or a divorced woman must keep her vow or her promise.

10 “A married woman might make a vow that she will do something or swear an oath that she won’t do something. 11 Her husband may hear about it but may say nothing and not object. Then her vow or oath must be kept. 12 But if her husband cancels it when he hears about it, nothing she said in her vow or oath has to be kept. Her husband has canceled it, and the Lord will free her from this vow or oath.

13 “A husband decides whether or not his wife has to keep any vow to do something or any oath to do without something. 14 If he says nothing to her about it day after day, this means he’s decided that she must keep her vow or oath. She must keep it because he said nothing to her when he heard about it. 15 But if he cancels it later, he will suffer the consequences.”

16 These are the laws the Lord gave Moses for husbands and wives, and for fathers with young daughters still living at home.

The Lord Commands Israel to Defeat Midian

31 The Lord said to Moses, “Get even with the Midianites for what they did to the Israelites. After that you will join your ancestors in death.”

Moses said to the people, “Some of your men must get ready to go to war against the Midianites. The Lord will use them to get even with Midian. Send 1,000 men from each of the tribes of Israel.”

So 1,000 men from each tribe were supplied from the divisions of Israel—12,000 men ready for war. Then Moses sent them off to war, 1,000 men from each tribe along with Phinehas, son of the priest Eleazar. Phinehas took with him the holy articles and the trumpets for the fanfare.

They went to war against Midian, as the Lord commanded Moses, and killed every man. Among those killed were the five kings of Midian—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba. They also killed Balaam, son of Beor, in battle. The Israelites took the Midianite women and children as prisoners of war. They also took all their animals, their livestock, and their valuables as loot. 10 They burned all the cities where the Midianites lived and all their settlements. 11 Then they took everything as loot, including all the people and animals, 12 and brought the prisoners of war, the loot, and everything to Moses, the priest Eleazar, and the community of Israel at the camp on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho.

13 Moses, the priest Eleazar, and all the leaders of the community went outside the camp to meet them. 14 Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the commanders of the companies and battalions, who were returning from battle.

15 “Why did you let all the women live?” he asked them. 16 “Remember, they were the ones who followed Balaam’s advice and caused[b] the Israelites to be unfaithful to the Lord in the incident that took place at Peor. The Lord’s community experienced a plague at that time. 17 So kill all the Midianite boys and every Midianite woman who has gone to bed with a man. 18 But save for yourselves every girl who has never gone to bed with a man.

19 “Everyone who killed a person or touched a dead body must stay outside the camp seven days. You and your prisoners of war must use the ritual water on the third and seventh days in order to take away your sin. 20 Do the same for all the clothes and everything made of leather, goats’ hair, or wood.”

21 Then the priest Eleazar said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, “This is what the Lord’s teachings told Moses to do: 22 Any gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, or lead— 23 anything that won’t burn—must be put through fire in order to make it clean.[c] Then it must also be put through the ritual water in order to take away its sin. Whatever might burn must only be put through the ritual water. 24 On the seventh day wash your clothes, and you will be clean. Then you may come into the camp.”

25 The Lord said to Moses, 26 “You, the priest Eleazar, and the heads of the families of the community need to count all the loot, including the people and animals you captured. 27 Divide the loot between the soldiers who served in the war and the rest of the community. 28 Collect a tax for the Lord. From the soldiers who served in the war collect one out of every 500 things. This includes people, cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats. 29 Collect all these things from the soldiers’ half of the loot, and give them to the priest Eleazar as a contribution to the Lord. 30 From the Israelites’ half of the loot, collect one out of every 50 things. This includes people, cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, and every other kind of animal. Give them to the Levites who are in charge of the work done at the Lord’s tent.” 31 Moses and the priest Eleazar did as the Lord commanded Moses.

32 This is the loot that was left from everything that the troops took: 675,000 sheep and goats, 33 72,000 cattle, 34 61,000 donkeys, and 35 32,000 women who had never gone to bed with a man.

36 Half of it went to the soldiers who served in the war. Of the 337,500 sheep and goats they received, 37 675 went to the Lord as taxes. 38 Of the 36,000 cattle they received, 72 went to the Lord as taxes. 39 Of the 30,500 donkeys they received, 61 went to the Lord as taxes. 40 Of the 16,000 people they received, 32 went to the Lord as taxes.

41 Moses gave the Lord’s taxes to the priest Eleazar, as the Lord had commanded him.

42 Moses took the Israelites’ half of the loot from the soldiers. 43 The community received 337,500 sheep and goats, 44 36,000 cattle, 45 30,500 donkeys, 46 and 16,000 people.

47 From the Israelites’ half Moses collected one out of every 50 things, including people and animals, as the Lord commanded him. Then he gave all this to the Levites who were in charge of the work done at the Lord’s tent.

48 Then the officers from the military divisions, the commanders of the companies and battalions of men, came to Moses. 49 They said to him, “Sir, we have counted all the soldiers under our command, and not one of them is missing. 50 So we have brought as gifts to the Lord the gold jewelry that each of us found—arm bands, bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and pendants. We offer them to make peace with the Lord.”

51 Moses and the priest Eleazar took all the hand-crafted gold articles from them. 52 All the gold contributed to the Lord by the commanders weighed about 420 pounds. 53 Each soldier kept his own loot. 54 Moses and the priest Eleazar took the gold from the commanders and brought it into the Lord’s presence at the tent of meeting as a reminder to the Israelites.

Footnotes:

  1. Numbers 30:1 Numbers 30:1–16 in English Bibles is Numbers 30:2–17 in the Hebrew Bible.
  2. Numbers 31:16 Targum; Hebrew meaning of “caused” uncertain.
  3. Numbers 31:23 “Clean” refers to anything that is presentable to God.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Luke 4:1-30

The Devil Tempts Jesus(A)

Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit as he left the Jordan River. The Spirit led him while he was in the desert, where he was tempted by the devil for 40 days. During those days Jesus ate nothing, so when they were over, he was hungry.

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.”

Jesus answered him, “Scripture says, ‘A person cannot live on bread alone.’”[a]

The devil took him to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in an instant. The devil said to him, “I will give you all the power and glory of these kingdoms. All of it has been given to me, and I give it to anyone I please. So if you will worship me, all this will be yours.”

Jesus answered him, “Scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

Then the devil took him into Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest part of the temple. He said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, jump from here! 10 Scripture says, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you to watch over you carefully. 11 They will carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock.’”

12 Jesus answered him, “It has been said, ‘Never tempt the Lord your God.’”[b]

13 After the devil had finished tempting Jesus in every possible way, the devil left him until another time.

Nazareth Rejects Jesus(B)

14 Jesus returned to Galilee. The power of the Spirit was with him, and the news about him spread throughout the surrounding country. 15 He taught in the synagogues, and everyone praised him.

16 Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. As usual he went into the synagogue on the day of rest—a holy day. He stood up to read the lesson. 17 The attendant gave him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened it and found the place where it read:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is with me.
He has anointed me
to tell the Good News to the poor.
He has sent me[c]
to announce forgiveness to the prisoners of sin
and the restoring of sight to the blind,
to forgive those who have been shattered by sin,
19 to announce the year of the Lord’s favor.”

20 Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue watched him closely. 21 Then he said to them, “This passage came true today when you heard me read it.”

22 All the people spoke well of him. They were amazed to hear the gracious words flowing from his lips. They said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

23 So he said to them, “You’ll probably quote this proverb to me, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ and then say to me, ‘Do all the things in your hometown that we’ve heard you’ve done in Capernaum.’” 24 Then Jesus added, “I can guarantee this truth: A prophet isn’t accepted in his hometown.

25 “I can guarantee this truth: There were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time. It had not rained for three-and-a-half years, and the famine was severe everywhere in the country. 26 But God didn’t send Elijah to anyone except a widow at Zarephath in the territory of Sidon. 27 There were also many people with skin diseases in Israel in the prophet Elisha’s time. But God cured no one except Naaman from Syria.”

28 Everyone in the synagogue became furious when they heard this. 29 Their city was built on a hill with a cliff. So they got up, forced Jesus out of the city, and led him to the cliff. They intended to throw him off of it. 30 But Jesus walked right by them and went away.

Footnotes:

  1. Luke 4:4 Some manuscripts and translations add “but on every word of God.”
  2. Luke 4:12 Or “Never put the Lord your God to any test.”
  3. Luke 4:18 Some manuscripts and translations add “to heal those who are brokenhearted.”
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Psalm 63

Psalm 63

A psalm by David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

O God, you are my God.
At dawn I search for you.
My soul thirsts for you.
My body longs for you
in a dry, parched land where there is no water.
So I look for you in the holy place
to see your power and your glory.
My lips will praise you
because your mercy is better than life itself.
So I will thank you as long as I live.
I will lift up my hands to pray in your name.
You satisfy my soul with the richest foods.
My mouth will sing your praise with joyful lips.
As I lie on my bed, I remember you.
Through the long hours of the night, I think about you.
You have been my help.
In the shadow of your wings, I sing joyfully.
My soul clings to you.
Your right hand supports me.

But those who try to destroy my life
will go into the depths of the earth.
10 They will be cut down by swords.
Their dead bodies will be left as food for jackals.
11 But the king will find joy in God.
Everyone who takes an oath by God will brag,
but the mouths of liars will be shut.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Proverbs 11:20-21

20 Devious people are disgusting to the Lord,
but he is delighted with those whose ways are innocent.
21 Certainly, an evil person will not go unpunished,
but the descendants of righteous people will escape.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Tuesday March 19, 2019 (NIV)

Numbers 28:16-29:40

Annual Sacrifices

16 “The fourteenth day of the first month is the Lord’s Passover. 17 The fifteenth of this same month is a pilgrimage festival. For seven days you must eat only unleavened bread. 18 On the first day there will be a holy assembly. Don’t do any regular work. 19 Instead, bring the Lord an offering by fire, a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven one-year-old lambs, all of them without defects. 20 Along with them bring grain offerings of flour mixed with olive oil. Bring 24 cups for each bull, 16 cups for each ram, 21 and 8 cups for each of the seven lambs. 22 Also bring one male goat as an offering for sin to make peace with the Lord. 23 Offer these in addition to the morning burnt offering. 24 Bring all these offerings on each of the seven days. They are food. They are offerings by fire, a soothing aroma to the Lord. They will be offered in addition to the daily burnt offering and the wine offering that goes with it. 25 On the seventh day you must have a holy assembly. You must not do any regular work.

26 “During the Festival of Weeks, you must have a holy assembly. On that day you must not do any regular work. Bring the Lord your new grain offering, the first produce harvested from your fields. 27 Bring a burnt offering as a soothing aroma to the Lord—two young bulls, one ram, and seven one-year-old lambs. 28 Along with them bring grain offerings of flour mixed with olive oil. Bring 24 cups for each bull, 16 cups for each ram, 29 and 8 cups for each of the seven lambs. 30 Also bring one male goat to make peace with the Lord. 31 Offer these animals that have no defects along with their wine offerings, in addition to the daily burnt offerings and their grain offerings.”

29 The Lord continued, “On the first day of the seventh month you must have a holy assembly. You must not do any regular work. It is a day for the trumpets to sound a fanfare. As a burnt offering, a soothing aroma to the Lord, bring one young bull, one ram, and seven one-year-old lambs that have no defects. Along with them bring grain offerings of flour mixed with olive oil. Bring 24 cups for each bull, 16 cups for each ram, and 8 cups for each of the seven lambs. Also bring one male goat as an offering for sin to make peace with the Lord. Offer these in addition to the monthly burnt offering with its grain offering, and the daily burnt offerings with their proper grain offerings and wine offerings. They are a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the Lord.

“On the tenth day of the seventh month you must have a holy assembly. You must humble yourselves. You must not do any work. As a burnt offering, a soothing aroma, bring one young bull, one ram, and seven one-year-old lambs, all of them without defects. Along with them bring grain offerings of flour mixed with olive oil. Bring 24 cups for each bull, 16 cups for each ram, 10 and 8 cups for each of the seven lambs. 11 Also bring one male goat as an offering for sin (in addition to the other offering for sin to make peace with the Lord) and the daily burnt offerings with their grain offerings and wine offerings.

12 “On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you must have a holy assembly. You must not do any regular work. Instead, celebrate a festival to the Lord for seven days. 13 As a burnt offering, an offering by fire, a soothing aroma to the Lord, bring 13 young bulls, 2 rams, and 14 one-year-old lambs, all of them without defects. 14 Along with them bring grain offerings of flour mixed with olive oil. Bring 24 cups for each of the 13 bulls, 16 cups for each of the 2 rams, 15 and 8 cups for each of the 14 one-year-old lambs. 16 Also bring one male goat as an offering for sin in addition to the daily burnt offerings with their grain offerings and wine offerings.

17 “On the second day bring 12 young bulls, 2 rams, and 14 one-year-old lambs that have no defects. 18 Along with them bring the proper amount of grain offerings and wine offerings for each of the bulls, rams, and lambs. 19 Also bring one male goat as an offering for sin in addition to the daily burnt offerings with their grain offerings and wine offerings.

20 “On the third day bring 11 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 one-year-old lambs that have no defects. 21 Along with them bring the proper amount of grain offerings and wine offerings for each of the bulls, rams, and lambs. 22 Also bring one male goat as an offering for sin in addition to the daily burnt offerings with their grain offerings and wine offerings.

23 “On the fourth day bring 10 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 one-year-old lambs that have no defects. 24 Along with them bring the proper amount of grain offerings and wine offerings for each of the bulls, rams, and lambs. 25 Also bring one male goat as an offering for sin in addition to the daily burnt offerings with their grain offerings and wine offerings.

26 “On the fifth day bring 9 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 one-year-old lambs that have no defects. 27 Along with them bring the proper amount of grain offerings and wine offerings for each of the bulls, rams, and lambs. 28 Also bring one male goat as an offering for sin in addition to the daily burnt offerings with their grain offerings and wine offerings.

29 “On the sixth day bring 8 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 one-year-old lambs that have no defects. 30 Along with them bring the proper amount of grain offerings and wine offerings for each of the bulls, rams, and lambs. 31 Also bring one male goat as an offering for sin in addition to the daily burnt offerings with their grain offerings and wine offerings.

32 “On the seventh day bring 7 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 one-year-old lambs that have no defects. 33 Along with them bring the proper amount of grain offerings and wine offerings for each of the bulls, rams, and lambs. 34 Also bring one male goat as an offering for sin in addition to the daily burnt offerings with their grain offerings and wine offerings.

35 “On the eighth day you must hold a religious assembly. You must not do any daily work. 36 As a burnt offering, an offering by fire, a soothing aroma to the Lord, bring one bull, one ram, and seven one-year-old lambs that have no defects. 37 Along with them bring the proper amount of grain offerings and wine offerings for the bull, the ram, and the lambs. 38 Also bring one male goat as an offering for sin in addition to the daily burnt offerings with their grain offerings and wine offerings.

39 “These are the offerings you must bring to the Lord at your festivals. They are the offerings you must bring in addition to the offerings for anything you vowed to give to the Lord, your freewill offerings, your burnt offerings, your grain offerings, your wine offerings, and your fellowship offerings.”[a]

40 Moses told the Israelites everything the Lord had commanded him.

Footnotes:

  1. Numbers 29:39 Numbers 29:40 in English Bibles is Numbers 30:1 in the Hebrew Bible.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Luke 3:23-38

23 Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his ministry.

The Ancestors of Jesus

Jesus, so people thought, was the son of Joseph, son of Eli,

24 son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph,

25 son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai,

26 son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda,

27 son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, son of Neri,

28 son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er,

29 son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi,

30 son of Simeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim,

31 son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David,

32 son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Salmon, son of Nahshon,

33 son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah,

34 son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor,

35 son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah,

36 son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech,

37 son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan,

38 son of Enos, son of Seth,

son of Adam,

son of God.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Psalm 62

Psalm 62

For the choir director; according to Jeduthun; a psalm by David.

My soul waits calmly for God alone.
My salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my savior—my stronghold.
I cannot be severely shaken.

How long will all of you attack a person?
How long will you try to murder him,
as though he were a leaning wall or a sagging fence?
They plan to force him out of his high position.
They are happy to lie.
They bless with their mouths,
but in their hearts they curse. Selah

Wait calmly for God alone, my soul,
because my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my savior—my stronghold.
I cannot be shaken.

My salvation and my glory depend on God.
God is the rock of my strength, my refuge.
Trust him at all times, you people.
Pour out your hearts in his presence.
God is our refuge. Selah

Common people are only a whisper in the wind.
Important people are only a delusion.
When all of them are weighed on a scale, they amount to nothing.
They are less than a whisper in the wind.
10 Do not count on extortion to make you rich.
Do not hope to gain anything through robbery.
When riches increase, do not depend on them.

11 God has spoken once.
I have heard it said twice:
“Power belongs to God.
12 Mercy belongs to you, O Lord.
You reward a person based on what he has done.”

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Proverbs 11:18-19

18 A wicked person earns dishonest wages,
but whoever spreads righteousness earns honest pay.
19 As righteousness leads to life,
so whoever pursues evil finds his own death.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Monday March 18, 2019 (NIV)

Numbers 26:52-28:15

52 Then the Lord said to Moses, 53 “The land these people will possess must be divided using the list of names from the census. 54 Give more land to larger tribes and less land to smaller ones. Use the totals from the census in giving land to each tribe. 55 But the land must be divided by drawing lots. The tribes will receive their land based on the names of their ancestors. 56 Whether the tribes are large or small, the land must be divided by drawing lots.”

57 The families descended from Levi were listed as the family of Gershon, the family of Kohath, and the family of Merari.

58 These were the families of Levi: the Libnite family, the Hebronite family, the Mahlite family, the Mushite family, and the Korahite family.

Kohath was the ancestor of Amram. 59 The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, a descendant of Levi, who was born in Egypt. She gave birth to Amram’s children: Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam. 60 Aaron was the father of Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 61 But Nadab and Abihu had died because they offered unauthorized fire in the Lord’s presence.

62 The total number of all the Levite males at least one month old was 23,000. They were not counted along with the other Israelites, because they were given no land of their own.

63 Moses and the priest Eleazar added up the total number of Israelites on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho. 64 Among them there wasn’t a single one of the Israelites Moses and the priest Aaron had counted in the Desert of Sinai. 65 The Lord had said, “They must all die in the desert.” The only ones left were Caleb (son of Jephunneh) and Joshua (son of Nun).

A Request from Zelophehad’s Daughters

27 The daughters of Zelophehad, son of Hepher, grandson of Gilead, descendant of Machir, whose father was Manasseh, belonged to the families of Manasseh, son of Joseph. Their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They came to Moses and stood in front of him, the priest Eleazar, the leaders, and the whole community at the entrance to the tent of meeting. They said, “Our father died in the desert. He was not a part of Korah’s followers who joined forces against the Lord. He died for his own sin and left no sons. Why should our father’s name be allowed to die out in his family because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.”

So Moses brought their case to the Lord, and the Lord said to him, “Zelophehad’s daughters are right. You must give them property of their own among their father’s relatives. Turn their father’s property over to them.

“Tell the Israelites: If a man dies and leaves no sons, turn his property over to his daughters. If he has no daughters, give his property to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, give his property to his uncles on his father’s side of the family. 11 If he has no uncles, give his property to the nearest relative in his family, and that relative will take possession of it. This will be a rule for the Israelites, as the Lord commanded Moses.”

The Lord Appoints Joshua to Succeed Moses

12 The Lord said to Moses, “Go up into the Abarim Mountains, and take a look at the land I will give the Israelites. 13 After you see it, you, too, will join your ancestors in death, as your brother Aaron did. 14 You both rebelled against my command in the Desert of Zin. You didn’t show the people how holy I am when they were complaining at the oasis.” (This was the oasis of Meribah at Kadesh in the Desert of Zin.)

15 Moses said to the Lord, 16 Lord, you are the God who gives the breath of life to everyone. Please appoint someone over the community 17 who will lead them in and out of battle so that the Lord’s community will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua, son of Nun, a man who has the Spirit, and place your hand on him. 19 Make him stand in front of the priest Eleazar and the whole community, and give him his instructions in their presence. 20 Give him some of your authority so that the whole community of Israel will obey him. 21 He will stand in front of the priest Eleazar, who will use the Urim[a] to make decisions in the Lord’s presence. At his command Joshua and the whole community of Israel will go into battle. And at his command they will return.”

22 Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and made him stand in front of the priest Eleazar and the whole community. 23 Moses placed his hands on Joshua and gave him his instructions as the Lord had told him.

Daily Sacrifices

28 The Lord said to Moses, “Give this command to the Israelites: Be sure to bring me my offerings at the right times. They are my food. They are offerings by fire, a soothing aroma. These are the offerings by fire that you must bring to the Lord. Every day you must bring as a daily burnt offering two one-year-old lambs that have no defects. Offer one in the morning and the other at dusk. With each of them also bring a grain offering of eight cups of flour mixed with one quart of virgin olive oil. This is the daily burnt offering which was established on Mount Sinai. This offering is a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the Lord. Also bring a wine offering of one quart of wine for each lamb. Pour it out to the Lord in a holy place. Offer the other lamb at dusk along with the same grain offering and wine offering as you brought in the morning. This is an offering by fire, a soothing aroma to the Lord.

Weekly Sacrifices

“On the day of rest—a holy day, offer two one-year-old lambs that have no defects, a grain offering of 16 cups of flour mixed with olive oil, and the wine offering that goes with it. 10 This burnt offering is for every day of rest—a holy day, in addition to the daily burnt offerings and the wine offerings that go with them.

Monthly Sacrifices

11 “On the first of every month bring the Lord a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven one-year-old lambs that have no defects. 12 With each bull there will be a grain offering of 24 cups of flour mixed with olive oil, with each ram a grain offering of 16 cups of flour mixed with olive oil, 13 and with each one-year-old lamb a grain offering of 8 cups of flour mixed with olive oil. This is a burnt offering, a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the Lord. 14 The wine offering that goes with each bull will be 2 quarts of wine, with each ram 1½ quarts of wine, and with each lamb 1 quart of wine. This will be the monthly burnt offering for every month of the year. 15 In addition to the daily burnt offering with its wine offering, one male goat must be offered to the Lord as an offering for sin.

Footnotes:

  1. Numbers 27:21 The Urim and Thummim were used by the chief priest to determine God’s answer to questions.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Luke 3:1-22

John Prepares the Way(A)

It was the fifteenth year in the reign of the Emperor Tiberius. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea. Herod ruled Galilee, and his brother Philip ruled Iturea and Trachonitis. Lysanias was the ruler of Abilene. It was at the time when Annas and Caiaphas were chief priests that God spoke to John, son of Zechariah, in the desert. John traveled throughout the region around the Jordan River. He told people about a baptism of repentance[a] for the forgiveness of sins. As the prophet Isaiah wrote in his book,

“A voice cries out in the desert:
‘Prepare the way for the Lord!
Make his paths straight!
Every valley will be filled.
Every mountain and hill will be leveled.
The crooked ways will be made straight.
The rough roads will be made smooth.
All people will see the salvation that God gives.’”

Crowds of people were coming to be baptized by John. He would say to them, “You poisonous snakes! Who showed you how to flee from God’s coming anger? Do those things that prove that you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act. Don’t say, ‘Abraham is our ancestor.’ I guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. The ax is now ready to cut the roots of the trees. Any tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire.”

10 The crowds asked him, “What should we do?”

11 He answered them, “Whoever has two shirts should share with the person who doesn’t have any. Whoever has food should share it too.”

12 Some tax collectors came to be baptized. They asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?”

13 He told them, “Don’t collect more money than you are ordered to collect.”

14 Some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He told them, “Be satisfied with your pay, and never use threats or blackmail to get money from anyone.”

15 People’s hopes were rising as they all wondered whether John was the Messiah. 16 John replied to all of them, “I baptize you with water. But the one who is more powerful than I is coming. I am not worthy to untie his sandal straps. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing[b] shovel is in his hand to clean up his threshing floor.[c] He will gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn the husks in a fire that can never be put out.”

18 With many other encouraging words, he told the Good News to the people.

19 John spoke out against the ruler Herod because Herod had married his own sister-in-law, Herodias. He also spoke out against Herod for all the evil things he had done. 20 So Herod added one more evil to all the others; he locked John in prison.

The Baptism of Jesus(B)

21 When all the people were baptized, Jesus, too, was baptized. While he was praying, heaven opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit came down to him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven said, “You are my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with you.”

Footnotes:

  1. Luke 3:3 Repentance is turning to God with a complete change in the way a person thinks and acts.
  2. Luke 3:17 Winnowing is the process of separating husks from grain.
  3. Luke 3:17 A threshing floor is an outdoor area where grain is separated from its husks.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Psalm 61

Psalm 61

For the choir director; on a stringed instrument; by David.

Listen to my cry for help, O God.
Pay attention to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth, I call to you
when I begin to lose heart.
Lead me to the rock that is high above me.
You have been my refuge,
a tower of strength against the enemy.
I would like to be a guest in your tent forever
and to take refuge under the protection of your wings. Selah
O God, you have heard my vows.
You have given me the inheritance
that belongs to those who fear your name.
Add days upon days to the life of the king.
May his years endure throughout every generation.
May he sit enthroned in the presence of God forever.
May mercy and truth protect him.
Then I will make music to praise your name forever,
as I keep my vows day after day.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Proverbs 11:16-17

16 A gracious woman wins respect,
but ruthless men gain riches.
17 A merciful person helps himself,
but a cruel person hurts himself.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Sunday March 17, 2019 (NIV)

Numbers 26:1-51

Moses Takes Another Census of Israel

26 After the plague the Lord said to Moses and Eleazar, son of the priest Aaron, “Take a census of the whole community of Israel by households. List those who are at least 20 years old and eligible for military duty.”

So Moses and the priest Eleazar spoke to the Israelites on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho. They said, “Take a census of those at least 20 years old, as the Lord commanded Moses.”

These are the Israelites who came from Egypt:

Reuben was Israel’s firstborn. The descendants of Reuben were the family of Hanoch, the family of Pallu, the family of Hezron, and the family of Carmi.

These were the families of Reuben. The total number of men was 43,730.

Eliab was the son[a] of Pallu, and Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram were the sons of Eliab. (It was Dathan and Abiram, men chosen by the community, who defied Moses and Aaron’s authority. They joined Korah’s followers when they defied the Lord’s authority. 10 The ground opened up and swallowed them along with Korah. They and their followers died when the fire consumed the 250 men. This was a warning. 11 But the descendants of Korah didn’t die.)

12 The families descended from Simeon were the family of Nemuel, the family of Jamin, the family of Jakin, 13 the family of Zerah, and the family of Shaul.

14 These were the families of Simeon. The total number of men was 22,200.

15 The families descended from Gad were the family of Zephon, the family of Haggi, the family of Shuni, 16 the family of Ozni, the family of Eri, 17 the family of Arodi,[b] and the family of Areli.

18 These were the families of Gad’s descendants. The total number of men was 40,500.

19 Er and Onan were sons of Judah, but they died in Canaan. 20 The families descended from Judah were the family of Shelah, the family of Perez, and the family of Zerah.

21 The descendants of Perez were the family of Hezron and the family of Hamul.

22 These were the families of Judah. The total number of men was 76,500.

23 The families descended from Issachar were the family of Tola, the family of Puah, [c] 24 the family of Jashub, and the family of Shimron.

25 These were the families of Issachar. The total number of men was 64,300.

26 The families descended from Zebulun were the family of Sered, the family of Elon, and the family of Jahleel.

27 These were the families of Zebulun. The total number of men was 60,500.

28 The families descended from Joseph through Manasseh and Ephraim were 29 (from Manasseh) the family of Machir (Machir was the father of Gilead) and the family of Gilead.

30 The descendants of Gilead were the family of Iezer, the family of Helek, 31 the family of Asriel, the family of Shechem, 32 the family of Shemida, and the family of Hepher. 33 (Zelophehad, son of Hepher, had no sons—only daughters. Their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.)

34 These were the families of Manasseh. The total number of men was 52,700.

35 The families descended from Ephraim were the family of Shuthelah, the family of Beker, and the family of Tahan.

36 The descendants of Shuthelah were the family of Eran.

37 These were the families of Ephraim’s descendants. The total number of men was 32,500.

These were the families descended from Joseph.

38 The families descended from Benjamin were the family of Bela, the family of Ashbel, the family of Ahiram, 39 the family of Shupham,[d] and the family of Hupham.

40 The descendants of Bela (through Ard and Naaman) were the family of Ard and the family of Naaman.

41 These were the families descended from Benjamin. The total number of men was 45,600.

42 The family descended from Dan was the family of Shuham.

This was the family descended from Dan. 43 The total number of men in all the family of Shuham was 64,400.

44 The families descended from Asher were the family of Imnah, the family of Ishvi, and the family of Beriah.

45 The descendants Beriah were the family of Heber and the family of Malchiel.

46 (Asher had a daughter named Serah.)

47 These were the families of Asher’s descendants. The total number of men was 53,400.

48 The families descended from Naphtali were the family of Jahzeel, the family of Guni, 49 the family of Jezer, and the family of Shillem.

50 These were the families of Naphtali. The total number of men was 45,400.

51 The total number of Israelite men was 601,730.

Footnotes:

  1. Numbers 26:8 Ancient scribal tradition; Masoretic Text “sons.”
  2. Numbers 26:17 Genesis 46:16, Samaritan Pentateuch, Greek, Syriac; Masoretic Text “Arod.”
  3. Numbers 26:24 Samaritan Pentateuch, Greek, Syriac, Latin; Masoretic Text “Puvah.”
  4. Numbers 26:39 A few Hebrew manuscripts, Samaritan Pentateuch, Greek, Syriac, Targum, Latin; Masoretic Text “Shephupham.”
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Luke 2:36-52

Anna’s Prophecy

36 Anna, a prophet, was also there. She was a descendant of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was now very old. Her husband had died seven years after they were married, 37 and she had been a widow for 84 years. Anna never left the temple courtyard but worshiped day and night by fasting and praying. 38 At that moment she came up to Mary and Joseph and began to thank God. She spoke about Jesus to all who were waiting for Jerusalem to be set free.

39 After doing everything the Lord’s Teachings required, Joseph and Mary returned to their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee. 40 The child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor[a] was with him.

Mary and Joseph Find Jesus with the Teachers in the Temple Courtyard

41 Every year Jesus’ parents would go to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42 When he was 12 years old, they went as usual.

43 When the festival was over, they left for home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t know it. 44 They thought that he was with the others who were traveling with them. After traveling for a day, they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they didn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.

46 Three days later, they found him in the temple courtyard. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions. 47 His understanding and his answers stunned everyone who heard him.

48 When his parents saw him, they were shocked. His mother asked him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!”

49 Jesus said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you realize that I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he meant.

51 Then he returned with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them.

His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 Jesus grew in wisdom and maturity. He gained favor from God and people.

Footnotes:

  1. Luke 2:40 Or “grace.”
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Psalm 60

Psalm 60

For the choir director; according to shushan eduth;[a] a miktam by David; for teaching. When David fought Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and when Joab came back and killed 12,000 men from Edom in the Dead Sea region.

O God, you have rejected us.
You have broken down our defenses.
You have been angry.
Restore us!
You made the land quake.
You split it wide open.
Heal the cracks in it
because it is falling apart.
You have made your people experience hardships.
You have given us wine that makes us stagger.
Yet, you have raised a flag for those who fear you
so that they can rally to it
when attacked by bows and arrows. Selah
Save us with your powerful hand, and answer us
so that those who are dear to you may be rescued.[b]

God has promised the following through his holiness:
“I will triumph!
I will divide Shechem.
I will measure the valley of Succoth.
Gilead is mine.
Manasseh is mine.
Ephraim is the helmet on my head.
Judah is my scepter.
Moab is my washtub.
I will throw my shoe over Edom.
I will shout in triumph over Philistia.”

Who will bring me into the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Isn’t it you, O God, who rejected us?
Isn’t it you, O God, who refused to accompany our armies?

11 Give us help against the enemy
because human assistance is worthless.
12 With God we will display great strength.
He will trample our enemies.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 60:1 Unknown musical term.
  2. Psalm 60:5 Verses 5–12 are virtually identical in wording to Psalm 108:6–13.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Proverbs 11:15

15 Whoever guarantees a stranger’s loan will get into trouble,
but whoever hates the closing of a deal remains secure.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Saturday March 16, 2019 (NIV)

Numbers 24-25

Balaam's Third Oracle

24 When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go, as at (A)other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the wilderness. And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel (B)camping tribe by tribe. And (C)the Spirit of God came upon him, and he (D)took up his discourse and said,

“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,
the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,[a]
the oracle of him who hears the words of God,
who sees the vision of the Almighty,
(E)falling down with his eyes uncovered:
How lovely are your tents, O Jacob,
your encampments, O Israel!
Like palm groves[b] that stretch afar,
like gardens beside a river,
(F)like aloes (G)that the Lord has planted,
like cedar trees beside the waters.
Water shall flow from his buckets,
and his seed shall be (H)in many waters;
his king shall be higher than (I)Agag,
and (J)his kingdom shall be exalted.
God brings him out of Egypt
and is for him like the (K)horns of the wild ox;
he shall (L)eat up the nations, his adversaries,
and shall (M)break their bones in pieces
and (N)pierce them through with his arrows.
He crouched, he lay down like a lion
and (O)like a lioness; who will rouse him up?
(P)Blessed are those who bless you,
and cursed are those who curse you.”

10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he (Q)struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, (R)“I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times. 11 Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, (S)‘I will certainly honor you,’ but the Lord has held you back from honor.” 12 And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, 13 (T)‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad (U)of my own will. What the Lord speaks, that will I speak’? 14 And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, (V)I will let you know what this people will do to your people (W)in the latter days.”

Balaam's Final Oracle

15 (X)And he took up his discourse and said,

“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,
the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,
16 the oracle of him who hears the words of God,
and knows the knowledge of (Y)the Most High,
who sees the vision of the Almighty,
(Z)falling down with his eyes uncovered:
17 (AA)I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near:
(AB)a star shall come out of Jacob,
and (AC)a scepter shall rise out of Israel;
it shall (AD)crush the forehead[c] of Moab
and break down all the sons of Sheth.
18 (AE)Edom shall be dispossessed;
(AF)Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed.
Israel is doing valiantly.
19 And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion
and destroy the survivors of cities!”

20 Then he looked on Amalek and (AG)took up his discourse and said,

“Amalek was the first among the nations,
(AH)but its end is utter destruction.”

21 And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said,

“Enduring is your dwelling place,
and your nest is set in the rock.
22 Nevertheless, Kain shall be burned
when Asshur takes you away captive.”

23 And he took up his discourse and said,

“Alas, who shall live when God does this?
24 But ships shall come from (AI)Kittim
and shall afflict Asshur and (AJ)Eber;
and he too (AK)shall come to utter destruction.”

25 Then Balaam rose and (AL)went back to his place. And Balak also went his way.

Baal Worship at Peor

25 While Israel lived in (AM)Shittim, (AN)the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. (AO)These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. And the Lord said to Moses, (AP)“Take all the chiefs of the people and (AQ)hang[d] them in the sun before the Lord, (AR)that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.” And Moses said to (AS)the judges of Israel, (AT)“Each of you kill those of his men who have yoked themselves to Baal of Peor.”

And behold, one of the people of Israel came and brought a Midianite woman to his family, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the whole congregation of the people of Israel, while they were (AU)weeping in the entrance of the tent of meeting. (AV)When Phinehas (AW)the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose and left the congregation and took a spear in his hand and went after the man of Israel into the chamber and pierced both of them, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. Thus the plague on the people of Israel was stopped. Nevertheless, (AX)those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand.

The Zeal of Phinehas

10 And the Lord said to Moses, 11 “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he (AY)was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in (AZ)my jealousy. 12 Therefore say, (BA)‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace, 13 and it shall be to him and to (BB)his descendants after him the covenant of (BC)a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.’”

14 The name of the slain man of Israel, who was killed with the Midianite woman, was Zimri the son of Salu, chief of a father's house belonging to the Simeonites. 15 And the name of the Midianite woman who was killed was Cozbi the daughter of (BD)Zur, who was the tribal head of a father's house in Midian.

16 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 17 (BE)“Harass the Midianites and strike them down, 18 for they have harassed you with their (BF)wiles, with which they beguiled you in the matter of (BG)Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of the chief of Midian, their sister, who was killed on the day of the plague on account of Peor.”

Footnotes:

  1. Numbers 24:3 Or closed, or perfect; also verse 15
  2. Numbers 24:6 Or valleys
  3. Numbers 24:17 Hebrew corners [of the head]
  4. Numbers 25:4 Or impale

Cross references:

  1. Numbers 24:1 : ch. 23:3, 15
  2. Numbers 24:2 : See ch. 2:22-31
  3. Numbers 24:2 : Judg. 3:10; 1 Sam. 19:20, 23; 2 Chr. 15:1; 20:14
  4. Numbers 24:3 : See ch. 23:7
  5. Numbers 24:4 : [Ezek. 1:28; 3:23; Rev. 1:10, 17]
  6. Numbers 24:6 : [Ps. 1:3; Jer. 17:8]
  7. Numbers 24:6 : Ps. 104:16; Isa. 61:3
  8. Numbers 24:7 : [Jer. 51:13; Rev. 17:1]
  9. Numbers 24:7 : 1 Sam. 15:8
  10. Numbers 24:7 : 2 Sam. 5:12; 1 Chr. 14:2
  11. Numbers 24:8 : See ch. 23:22
  12. Numbers 24:8 : [ch. 14:9; 23:24]
  13. Numbers 24:8 : Isa. 38:13; Jer. 50:17
  14. Numbers 24:8 : Ps. 45:5; Jer. 50:9
  15. Numbers 24:9 : ch. 23:24; Gen. 49:9
  16. Numbers 24:9 : Gen. 12:3; 27:29
  17. Numbers 24:10 : [Job 27:23; Lam. 2:15; Ezek. 21:14, 17; 22:13]
  18. Numbers 24:10 : See ch. 23:11
  19. Numbers 24:11 : ch. 22:17, 37
  20. Numbers 24:13 : ch. 22:18
  21. Numbers 24:13 : See ch. 16:28
  22. Numbers 24:14 : [Mic. 6:5; Rev. 2:14]
  23. Numbers 24:14 : See Gen. 49:1
  24. Numbers 24:15 : [ch. 21:27]; See ch. 23:7
  25. Numbers 24:16 : Acts 7:48
  26. Numbers 24:16 : See ver. 4
  27. Numbers 24:17 : [ch. 23:9]
  28. Numbers 24:17 : Matt. 2:2; Rev. 22:16
  29. Numbers 24:17 : Gen. 49:10
  30. Numbers 24:17 : Jer. 48:45; [2 Sam. 8:2]
  31. Numbers 24:18 : [2 Sam. 8:14; Ps. 60:8, 9; Amos 9:12]
  32. Numbers 24:18 : Gen. 32:3; 36:8
  33. Numbers 24:20 : See ch. 23:7
  34. Numbers 24:20 : [Ex. 17:14; 1 Sam. 15:3, 8]
  35. Numbers 24:24 : Gen. 10:4; Dan. 11:30
  36. Numbers 24:24 : Gen. 10:21, 25
  37. Numbers 24:24 : ver. 20
  38. Numbers 24:25 : [ch. 31:8]
  39. Numbers 25:1 : ch. 33:49; Josh. 2:1; 3:1; Mic. 6:5
  40. Numbers 25:1 : [ch. 31:16]
  41. Numbers 25:2 : Ex. 34:15, 16; Josh. 22:17; Ps. 106:28; Hos. 9:10; [1 Cor. 10:20]
  42. Numbers 25:4 : See Deut. 4:3
  43. Numbers 25:4 : [Deut. 21:23; 2 Sam. 21:6; Gal. 3:13]
  44. Numbers 25:4 : ver. 11; Deut. 13:17
  45. Numbers 25:5 : [ch. 11:16; Ex. 18:21, 25]
  46. Numbers 25:5 : [Ex. 32:27]
  47. Numbers 25:6 : Joel 2:17
  48. Numbers 25:7 : Ps. 106:30
  49. Numbers 25:7 : Ex. 6:25
  50. Numbers 25:9 : Deut. 4:3; [1 Cor. 10:8]
  51. Numbers 25:11 : [2 Cor. 11:2]
  52. Numbers 25:11 : Deut. 32:16, 21; 1 Kgs. 14:22; Ps. 78:58; Zeph. 1:18; 3:8; 1 Cor. 10:22; [Ex. 20:5]
  53. Numbers 25:12 : Mal. 2:4, 5
  54. Numbers 25:13 : See 1 Chr. 6:4-15
  55. Numbers 25:13 : Ex. 40:15
  56. Numbers 25:15 : ch. 31:8; Josh. 13:21
  57. Numbers 25:17 : ch. 31:2, 7
  58. Numbers 25:18 : ch. 31:16; Rev. 2:14
  59. Numbers 25:18 : See ch. 23:28
English Standard Version (ESV)

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

Luke 2:1-35

The Birth of Jesus Christ

In those days (A)a decree went out from (B)Caesar Augustus that all the world should be (C)registered. This was the first (D)registration when[a] Quirinius (E)was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up (F)from Galilee, from the town of (G)Nazareth, to Judea, to (H)the city of David, which is called (I)Bethlehem, (J)because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[b] who was with child. And (K)while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and (L)wrapped him in swaddling cloths and (M)laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in (N)the inn.[c]

The Shepherds and the Angels

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord (O)appeared to them, and (P)the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all (Q)the people. 11 For (R)unto you is born this day in (S)the city of David (T)a Savior, who is (U)Christ (V)the Lord. 12 And (W)this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby (X)wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel (Y)a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 (Z)“Glory to God (AA)in the highest,
(AB)and on earth (AC)peace (AD)among those with whom he is pleased!”[d]

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby (AE)lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But (AF)Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, (AG)glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And (AH)at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, (AI)he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

22 And (AJ)when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem (AK)to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in (AL)the Law of the Lord, (AM)“Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in (AN)the Law of the Lord, (AO)“a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was (AP)righteous and (AQ)devout, (AR)waiting for (AS)the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not (AT)see death before he had seen (AU)the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when (AV)the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and (AW)blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant[e] depart (AX)in peace,
(AY)according to your word;
30 for (AZ)my eyes have seen your (BA)salvation
31 (BB)that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 (BC)a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and (BD)for glory to (BE)your people Israel.”

33 And (BF)his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed (BG)for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign (BH)that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Footnotes:

  1. Luke 2:2 Or This was the registration before
  2. Luke 2:5 That is, one legally pledged to be married
  3. Luke 2:7 Or guest room
  4. Luke 2:14 Some manuscripts peace, good will among men
  5. Luke 2:29 Or bondservant

Cross references:

  1. Luke 2:1 : Acts 17:7
  2. Luke 2:1 : [ch. 3:1]
  3. Luke 2:1 : [Acts 5:37]
  4. Luke 2:2 : [See ver. 1 above]; [Acts 5:37]
  5. Luke 2:2 : ch. 3:1
  6. Luke 2:4 : ch. 1:26
  7. Luke 2:4 : See Matt. 2:23
  8. Luke 2:4 : ver. 11; John 7:42; [1 Sam. 16:1]
  9. Luke 2:4 : Matt. 2:1
  10. Luke 2:4 : ch. 1:27
  11. Luke 2:6 : [See ver. 4 above]; ch. 1:27
  12. Luke 2:7 : ver. 12
  13. Luke 2:7 : ver. 16
  14. Luke 2:7 : ch. 22:11 (Gk.)
  15. Luke 2:9 : ch. 24:4; Acts 12:7
  16. Luke 2:9 : ch. 9:31; Acts 7:55; 2 Cor. 3:18
  17. Luke 2:10 : ver. 32; John 11:50; [Zech. 9:9]
  18. Luke 2:11 : Isa. 9:6
  19. Luke 2:11 : ver. 4
  20. Luke 2:11 : Matt. 1:21; John 4:42
  21. Luke 2:11 : Acts 2:36; 10:36; [ch. 23:2]; See Matt. 1:17
  22. Luke 2:11 : [ch. 1:43]
  23. Luke 2:12 : 1 Sam. 2:34; 2 Kgs. 19:29; 20:8, 9; Isa. 7:11, 14
  24. Luke 2:12 : ver. 7
  25. Luke 2:13 : Gen. 28:12; 32:1, 2; 1 Kgs. 22:19; 2 Chr. 18:18; Ps. 103:21; 148:2; Dan. 7:10; Rev. 5:11
  26. Luke 2:14 : ch. 19:38; [Ps. 148:1; Matt. 21:9]
  27. Luke 2:14 : [ch. 10:21; Matt. 6:10; 28:18; John 17:4; Acts 7:49; Eph. 3:15; Col. 1:16, 20; Rev. 5:13]
  28. Luke 2:14 : [ch. 10:21; Matt. 6:10; 28:18; John 17:4; Acts 7:49; Eph. 3:15; Col. 1:16, 20; Rev. 5:13]
  29. Luke 2:14 : ch. 1:79; Ps. 85:10; Isa. 9:6, 7; Hag. 2:9; Acts 10:36; Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14, 17; Col. 1:20
  30. Luke 2:14 : [ch. 3:22; 12:32; Eph. 1:5, 9; Phil. 2:13]
  31. Luke 2:16 : ver. 7, 12
  32. Luke 2:19 : ver. 51; [ch. 1:66; Gen. 37:11]
  33. Luke 2:20 : See ch. 7:16
  34. Luke 2:21 : See ch. 1:59
  35. Luke 2:21 : ch. 1:31; Matt. 1:21, 25
  36. Luke 2:22 : Lev. 12; [ver. 21, 27; Gal. 4:4]
  37. Luke 2:22 : [1 Sam. 1:22, 24]
  38. Luke 2:23 : ver. 39; Ex. 13:9; 2 Chr. 31:3
  39. Luke 2:23 : [Ex. 13:2, 12]
  40. Luke 2:24 : [See ver. 23 above]; ver. 39; Ex. 13:9; 2 Chr. 31:3
  41. Luke 2:24 : Cited from Lev. 12:8
  42. Luke 2:25 : ch. 1:6
  43. Luke 2:25 : Acts 2:5; 8:2; 22:12
  44. Luke 2:25 : ver. 38; ch. 23:51; Isa. 25:9; Mark 15:43; [Gen. 49:18]
  45. Luke 2:25 : Isa. 40:1; 57:18
  46. Luke 2:26 : Ps. 89:48; John 8:51; Heb. 11:5; [Acts 2:27]
  47. Luke 2:26 : [ch. 9:20; 23:35; 1 Sam. 24:6]
  48. Luke 2:27 : ver. 33, 41, 43, 48-51
  49. Luke 2:28 : ch. 1:64
  50. Luke 2:29 : Gen. 15:15
  51. Luke 2:29 : ver. 26
  52. Luke 2:30 : Isa. 52:10
  53. Luke 2:30 : See ch. 3:6
  54. Luke 2:31 : Ps. 98:2; See ch. 24:47
  55. Luke 2:32 : Isa. 42:6; 49:6; 52:10; 60:3; John 8:12; Acts 13:47; 26:23
  56. Luke 2:32 : [Isa. 45:25; 46:13]
  57. Luke 2:32 : ver. 10
  58. Luke 2:33 : ver. 27
  59. Luke 2:34 : [Isa. 8:14; Matt. 21:44; John 9:39; 1 Cor. 1:23, 24; 2 Cor. 2:16; 1 Pet. 2:8, 9]
  60. Luke 2:34 : Acts 28:22
English Standard Version (ESV)

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

Psalm 59

Deliver Me from My Enemies

To the choirmaster: according to (A)Do Not Destroy. A (B)Miktam[a] of David, (C)when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.

59 (D)Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
(E)protect me from those who (F)rise up against me;
deliver me from (G)those who work evil,
and save me from (H)bloodthirsty men.

For behold, they (I)lie in wait for my life;
fierce men (J)stir up strife against me.
(K)For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,
for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.
(L)Awake, come to meet me, and see!
You, (M)Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel.
Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah

Each evening they (N)come back,
howling like dogs
and prowling about the city.
There they are, (O)bellowing with their mouths
with (P)swords in their lips—
for (Q)“Who,” they think,[b] “will hear us?”

But you, O Lord, (R)laugh at them;
you hold all the nations in derision.
O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are (S)my fortress.
10 (T)My God in his steadfast love[c] (U)will meet me;
God will let me (V)look in triumph on my enemies.

11 Kill them not, lest my people forget;
make them totter[d] by your power and (W)bring them down,
O Lord, our (X)shield!
12 For (Y)the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,
let them be trapped in their pride.
For the cursing and lies that they utter,
13 (Z)consume them in wrath;
consume them till they are no more,
that they may (AA)know that God rules over Jacob
to (AB)the ends of the earth. Selah

14 (AC)Each evening they come back,
howling like dogs
and prowling about the city.
15 They (AD)wander about for food
and growl if they do not get their fill.

16 But I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me (AE)a fortress
and (AF)a refuge in (AG)the day of my distress.
17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, (AH)are my fortress,
(AI)the God who shows me steadfast love.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 59:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
  2. Psalm 59:7 Hebrew lacks they think
  3. Psalm 59:10 Or The God who shows me steadfast love
  4. Psalm 59:11 Or wander
English Standard Version (ESV)

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

Proverbs 11:14

14 Where there is (A)no guidance, a people falls,
(B)but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

English Standard Version (ESV)

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

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Friday March 15, 2019 (NIV)

Numbers 22:21-23:30

21 So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.

Balaam's Donkey and the Angel

22 But God's anger was kindled because he went, (A)and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way (B)as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road. 24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. 25 And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall. So he struck her again. 26 Then the angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the Lord (C)opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” 29 And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.” 30 And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?” And he said, “No.”

31 Then the Lord (D)opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. 32 And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out (E)to oppose you because your way is perverse[a] before me. 33 The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live.” 34 Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, (F)“I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back.” 35 And the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, (G)but speak only the word that I tell you.” So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.

36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, (H)on the border formed by the Arnon, at the extremity of the border. 37 And Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to (I)honor you?” 38 Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you! Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? (J)The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak.” 39 Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. 40 And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent for Balaam and for the princes who were with him.

41 And in the morning Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal, and from there he saw a fraction of the people.

Balaam's First Oracle

23 And Balaam said to Balak, (K)“Build for me here seven altars, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.” Balak did as Balaam had said. And Balak and Balaam (L)offered on each altar a bull and a ram. And Balaam said to Balak, (M)“Stand beside your burnt offering, and I will go. Perhaps the Lord will come (N)to meet me, and whatever he shows me I will tell you.” And he went to a bare height, (O)and God met Balaam. And Balaam said to him, “I have arranged the seven altars and I have offered on each altar a bull and a ram.” And the Lord (P)put a word in Balaam's mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” And he returned to him, and behold, he and all the princes of Moab were standing beside his burnt offering. And Balaam (Q)took up his discourse and said,

“From (R)Aram Balak has brought me,
the king of Moab (S)from the eastern mountains:
‘Come, (T)curse Jacob for me,
and come, denounce Israel!’
How can I curse whom God has not cursed?
How can I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced?
For from the top of the crags (U)I see him,
from the hills I behold him;
behold, (V)a people dwelling alone,
and (W)not counting itself among the nations!
10 (X)Who can count the dust of Jacob
or number the fourth part[b] of Israel?
Let me die (Y)the death of the upright,
and let my end be like his!”

11 And Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? (Z)I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have done nothing but bless them.” 12 And he answered and said, (AA)“Must I not take care to speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?”

Balaam's Second Oracle

13 And Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place, from which you may see them. You shall see only a fraction of them and shall not see them all. Then curse them for me from there.” 14 And he took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, (AB)and built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 15 Balaam said to Balak, (AC)“Stand here beside your burnt offering, while I meet the Lord over there.” 16 And the Lord met Balaam and (AD)put a word in his mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and thus shall you speak.” 17 And he came to him, and behold, he was standing beside his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said to him, “What has the Lord spoken?” 18 And Balaam took up his discourse and said,

“Rise, Balak, and hear;
give ear to me, O son of Zippor:
19 (AE)God is not man, that he should lie,
or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
20 Behold, I received a command to bless:
(AF)he has blessed, and (AG)I cannot revoke it.
21 (AH)He has not beheld misfortune in Jacob,
nor has he seen trouble in Israel.
The Lord their God is with them,
and the shout of a king is among them.
22 (AI)God brings them out of Egypt
and is for them like (AJ)the horns of the wild ox.
23 For there is no enchantment against Jacob,
no (AK)divination against Israel;
now it shall be said of Jacob and Israel,
(AL)‘What has God wrought!’
24 Behold, a people! (AM)As a lioness it rises up
and as a lion it lifts itself;
(AN)it does not lie down until it has devoured the prey
and drunk the blood of the slain.”

25 And Balak said to Balaam, “Do not curse them at all, and do not bless them at all.” 26 But Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell you, (AO)‘All that the Lord says, that I must do’?” 27 And Balak said to Balaam, (AP)“Come now, I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there.” 28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of (AQ)Peor, which overlooks (AR)the desert.[c] 29 And Balaam said to Balak, (AS)“Build for me here seven altars and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.” 30 (AT)And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Footnotes:

  1. Numbers 22:32 Or reckless
  2. Numbers 23:10 Or dust clouds
  3. Numbers 23:28 Or Jeshimon

Cross references:

  1. Numbers 22:22 : [Ex. 4:24; 1 Chr. 21:16]
  2. Numbers 22:22 : ver. 32
  3. Numbers 22:28 : 2 Pet. 2:16
  4. Numbers 22:31 : [Gen. 21:19; 2 Kgs. 6:17; Luke 24:16, 31]
  5. Numbers 22:32 : ver. 22
  6. Numbers 22:34 : [1 Sam. 15:24; 26:21; 2 Sam. 12:13; Job 34:31, 32]
  7. Numbers 22:35 : ver. 20
  8. Numbers 22:36 : ch. 21:13
  9. Numbers 22:37 : ver. 17; ch. 24:11
  10. Numbers 22:38 : ver. 18
  11. Numbers 23:1 : ver. 29
  12. Numbers 23:2 : ver. 14, 30
  13. Numbers 23:3 : ver. 15
  14. Numbers 23:3 : [ch. 24:1]
  15. Numbers 23:4 : ver. 16
  16. Numbers 23:5 : ver. 12, 16; ch. 22:38; Deut. 18:18; Isa. 51:16; 59:21; Jer. 1:9
  17. Numbers 23:7 : ver. 18; ch. 24:3, 15, 20, 21, 23; Job 27:1; 29:1; Ps. 49:4; 78:2; Isa. 14:4; Mic. 2:4; [ch. 21:27]
  18. Numbers 23:7 : [ch. 22:5]
  19. Numbers 23:7 : [Gen. 29:1]
  20. Numbers 23:7 : ch. 22:6
  21. Numbers 23:9 : [ch. 24:17]
  22. Numbers 23:9 : Deut. 32:28
  23. Numbers 23:9 : Ex. 33:16; [Ezra 9:2; Esth. 3:8; Eph. 2:14]
  24. Numbers 23:10 : See Gen. 13:16
  25. Numbers 23:10 : Ps. 37:37; 116:15; Rev. 14:13
  26. Numbers 23:11 : ch. 22:11; 24:10; Deut. 23:5; Neh. 13:2
  27. Numbers 23:12 : See ver. 5
  28. Numbers 23:14 : ver. 1, 2
  29. Numbers 23:15 : ver. 3
  30. Numbers 23:16 : ver. 5, 12
  31. Numbers 23:19 : 1 Sam. 15:29; Mal. 3:6; Rom. 11:29; Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18; James 1:17
  32. Numbers 23:20 : ch. 22:12; Gen. 12:2; 22:17
  33. Numbers 23:20 : ch. 22:18
  34. Numbers 23:21 : [Jer. 50:20]
  35. Numbers 23:22 : ch. 24:8
  36. Numbers 23:22 : Deut. 33:17; Job 39:9-12; Ps. 22:21; 92:10
  37. Numbers 23:23 : ch. 22:7
  38. Numbers 23:23 : Ps. 44:1
  39. Numbers 23:24 : Gen. 49:9
  40. Numbers 23:24 : Gen. 49:27
  41. Numbers 23:26 : See ch. 22:18
  42. Numbers 23:27 : ver. 13
  43. Numbers 23:28 : ch. 25:18; 31:16; Josh. 22:17; Ps. 106:28, 29; Hos. 9:10; [ch. 25:3, 5]
  44. Numbers 23:28 : See ch. 21:20
  45. Numbers 23:29 : ver. 1
  46. Numbers 23:30 : ver. 2
English Standard Version (ESV)

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

Luke 1:57-80

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord (A)had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And (B)on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; (C)he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And (D)they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for (E)a writing tablet and wrote, (F)“His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 (G)And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue (H)loosed, and he spoke, (I)blessing God. 65 And (J)fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all (K)the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them (L)laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For (M)the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zechariah's Prophecy

67 And his father Zechariah (N)was filled with the Holy Spirit and (O)prophesied, saying,

68 (P)“Blessed be the Lord (Q)God of Israel,
for he has (R)visited and (S)redeemed his people
69 and (T)has raised up (U)a horn of salvation for us
(V)in the house of his servant David,
70 (W)as (X)he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 (Y)that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 (Z)to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and (AA)to remember his holy (AB)covenant,
73 (AC)the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him (AD)without fear,
75 (AE)in holiness and righteousness before him (AF)all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called (AG)the prophet of (AH)the Most High;
for (AI)you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
(AJ)in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the (AK)tender mercy of our God,
whereby (AL)the sunrise shall (AM)visit us[a] (AN)from on high
79 to (AO)give light to (AP)those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into (AQ)the way of (AR)peace.”

80 (AS)And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was (AT)in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Footnotes:

  1. Luke 1:78 Or when the sunrise shall dawn upon us; some manuscripts since the sunrise has visited us

Cross references:

  1. Luke 1:58 : Gen. 19:19
  2. Luke 1:59 : ch. 2:21; Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3; Phil. 3:5
  3. Luke 1:60 : ver. 13
  4. Luke 1:62 : ver. 22
  5. Luke 1:63 : Isa. 8:1; 30:8
  6. Luke 1:63 : [See ver. 60 above]; ver. 13
  7. Luke 1:64 : ver. 20
  8. Luke 1:64 : Mark 7:35
  9. Luke 1:64 : ch. 2:28; 24:53
  10. Luke 1:65 : ch. 7:16
  11. Luke 1:65 : See ver. 39
  12. Luke 1:66 : [ch. 2:19, 51]
  13. Luke 1:66 : Acts 11:21; 13:11
  14. Luke 1:67 : ver. 15, 41
  15. Luke 1:67 : Joel 2:28
  16. Luke 1:68 : 1 Kgs. 1:48; 1 Chr. 29:10; Ezra 7:27; Ps. 41:13; 72:18; 106:48
  17. Luke 1:68 : Isa. 29:23; Matt. 15:31; Acts 13:17
  18. Luke 1:68 : ch. 7:16; Ex. 4:31; [ver. 78; Acts 15:14; Heb. 2:6]
  19. Luke 1:68 : ch. 2:38; Ps. 111:9; 130:7, 8; [ch. 24:21; Isa. 43:1; 59:20]
  20. Luke 1:69 : 1 Sam. 2:1, 10; Ps. 132:17; Ezek. 29:21
  21. Luke 1:69 : 2 Sam. 22:3; Ps. 18:2
  22. Luke 1:69 : ver. 32
  23. Luke 1:70 : Rom. 1:2; [Jer. 23:5, 6]
  24. Luke 1:70 : Acts 3:21
  25. Luke 1:71 : Ps. 106:10
  26. Luke 1:72 : Mic. 7:20
  27. Luke 1:72 : Lev. 26:42; Ps. 105:8, 9; [ver. 54, 55]
  28. Luke 1:72 : See Rom. 9:4
  29. Luke 1:73 : Gen. 22:16-18; 26:3; Heb. 6:13, 14
  30. Luke 1:74 : Zeph. 3:15
  31. Luke 1:75 : Eph. 4:24; [1 Thess. 2:10; Titus 2:12]
  32. Luke 1:75 : [Jer. 32:39 (Heb.); Matt. 28:20 (Gk.)]
  33. Luke 1:76 : ch. 7:26; 20:6; Matt. 11:9; 14:5
  34. Luke 1:76 : See ver. 32
  35. Luke 1:76 : ver. 17; ch. 3:4; 7:27; Mal. 3:1; Matt. 3:3; Mark 1:2, 3
  36. Luke 1:77 : [Matt. 26:28; Mark 1:4]
  37. Luke 1:78 : Col. 3:12 (Gk.)
  38. Luke 1:78 : Mal. 4:2; Eph. 5:14; 2 Pet. 1:19
  39. Luke 1:78 : See ver. 68
  40. Luke 1:78 : ch. 24:49
  41. Luke 1:79 : Isa. 9:2; Matt. 4:16; [Acts 26:18]; See John 8:12
  42. Luke 1:79 : Ps. 107:10; Isa. 42:7
  43. Luke 1:79 : Rom. 3:17
  44. Luke 1:79 : See ch. 2:14
  45. Luke 1:80 : ch. 2:40
  46. Luke 1:80 : Matt. 3:1; 11:7
English Standard Version (ESV)

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

Psalm 58

God Who Judges the Earth

To the choirmaster: according to (A)Do Not Destroy. A (B)Miktam[a] of David.

58 Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?[b]
Do you judge the children of man uprightly?
No, in your hearts you devise wrongs;
your hands (C)deal out violence on earth.

The wicked are (D)estranged from the womb;
they go astray from birth, speaking lies.
(E)They have venom like the venom of a serpent,
like the deaf adder that stops its ear,
so that it (F)does not hear the voice of charmers
or of the cunning enchanter.

O God, (G)break the teeth in their mouths;
tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord!
Let them (H)vanish like water that runs away;
when he (I)aims his arrows, let them be blunted.
Let them be like the snail (J)that dissolves into slime,
like (K)the stillborn child who never sees the sun.
Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of (L)thorns,
whether green or ablaze, may he (M)sweep them away![c]

10 (N)The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
he will (O)bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 Mankind will say, “Surely there is (P)a reward for the righteous;
surely there is a God who (Q)judges on earth.”

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 58:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
  2. Psalm 58:1 Or you mighty lords (by revocalization; Hebrew in silence)
  3. Psalm 58:9 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain
English Standard Version (ESV)

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

Proverbs 11:12-13

12 Whoever (A)belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever (B)goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

English Standard Version (ESV)

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

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Thursday March 14, 2019 (NIV)

Numbers 21:1-22:20

Arad Destroyed

21 When (A)the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in (B)the Negeb, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive. (C)And Israel vowed a vow to the Lord and said, “If you will indeed give this people into my hand, then I will devote their cities to destruction.”[a] And the Lord heeded the voice of Israel and gave over the Canaanites, and they devoted them and their cities to destruction. So the name of the place was called (D)Hormah.[b]

The Bronze Serpent

From Mount Hor (E)they set out by the way to the Red Sea, (F)to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people (G)spoke against God and against Moses, (H)“Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and (I)we loathe this worthless food.” (J)Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and (K)they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. (L)And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. (M)Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So (N)Moses made a bronze[c] serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

The Song of the Well

10 And the people of Israel set out and (O)camped in Oboth. 11 (P)And they set out from Oboth and (Q)camped at Iye-abarim, in the wilderness that is opposite Moab, toward the sunrise. 12 From there they set out and camped in (R)the Valley of Zered. 13 From there they set out and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites, for the (S)Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. 14 Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the Lord,

“Waheb in Suphah, and the valleys of the Arnon,
15 and the slope of the valleys
that extends to the seat of (T)Ar,
and leans to the border of Moab.”

16 And from there they continued (U)to Beer;[d] that is the well of which the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people together, so that (V)I may give them water.” 17 Then Israel sang this song:

“Spring up, O well!—Sing to it!—
18 the well that the princes made,
that the nobles of the people dug,
with (W)the scepter and with their staffs.”

And from the wilderness they went on to Mattanah, 19 and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth, 20 and from Bamoth to the valley lying in the region of Moab by the top of Pisgah (X)that looks down on the desert.[e]

King Sihon Defeated

21 Then (Y)Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, 22 (Z)“Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field or vineyard. We will not drink the water of a well. We will go by the King's Highway until we have passed through your territory.” 23 (AA)But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. He gathered all his people together and went out against Israel to the wilderness and (AB)came to Jahaz and fought against Israel. 24 (AC)And Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the (AD)Jabbok, as far as to the Ammonites, for the border of the Ammonites was strong. 25 And Israel took all these cities, and Israel settled in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all its villages. 26 For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land out of his hand, as far as the Arnon. 27 Therefore the (AE)ballad singers say,

“Come to (AF)Heshbon, let it be built;
let the city of Sihon be established.
28 For (AG)fire came out from (AH)Heshbon,
flame from the city of Sihon.
It devoured (AI)Ar of Moab,
and swallowed[f] the heights of the Arnon.
29 (AJ)Woe to you, O Moab!
You are undone, O people of (AK)Chemosh!
He has made his sons fugitives,
and his daughters captives,
to an Amorite king, Sihon.
30 So we overthrew them;
Heshbon, as far as (AL)Dibon, perished;
and we laid waste as far as Nophah;
fire spread as far as (AM)Medeba.”[g]

King Og Defeated

31 Thus Israel lived in the land of the Amorites. 32 And Moses sent to spy out (AN)Jazer, and they captured its villages and dispossessed the Amorites who were there. 33 Then they turned and went up by the way to Bashan. And Og the king of Bashan came out against them, he and all his people, to battle (AO)at Edrei. 34 (AP)But the Lord said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people, and his land. And (AQ)you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.” 35 So they defeated him and his sons and all his people, until he had no survivor left. And they possessed his land.

Balak Summons Balaam

22 Then (AR)the people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. And (AS)Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And (AT)Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel. And Moab said to (AU)the elders of Midian, “This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, (AV)sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor (AW)at Pethor, which is near the River[h] in the land of the people of Amaw,[i] to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. (AX)Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

So the elders of Moab and (AY)the elders of Midian departed with (AZ)the fees for divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balak's message. And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. (BA)And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” 10 And Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, 11 ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now come, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” 12 God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for (BB)they are blessed.” 13 So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your own land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.” 14 So the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”

15 Once again Balak sent princes, more in number and more honorable than these. 16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Let nothing hinder you from coming to me, 17 (BC)for I will surely do you great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. (BD)Come, curse this people for me.’” 18 But Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, (BE)“Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, (BF)I could not go beyond the command of the Lord my God to do less or more. 19 So you, too, (BG)please stay here tonight, that I may know what more the Lord will say to me.” 20 (BH)And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; (BI)but only do what I tell you.”

Footnotes:

  1. Numbers 21:2 That is, set apart (devote) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction); also verse 3
  2. Numbers 21:3 Hormah means destruction
  3. Numbers 21:9 Or copper
  4. Numbers 21:16 Beer means well
  5. Numbers 21:20 Or Jeshimon
  6. Numbers 21:28 Septuagint; Hebrew the lords of
  7. Numbers 21:30 Compare Samaritan and Septuagint; Hebrew and we laid waste as far as Nophah, which is as far as Medeba
  8. Numbers 22:5 That is, the Euphrates
  9. Numbers 22:5 Or the people of his kindred

Cross references:

  1. Numbers 21:1 : ch. 33:40; [Judg. 1:16]
  2. Numbers 21:1 : See ch. 13:17
  3. Numbers 21:2 : [Gen. 28:20; Judg. 11:30]
  4. Numbers 21:3 : ch. 14:45; Deut. 1:44; Josh. 19:4; Judg. 1:17
  5. Numbers 21:4 : ch. 20:22; 33:41
  6. Numbers 21:4 : Judg. 11:18
  7. Numbers 21:5 : Ps. 78:19
  8. Numbers 21:5 : Ex. 16:3; 17:3
  9. Numbers 21:5 : [ch. 11:6]
  10. Numbers 21:6 : Deut. 8:15; 1 Cor. 10:9; [Isa. 14:29; 30:6]
  11. Numbers 21:6 : Jer. 8:17
  12. Numbers 21:7 : Ps. 78:34; [ch. 11:2]
  13. Numbers 21:7 : [Ex. 8:8, 28; 1 Sam. 12:19; 1 Kgs. 13:6; Acts 8:24]
  14. Numbers 21:9 : John 3:14, 15; [2 Kgs. 18:4]
  15. Numbers 21:10 : ch. 33:43, 44
  16. Numbers 21:11 : [See ver. 10 above]; ch. 33:43, 44
  17. Numbers 21:11 : [See ver. 10 above]; ch. 33:43, 44
  18. Numbers 21:12 : Deut. 2:13
  19. Numbers 21:13 : ch. 22:36; Judg. 11:18
  20. Numbers 21:15 : ver. 28; Deut. 2:9, 18, 29; Isa. 15:1
  21. Numbers 21:16 : [2 Sam. 20:14]
  22. Numbers 21:16 : [ch. 20:8; Ex. 17:6]
  23. Numbers 21:18 : See Gen. 49:10
  24. Numbers 21:20 : [ch. 23:28]
  25. Numbers 21:21 : Deut. 2:26, 27; Judg. 11:19
  26. Numbers 21:22 : [ch. 20:17]
  27. Numbers 21:23 : Deut. 29:7
  28. Numbers 21:23 : Deut. 2:32; Judg. 11:20
  29. Numbers 21:24 : Deut. 2:33; Josh. 12:1, 2; 24:8; Neh. 9:22; Ps. 135:11; 136:19, 20; Amos 2:9
  30. Numbers 21:24 : See Gen. 32:22
  31. Numbers 21:27 : See ch. 23:7
  32. Numbers 21:27 : See ch. 32:37
  33. Numbers 21:28 : Jer. 48:45, 46
  34. Numbers 21:28 : [See ver. 27 above]; See ch. 32:37
  35. Numbers 21:28 : [See ver. 15 above]; ver. 28; Deut. 2:9, 18, 29; Isa. 15:1
  36. Numbers 21:29 : [See ver. 28 above]; Jer. 48:45, 46
  37. Numbers 21:29 : Judg. 11:24; 1 Kgs. 11:7; 2 Kgs. 23:13; Jer. 48:7
  38. Numbers 21:30 : ch. 32:3; Josh. 13:17; Isa. 15:2; Jer. 48:18; [ch. 33:45, 46]
  39. Numbers 21:30 : 1 Chr. 19:7; Isa. 15:2
  40. Numbers 21:32 : ch. 32:1; Josh. 13:25; 2 Sam. 24:5; Jer. 48:32
  41. Numbers 21:33 : Deut. 1:4; 3:1; Josh. 13:12
  42. Numbers 21:34 : Deut. 3:2
  43. Numbers 21:34 : See ver. 24
  44. Numbers 22:1 : ch. 26:3, 63; 31:12; 33:48, 50; 35:1; 36:13
  45. Numbers 22:2 : Judg. 11:25
  46. Numbers 22:3 : Ex. 15:15
  47. Numbers 22:4 : ch. 31:8; Josh. 13:21
  48. Numbers 22:5 : Deut. 23:4; Josh. 24:9; Neh. 13:2; Mic. 6:5; 2 Pet. 2:15; Jude 11; Rev. 2:14
  49. Numbers 22:5 : Deut. 23:4; [ch. 23:7]
  50. Numbers 22:6 : ch. 23:7
  51. Numbers 22:7 : [See ver. 4 above]; ch. 31:8; Josh. 13:21
  52. Numbers 22:7 : [1 Sam. 9:7, 8; Mic. 3:11]
  53. Numbers 22:9 : [Gen. 20:3; Job 33:15, 16]
  54. Numbers 22:12 : See ch. 23:20
  55. Numbers 22:17 : ver. 37; ch. 24:11
  56. Numbers 22:17 : ver. 11
  57. Numbers 22:18 : ch. 24:13
  58. Numbers 22:18 : ver. 38; ch. 23:26; [1 Kgs. 22:14; 2 Chr. 18:13]
  59. Numbers 22:19 : ver. 8
  60. Numbers 22:20 : [See ver. 9 above]; [Gen. 20:3; Job 33:15, 16]
  61. Numbers 22:20 : ver. 35; ch. 23:12, 26; 24:13
English Standard Version (ESV)

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

Luke 1:26-56

Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month the angel (A)Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named (B)Nazareth, 27 (C)to a virgin betrothed[a] to a man whose name was Joseph, (D)of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, (E)O favored one, (F)the Lord is with you!”[b] 29 But (G)she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for (H)you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, (I)you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and (J)you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of (K)the Most High. And the Lord God (L)will give to him the throne of (M)his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob (N)forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”[c]

35 And the angel answered her, (O)“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of (P)the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[d] will be called (Q)holy—(R)the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her (S)who was called barren. 37 For (T)nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant[e] of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And (U)the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into (V)the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth (W)was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, (X)“Blessed are you among women, and (Y)blessed is (Z)the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of (AA)my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And (AB)blessed is she who believed that there would be[f] a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat

46 And Mary said,

(AC)“My (AD)soul (AE)magnifies the Lord,
47 (AF)and my (AG)spirit rejoices in (AH)God my Savior,
48 for (AI)he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations (AJ)will call me blessed;
49 for (AK)he who is mighty (AL)has done great things for me,
and (AM)holy is his name.
50 And (AN)his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 (AO)He has shown strength with his arm;
(AP)he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 (AQ)he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
(AR)and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled (AS)the hungry with good things,
and the rich (AT)he has sent away empty.
54 He has (AU)helped (AV)his servant Israel,
(AW)in remembrance of his mercy,
55 (AX)as he spoke to our fathers,
(AY)to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Footnotes:

  1. Luke 1:27 That is, legally pledged to be married
  2. Luke 1:28 Some manuscripts add Blessed are you among women!
  3. Luke 1:34 Greek since I do not know a man
  4. Luke 1:35 Some manuscripts add of you
  5. Luke 1:38 Greek bondservant; also verse 48
  6. Luke 1:45 Or believed, for there will be

Cross references:

  1. Luke 1:26 : ver. 19
  2. Luke 1:26 : See Matt. 2:23
  3. Luke 1:27 : Matt. 1:16, 18
  4. Luke 1:27 : ch. 2:4; Matt. 1:20
  5. Luke 1:28 : [Ps. 45:2; Dan. 9:23]
  6. Luke 1:28 : Judg. 6:12
  7. Luke 1:29 : See ver. 12
  8. Luke 1:30 : Acts 7:46
  9. Luke 1:31 : Isa. 7:14
  10. Luke 1:31 : ch. 2:21; Matt. 1:21, 25
  11. Luke 1:32 : ver. 76; ch. 6:35; Acts 7:48; See Mark 5:7
  12. Luke 1:32 : ver. 69; 2 Sam. 7:11-13, 16; Ps. 89:4; 132:11; Isa. 9:6, 7; 16:5; Acts 2:30; [Rev. 3:7]
  13. Luke 1:32 : See Matt. 1:1
  14. Luke 1:33 : Dan. 2:44; 7:14, 18, 27; Heb. 1:8; Rev. 11:15; [John 12:34]
  15. Luke 1:35 : Matt. 1:18, 20
  16. Luke 1:35 : [See ver. 32 above]; ver. 76; ch. 6:35; Acts 7:48; See Mark 5:7
  17. Luke 1:35 : John 6:69
  18. Luke 1:35 : See Matt. 14:33
  19. Luke 1:36 : ver. 7
  20. Luke 1:37 : Cited from Gen. 18:14 (Gk.); See Matt. 19:26
  21. Luke 1:38 : [Judg. 6:21; Acts 12:10]
  22. Luke 1:39 : ver. 65; Josh. 20:7; 21:11
  23. Luke 1:41 : ver. 15, 67
  24. Luke 1:42 : [Judg. 5:24]
  25. Luke 1:42 : [Deut. 28:4]
  26. Luke 1:42 : Ps. 127:3
  27. Luke 1:43 : ch. 20:42; John 20:28; [ch. 2:11]
  28. Luke 1:45 : John 20:29; [ver. 20]
  29. Luke 1:46 : For ver. 46-53, [1 Sam. 2:1-10]
  30. Luke 1:46 : 1 Thess. 5:23
  31. Luke 1:46 : Ps. 34:2, 3; 69:30; Acts 10:46; 19:17
  32. Luke 1:47 : Ps. 35:9; Isa. 61:10; Hab. 3:18; [Acts 16:34]
  33. Luke 1:47 : [See ver. 46 above]; 1 Thess. 5:23
  34. Luke 1:47 : Ps. 106:21; 1 Tim. 1:1; 2:3; Titus 1:3; 2:10; 3:4; Jude 25; [2 Tim. 1:9]
  35. Luke 1:48 : 1 Sam. 1:11; Ps. 138:6; [ch. 9:38]
  36. Luke 1:48 : ch. 11:27; Ps. 72:17; [Mal. 3:12]
  37. Luke 1:49 : Ps. 89:8; Zeph. 3:17
  38. Luke 1:49 : Ps. 71:19; 126:2, 3
  39. Luke 1:49 : Ps. 99:3; 111:9; Isa. 57:15
  40. Luke 1:50 : Deut. 5:10; 7:9; Ps. 89:1, 2; 103:17
  41. Luke 1:51 : Ps. 89:10; 98:1; 118:16; Isa. 51:9
  42. Luke 1:51 : Dan. 4:37; See James 4:6
  43. Luke 1:52 : [See ver. 51 above]; Ps. 89:10; 98:1; 118:16; Isa. 51:9
  44. Luke 1:52 : Job 5:11; Ps. 75:7; 107:40, 41; 113:7, 8; 147:6; Ezek. 21:26; [James 4:10]
  45. Luke 1:53 : Ps. 34:10; 107:9; [ch. 6:21, 24, 25]
  46. Luke 1:53 : Job 22:9
  47. Luke 1:54 : Isa. 41:8, 9; Heb. 2:16
  48. Luke 1:54 : Isa. 44:21; 49:3
  49. Luke 1:54 : Ps. 98:3; Mic. 7:20; [ver. 72, 73]
  50. Luke 1:55 : Gen. 17:19; Ps. 132:11; Gal. 3:16
  51. Luke 1:55 : [See ver. 54 above]; Ps. 98:3; Mic. 7:20; [ver. 72, 73]
English Standard Version (ESV)

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

Psalm 57

Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth

To the choirmaster: according to (A)Do Not Destroy. A (B)Miktam[a] of David, when he fled from Saul, in (C)the cave.

57 (D)Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul (E)takes refuge;
in (F)the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
(G)till the storms of destruction pass by.
I cry out to God Most High,
to God who (H)fulfills his purpose for me.
(I)He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame (J)him who tramples on me. Selah
(K)God will send out (L)his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

My soul is in the midst of (M)lions;
I lie down amid fiery beasts—
the children of man, whose (N)teeth are spears and arrows,
whose (O)tongues are sharp swords.

(P)Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!

They set (Q)a net for my steps;
my soul was (R)bowed down.
They (S)dug a pit in my way,
but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah
(T)My heart is (U)steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
(V)Awake, (W)my glory![b]
Awake, (X)O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10 For your (Y)steadfast love is great to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.

11 (Z)Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 57:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
  2. Psalm 57:8 Or my whole being
English Standard Version (ESV)

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

Proverbs 11:9-11

With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 (A)When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but (B)by the mouth of the wicked (C)it is overthrown.

English Standard Version (ESV)

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