tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84574870053530436782024-03-14T03:42:51.136-05:00Serious About This LifeBrian's thoughts about life and the pursuit of Faith, Family, and Friends.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.comBlogger313125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-90740876504320462122018-09-27T09:26:00.000-05:002018-09-27T09:26:09.896-05:00The Gospel of JOHN - Chapter 1<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">John 1</span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> NLT</span></h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word</span></h3>
<br />
1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.<br />
<br />
2 He existed in the beginning with God.<br />
<br />
3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.<br />
<br />
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,<br />
and his life brought light to everyone.<br />
<br />
5 The light shines in the darkness,<br />
and the darkness can never extinguish it.<br />
<br />
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.<br />
<br />
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.<br />
<br />
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.<br />
<br />
15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”<br />
<br />
16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Testimony of John the Baptist</span></h3>
<br />
19 This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”<br />
<br />
21 “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”<br />
<br />
“No,” he replied.<br />
<br />
“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”<br />
<br />
“No.”<br />
<br />
22 “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”<br />
<br />
23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:<br />
<br />
“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness,<br />
<br />
‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”<br />
<br />
24 Then the Pharisees who had been sent asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”<br />
<br />
26 John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”<br />
<br />
28 This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Jesus, the Lamb of God</span></h3>
<br />
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”<br />
<br />
32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God. ”<br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The First Disciples</span></h3>
<br />
35 The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.<br />
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38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.<br />
<br />
They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”<br />
<br />
39 “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.<br />
<br />
40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ” ).<br />
<br />
42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter” ).<br />
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43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.<br />
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45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”<br />
<br />
46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”<br />
<br />
“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.<br />
<br />
47 As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”<br />
<br />
48 “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.<br />
<br />
Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”<br />
<br />
49 Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”<br />
<br />
50 Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth. ”<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-68099377869875771702018-09-26T12:13:00.000-05:002018-09-26T12:13:16.976-05:00Ephesians 4<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Ephesians 4</h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />UNITY IN THE BODY</span></h3>
1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.<br />
<br />
7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift* through the generosity of Christ.8 That is why the Scriptures say,<br />
<br />
"When he ascended to the heights,<br />
he led a crowd of captives<br />
and gave gifts to his people."*<br />
<br />
9 Notice that it says "he ascended." This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.*10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.<br />
<br />
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.12 Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.<br />
<br />
14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">LIVING AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT</span></h3>
17 With the Lord's authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.<br />
<br />
20 But that isn't what you learned about Christ.21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.<br />
<br />
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.26 And "don't sin by letting anger control you."* Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry,27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.<br />
<br />
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.29 Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.<br />
<br />
30 And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,* guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.<br />
<br />
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-79172538801350124882018-09-17T12:56:00.000-05:002018-09-17T12:56:30.734-05:00Psalm 51<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Psalm 51</h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.</span></h3>
<br />
1 Have mercy on me, O God,<br />
<br />
because of your unfailing love.<br />
<br />
Because of your great compassion,<br />
<br />
blot out the stain of my sins.<br />
<br />
2 Wash me clean from my guilt.<br />
<br />
Purify me from my sin.<br />
<br />
3 For I recognize my rebellion;<br />
<br />
it haunts me day and night.<br />
<br />
4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;<br />
<br />
I have done what is evil in your sight.<br />
<br />
You will be proved right in what you say,<br />
<br />
and your judgment against me is just.<br />
<br />
5 For I was born a sinner—<br />
<br />
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.<br />
<br />
6 But you desire honesty from the womb,<br />
<br />
teaching me wisdom even there.<br />
<br />
7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;<br />
<br />
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.<br />
<br />
8 Oh, give me back my joy again;<br />
<br />
you have broken me—<br />
<br />
now let me rejoice.<br />
<br />
9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.<br />
<br />
Remove the stain of my guilt.<br />
<br />
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.<br />
<br />
Renew a loyal spirit within me.<br />
<br />
11 Do not banish me from your presence,<br />
<br />
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.<br />
<br />
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,<br />
<br />
and make me willing to obey you.<br />
<br />
13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels,<br />
<br />
and they will return to you.<br />
<br />
14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;<br />
<br />
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.<br />
<br />
15 Unseal my lips, O Lord,<br />
<br />
that my mouth may praise you.<br />
<br />
16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.<br />
<br />
You do not want a burnt offering.<br />
<br />
17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.<br />
<br />
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.<br />
<br />
18 Look with favor on Zion and help her;<br />
<br />
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.<br />
<br />
19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—<br />
<br />
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.<br />
<br />
Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-82694603102375587572018-09-17T12:49:00.000-05:002018-09-17T12:49:19.274-05:00Ephesians 3<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Ephesians 3</h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />GOD'S MYSTERIOUS PLAN REVEALED</span></h3>
1 When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles* . . .2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles.3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me.4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ.5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.<br />
<br />
6 And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.*7 <b><i>By God's grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.</i></b><br />
<br />
8 Though I am the least deserving of all God's people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.9 I was chosen to explain to everyone* this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.<br />
<br />
10 God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.<br />
<br />
12 Because of Christ and our faith in him,* we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence.13 So please don't lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">PAUL'S PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH</span></h3>
14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,*15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.*16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.<br />
<br />
20 <b><i>Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think</i></b>.21 <b><i>Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! </i></b><br />
<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-64474472720994919082018-09-14T08:15:00.001-05:002018-09-14T08:15:23.946-05:00Psalm 50<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Psalm 50</h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />A PSALM OF ASAPH.</span></h3>
1 The LORD, the Mighty One, is God,<br />
and he has spoken;<br />
he has summoned all humanity<br />
from where the sun rises to where it sets.<br />
<br />
2 From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty,<br />
God shines in glorious radiance.<br />
<br />
3 Our God approaches,<br />
and he is not silent.<br />
Fire devours everything in his way,<br />
and a great storm rages around him.<br />
<br />
4 He calls on the heavens above and earth below<br />
to witness the judgment of his people.<br />
<br />
5 "Bring my faithful people to me—<br />
those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices."<br />
<br />
6 Then let the heavens proclaim his justice,<br />
for God himself will be the judge. <br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Interlude</span></h3>
<br />
7 "O my people, listen as I speak.<br />
Here are my charges against you, O Israel:<br />
I am God, your God!<br />
<br />
8 I have no complaint about your sacrifices<br />
or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.<br />
<br />
9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns<br />
or the goats from your pens.<br />
<br />
10 For all the animals of the forest are mine,<br />
and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.<br />
<br />
11 I know every bird on the mountains,<br />
and all the animals of the field are mine.<br />
<br />
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you,<br />
for all the world is mine and everything in it.<br />
<br />
13 Do I eat the meat of bulls?<br />
Do I drink the blood of goats?<br />
<br />
14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,<br />
and keep the vows you made to the Most High.<br />
<br />
15 Then call on me when you are in trouble,<br />
and I will rescue you,<br />
and you will give me glory."<br />
<br />
<br />
16 But God says to the wicked:<br />
"Why bother reciting my decrees<br />
and pretending to obey my covenant?<br />
<br />
17 For you refuse my discipline<br />
and treat my words like trash.<br />
<br />
18 When you see thieves, you approve of them,<br />
and you spend your time with adulterers.<br />
<br />
19 Your mouth is filled with wickedness,<br />
and your tongue is full of lies.<br />
<br />
20 You sit around and slander your brother—<br />
your own mother's son.<br />
<br />
21 While you did all this, I remained silent,<br />
and you thought I didn't care.<br />
But now I will rebuke you,<br />
listing all my charges against you.<br />
<br />
22 Repent, all of you who forget me,<br />
or I will tear you apart,<br />
and no one will help you.<br />
<br />
23 But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.<br />
If you keep to my path,<br />
I will reveal to you the salvation of God."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-79725357867832381802018-09-14T08:08:00.000-05:002018-09-14T08:08:57.355-05:00Ephesians 1<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Ephesians 1</h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">GREETINGS FROM PAUL</span></h3>
1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.<br />
<br />
I am writing to God's holy people in Ephesus,* who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.<br />
<br />
2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS</span></h3>
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.*7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.<br />
<br />
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure.10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God,* for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.<br />
<br />
12 God's purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own* by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.14 The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">PAUL'S PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL WISDOM</span></h3>
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God's people everywhere,*16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom* and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.*<br />
<br />
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-65686371619445599262018-09-13T10:03:00.001-05:002018-09-13T10:03:46.883-05:00Psalm 49<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Psalm 49</h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">FOR THE CHOIR DIRECTOR: A PSALM OF THE DESCENDANTS OF KORAH.</span></h3>
1 Listen to this, all you people!<br />
Pay attention, everyone in the world!<br />
2 High and low,<br />
rich and poor—listen!<br />
3 For my words are wise,<br />
and my thoughts are filled with insight.<br />
4 I listen carefully to many proverbs<br />
and solve riddles with inspiration from a harp.<br />
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5 Why should I fear when trouble comes,<br />
when enemies surround me?<br />
6 They trust in their wealth<br />
and boast of great riches.<br />
7 Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death*<br />
by paying a ransom to God.<br />
8 Redemption does not come so easily,<br />
for no one can ever pay enough<br />
9 to live forever<br />
and never see the grave.<br />
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10 Those who are wise must finally die,<br />
just like the foolish and senseless,<br />
leaving all their wealth behind.<br />
11 The grave is their eternal home,<br />
where they will stay forever.<br />
They may name their estates after themselves,<br />
12 but their fame will not last.<br />
They will die, just like animals.<br />
13 This is the fate of fools,<br />
though they are remembered as being wise.* <br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Interlude</span></h3>
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14 Like sheep, they are led to the grave,*<br />
where death will be their shepherd.<br />
In the morning the godly will rule over them.<br />
Their bodies will rot in the grave,<br />
far from their grand estates.<br />
15 But as for me, God will redeem my life.<br />
He will snatch me from the power of the grave. <br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Interlude</span></h3>
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16 So don't be dismayed when the wicked grow rich<br />
and their homes become ever more splendid.<br />
17 For when they die, they take nothing with them.<br />
Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.<br />
18 In this life they consider themselves fortunate<br />
and are applauded for their success.<br />
19 But they will die like all before them<br />
and never again see the light of day.<br />
20 People who boast of their wealth don't understand;<br />
they will die, just like animals.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-33422365483732931782018-09-13T09:43:00.000-05:002018-09-13T09:43:25.428-05:00Malachi 4<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Malachi 4</h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE COMING DAY OF JUDGMENT</span></h3>
1 *The LORD of Heaven's Armies says, "The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.<br />
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2 "But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.* And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.3 On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.<br />
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4 "Remember to obey the Law of Moses, my servant—all the decrees and regulations that I gave him on Mount Sinai* for all Israel.<br />
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5 "Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the LORD arrives.6 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse."<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-35562232303895156522018-09-12T15:46:00.000-05:002018-09-12T15:46:49.187-05:00Malachi 3<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Malachi 3</h2>
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<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE COMING DAY OF JUDGMENT</span></h3>
1 "Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.<br />
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2 "But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes.3 He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD.4 Then once more the LORD will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.<br />
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5 "At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A CALL TO REPENTANCE</span></h3>
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6 "I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.7 Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.<br />
"But you ask, 'How can we return when we have never gone away?'<br />
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8 "Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!<br />
"But you ask, 'What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?'<br />
"You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease.* Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.12 "Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.<br />
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13 "You have said terrible things about me," says the LORD.<br />
"But you say, 'What do you mean? What have we said against you?'<br />
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14 "You have said, 'What's the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the LORD of Heaven's Armies that we are sorry for our sins?15 From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.'"<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">THE LORD's Promise of Mercy</span></h3>
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16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.<br />
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17 "They will be my people," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. "On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.18 Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not."<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-9570969484674226302018-09-11T15:38:00.000-05:002018-09-11T15:38:18.876-05:00Malachi 2<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Malachi 2</span></h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />A WARNING TO THE PRIESTS</span></h3>
1 "Listen, you priests—this command is for you!2 Listen to me and make up your minds to honor my name," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "or I will bring a terrible curse against you. I will curse even the blessings you receive. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you have not taken my warning to heart.3 I will punish your descendants and splatter your faces with the manure from your festival sacrifices, and I will throw you on the manure pile.4 Then at last you will know it was I who sent you this warning so that my covenant with the Levites can continue," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.<br />
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5 "The purpose of my covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace, and that is what I gave them. This required reverence from them, and they greatly revered me and stood in awe of my name.6 They passed on to the people the truth of the instructions they received from me. They did not lie or cheat; they walked with me, living good and righteous lives, and they turned many from lives of sin.<br />
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7 "The words of a priest's lips should preserve knowledge of God, and people should go to him for instruction, for the priest is the messenger of the LORD of Heaven's Armies.8 But you priests have left God's paths. Your instructions have caused many to stumble into sin. You have corrupted the covenant I made with the Levites," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.9 "So I have made you despised and humiliated in the eyes of all the people. For you have not obeyed me but have shown favoritism in the way you carry out my instructions."<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />A CALL TO FAITHFULNESS</span></h3>
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10 Are we not all children of the same Father? Are we not all created by the same God? Then why do we betray each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors?<br />
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11 Judah has been unfaithful, and a detestable thing has been done in Israel and in Jerusalem. The men of Judah have defiled the LORD's beloved sanctuary by marrying women who worship idols.12 May the LORD cut off from the nation of Israel* every last man who has done this and yet brings an offering to the LORD of Heaven's Armies.<br />
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13 Here is another thing you do. You cover the LORD's altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn't accept them with pleasure.14 You cry out, "Why doesn't the LORD accept my worship?" I'll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.<br />
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15 Didn't the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his.* And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.16 "For I hate divorce!" says the LORD, the God of Israel. "To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,*" says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. "So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife."<br />
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17 You have wearied the LORD with your words.<br />
"How have we wearied him?" you ask.<br />
You have wearied him by saying that all who do evil are good in the LORD's sight, and he is pleased with them. You have wearied him by asking, "Where is the God of justice?"<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-32738460403839006902018-09-10T10:28:00.001-05:002018-09-10T10:28:45.709-05:00Malachi 1<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Malachi 1</u></span></h2>
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1 This is the message* that the LORD gave to Israel through the prophet Malachi.*<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE LORD's Love for Israel</span></h3>
2 "I have always loved you," says the LORD.<br />
But you retort, "Really? How have you loved us?"<br />
And the LORD replies, "This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob,3 but I rejected his brother, Esau, and devastated his hill country. I turned Esau's inheritance into a desert for jackals."<br />
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4 Esau's descendants in Edom may say, "We have been shattered, but we will rebuild the ruins."<br />
But the LORD of Heaven's Armies replies, "They may try to rebuild, but I will demolish them again. Their country will be known as 'The Land of Wickedness,' and their people will be called 'The People with Whom the LORD Is Forever Angry.'5 When you see the destruction for yourselves, you will say, 'Truly, the LORD's greatness reaches far beyond Israel's borders!'"<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">UNWORTHY SACRIFICES</span></h3>
6 The LORD of Heaven's Armies says to the priests: "A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name!<br />
"But you ask, 'How have we ever shown contempt for your name?'<br />
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7 "You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar.<br />
"Then you ask, 'How have we defiled the sacrifices?*'<br />
"You defile them by saying the altar of the LORD deserves no respect.8 When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn't that wrong? And isn't it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!" says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.<br />
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9 "Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you! But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all?" asks the LORD of Heaven's Armies.<br />
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10 "How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "and I will not accept your offerings.11 But my name is honored* by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer* sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.<br />
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12 "But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it's all right to defile the Lord's table.13 You say, 'It's too hard to serve the LORD,' and you turn up your noses at my commands," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. "Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?" asks the LORD.<br />
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14 "<span style="background-color: yellow;">Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,</span>" says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "<span style="background-color: yellow;">and my name is feared among the nations!</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-58948015130446197682018-09-07T14:48:00.000-05:002018-09-07T14:48:06.998-05:00Psalm 48<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Psalm 48</h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />A SONG. A PSALM OF THE DESCENDANTS OF KORAH.</span></h3>
1 How great is the LORD,<br />
how deserving of praise,<br />
in the city of our God,<br />
which sits on his holy mountain!<br />
2 It is high and magnificent;<br />
the whole earth rejoices to see it!<br />
Mount Zion, the holy mountain,*<br />
is the city of the great King!<br />
3 God himself is in Jerusalem's towers,<br />
revealing himself as its defender.<br />
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4 The kings of the earth joined forces<br />
and advanced against the city.<br />
5 But when they saw it, they were stunned;<br />
they were terrified and ran away.<br />
6 They were gripped with terror<br />
and writhed in pain like a woman in labor.<br />
7 You destroyed them like the mighty ships of Tarshish<br />
shattered by a powerful east wind.<br />
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8 We had heard of the city's glory,<br />
but now we have seen it ourselves—<br />
the city of the LORD of Heaven's Armies.<br />
It is the city of our God;<br />
he will make it safe forever. Interlude<br />
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9 O God, we meditate on your unfailing love<br />
as we worship in your Temple.<br />
10 As your name deserves, O God,<br />
you will be praised to the ends of the earth.<br />
Your strong right hand is filled with victory.<br />
11 Let the people on Mount Zion rejoice.<br />
Let all the towns of Judah be glad<br />
because of your justice.<br />
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12 Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem.*<br />
Walk around and count the many towers.<br />
13 Take note of the fortified walls,<br />
and tour all the citadels,<br />
that you may describe them<br />
to future generations.<br />
14 For that is what God is like.<br />
He is our God forever and ever,<br />
and he will guide us until we die.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-33982933246824008282018-09-07T14:43:00.001-05:002018-09-07T14:43:16.205-05:00Proverbs 31<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Proverbs 31</h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">THE SAYINGS OF KING LEMUEL</span></h3>
1 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message,* which his mother taught him.<br />
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2 O my son, O son of my womb,<br />
O son of my vows,<br />
3 do not waste your strength on women,<br />
on those who ruin kings.<br />
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4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine.<br />
Rulers should not crave alcohol.<br />
5 For if they drink, they may forget the law<br />
and not give justice to the oppressed.<br />
6 Alcohol is for the dying,<br />
and wine for those in bitter distress.<br />
7 Let them drink to forget their poverty<br />
and remember their troubles no more.<br />
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8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;<br />
ensure justice for those being crushed.<br />
9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,<br />
and see that they get justice.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">A WIFE OF NOBLE CHARACTER</span></h3>
10 *Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?<br />
She is more precious than rubies.<br />
11 Her husband can trust her,<br />
and she will greatly enrich his life.<br />
12 She brings him good, not harm,<br />
all the days of her life.<br />
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13 She finds wool and flax<br />
and busily spins it.<br />
14 She is like a merchant's ship,<br />
bringing her food from afar.<br />
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household<br />
and plan the day's work for her servant girls.<br />
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16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;<br />
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.<br />
17 She is energetic and strong,<br />
a hard worker.<br />
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;<br />
her lamp burns late into the night.<br />
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19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,<br />
her fingers twisting fiber.<br />
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor<br />
and opens her arms to the needy.<br />
21 She has no fear of winter for her household,<br />
for everyone has warm* clothes.<br />
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22 She makes her own bedspreads.<br />
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.<br />
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,<br />
where he sits with the other civic leaders.<br />
24 She makes belted linen garments<br />
and sashes to sell to the merchants.<br />
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25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,<br />
and she laughs without fear of the future.<br />
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,<br />
and she gives instructions with kindness.<br />
27 She carefully watches everything in her household<br />
and suffers nothing from laziness.<br />
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28 Her children stand and bless her.<br />
Her husband praises her:<br />
29 "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,<br />
but you surpass them all!"<br />
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30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;<br />
but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.<br />
31 Reward her for all she has done.<br />
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-44790168891323554922018-09-03T18:17:00.000-05:002018-09-03T18:17:20.572-05:00Proverbs 30<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Proverbs 30</u></span></h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">THE SAYINGS OF AGUR</span></h3>
1 The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh contain this message.*<br />
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I am weary, O God;<br />
I am weary and worn out, O God.*<br />
2 I am too stupid to be human,<br />
and I lack common sense.<br />
3 I have not mastered human wisdom,<br />
nor do I know the Holy One.<br />
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4 Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down?<br />
Who holds the wind in his fists?<br />
Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak?<br />
Who has created the whole wide world?<br />
What is his name—and his son's name?<br />
Tell me if you know!<br />
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5<b><i> Every word of God proves true.</i></b><br />
<b><i> He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.</i></b><br />
6 Do not add to his words,<br />
or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.<br />
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7 O God, I beg two favors from you;<br />
let me have them before I die.<br />
8 First, help me never to tell a lie.<br />
Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!<br />
Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.<br />
9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, "Who is the LORD?"<br />
And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God's holy name.<br />
<br />
10 Never slander a worker to the employer,<br />
or the person will curse you, and you will pay for it.<br />
<br />
11 Some people curse their father<br />
and do not thank their mother.<br />
12 They are pure in their own eyes,<br />
but they are filthy and unwashed.<br />
13 They look proudly around,<br />
casting disdainful glances.<br />
14 They have teeth like swords<br />
and fangs like knives.<br />
They devour the poor from the earth<br />
and the needy from among humanity.<br />
<br />
15 The leech has two suckers<br />
that cry out, "More, more!"*<br />
<br />
There are three things that are never satisfied—<br />
no, four that never say, "Enough!":<br />
16 the grave,*<br />
the barren womb,<br />
the thirsty desert,<br />
the blazing fire.<br />
<br />
17 The eye that mocks a father<br />
and despises a mother's instructions<br />
will be plucked out by ravens of the valley<br />
and eaten by vultures.<br />
<br />
18 There are three things that amaze me—<br />
no, four things that I don't understand:<br />
19 how an eagle glides through the sky,<br />
how a snake slithers on a rock,<br />
how a ship navigates the ocean,<br />
how a man loves a woman.<br />
<br />
20 An adulterous woman consumes a man,<br />
then wipes her mouth and says, "What's wrong with that?"<br />
<br />
21 There are three things that make the earth tremble—<br />
no, four it cannot endure:<br />
22 a slave who becomes a king,<br />
an overbearing fool who prospers,<br />
23 a bitter woman who finally gets a husband,<br />
a servant girl who supplants her mistress.<br />
<br />
24 There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise:<br />
25 Ants—they aren't strong,<br />
but they store up food all summer.<br />
26 Hyraxes*—they aren't powerful,<br />
but they make their homes among the rocks.<br />
27 Locusts—they have no king,<br />
but they march in formation.<br />
28 Lizards—they are easy to catch,<br />
but they are found even in kings' palaces.<br />
<br />
29 There are three things that walk with stately stride—<br />
no, four that strut about:<br />
30 the lion, king of animals, who won't turn aside for anything,<br />
31 the strutting rooster,<br />
the male goat,<br />
a king as he leads his army.<br />
<br />
32 If you have been a fool by being proud or plotting evil,<br />
cover your mouth in shame.<br />
<br />
33 As the beating of cream yields butter<br />
and striking the nose causes bleeding,<br />
so stirring up anger causes quarrels.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-4260255411420536352018-09-02T18:32:00.002-05:002018-09-02T18:32:19.210-05:00Proverbs 29<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Proverbs 29</u></span></h2>
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<br />
1 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism<br />
will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.<br />
<br />
2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.<br />
But when the wicked are in power, they groan.<br />
<br />
3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,<br />
but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.<br />
<br />
4 A just king gives stability to his nation,<br />
but one who demands bribes destroys it.<br />
<br />
5 To flatter friends<br />
is to lay a trap for their feet.<br />
<br />
6 Evil people are trapped by sin,<br />
but the righteous escape, shouting for joy.<br />
<br />
7 The godly care about the rights of the poor;<br />
the wicked don't care at all.<br />
<br />
8 Mockers can get a whole town agitated,<br />
but the wise will calm anger.<br />
<br />
9 If a wise person takes a fool to court,<br />
there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.<br />
<br />
10 The bloodthirsty hate blameless people,<br />
but the upright seek to help them.*<br />
<br />
11<b><i> Fools vent their anger,</i></b><br />
<b><i> but the wise quietly hold it back.</i></b><br />
<br />
12 If a ruler pays attention to liars,<br />
all his advisers will be wicked.<br />
<br />
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common—<br />
the LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.<br />
<br />
14 If a king judges the poor fairly,<br />
his throne will last forever.<br />
<br />
15 To discipline a child produces wisdom,<br />
but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.<br />
<br />
16 When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes,<br />
but the godly will live to see their downfall.<br />
<br />
17 <b>Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind</b><br />
<b> and will make your heart glad.</b><br />
<br />
18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.<br />
But whoever obeys the law is joyful.<br />
<br />
19 Words alone will not discipline a servant;<br />
the words may be understood, but they are not heeded.<br />
<br />
20 There is more hope for a fool<br />
than for someone who speaks without thinking.<br />
<br />
21 A servant pampered from childhood<br />
will become a rebel.<br />
<br />
22 An angry person starts fights;<br />
a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.<br />
<br />
23<b> Pride ends in humiliation,</b><br />
<b> while humility brings honor.</b><br />
<br />
24 If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself.<br />
You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify.<br />
<br />
25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap,<br />
but trusting the LORD means safety.<br />
<br />
26 Many seek the ruler's favor,<br />
but justice comes from the LORD.<br />
<br />
27 The righteous despise the unjust;<br />
the wicked despise the godly.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-77317432470749961652018-09-01T13:58:00.000-05:002018-09-01T13:58:39.258-05:00Proverbs 28<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Proverbs 28</u></span></h2>
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<br />
1 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,<br />
but the godly are as bold as lions.<br />
<br />
2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.<br />
But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.<br />
<br />
3 A poor person who oppresses the poor<br />
is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.<br />
<br />
4 To reject the law is to praise the wicked;<br />
to obey the law is to fight them.<br />
<br />
5 Evil people don't understand justice,<br />
but those who follow the LORD understand completely.<br />
<br />
6 Better to be poor and honest<br />
than to be dishonest and rich.<br />
<br />
7 Young people who obey the law are wise;<br />
those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.*<br />
<br />
8 Income from charging high interest rates<br />
will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.<br />
<br />
9 God detests the prayers<br />
of a person who ignores the law.<br />
<br />
10 Those who lead good people along an evil path<br />
will fall into their own trap,<br />
but the honest will inherit good things.<br />
<br />
11 Rich people may think they are wise,<br />
but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.<br />
<br />
12 When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.<br />
When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.<br />
<br />
13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper,<br />
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.<br />
<br />
14 Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,*<br />
but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.<br />
<br />
15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor<br />
as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.<br />
<br />
16 A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,<br />
but one who hates corruption will have a long life.<br />
<br />
17 A murderer's tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.<br />
Don't protect him!<br />
<br />
18 The blameless will be rescued from harm,<br />
but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.<br />
<br />
19 A hard worker has plenty of food,<br />
but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.<br />
<br />
20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,<br />
but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.<br />
<br />
21 Showing partiality is never good,<br />
yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.<br />
<br />
22 Greedy people try to get rich quick<br />
but don't realize they're headed for poverty.<br />
<br />
23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism<br />
far more than flattery.<br />
<br />
24 Anyone who steals from his father and mother<br />
and says, "What's wrong with that?"<br />
is no better than a murderer.<br />
<br />
25 <b><i>Greed causes fighting;</i></b><br />
<b><i> trusting the LORD leads to prosperity.</i></b><br />
<br />
26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish,<br />
but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.<br />
<br />
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,<br />
but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.<br />
<br />
28 When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.<br />
When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-14682923290661219462018-08-31T16:33:00.000-05:002018-08-31T16:33:19.888-05:00II John<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">II John</span></b></u></h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">GREETINGS</span></h3>
1 This letter is from John, the elder.*<br />
I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children,* whom I love in the truth—as does everyone else who knows the truth—2 because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever.<br />
<br />
3 Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">LIVE IN THE TRUTH</span></h3>
4 How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded.<br />
<br />
5 I am writing to remind you, dear friends,* that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning.6 Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.<br />
<br />
7 I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came* in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist.8 Watch out that you do not lose what we* have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward.9 Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.<br />
<br />
10 If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don't invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement.11 Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />CONCLUSION</span></h3>
12 I have much more to say to you, but I don't want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.<br />
<br />
13 Greetings from the children of your sister,* chosen by God.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-49114013992154558442018-08-31T15:54:00.001-05:002018-08-31T15:54:14.737-05:00Proverbs 27<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Proverbs 27</u></span></h2>
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<br />
1 Don't brag about tomorrow,<br />
since you don't know what the day will bring.<br />
<br />
2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—<br />
a stranger, not your own lips.<br />
<br />
3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,<br />
but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier.<br />
<br />
4 Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood,<br />
but jealousy is even more dangerous.<br />
<br />
5 An open rebuke<br />
is better than hidden love!<br />
<br />
6 <i>Wounds from a sincere friend</i><br />
<i> are better than many kisses from an enemy.</i><br />
<br />
7 A person who is full refuses honey,<br />
but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry.<br />
<br />
8 A person who strays from home<br />
is like a bird that strays from its nest.<br />
<br />
9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend<br />
is as sweet as perfume and incense.<br />
<br />
10 Never abandon a friend— either yours or your father's.<br />
When disaster strikes, you won't have to ask your brother for assistance.<br />
It's better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away.<br />
<br />
11 Be wise, my child,* and make my heart glad.<br />
Then I will be able to answer my critics.<br />
<br />
12 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.<br />
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.<br />
<br />
13 Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger's debt.<br />
Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.*<br />
<br />
14 A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning<br />
will be taken as a curse!<br />
<br />
15 A quarrelsome wife is as annoying<br />
as constant dripping on a rainy day.<br />
16 Stopping her complaints is like trying to stop the wind<br />
or trying to hold something with greased hands.<br />
<br />
17<b><i> As iron sharpens iron,</i></b><br />
<b><i> so a friend sharpens a friend.</i></b><br />
<br />
18 As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit,<br />
so workers who protect their employer's interests will be rewarded.<br />
<br />
19 As a face is reflected in water,<br />
so the heart reflects the real person.<br />
<br />
20 Just as Death and Destruction* are never satisfied,<br />
so human desire is never satisfied.<br />
<br />
21 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,<br />
but a person is tested by being praised.*<br />
<br />
22 <b>You cannot separate fools from their foolishness,</b><br />
<b> even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle.</b><br />
<br />
23 Know the state of your flocks,<br />
and put your heart into caring for your herds,<br />
24 for riches don't last forever,<br />
and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.<br />
25 After the hay is harvested and the new crop appears<br />
and the mountain grasses are gathered in,<br />
26 your sheep will provide wool for clothing,<br />
and your goats will provide the price of a field.<br />
27 And you will have enough goats' milk for yourself,<br />
your family, and your servant girls.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-38182091451441212652018-08-29T11:55:00.001-05:002018-08-29T11:55:59.526-05:00Proverbs 26<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Proverbs 26</u></span></h2>
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<br />
1 Honor is no more associated with fools<br />
than snow with summer or rain with harvest.<br />
<br />
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,<br />
an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.<br />
<br />
3 Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle,<br />
and a fool with a rod to his back!<br />
<br />
4 Don't answer the foolish arguments of fools,<br />
or you will become as foolish as they are.<br />
<br />
5 Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools,<br />
or they will become wise in their own estimation.<br />
<br />
6 Trusting a fool to convey a message<br />
is like cutting off one's feet or drinking poison!<br />
<br />
7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool<br />
is as useless as a paralyzed leg.<br />
<br />
8 Honoring a fool<br />
is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot.<br />
<br />
9 A proverb in the mouth of a fool<br />
is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk.<br />
<br />
10 An employer who hires a fool or a bystander<br />
is like an archer who shoots at random.<br />
<br />
11 As a dog returns to its vomit,<br />
so a fool repeats his foolishness.<br />
<br />
12 There is more hope for fools<br />
than for people who think they are wise.<br />
<br />
13 The lazy person claims, "There's a lion on the road!<br />
Yes, I'm sure there's a lion out there!"<br />
<br />
14 As a door swings back and forth on its hinges,<br />
so the lazy person turns over in bed.<br />
<br />
15 Lazy people take food in their hand<br />
but don't even lift it to their mouth.<br />
<br />
16 Lazy people consider themselves smarter<br />
than seven wise counselors.<br />
<br />
17 Interfering in someone else's argument<br />
is as foolish as yanking a dog's ears.<br />
<br />
18 Just as damaging<br />
as a madman shooting a deadly weapon<br />
19 is someone who lies to a friend<br />
and then says, "I was only joking."<br />
<br />
20 Fire goes out without wood,<br />
and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.<br />
<br />
21 A quarrelsome person starts fights<br />
as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.<br />
<br />
22 Rumors are dainty morsels<br />
that sink deep into one's heart.<br />
<br />
23 Smooth* words may hide a wicked heart,<br />
just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.<br />
<br />
24 People may cover their hatred with pleasant words,<br />
but they're deceiving you.<br />
25 They pretend to be kind, but don't believe them.<br />
Their hearts are full of many evils.*<br />
26 While their hatred may be concealed by trickery,<br />
their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.<br />
<br />
27 If you set a trap for others,<br />
you will get caught in it yourself.<br />
If you roll a boulder down on others,<br />
it will crush you instead.<br />
<br />
28 A lying tongue hates its victims,<br />
and flattering words cause ruin.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-44455447383430653302018-08-28T15:45:00.001-05:002018-08-28T15:45:51.376-05:00Proverbs 25<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Proverbs 25</u></span></h2>
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<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />MORE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON</span></h3>
<br />
1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.<br />
<br />
2 It is God's privilege to conceal things<br />
and the king's privilege to discover them.<br />
<br />
3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth,<br />
or all that goes on in the king's mind!<br />
<br />
4 Remove the impurities from silver,<br />
and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.<br />
5 Remove the wicked from the king's court,<br />
and his reign will be made secure by justice.<br />
<br />
6 Don't demand an audience with the king<br />
or push for a place among the great.<br />
7 It's better to wait for an invitation to the head table<br />
than to be sent away in public disgrace.<br />
<br />
Just because you've seen something,<br />
8 don't be in a hurry to go to court.<br />
For what will you do in the end<br />
if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?<br />
<br />
9 When arguing with your neighbor,<br />
don't betray another person's secret.<br />
10 Others may accuse you of gossip,<br />
and you will never regain your good reputation.<br />
<br />
11 Timely advice is lovely,<br />
like golden apples in a silver basket.<br />
<br />
12 To one who listens, valid criticism<br />
is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.<br />
<br />
13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.<br />
They revive the spirit of their employer.<br />
<br />
14 A person who promises a gift but doesn't give it<br />
is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.<br />
<br />
15 Patience can persuade a prince,<br />
and soft speech can break bones.<br />
<br />
16 Do you like honey?<br />
Don't eat too much, or it will make you sick!<br />
<br />
17 Don't visit your neighbors too often,<br />
or you will wear out your welcome.<br />
<br />
18 Telling lies about others<br />
is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,<br />
wounding them with a sword,<br />
or shooting them with a sharp arrow.<br />
<br />
19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble<br />
is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.<br />
<br />
20 Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart<br />
is like taking someone's coat in cold weather<br />
or pouring vinegar in a wound.*<br />
<br />
21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.<br />
If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.<br />
22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,<br />
and the LORD will reward you.<br />
<br />
23 As surely as a north wind brings rain,<br />
so a gossiping tongue causes anger!<br />
<br />
24 It's better to live alone in the corner of an attic<br />
than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.<br />
<br />
25 Good news from far away<br />
is like cold water to the thirsty.<br />
<br />
26 If the godly give in to the wicked,<br />
it's like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.<br />
<br />
27 It's not good to eat too much honey,<br />
and it's not good to seek honors for yourself.<br />
<br />
28 A person without self-control<br />
is like a city with broken-down walls.<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-53615330275448765772018-08-27T20:06:00.001-05:002018-08-27T20:06:04.827-05:00Proverbs 24<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Proverbs 24</u></span></h2>
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1 Don't envy evil people<br />
or desire their company.<br />
2 For their hearts plot violence,<br />
and their words always stir up trouble.<br />
<br />
3 A house is built by wisdom<br />
and becomes strong through good sense.<br />
4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled<br />
with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.<br />
<br />
5 The wise are mightier than the strong,*<br />
and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.<br />
6 So don't go to war without wise guidance;<br />
victory depends on having many advisers.<br />
<br />
7 Wisdom is too lofty for fools.<br />
Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say.<br />
<br />
8 A person who plans evil<br />
will get a reputation as a troublemaker.<br />
9 The schemes of a fool are sinful;<br />
everyone detests a mocker.<br />
<br />
10 If you fail under pressure,<br />
your strength is too small.<br />
<br />
11 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die;<br />
save them as they stagger to their death.<br />
12 Don't excuse yourself by saying, "Look, we didn't know."<br />
For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.<br />
He who guards your soul knows you knew.<br />
He will repay all people as their actions deserve.<br />
<br />
13 My child,* eat honey, for it is good,<br />
and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.<br />
14 In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.<br />
If you find it, you will have a bright future,<br />
and your hopes will not be cut short.<br />
<br />
15 Don't wait in ambush at the home of the godly,<br />
and don't raid the house where the godly live.<br />
16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.<br />
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.<br />
<br />
17 Don't rejoice when your enemies fall;<br />
don't be happy when they stumble.<br />
18 For the LORD will be displeased with you<br />
and will turn his anger away from them.<br />
<br />
19 Don't fret because of evildoers;<br />
don't envy the wicked.<br />
20 For evil people have no future;<br />
the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.<br />
<br />
21 My child, fear the LORD and the king.<br />
Don't associate with rebels,<br />
22 for disaster will hit them suddenly.<br />
Who knows what punishment will come<br />
from the LORD and the king?<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">MORE SAYINGS OF THE WISE</span></h3>
23 Here are some further sayings of the wise:<br />
<br />
It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.<br />
24 A judge who says to the wicked, "You are innocent,"<br />
will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations.<br />
25 But it will go well for those who convict the guilty;<br />
rich blessings will be showered on them.<br />
<br />
26 An honest answer<br />
is like a kiss of friendship.<br />
<br />
27 Do your planning and prepare your fields<br />
before building your house.<br />
<br />
28 Don't testify against your neighbors without cause;<br />
don't lie about them.<br />
29 And don't say, "Now I can pay them back for what they've done to me!<br />
I'll get even with them!"<br />
<br />
30 I walked by the field of a lazy person,<br />
the vineyard of one with no common sense.<br />
31 I saw that it was overgrown with nettles.<br />
It was covered with weeds,<br />
and its walls were broken down.<br />
32 Then, as I looked and thought about it,<br />
I learned this lesson:<br />
33 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,<br />
a little folding of the hands to rest—<br />
34 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;<br />
scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-42894706722582370112018-08-26T14:29:00.001-05:002018-08-26T14:29:29.640-05:00Daniel 12<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Daniel 12</u></span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">THE TIME OF THE END</span></h3>
1 "At that time Michael, the archangel* who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.4 But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase."<br />
<br />
5 Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing on opposite banks of the river.6 One of them asked the man dressed in linen, who was now standing above the river, "How long will it be until these shocking events are over?"<br />
<br />
7 The man dressed in linen, who was standing above the river, raised both his hands toward heaven and took a solemn oath by the One who lives forever, saying, "It will go on for a time, times, and half a time. When the shattering of the holy people has finally come to an end, all these things will have happened."<br />
<br />
8 I heard what he said, but I did not understand what he meant. So I asked, "How will all this finally end, my lord?"<br />
<br />
9 But he said, "Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is kept secret and sealed until the time of the end.10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials. But the wicked will continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will know what it means.<br />
<br />
11 "From the time the daily sacrifice is stopped and the sacrilegious object that causes desecration* is set up to be worshiped, there will be 1,290 days.12 And blessed are those who wait and remain until the end of the 1,335 days!<br />
<br />
13 "As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you."<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-1381942496427115982018-08-23T09:21:00.001-05:002018-08-23T09:21:59.978-05:00Daniel 11<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<u>Daniel 11</u></h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />KINGS OF THE SOUTH AND NORTH</span></h3>
2 "Now then, I will reveal the truth to you. Three more Persian kings will reign, to be succeeded by a fourth, far richer than the others. He will use his wealth to stir up everyone to fight against the kingdom of Greece.*<br />
<br />
3 "Then a mighty king will rise to power who will rule with great authority and accomplish everything he sets out to do.4 But at the height of his power, his kingdom will be broken apart and divided into four parts. It will not be ruled by the king's descendants, nor will the kingdom hold the authority it once had. For his empire will be uprooted and given to others.<br />
<br />
5 "The king of the south will increase in power, but one of his own officials will become more powerful than he and will rule his kingdom with great strength.<br />
<br />
6 "Some years later an alliance will be formed between the king of the north and the king of the south. The daughter of the king of the south will be given in marriage to the king of the north to secure the alliance, but she will lose her influence over him, and so will her father. She will be abandoned along with her supporters.7 But when one of her relatives* becomes king of the south, he will raise an army and enter the fortress of the king of the north and defeat him.8 When he returns to Egypt, he will carry back their idols with him, along with priceless articles of gold and silver. For some years afterward he will leave the king of the north alone.<br />
<br />
9 "Later the king of the north will invade the realm of the king of the south but will soon return to his own land.10 However, the sons of the king of the north will assemble a mighty army that will advance like a flood and carry the battle as far as the enemy's fortress.<br />
<br />
11 "Then, in a rage, the king of the south will rally against the vast forces assembled by the king of the north and will defeat them.12 After the enemy army is swept away, the king of the south will be filled with pride and will execute many thousands of his enemies. But his success will be short lived.<br />
<br />
13 "A few years later the king of the north will return with a fully equipped army far greater than before.14 At that time there will be a general uprising against the king of the south. Violent men among your own people will join them in fulfillment of this vision, but they will not succeed.15 Then the king of the north will come and lay siege to a fortified city and capture it. The best troops of the south will not be able to stand in the face of the onslaught.<br />
<br />
16 "The king of the north will march onward unopposed; none will be able to stop him. He will pause in the glorious land of Israel,* intent on destroying it.17 He will make plans to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will form an alliance with the king of the south. He will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom from within, but his plan will fail.<br />
<br />
18 "After this, he will turn his attention to the coastland and conquer many cities. But a commander from another land will put an end to his insolence and cause him to retreat in shame.19 He will take refuge in his own fortresses but will stumble and fall and be seen no more.<br />
<br />
20 "His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. But after a very brief reign, he will die, though not from anger or in battle.<br />
<br />
21 "The next to come to power will be a despicable man who is not in line for royal succession. He will slip in when least expected and take over the kingdom by flattery and intrigue.22 Before him great armies will be swept away, including a covenant prince.23 With deceitful promises, he will make various alliances. He will become strong despite having only a handful of followers.24 Without warning he will enter the richest areas of the land. Then he will distribute among his followers the plunder and wealth of the rich—something his predecessors had never done. He will plot the overthrow of strongholds, but this will last for only a short while.<br />
<br />
25 "Then he will stir up his courage and raise a great army against the king of the south. The king of the south will go to battle with a mighty army, but to no avail, for there will be plots against him.26 His own household will cause his downfall. His army will be swept away, and many will be killed.27 Seeking nothing but each other's harm, these kings will plot against each other at the conference table, attempting to deceive each other. But it will make no difference, for the end will come at the appointed time.<br />
<br />
28 "The king of the north will then return home with great riches. On the way he will set himself against the people of the holy covenant, doing much damage before continuing his journey.<br />
<br />
29 "Then at the appointed time he will once again invade the south, but this time the result will be different.30 For warships from western coastlands* will scare him off, and he will withdraw and return home. But he will vent his anger against the people of the holy covenant and reward those who forsake the covenant.<br />
<br />
31 "His army will take over the Temple fortress, pollute the sanctuary, put a stop to the daily sacrifices, and set up the sacrilegious object that causes desecration.*32 He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.<br />
<br />
33 "Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed.34 During these persecutions, little help will arrive, and many who join them will not be sincere.35 And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.<br />
<br />
36 "The king will do as he pleases, exalting himself and claiming to be greater than every god, even blaspheming the God of gods. He will succeed, but only until the time of wrath is completed. For what has been determined will surely take place.37 He will have no respect for the gods of his ancestors, or for the god loved by women, or for any other god, for he will boast that he is greater than them all.38 Instead of these, he will worship the god of fortresses—a god his ancestors never knew—and lavish on him gold, silver, precious stones, and expensive gifts.39 Claiming this foreign god's help, he will attack the strongest fortresses. He will honor those who submit to him, appointing them to positions of authority and dividing the land among them as their reward.*<br />
<br />
40 "Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the king of the north. The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood.41 He will enter the glorious land of Israel,* and many nations will fall, but Moab, Edom, and the best part of Ammon will escape.42 He will conquer many countries, and even Egypt will not escape.43 He will gain control over the gold, silver, and treasures of Egypt, and the Libyans and Ethiopians* will be his servants.<br />
<br />
44 "But then news from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in great anger to destroy and obliterate many.45 He will stop between the glorious holy mountain and the sea and will pitch his royal tents. But while he is there, his time will suddenly run out, and no one will help him.<br />
<br />
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<br />
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<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-14268483866178361492018-08-22T15:20:00.001-05:002018-08-22T15:20:30.839-05:00Daniel 10<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<u>Daniel 10</u></h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />DANIEL'S VISION OF A MESSENGER</span></h3>
1 In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia,* Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship.<br />
<br />
2 When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks.3 All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.<br />
<br />
4 On April 23,* as I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River,5 I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist.6 His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.<br />
<br />
7 Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide.8 So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak.9 Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.<br />
<br />
10 Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees.11 And the man said to me, "Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you." When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.<br />
<br />
12 Then he said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince* of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels,* came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.*14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come."<br />
<br />
15 While he was speaking to me, I looked down at the ground, unable to say a word.16 Then the one who looked like a man* touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, "I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak.17 How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe."<br />
<br />
18 Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning.19 "Don't be afraid," he said, "for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!"<br />
As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, "Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me."<br />
<br />
20 He replied, "Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece* will come.21 Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.<br />
<br />
<br />
(No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince.*11:1 I have been standing beside Michael* to support and strengthen him since the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede.)<br />
<br />
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<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457487005353043678.post-90363751034241291152018-08-20T08:34:00.001-05:002018-08-20T08:34:53.569-05:00Daniel 9<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Daniel 9</u></span></h2>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">DANIEL'S PRAYER FOR HIS PEOPLE</span></h3>
1 It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians.*2 During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the LORD, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years.*3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.<br />
<br />
4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:<br />
<br />
"O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands.5 But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations.6 We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.<br />
<br />
7 "Lord, you are in the right; but as you see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us, including the people of Judah and Jerusalem and all Israel, scattered near and far, wherever you have driven us because of our disloyalty to you.8 O LORD, we and our kings, princes, and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you.9 But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.10 We have not obeyed the LORD our God, for we have not followed the instructions he gave us through his servants the prophets.11 All Israel has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice.<br />
<br />
"So now the solemn curses and judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured down on us because of our sin.12 You have kept your word and done to us and our rulers exactly as you warned. Never has there been such a disaster as happened in Jerusalem.13 Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the LORD our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth.14 Therefore, the LORD has brought upon us the disaster he prepared. The LORD our God was right to do all of these things, for we did not obey him.<br />
<br />
15 "O Lord our God, you brought lasting honor to your name by rescuing your people from Egypt in a great display of power. But we have sinned and are full of wickedness.16 In view of all your faithful mercies, Lord, please turn your furious anger away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. All the neighboring nations mock Jerusalem and your people because of our sins and the sins of our ancestors.<br />
<br />
17 "O our God, hear your servant's prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary.<br />
<br />
18 "O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.<br />
<br />
19 "O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name."<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">GABRIEL'S MESSAGE ABOUT THE ANOINTED ONE</span></h3>
<br />
20 I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the LORD my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain.21 As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice.22 He explained to me, "Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding.23 The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.<br />
<br />
24 "A period of seventy sets of seven* has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.*25 Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven* will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One*—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses,* despite the perilous times.<br />
<br />
26 "After this period of sixty-two sets of seven,* the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple. The end will come with a flood, and war and its miseries are decreed from that time to the very end.27 The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven,* but after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And as a climax to all his terrible deeds,* he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration,* until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him."<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01438428983197326348noreply@blogger.com0