THEINC-HIM DAILY BIBLE MEDITATION: May 29

Friday, October 23, 2009

May 29

Genesis 1:1 1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

MAY 29

PSALMS: 29, 59, 89, 119, 149

PROVERBS: 29

OLD TESTAMENT

ESTHER 1:1 - 3:15

NEW TESTAMENT

1 CORINTHIANS 11:17 - 34

PSALMS: 29

A psalm of David.

1Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones,

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

2Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;

worship the LORD in the splendor of hisA holiness.

3The voice of the LORD is over the waters;

the God of glory thunders,

the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.

4The voice of the LORD is powerful;

the voice of the LORD is majestic.

5The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;

the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

6He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,

SirionB like a young wild ox.

7The voice of the LORD strikes

with flashes of lightning.

8The voice of the LORD shakes the desert;

the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

9The voice of the LORD twists the oaksC

and strips the forests bare.

And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"

10The LORD sitsD enthroned over the flood;

the LORD is enthroned as King forever.

11The LORD gives strength to his people;

the LORD blesses his people with peace. [1]

PSALMS: 59

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam.A When Saul had sent men to watch David's house in order to kill him.

1Deliver me from my enemies, O God;

protect me from those who rise up against me.

2Deliver me from evildoers

and save me from bloodthirsty men.

3See how they lie in wait for me!

Fierce men conspire against me

for no offense or sin of mine, O LORD.

4I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.

Arise to help me; look on my plight!

5O LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel,

rouse yourself to punish all the nations;

show no mercy to wicked traitors.

Selah

6They return at evening,

snarling like dogs,

and prowl about the city.

7See what they spew from their mouths--

they spew out swords from their lips,

and they say, "Who can hear us?"

8But you, O LORD, laugh at them;

you scoff at all those nations.

9O my Strength, I watch for you;

you, O God, are my fortress, 10my loving God. [2]

God will go before me

and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

11But do not kill them, O Lord our shield,B

or my people will forget.

In your might make them wander about,

and bring them down.

12For the sins of their mouths,

for the words of their lips,

let them be caught in their pride.

For the curses and lies they utter,

13consume them in wrath,

consume them till they are no more.

Then it will be known to the ends of the earth

that God rules over Jacob. Selah

14They return at evening,

snarling like dogs,

and prowl about the city.

15They wander about for food

and howl if not satisfied.

16But I will sing of your strength,

in the morning I will sing of your love;

for you are my fortress,

my refuge in times of trouble.

17O my Strength, I sing praise to you;

you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God. [3]

PSALMS: 89

A maskilA of Ethan the Ezrahite.

1I will sing of the LORD's great love forever;

with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

2I will declare that your love stands firm forever,

that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

3You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

I have sworn to David my servant,

4`I will establish your line forever

and make your throne firm through all generations.' "

Selah

5The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,

your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.

6For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD?

Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?

7In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;

he is more awesome than all who surround him.

8O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?

You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

9You rule over the surging sea;

when its waves mount up, you still them.

10You crushed Rahab like one of the slain;

with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.

11The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;

you founded the world and all that is in it.

12You created the north and the south;

Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.

13Your arm is endued with power;

your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. [4]

14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;

love and faithfulness go before you.

15Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,

who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.

16They rejoice in your name all day long;

they exult in your righteousness.

17For you are their glory and strength,

and by your favor you exalt our horn.B

18Indeed, our shieldC belongs to the LORD,

our king to the Holy One of Israel.

19Once you spoke in a vision,

to your faithful people you said:

"I have bestowed strength on a warrior;

I have exalted a young man from among the people.

20I have found David my servant;

with my sacred oil I have anointed him.

21My hand will sustain him;

surely my arm will strengthen him.

22No enemy will subject him to tribute;

no wicked man will oppress him.

23I will crush his foes before him

and strike down his adversaries.

24My faithful love will be with him,

and through my name his hornD will be exalted.

25I will set his hand over the sea,

his right hand over the rivers.

26He will call out to me, `You are my Father,

my God, the Rock my Savior.'

27I will also appoint him my firstborn,

the most exalted of the kings of the earth.

28I will maintain my love to him forever,

and my covenant with him will never fail.

29I will establish his line forever, [5]

his throne as long as the heavens endure.

30"If his sons forsake my law

and do not follow my statutes,

31if they violate my decrees

and fail to keep my commands,

32I will punish their sin with the rod,

their iniquity with flogging;

33but I will not take my love from him,

nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.

34I will not violate my covenant

or alter what my lips have uttered.

35Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness--

and I will not lie to David--

36that his line will continue forever

and his throne endure before me like the sun;

37it will be established forever like the moon,

the faithful witness in the sky."

Selah

38But you have rejected, you have spurned,

you have been very angry with your anointed one.

39You have renounced the covenant with your servant

and have defiled his crown in the dust.

40You have broken through all his walls

and reduced his strongholds to ruins.

41All who pass by have plundered him;

he has become the scorn of his neighbors.

42You have exalted the right hand of his foes;

you have made all his enemies rejoice.

43You have turned back the edge of his sword

and have not supported him in battle. [6]

44You have put an end to his splendor

and cast his throne to the ground.

45You have cut short the days of his youth;

you have covered him with a mantle of shame.

Selah

46How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever?

How long will your wrath burn like fire?

47Remember how fleeting is my life.

For what futility you have created all men!

48What man can live and not see death,

or save himself from the power of the graveE?

Selah

49O Lord, where is your former great love,

which in your faithfulness you swore to David?

50Remember, Lord, how your servant hasF been mocked,

how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations,

51the taunts with which your enemies have mocked, O LORD,

with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.

52Praise be to the LORD forever!

Amen and Amen. [7]

PSALMS: 119

Aleph

1BlessedA are they whose ways are blameless,

who walk according to the law of the LORD.

2Blessed are they who keep his statutes

and seek him with all their heart.

3They do nothing wrong;

they walk in his ways.

4You have laid down precepts

that are to be fully obeyed.

5Oh, that my ways were steadfast

in obeying your decrees!

6Then I would not be put to shame

when I consider all your commands.

7I will praise you with an upright heart

as I learn your righteous laws.

8I will obey your decrees;

do not utterly forsake me.

Beth

9How can a young man keep his way pure?

By living according to your word.

10I seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray from your commands.

11I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

12Praise be to you, O LORD;

teach me your decrees.

13With my lips I recount

all the laws that come from your mouth.

14I rejoice in following your statutes [8]

as one rejoices in great riches.

15I meditate on your precepts

and consider your ways.

16I delight in your decrees;

I will not neglect your word.

Gimel

17Do good to your servant, and I will live;

I will obey your word.

18Open my eyes that I may see

wonderful things in your law.

19I am a stranger on earth;

do not hide your commands from me.

20My soul is consumed with longing

for your laws at all times.

21You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed

and who stray from your commands.

22Remove from me scorn and contempt,

for I keep your statutes.

23Though rulers sit together and slander me,

your servant will meditate on your decrees.

24Your statutes are my delight;

they are my counselors.

Daleth

25I am laid low in the dust;

preserve my life according to your word.

26I recounted my ways and you answered me;

teach me your decrees.

27Let me understand the teaching of your precepts;

then I will meditate on your wonders.

28My soul is weary with sorrow; [9]

strengthen me according to your word.

29Keep me from deceitful ways;

be gracious to me through your law.

30I have chosen the way of truth;

I have set my heart on your laws.

31I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD;

do not let me be put to shame.

32I run in the path of your commands,

for you have set my heart free.

33Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;

then I will keep them to the end.

34Give me understanding, and I will keep your law

and obey it with all my heart.

35Direct me in the path of your commands,

for there I find delight.

36Turn my heart toward your statutes

and not toward selfish gain.

37Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

preserve my life according to your word.B

38Fulfill your promise to your servant,

so that you may be feared.

39Take away the disgrace I dread,

for your laws are good.

40How I long for your precepts!

Preserve my life in your righteousness.

Waw [10]

41May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD,

your salvation according to your promise;

42then I will answer the one who taunts me,

for I trust in your word.

43Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth,

for I have put my hope in your laws.

44I will always obey your law,

for ever and ever.

45I will walk about in freedom,

for I have sought out your precepts.

46I will speak of your statutes before kings

and will not be put to shame,

47for I delight in your commands

because I love them.

48I lift up my hands toC your commands, which I love,

and I meditate on your decrees.

Zayin

49Remember your word to your servant,

for you have given me hope.

50My comfort in my suffering is this:

Your promise preserves my life.

51The arrogant mock me without restraint,

but I do not turn from your law.

52I remember your ancient laws, O LORD,

and I find comfort in them.

53Indignation grips me because of the wicked,

who have forsaken your law.

54Your decrees are the theme of my song

wherever I lodge. [11]

55In the night I remember your name, O LORD,

and I will keep your law.

56This has been my practice:

I obey your precepts.

Heth

57You are my portion, O LORD;

I have promised to obey your words.

58I have sought your face with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to your promise.

59I have considered my ways

and have turned my steps to your statutes.

60I will hasten and not delay

to obey your commands.

61Though the wicked bind me with ropes,

I will not forget your law.

62At midnight I rise to give you thanks

for your righteous laws.

63I am a friend to all who fear you,

to all who follow your precepts.

64The earth is filled with your love, O LORD;

teach me your decrees.

Teth

65Do good to your servant

according to your word, O LORD.

66Teach me knowledge and good judgment,

for I believe in your commands.

67Before I was afflicted I went astray,

but now I obey your word.

68You are good, and what you do is good;

teach me your decrees.

69Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, [12]

I keep your precepts with all my heart.

70Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,

but I delight in your law.

71It was good for me to be afflicted

so that I might learn your decrees.

72The law from your mouth is more precious to me

than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

Yodh

73Your hands made me and formed me;

give me understanding to learn your commands.

74May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,

for I have put my hope in your word.

75I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous,

and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

76May your unfailing love be my comfort,

according to your promise to your servant.

77Let your compassion come to me that I may live,

for your law is my delight.

78May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;

but I will meditate on your precepts.

79May those who fear you turn to me,

those who understand your statutes.

80May my heart be blameless toward your decrees,

that I may not be put to shame.

Kaph

81My soul faints with longing for your salvation,

but I have put my hope in your word.

82My eyes fail, looking for your promise;

I say, "When will you comfort me?" [13]

83Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,

I do not forget your decrees.

84How long must your servant wait?

When will you punish my persecutors?

85The arrogant dig pitfalls for me,

contrary to your law.

86All your commands are trustworthy;

help me, for men persecute me without cause.

87They almost wiped me from the earth,

but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88Preserve my life according to your love,

and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.

Lamedh

89Your word, O LORD, is eternal;

it stands firm in the heavens.

90Your faithfulness continues through all generations;

you established the earth, and it endures.

91Your laws endure to this day,

for all things serve you.

92If your law had not been my delight,

I would have perished in my affliction.

93I will never forget your precepts,

for by them you have preserved my life.

94Save me, for I am yours;

I have sought out your precepts.

95The wicked are waiting to destroy me,

but I will ponder your statutes.

96To all perfection I see a limit;

but your commands are boundless. [14]

Mem

97Oh, how I love your law!

I meditate on it all day long.

98Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,

for they are ever with me.

99I have more insight than all my teachers,

for I meditate on your statutes.

100I have more understanding than the elders,

for I obey your precepts.

101I have kept my feet from every evil path

so that I might obey your word.

102I have not departed from your laws,

for you yourself have taught me.

103How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104I gain understanding from your precepts;

therefore I hate every wrong path.

Nun

105Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light for my path.

106I have taken an oath and confirmed it,

that I will follow your righteous laws.

107I have suffered much;

preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.

108Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth,

and teach me your laws.

109Though I constantly take my life in my hands,

I will not forget your law.

110The wicked have set a snare for me,

but I have not strayed from your precepts. [15]

111Your statutes are my heritage forever;

they are the joy of my heart.

112My heart is set on keeping your decrees

to the very end.

Samekh

113I hate double-minded men,

but I love your law.

114You are my refuge and my shield;

I have put my hope in your word.

115Away from me, you evildoers,

that I may keep the commands of my God!

116Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live;

do not let my hopes be dashed.

117Uphold me, and I will be delivered;

I will always have regard for your decrees.

118You reject all who stray from your decrees,

for their deceitfulness is in vain.

119All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;

therefore I love your statutes.

120My flesh trembles in fear of you;

I stand in awe of your laws.

Ayin

121I have done what is righteous and just;

do not leave me to my oppressors.

122Ensure your servant's well-being;

let not the arrogant oppress me.

123My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,

looking for your righteous promise.

124Deal with your servant according to your love

and teach me your decrees. [16]

125I am your servant; give me discernment

that I may understand your statutes.

126It is time for you to act, O LORD;

your law is being broken.

127Because I love your commands

more than gold, more than pure gold,

128and because I consider all your precepts right,

I hate every wrong path.

129Your statutes are wonderful;

therefore I obey them.

130The unfolding of your words gives light;

it gives understanding to the simple.

131I open my mouth and pant,

longing for your commands.

132Turn to me and have mercy on me,

as you always do to those who love your name.

133Direct my footsteps according to your word;

let no sin rule over me.

134Redeem me from the oppression of men,

that I may obey your precepts.

135Make your face shine upon your servant

and teach me your decrees.

136Streams of tears flow from my eyes,

for your law is not obeyed.

Tsadhe

137Righteous are you, O LORD,

and your laws are right.

138The statutes you have laid down are righteous;

they are fully trustworthy. [17]

139My zeal wears me out,

for my enemies ignore your words.

140Your promises have been thoroughly tested,

and your servant loves them.

141Though I am lowly and despised,

I do not forget your precepts.

142Your righteousness is everlasting

and your law is true.

143Trouble and distress have come upon me,

but your commands are my delight.

144Your statutes are forever right;

give me understanding that I may live.

Qoph

145I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD,

and I will obey your decrees.

146I call out to you; save me

and I will keep your statutes.

147I rise before dawn and cry for help;

I have put my hope in your word.

148My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,

that I may meditate on your promises.

149Hear my voice in accordance with your love;

preserve my life, O LORD, according to your laws.

150Those who devise wicked schemes are near,

but they are far from your law.

151Yet you are near, O LORD,

and all your commands are true.

152Long ago I learned from your statutes

that you established them to last forever. [18]

Resh

153Look upon my suffering and deliver me,

for I have not forgotten your law.

154Defend my cause and redeem me;

preserve my life according to your promise.

155Salvation is far from the wicked,

for they do not seek out your decrees.

156Your compassion is great, O LORD;

preserve my life according to your laws.

157Many are the foes who persecute me,

but I have not turned from your statutes.

158I look on the faithless with loathing,

for they do not obey your word.

159See how I love your precepts;

preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love.

160All your words are true;

all your righteous laws are eternal.

Sin and Shin

161Rulers persecute me without cause,

but my heart trembles at your word.

162I rejoice in your promise

like one who finds great spoil.

163I hate and abhor falsehood

but I love your law.

164Seven times a day I praise you

for your righteous laws.

165Great peace have they who love your law,

and nothing can make them stumble.

166I wait for your salvation, O LORD,

and I follow your commands.

167I obey your statutes, [19]

for I love them greatly.

168I obey your precepts and your statutes,

for all my ways are known to you.

Taw

169May my cry come before you, O LORD;

give me understanding according to your word.

170May my supplication come before you;

deliver me according to your promise.

171May my lips overflow with praise,

for you teach me your decrees.

172May my tongue sing of your word,

for all your commands are righteous.

173May your hand be ready to help me,

for I have chosen your precepts.

174I long for your salvation, O LORD,

and your law is my delight.

175Let me live that I may praise you,

and may your laws sustain me.

176I have strayed like a lost sheep.

Seek your servant,

for I have not forgotten your commands. [20]

PSALMS: 149

1Praise the LORD.A

Sing to the LORD a new song,

his praise in the assembly of the saints.

2Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;

let the people of Zion be glad in their King.

3Let them praise his name with dancing

and make music to him with tambourine and harp.

4For the LORD takes delight in his people;

he crowns the humble with salvation.

5Let the saints rejoice in this honor

and sing for joy on their beds.

6May the praise of God be in their mouths

and a double-edged sword in their hands,

7to inflict vengeance on the nations

and punishment on the peoples,

8to bind their kings with fetters,

their nobles with shackles of iron,

9to carry out the sentence written against them.

This is the glory of all his saints.

Praise the LORD. [21]

PROVERBS: 29

291 A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes

will suddenly be destroyed--without remedy.

2When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;

when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,

but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

4By justice a king gives a country stability,

but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.

5Whoever flatters his neighbor

is spreading a net for his feet.

6An evil man is snared by his own sin,

but a righteous one can sing and be glad.

7The righteous care about justice for the poor,

but the wicked have no such concern.

8Mockers stir up a city,

but wise men turn away anger.

9If a wise man goes to court with a fool,

the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

10Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity

and seek to kill the upright. [22]

11A fool gives full vent to his anger,

but a wise man keeps himself under control.

12If a ruler listens to lies,

all his officials become wicked.

13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:

The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.

14If a king judges the poor with fairness,

his throne will always be secure.

15The rod of correction imparts wisdom,

but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

16When the wicked thrive, so does sin,

but the righteous will see their downfall.

17Discipline your son, and he will give you peace;

he will bring delight to your soul.

18Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;

but blessed is he who keeps the law.

19A servant cannot be corrected by mere words;

though he understands, he will not respond.

20Do you see a man who speaks in haste?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21If a man pampers his servant from youth,

he will bring griefA in the end. [23]

22An angry man stirs up dissension,

and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.

23A man's pride brings him low,

but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.

24The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy;

he is put under oath and dare not testify.

25Fear of man will prove to be a snare,

but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

26Many seek an audience with a ruler,

but it is from the LORD that man gets justice.

27The righteous detest the dishonest;

the wicked detest the upright. [24]

OLD TESTAMENT

ESTHER 1:1 - 3:15

1 1This is what happened during the time of Xerxes,A the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to CushB: 2At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present.

4For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. 5When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king's palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest, who were in the citadel of Susa. 6The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. 7Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king's liberality. 8By the king's command each guest was allowed to drink in his own way, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.

9Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

10On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him--Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carcas-- 11to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. 12But when the attendants delivered the king's command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.

13Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times 14and were closest to the king--Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom.

15"According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?" he asked. "She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her."

16Then Memucan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, "Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17For the queen's conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, `King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.' 18This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen's conduct will respond to all the king's nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord. [25]

19"Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 20Then when the king's edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest."

21The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memucan proposed. 22He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, proclaiming in each people's tongue that every man should be ruler over his own household.

21Later when the anger of King Xerxes had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. 2Then the king's personal attendants proposed, "Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. 3Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful girls into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. 4Then let the girl who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti." This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it.

5Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, 6who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with JehoiachinA king of Judah. 7Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.

8When the king's order and edict had been proclaimed, many girls were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king's palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. 9The girl pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven maids selected from the king's palace and moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem.

10Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. 11Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her. [26]

12Before a girl's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. 13And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king's palace. 14In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.

15When the turn came for Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. 16She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

17Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18And the king gave a great banquet, Esther's banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality.

19When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate. 20But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.

21During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, BigthanaB and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were hanged on a gallows.C All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.

31After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. 2All the royal officials at the king's gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. [27]

3Then the royal officials at the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the king's command?" 4Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai's behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew.

5When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. 6Yet having learned who Mordecai's people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.

7In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, they cast the pur (that is, the lot) in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell onA the twelfth month, the month of Adar.

8Then Haman said to King Xerxes, "There is a certain people dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom whose customs are different from those of all other people and who do not obey the king's laws; it is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them. 9If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will put ten thousand talentsB of silver into the royal treasury for the men who carry out this business."

10So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11"Keep the money," the king said to Haman, "and do with the people as you please."

12Then on the thirteenth day of the first month the royal secretaries were summoned. They wrote out in the script of each province and in the language of each people all Haman's orders to the king's satraps, the governors of the various provinces and the nobles of the various peoples. These were written in the name of King Xerxes himself and sealed with his own ring. 13Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews--young and old, women and little children--on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. 14A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day.

15Spurred on by the king's command, the couriers went out, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.[28]

NEW TESTAMENT

1 CORINTHIANS 11:17 - 34

17In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. 20When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!

23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

33So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come I will give further directions.[29]

^{John 3:16-21 16}"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,^F that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.^G ¹⁹This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. ²¹But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."^H

Friday, October 23, 2009

May 29

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John 3:16-21