Genesis 1:1 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
DECEMBER
29
PSALMS: 29,
59, 89, 119, 149
PROVERBS: 29
OLD
TESTAMENT: NUMBERS 30:1 - 31:54
NEW
TESTAMENT: LUKE 4:1 - 30
PSALMS: 29
A
psalm of David.
1
Ascribe
to the LORD, O mighty ones,
ascribe
to the LORD glory and strength.
2
Ascribe
to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship
the LORD in the splendor of his A holiness.
3
The
voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the
God of glory thunders,
the
LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
4
The
voice of the LORD is powerful;
the
voice of the LORD is majestic.
5
The
voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the
LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6
He
makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
Sirion
B like a young wild ox.
7
The
voice of the LORD strikes
with
flashes of lightning.
8
The
voice of the LORD shakes the desert;
the
LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9
The
voice of the LORD twists the oaks C
and
strips the forests bare.
And
in his temple all cry, "Glory!"
10
The
LORD sits D enthroned over the flood;
the
LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11
The
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.
1
Deliver
me from my enemies, O God;
protect
me from those who rise up against me.
2
Deliver
me from evildoers
and
save me from bloodthirsty men.
3
See
how they lie in wait for me!
Fierce
men conspire against me
for
no offense or sin of mine, O LORD.
4
I
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
6
They
return at evening,
snarling
like dogs,
and
prowl about the city.
7
See
what they spew from their mouths--
they
spew out swords from their lips,
and
they say, "Who can hear us?"
8
But
you, O LORD, laugh at them;
you
scoff at all those nations.
9
O
my Strength, I watch for you;
you,
O God, are my fortress, 10 my loving God. [2]
God
will go before me
and
will let me gloat over those who slander me.
11
But
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.
12
For
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,
13
consume
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
14
They
return at evening,
snarling
like dogs,
and
prowl about the city.
15
They
wander about for food
and
howl if not satisfied.
16
But
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.
17
O
my Strength, I sing praise to you;
you,
O God, are my fortress, my loving God. [3]
PSALMS: 89
A
maskil A of Ethan the Ezrahite.
1
I
will sing of the LORD's great love forever;
with
my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all
generations.
2
I
will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that
you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
3
You
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
5
The
heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,
your
faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
6
For
who in the skies above can compare with the LORD?
Who
is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?
7
In
the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
he
is more awesome than all who surround him.
8
O
LORD God Almighty, who is like you?
You
are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
9
You
rule over the surging sea;
when
its waves mount up, you still them.
10
You
crushed Rahab like one of the slain;
with
your strong arm you scattered your enemies.
11
The
heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
you
founded the world and all that is in it.
12
You
created the north and the south;
Tabor
and Hermon sing for joy at your name.
13
Your
arm is endued with power;
your
hand is strong, your right hand exalted. [4]
14
Righteousness
and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love
and faithfulness go before you.
15
Blessed
are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who
walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.
16
They
rejoice in your name all day long;
they
exult in your righteousness.
17
For
you are their glory and strength,
and
by your favor you exalt our horn. B
18
Indeed,
our shield C belongs to the LORD,
our
king to the Holy One of Israel.
19
Once
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.
20 I
have found David my servant;
with
my sacred oil I have anointed him.
21 My
hand will sustain him;
surely
my arm will strengthen him.
22 No
enemy will subject him to tribute;
no
wicked man will oppress him.
23 I
will crush his foes before him
and
strike down his adversaries.
24 My
faithful love will be with him,
and
through my name his horn D
will be exalted.
25 I
will set his hand over the sea,
his
right hand over the rivers.
26 He
will call out to me, `You are my Father,
my
God, the Rock my Savior.'
27 I
will also appoint him my firstborn,
the
most exalted of the kings of the earth.
28 I
will maintain my love to him forever,
and
my covenant with him will never fail.
his
throne as long as the heavens endure.
30"If his sons forsake my law
and
do not follow my statutes,
31
if
they violate my decrees
and
fail to keep my commands,
32 I
will punish their sin with the rod,
their
iniquity with flogging;
33 but
I will not take my love from him,
nor
will I ever betray my faithfulness.
34 I
will not violate my covenant
or
alter what my lips have uttered.
35 Once
for all, I have sworn by my holiness--
and
I will not lie to David--
36 that
his line will continue forever
and
his throne endure before me like the sun;
37 it
will be established forever like the moon,
the
faithful witness in the sky."
Selah
38
But
you have rejected, you have spurned,
you
have been very angry with your anointed one.
39
You
have renounced the covenant with your servant
and
have defiled his crown in the dust.
40
You
have broken through all his walls
and
reduced his strongholds to ruins.
41
All
who pass by have plundered him;
he
has become the scorn of his neighbors.
42
You
have exalted the right hand of his foes;
you
have made all his enemies rejoice.
43
You
have turned back the edge of his sword
and
have not supported him in battle. [6]
44
You
have put an end to his splendor
and
cast his throne to the ground.
45
You
have cut short the days of his youth;
you
have covered him with a mantle of shame.
Selah
46
How
long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever?
How
long will your wrath burn like fire?
47
Remember
how fleeting is my life.
For
what futility you have created all men!
48
What
man can live and not see death,
or
save himself from the power of the grave E?
Selah
49
O
Lord, where is your former great love,
which
in your faithfulness you swore to David?
50
Remember,
Lord, how your servant hasF been mocked,
how
I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations,
51
the
taunts with which your enemies have mocked, O LORD,
with
which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.
52
Praise
be to the LORD forever!
Amen
and Amen. [7]
PSALMS: 119
Aleph
1
Blessed
A are they whose ways are blameless,
who
walk according to the law of the LORD.
2
Blessed
are they who keep his statutes
and
seek him with all their heart.
3
They
do nothing wrong;
they
walk in his ways.
4
You
have laid down precepts
that
are to be fully obeyed.
5
Oh,
that my ways were steadfast
in
obeying your decrees!
6
Then
I would not be put to shame
when
I consider all your commands.
7
I
will praise you with an upright heart
as
I learn your righteous laws.
8
I
will obey your decrees;
do
not utterly forsake me.
Beth
9
How
can a young man keep his way pure?
By
living according to your word.
10
I
seek you with all my heart;
do
not let me stray from your commands.
11
I
have hidden your word in my heart
that
I might not sin against you.
12
Praise
be to you, O LORD;
teach
me your decrees.
13
With
my lips I recount
all
the laws that come from your mouth.
14
I
rejoice in following your statutes [8]
as
one rejoices in great riches.
15
I
meditate on your precepts
and
consider your ways.
16
I
delight in your decrees;
I
will not neglect your word.
Gimel
17
Do
good to your servant, and I will live;
I
will obey your word.
18
Open
my eyes that I may see
wonderful
things in your law.
19
I
am a stranger on earth;
do
not hide your commands from me.
20
My
soul is consumed with longing
for
your laws at all times.
21
You
rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed
and
who stray from your commands.
22
Remove
from me scorn and contempt,
for
I keep your statutes.
23
Though
rulers sit together and slander me,
your
servant will meditate on your decrees.
24
Your
statutes are my delight;
they
are my counselors.
Daleth
25
I
am laid low in the dust;
preserve
my life according to your word.
26
I
recounted my ways and you answered me;
teach
me your decrees.
27
Let
me understand the teaching of your precepts;
then
I will meditate on your wonders.
28
My
soul is weary with sorrow; [9]
strengthen
me according to your word.
29
Keep
me from deceitful ways;
be
gracious to me through your law.
30
I
have chosen the way of truth;
I
have set my heart on your laws.
31
I
hold fast to your statutes, O LORD;
do
not let me be put to shame.
32
I
run in the path of your commands,
for
you have set my heart free.
He
33
Teach
me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;
then
I will keep them to the end.
34
Give
me understanding, and I will keep your law
and
obey it with all my heart.
35
Direct
me in the path of your commands,
for
there I find delight.
36
Turn
my heart toward your statutes
and
not toward selfish gain.
37
Turn
my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve
my life according to your word. B
38
Fulfill
your promise to your servant,
so
that you may be feared.
39
Take
away the disgrace I dread,
for
your laws are good.
40
How
I long for your precepts!
Preserve
my life in your righteousness.
Waw
[10]
41
May
your unfailing love come to me, O LORD,
your
salvation according to your promise;
42
then
I will answer the one who taunts me,
for
I trust in your word.
43
Do
not snatch the word of truth from my mouth,
for
I have put my hope in your laws.
44
I
will always obey your law,
for
ever and ever.
45
I
will walk about in freedom,
for
I have sought out your precepts.
46
I
will speak of your statutes before kings
and
will not be put to shame,
47
for
I delight in your commands
because
I love them.
48
I
lift up my hands to C your commands, which I
love,
and
I meditate on your decrees.
Zayin
49
Remember
your word to your servant,
for
you have given me hope.
50
My
comfort in my suffering is this:
Your
promise preserves my life.
51
The
arrogant mock me without restraint,
but
I do not turn from your law.
52
I
remember your ancient laws, O LORD,
and
I find comfort in them.
53
Indignation
grips me because of the wicked,
who
have forsaken your law.
54
Your
decrees are the theme of my song
wherever
I lodge. [11]
55
In
the night I remember your name, O LORD,
and
I will keep your law.
56
This
has been my practice:
I
obey your precepts.
Heth
57
You
are my portion, O LORD;
I
have promised to obey your words.
58
I
have sought your face with all my heart;
be
gracious to me according to your promise.
59
I
have considered my ways
and
have turned my steps to your statutes.
60
I
will hasten and not delay
to
obey your commands.
61
Though
the wicked bind me with ropes,
I
will not forget your law.
62
At
midnight I rise to give you thanks
for
your righteous laws.
63
I
am a friend to all who fear you,
to
all who follow your precepts.
64
The
earth is filled with your love, O LORD;
teach
me your decrees.
Teth
65
Do
good to your servant
according
to your word, O LORD.
66
Teach
me knowledge and good judgment,
for
I believe in your commands.
67
Before
I was afflicted I went astray,
but
now I obey your word.
68
You
are good, and what you do is good;
teach
me your decrees.
69
Though
the arrogant have smeared me with lies, [12]
I
keep your precepts with all my heart.
70
Their
hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but
I delight in your law.
71
It
was good for me to be afflicted
so
that I might learn your decrees.
72
The
law from your mouth is more precious to me
than
thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Yodh
73
Your
hands made me and formed me;
give
me understanding to learn your commands.
74
May
those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for
I have put my hope in your word.
75
I
know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous,
and
in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76
May
your unfailing love be my comfort,
according
to your promise to your servant.
77
Let
your compassion come to me that I may live,
for
your law is my delight.
78
May
the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without
cause;
but
I will meditate on your precepts.
79
May
those who fear you turn to me,
those
who understand your statutes.
80
May
my heart be blameless toward your decrees,
that
I may not be put to shame.
Kaph
81
My
soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but
I have put my hope in your word.
82
My
eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I
say, "When will you comfort me?" [13]
83
Though
I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I
do not forget your decrees.
84
How
long must your servant wait?
When
will you punish my persecutors?
85
The
arrogant dig pitfalls for me,
contrary
to your law.
86
All
your commands are trustworthy;
help
me, for men persecute me without cause.
87
They
almost wiped me from the earth,
but
I have not forsaken your precepts.
88
Preserve
my life according to your love,
and
I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
Lamedh
89
Your
word, O LORD, is eternal;
it
stands firm in the heavens.
90
Your
faithfulness continues through all generations;
you
established the earth, and it endures.
91
Your
laws endure to this day,
for
all things serve you.
92
If
your law had not been my delight,
I
would have perished in my affliction.
93
I
will never forget your precepts,
for
by them you have preserved my life.
94
Save
me, for I am yours;
I
have sought out your precepts.
95
The
wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but
I will ponder your statutes.
96
To
all perfection I see a limit;
but
your commands are boundless. [14]
Mem
97
Oh,
how I love your law!
I
meditate on it all day long.
98
Your
commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for
they are ever with me.
99
I
have more insight than all my teachers,
for
I meditate on your statutes.
100
I
have more understanding than the elders,
for
I obey your precepts.
101
I
have kept my feet from every evil path
so
that I might obey your word.
102
I
have not departed from your laws,
for
you yourself have taught me.
103
How
sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter
than honey to my mouth!
104
I
gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore
I hate every wrong path.
Nun
105
Your
word is a lamp to my feet
and
a light for my path.
106
I
have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that
I will follow your righteous laws.
107
I
have suffered much;
preserve
my life, O LORD, according to your word.
108
Accept,
O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth,
and
teach me your laws.
109
Though
I constantly take my life in my hands,
I
will not forget your law.
110
The
wicked have set a snare for me,
but
I have not strayed from your precepts. [15]
111
Your
statutes are my heritage forever;
they
are the joy of my heart.
112
My
heart is set on keeping your decrees
to
the very end.
Samekh
113
I
hate double-minded men,
but
I love your law.
114
You
are my refuge and my shield;
I
have put my hope in your word.
115
Away
from me, you evildoers,
that
I may keep the commands of my God!
116
Sustain
me according to your promise, and I will live;
do
not let my hopes be dashed.
117
Uphold
me, and I will be delivered;
I
will always have regard for your decrees.
118
You
reject all who stray from your decrees,
for
their deceitfulness is in vain.
119
All
the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore
I love your statutes.
120
My
flesh trembles in fear of you;
I
stand in awe of your laws.
Ayin
121
I
have done what is righteous and just;
do
not leave me to my oppressors.
122
Ensure
your servant's well-being;
let
not the arrogant oppress me.
123
My
eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking
for your righteous promise.
124
Deal
with your servant according to your love
and
teach me your decrees. [16]
125
I
am your servant; give me discernment
that
I may understand your statutes.
126
It
is time for you to act, O LORD;
your
law is being broken.
127
Because
I love your commands
more
than gold, more than pure gold,
128
and
because I consider all your precepts right,
I
hate every wrong path.
Pe
129
Your
statutes are wonderful;
therefore
I obey them.
130
The
unfolding of your words gives light;
it
gives understanding to the simple.
131
I
open my mouth and pant,
longing
for your commands.
132
Turn
to me and have mercy on me,
as
you always do to those who love your name.
133
Direct
my footsteps according to your word;
let
no sin rule over me.
134
Redeem
me from the oppression of men,
that
I may obey your precepts.
135
Make
your face shine upon your servant
and
teach me your decrees.
136
Streams
of tears flow from my eyes,
for
your law is not obeyed.
Tsadhe
137
Righteous
are you, O LORD,
and
your laws are right.
138
The
statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they
are fully trustworthy. [17]
139
My
zeal wears me out,
for
my enemies ignore your words.
140
Your
promises have been thoroughly tested,
and
your servant loves them.
141
Though
I am lowly and despised,
I
do not forget your precepts.
142
Your
righteousness is everlasting
and
your law is true.
143
Trouble
and distress have come upon me,
but
your commands are my delight.
144
Your
statutes are forever right;
give
me understanding that I may live.
Qoph
145
I
call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD,
and
I will obey your decrees.
146
I
call out to you; save me
and
I will keep your statutes.
147
I
rise before dawn and cry for help;
I
have put my hope in your word.
148
My
eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that
I may meditate on your promises.
149
Hear
my voice in accordance with your love;
preserve
my life, O LORD, according to your laws.
150
Those
who devise wicked schemes are near,
but
they are far from your law.
151
Yet
you are near, O LORD,
and
all your commands are true.
152
Long
ago I learned from your statutes
that
you established them to last forever. [18]
Resh
153
Look
upon my suffering and deliver me,
for
I have not forgotten your law.
154
Defend
my cause and redeem me;
preserve
my life according to your promise.
155
Salvation
is far from the wicked,
for
they do not seek out your decrees.
156
Your
compassion is great, O LORD;
preserve
my life according to your laws.
157
Many
are the foes who persecute me,
but
I have not turned from your statutes.
158
I
look on the faithless with loathing,
for
they do not obey your word.
159
See
how I love your precepts;
preserve
my life, O LORD, according to your love.
160
All
your words are true;
all
your righteous laws are eternal.
Sin
and Shin
161
Rulers
persecute me without cause,
but
my heart trembles at your word.
162
I
rejoice in your promise
like
one who finds great spoil.
163
I
hate and abhor falsehood
but
I love your law.
164
Seven
times a day I praise you
for
your righteous laws.
165
Great
peace have they who love your law,
and
nothing can make them stumble.
166
I
wait for your salvation, O LORD,
and
I follow your commands.
167
I
obey your statutes, [19]
for
I love them greatly.
168
I
obey your precepts and your statutes,
for
all my ways are known to you.
Taw
169
May
my cry come before you, O LORD;
give
me understanding according to your word.
170
May
my supplication come before you;
deliver
me according to your promise.
171
May
my lips overflow with praise,
for
you teach me your decrees.
172
May
my tongue sing of your word,
for
all your commands are righteous.
173
May
your hand be ready to help me,
for
I have chosen your precepts.
174
I
long for your salvation, O LORD,
and
your law is my delight.
175
Let
me live that I may praise you,
and
may your laws sustain me.
176
I
have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek
your servant,
for
I have not forgotten your commands. [20]
PSALMS: 149
1
Praise
the LORD. A
Sing
to the LORD a new song,
his
praise in the assembly of the saints.
2
Let
Israel rejoice in their Maker;
let
the people of Zion be glad in their King.
3
Let
them praise his name with dancing
and
make music to him with tambourine and harp.
4
For
the LORD takes delight in his people;
he
crowns the humble with salvation.
5
Let
the saints rejoice in this honor
and
sing for joy on their beds.
6
May
the praise of God be in their mouths
and
a double-edged sword in their hands,
7
to
inflict vengeance on the nations
and
punishment on the peoples,
8
to
bind their kings with fetters,
their
nobles with shackles of iron,
9
to
carry out the sentence written against them.
This
is the glory of all his saints.
Praise
the LORD. [21]
PROVERBS: 29
29
1
A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
will
suddenly be destroyed--without remedy.
2
When
the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
when
the wicked rule, the people groan.
3
A
man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but
a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4
By
justice a king gives a country stability,
but
one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.
5
Whoever
flatters his neighbor
is
spreading a net for his feet.
6
An
evil man is snared by his own sin,
but
a righteous one can sing and be glad.
7
The
righteous care about justice for the poor,
but
the wicked have no such concern.
8
Mockers
stir up a city,
but
wise men turn away anger.
9
If
a wise man goes to court with a fool,
the
fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
10
Bloodthirsty
men hate a man of integrity
and
seek to kill the upright. [22]
11
A
fool gives full vent to his anger,
but
a wise man keeps himself under control.
12
If
a ruler listens to lies,
all
his officials become wicked.
13
The
poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The
LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.
14
If
a king judges the poor with fairness,
his
throne will always be secure.
15
The
rod of correction imparts wisdom,
but
a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
16
When
the wicked thrive, so does sin,
but
the righteous will see their downfall.
17
Discipline
your son, and he will give you peace;
he
will bring delight to your soul.
18
Where
there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
but
blessed is he who keeps the law.
19
A
servant cannot be corrected by mere words;
though
he understands, he will not respond.
20
Do
you see a man who speaks in haste?
There
is more hope for a fool than for him.
21
If
a man pampers his servant from youth,
he
will bring grief A in the end. [23]
22
An
angry man stirs up dissension,
and
a hot-tempered one commits many sins.
23
A
man's pride brings him low,
but
a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
24
The
accomplice of a thief is his own enemy;
he
is put under oath and dare not testify.
25
Fear
of man will prove to be a snare,
but
whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
26
Many
seek an audience with a ruler,
but
it is from the LORD that man gets justice.
27
The
righteous detest the dishonest;
the
wicked detest the upright. [24]
OLD
TESTAMENT: NUMBERS 30:1 - 31:54
30
1
Moses
said to the heads of the tribes of Israel: "This is
what the LORD commands: 2 When a man
makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he
must not break his word but must do everything he said.
3
"When a young woman still living in her father's house makes a vow to the LORD
or obligates herself by a pledge 4
and her father hears about her vow or pledge but says nothing to her, then all
her vows and every pledge by which she obligated herself will stand.
5
But
if her father forbids her when he hears about it, none of her vows or the
pledges by which she obligated herself will stand; the LORD will release her
because her father has forbidden her.
6
If she marries after she makes a vow or after her lips utter a rash promise by
which she obligates herself 7
and her husband hears about it but says nothing to her, then her vows or the
pledges by which she obligated herself will stand. 8
But if her husband forbids her when he hears about it, he nullifies the vow that
obligates her or the rash promise by which she obligates herself, and the LORD
will release her.
9
"Any
vow or obligation taken by a widow or divorced woman will be binding on her.
10
"If a woman living with her husband makes a vow or obligates herself by a pledge
under oath 11
and her husband hears about it but says nothing to her and does not forbid her,
then all her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand.
12
But if her husband nullifies them when he hears about them, then none of the
vows or pledges that came from her lips will stand. Her husband has nullified
them, and the LORD will release her. 13
Her husband may confirm or nullify any vow she makes or any sworn pledge to deny
herself. 14
But if her husband says nothing to her about it from day to day, then he
confirms all her vows or the pledges binding on her. He confirms them by saying
nothing to her when he hears about them. 15
If, however, he nullifies them some time after he hears about them, then he is
responsible for her guilt."
16
These
are the regulations the LORD gave Moses concerning relationships between a man
and his wife, and between a father and his young daughter still living in his
house.
31
1
The
LORD said to Moses, 2 "Take vengeance on
the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your
people."
3
So
Moses said to the people, "Arm some of your men to go to war against the
Midianites and to carry out the LORD's vengeance on them. 4
Send into battle a thousand men from each of the tribes of Israel."
5
So twelve thousand men armed for battle, a thousand from each tribe, were
supplied from the clans of Israel. 6
Moses sent them into battle, a thousand from each tribe, along with Phinehas son
of Eleazar, the priest, who took with him articles from the sanctuary and the
trumpets for signaling.
7
They fought against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every man.
8
Among their victims were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba--the five kings of
Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.
Israelites captured the Midianite women and
[25]
children and took all the Midianite herds, flocks and goods as plunder.
10
They
burned all the towns where the Midianites had settled, as well as all their
camps. 11
They took all the plunder and spoils, including the people and animals,
12
and brought the captives, spoils and plunder to Moses and Eleazar the priest and
the Israelite assembly at their camp on the plains of Moab, by the Jordan across
from Jericho. A
13
Moses, Eleazar the priest and all the leaders of the community went to meet them
outside the camp. 14
Moses was angry with the officers of the army--the commanders of thousands and
commanders of hundreds--who returned from the battle.
15
"Have
you allowed all the women to live?" he asked them. 16
"They were the ones who followed Balaam's advice and were the means of turning
the Israelites away from the LORD in what happened at Peor, so that a plague
struck the LORD's people. 17
Now
kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man,
18
but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.
19
"All of you who have killed anyone or touched anyone who was killed must stay
outside the camp seven days. On the third and seventh days you must purify
yourselves and your captives. 20
Purify every garment as well as everything made of leather, goat hair or
wood."
21
Then
Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, "This is the
requirement of the law that the LORD gave Moses: 22 Gold, silver,
bronze, iron, tin, lead 23 and anything else that can withstand fire
must be put through the fire, and then it will be clean. But it must also be
purified with the water of cleansing. And whatever cannot withstand fire must be
put through that water. 24 On the seventh day wash your clothes and
you will be clean. Then you may come into the camp."
25The
LORD said to Moses, 26 "You and Eleazar the
priest and the family heads of the community are to count all the people and
animals that were captured. 27
Divide the spoils between the soldiers who took part in the battle and the rest
of the community.
28
From the soldiers who fought in the battle, set apart as tribute for the LORD
one out of every five hundred, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep or goats.
29
Take
this tribute from their half share and give it to Eleazar the priest as the
LORD's part.
30
From
the Israelites' half, select one out of every fifty, whether persons, cattle,
donkeys, sheep, goats or other animals. Give them to the Levites, who are
responsible for the care of the LORD's tabernacle."
31 So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses.
32
The
plunder remaining from the spoils that the soldiers took was 675,000 sheep,
33
72,000
cattle, 34 61,000 donkeys 35 and 32,000 women who had
never slept with a man.
36
The
half share of those who fought in the battle was:
337,500
sheep, 37 of which the tribute for the LORD was 675; [26]
38
36,000
cattle, of which the tribute for the LORD was 72;
39
30,500
donkeys, of which the tribute for the LORD was 61;
40
16,000
people, of which the tribute for the LORD was 32.
41
Moses
gave the tribute to Eleazar the priest as the LORD's part, as the LORD commanded
Moses.
42
The
half belonging to the Israelites, which Moses set apart from that of the
fighting men—43 the community's half--was 337,500 sheep, 44
36,000 cattle, 45 30,500 donkeys 46 and 16,000
people. 47 From the Israelites' half, Moses selected one out of every
fifty persons and animals, as the LORD commanded him, and gave them to the
Levites, who were responsible for the care of the LORD's tabernacle.
48
Then
the officers who were over the units of the army--the commanders of thousands
and commanders of hundreds--went to Moses 49 and said to him, "Your
servants have counted the soldiers under our command, and not one is missing.
50 So we have brought as an offering to the LORD the gold articles
each of us acquired--armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings and
necklaces--to make atonement for ourselves before the LORD."
51
Moses
and Eleazar the priest accepted from them the gold--all the crafted articles.
52
All
the gold from the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds that Moses
and Eleazar presented as a gift to the LORD weighed 16,750 shekels. B
53 Each soldier had taken plunder for himself. 54 Moses
and Eleazar the priest accepted the gold from the commanders of thousands and
commanders of hundreds and brought it into the Tent of Meeting as a memorial for
the Israelites before the LORD.[27]
NEW
TESTAMENT: LUKE 4:1 - 30
4
1
Jesus,
full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in
the desert, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He
ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
3
The
devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."
4
Jesus
answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread
alone.' A"
5
The
devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms
of the world. 6 And he said to him, "I will give you all their
authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone
I want to. 7 So if you worship me, it will all be yours."
8
Jesus
answered, "It is
written: `Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' B"
9
The
devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. 10
For it is written:
"`He will command his angels concerning you
to
guard you carefully;
11
they
will lift you up in their hands,
so
that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'
C"
12
Jesus
answered, "It says: `Do not put the Lord your God to
the test.' D"
13
When
the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
14
Jesus
returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread
through the whole countryside. 15 He taught in their synagogues, and
everyone praised him.
16
He
went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went
into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17
The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found
the place where it is written:
18
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because
he has anointed me
to
preach good news to the poor.
He
has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and
recovery of sight for the blind, [28]
to
release the oppressed,
19
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
E
20
Then
he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of
everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by
saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in
your hearing."
22
All
spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips.
"Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked.
23
Jesus
said to them, "Surely you will quote this proverb to
me: `Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown what we have heard that
you did in Capernaum.' "
24
"I tell you the truth," he continued, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that
there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for
three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land.
26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of
them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon.
27 And there were many in Israel
with leprosy F in the time of Elisha
the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed--only Naaman the Syrian."
28
All
the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29
They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the
hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. 30
But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way. [29]
[1]
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[2]
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[3]
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[4]
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[5]
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[6]
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[7]
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[8]
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[9]
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[10]
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[11]
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[12]
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[13]
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[14]
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[15]
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[16]
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[17]
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[18]
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[19]
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[20]
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[21]
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[22]
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[23]
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[24]
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[25]
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[26]
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[27]
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[28]
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[29]
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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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever 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 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But 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
