ESV: Digging Deep into the Bible

ESV: Digging Deep into the Bible

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ESV: Digging Deep into the Bible episodes

  • July 20: Ecclesiastes 12:9–14; Joshua 22; Jeremiah 14–15:9; Matthew 27:1–26
    Psalms and Wisdom:
    Ecclesiastes 12:9–14
    Ecclesiastes 12:9–14 (Listen)
    Fear God and Keep His Commandments

    9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.

    11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

    13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.Or the duty of all mankind">1 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, withOr into the judgment on">2 every secret thing, whether good or evil.

    Footnotes

    [1] 12:13 Or the duty of all mankind


    [2] 12:14 Or into the judgment on

    (ESV)

    Pentateuch and History:
    Joshua 22
    Joshua 22 (Listen)
    The Eastern Tribes Return Home

    22 At that time Joshua summoned the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, 2 and said to them, “You have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you and have obeyed my voice in all that I have commanded you. 3 You have not forsaken your brothers these many days, down to this day, but have been careful to keep the charge of the LORD your God. 4 And now the LORD your God has given rest to your brothers, as he promised them. Therefore turn and go to your tents in the land where your possession lies, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side of the Jordan. 5 Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” 6 So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents.

    7 Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given a possession in Bashan, but to the other half Joshua had given a possession beside their brothers in the land west of the Jordan. And when Joshua sent them away to their homes and blessed them, 8 he said to them, “Go back to your tents with much wealth and with very much livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, and iron, and with much clothing. Divide the spoil of your enemies with your brothers.” 9 So the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned home, parting from the people of Israel at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the land of Gilead, their own land of which they had possessed themselves by command of the LORD through Moses.

    The Eastern Tribes' Altar of Witness

    10 And when they came to the region of the Jordan that is in the land of Canaan, the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by the Jordan, an altar of imposing size. 11 And the people of Israel heard it said, “Behold, the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built the altar at the frontier of the land of Canaan, in the region about the Jordan, on the side that belongs to the people of Israel.” 12 And when the people of Israel heard of it, the whole assembly of the people of Israel gathered at Shiloh to make war against them.

    13 Then the people of Israel sent to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, in the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, 14 and with him ten chiefs, one from each of the tribal families of Israel, every one of them the head of a family among the clans of Israel. 15 And they came to the people of Reuben, the people of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, in the land of Gilead, and they said to them, 16 “Thus says the whole congregation of the LORD, ‘What is this breach of faith that you have committed against the God of Israel in turning away this day from following the LORD by building yourselves an altar this day in rebellion against the LORD? 17 Have we not had enough of the sin at Peor from which even yet we have not cleansed ourselves, and for which there came a plague upon the congregation of the LORD, 18 that you too must turn away this day from following the LORD? And if you too rebel against the LORD today then tomorrow he will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel. 19 But now, if the land of your possession is unclean, pass over into the LORD's land where the LORD's tabernacle stands, and take for yourselves a possession among us. Only do not rebel against the LORD or make us as rebels by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the LORD our God. 20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah break faith in the matter of the devoted things, and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? And he did not perish alone for his iniquity.’”

    21 Then the people of Reuben, the people of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh said in answer to the heads of the families of Israel, 22 “The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD! He knows; and let Israel itself know! If it was in rebellion or in breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today 23 for building an altar to turn away from following the LORD. Or if we did so to offer burnt offerings or grain offerings or peace offerings on it, may the LORD himself take vengeance. 24 No, but we did it from fear that in time to come your children might say to our children, ‘What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel? 25 For the LORD has made the Jordan a boundary between us and you, you people of Reuben and people of Gad. You have no portion in the LORD.’ So your children might make our children cease to worship the LORD. 26 Therefore we said, ‘Let us now build an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice, 27 but to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we do perform the service of the LORD in his presence with our burnt offerings and sacrifices and peace offerings, so your children will not say to our children in time to come, “You have no portion in the LORD.”’ 28 And we thought, ‘If this should be said to us or to our descendants in time to come, we should say, “Behold, the copy of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifice, but to be a witness between us and you.”’ 29 Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD and turn away this day from following the LORD by building an altar for burnt offering, grain offering, or sacrifice, other than the altar of the LORD our God that stands before his tabernacle!”

    30 When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation, the heads of the families of Israel who were with him, heard the words that the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh spoke, it was good in their eyes. 31 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is in our midst, because you have not committed this breach of faith against the LORD. Now you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the LORD.”

    32 Then Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the chiefs, returned from the people of Reuben and the people of Gad in the land of Gilead to the land of Canaan, to the people of Israel, and brought back word to them. 33 And the report was good in the eyes of the people of Israel. And the people of Israel blessed God and spoke no more of making war against them to destroy the land where the people of Reuben and the people of Gad were settled. 34 The people of Reuben and the people of Gad called the altar Witness, “For,” they said, “it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.”

    (ESV)

    Chronicles and Prophets:
    Jeremiah 14–15:9
    Jeremiah 14–15:9 (Listen)
    Famine, Sword, and Pestilence

    14 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:

    2   “Judah mourns,
        and her gates languish;
      her people lament on the ground,
        and the cry of Jerusalem goes up.
    3   Her nobles send their servants for water;
        they come to the cisterns;
      they find no water;
        they return with their vessels empty;
      they are ashamed and confounded
        and cover their heads.
    4   Because of the ground that is dismayed,
        since there is no rain on the land,
      the farmers are ashamed;
        they cover their heads.
    5   Even the doe in the field forsakes her newborn fawn
        because there is no grass.
    6   The wild donkeys stand on the bare heights;
        they pant for air like jackals;
      their eyes fail
        because there is no vegetation.
    7   “Though our iniquities testify against us,
        act, O LORD, for your name's sake;
      for our backslidings are many;
        we have sinned against you.
    8   O you hope of Israel,
        its savior in time of trouble,
      why should you be like a stranger in the land,
        like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?
    9   Why should you be like a man confused,
        like a mighty warrior who cannot save?
      Yet you, O LORD, are in the midst of us,
        and we are called by your name;
        do not leave us.”
    10   Thus says the LORD concerning this people:
      “They have loved to wander thus;
        they have not restrained their feet;
      therefore the LORD does not accept them;
        now he will remember their iniquity
        and punish their sins.”

    11 The LORD said to me: “Do not pray for the welfare of this people. 12 Though they fast, I will not hear their cry, and though they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.”

    Lying Prophets

    13 Then I said: “Ah, Lord GOD, behold, the prophets say to them, ‘You shall not see the sword, nor shall you have famine, but I will give you assured peace in this place.’” 14 And the LORD said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds. 15 Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name although I did not send them, and who say, ‘Sword and famine shall not come upon this land’: By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed. 16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword, with none to bury them—them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. For I will pour out their evil upon them.

    17   “You shall say to them this word:
      ‘Let my eyes run down with tears night and day,
        and let them not cease,
      for the virgin daughter of my people is shattered with a great wound,
        with a very grievous blow.
    18   If I go out into the field,
        behold, those pierced by the sword!
      And if I enter the city,
        behold, the diseases of famine!
      For both prophet and priest ply their trade through the land
        and have no knowledge.’”
    19   Have you utterly rejected Judah?
        Does your soul loathe Zion?
      Why have you struck us down
        so that there is no healing for us?
      We looked for peace, but no good came;
        for a time of healing, but behold, terror.
    20   We acknowledge our wickedness, O LORD,
        and the iniquity of our fathers,
        for we have sinned against you.
    21   Do not spurn us, for your name's sake;
        do not dishonor your glorious throne;
        remember and do not break your covenant with us.
    22   Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain?
        Or can the heavens give showers?
      Are you not he, O LORD our God?
        We set our hope on you,
        for you do all these things.

    The Lord Will Not Relent

    15 Then the LORD said to me, “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my heart would not turn toward this people. Send them out of my sight, and let them go! 2 And when they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD:

      “‘Those who are for pestilence, to pestilence,
        and those who are for the sword, to the sword;
      those who are for famine, to famine,
        and those who are for captivity, to captivity.’

    3 I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to tear, and the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. 4 And I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem.

    5   “Who will have pity on you, O Jerusalem,
        or who will grieve for you?
      Who will turn aside
        to ask about your welfare?
    6   You have rejected me, declares the LORD;
        you keep going backward,
      so I have stretched out my hand against you and destroyed you—
        I am weary of relenting.
    7   I have winnowed them with a winnowing fork
        in the gates of the land;
      I have bereaved them; I have destroyed my people;
        they did not turn from their ways.
    8   I have made their widows more in number
        than the sand of the seas;
      I have brought against the mothers of young men
        a destroyer at noonday;
      I have made anguish and terror
        fall upon them suddenly.
    9   She who bore seven has grown feeble;
        she has fainted away;
      her sun went down while it was yet day;
        she has been shamed and disgraced.
      And the rest of them I will give to the sword
        before their enemies,
          declares the LORD.”

    (ESV)

    Gospels and Epistles:
    Matthew 27:1–26
    Matthew 27:1–26 (Listen)
    Jesus Delivered to Pilate

    27 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.

    Judas Hangs Himself

    3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that JesusGreek he">1 was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, 10 and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.”

    Jesus Before Pilate

    11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

    The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

    15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

    Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

    24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood;Some manuscripts this righteous blood, or this righteous man's blood">2 see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourgedA Roman judicial penalty, consisting of a severe beating with a multi-lashed whip containing embedded pieces of bone and metal">3 Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

    Footnotes

    [1] 27:3 Greek he


    [2] 27:24 Some manuscripts this righteous blood, or this righteous man's blood

    [3] 27:26 A Roman judicial penalty, consisting of a severe beating with a multi-lashed whip containing embedded pieces of bone and metal

    (ESV)

    17 min
  • July 19: Ecclesiastes 11:9–12:8; Joshua 21; Jeremiah 13; Matthew 26:30–75
    Psalms and Wisdom:
    Ecclesiastes 11:9–12:8
    Ecclesiastes 11:9–12:8 (Listen)

    9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

    10 Remove vexation from your heart, and put away painOr evil">1 from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

    Remember Your Creator in Your Youth

    12 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, 3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, 4 and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low—5 they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along,Or is a burden">2 and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets—6 before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8 VanityThe Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (three times in this verse); see note on 1:2">3 of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.

    Footnotes

    [1] 11:10 Or evil


    [2] 12:5 Or is a burden

    [3] 12:8 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (three times in this verse); see note on 1:2

    (ESV)

    Pentateuch and History:
    Joshua 21
    Joshua 21 (Listen)
    Cities and Pasturelands Allotted to Levi

    21 Then the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel. 2 And they said to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities to dwell in, along with their pasturelands for our livestock.” 3 So by command of the LORD the people of Israel gave to the Levites the following cities and pasturelands out of their inheritance.

    4 The lot came out for the clans of the Kohathites. So those Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest received by lot from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, thirteen cities.

    5 And the rest of the Kohathites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan and the half-tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.

    6 The Gershonites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Issachar, from the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.

    7 The Merarites according to their clans received from the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.

    8 These cities and their pasturelands the people of Israel gave by lot to the Levites, as the LORD had commanded through Moses.

    9 Out of the tribe of the people of Judah and the tribe of the people of Simeon they gave the following cities mentioned by name, 10 which went to the descendants of Aaron, one of the clans of the Kohathites who belonged to the people of Levi; since the lot fell to them first. 11 They gave them Kiriath-arba (Arba being the father of Anak), that is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, along with the pasturelands around it. 12 But the fields of the city and its villages had been given to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as his possession.

    13 And to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasturelands, Libnah with its pasturelands, 14 Jattir with its pasturelands, Eshtemoa with its pasturelands, 15 Holon with its pasturelands, Debir with its pasturelands, 16 Ain with its pasturelands, Juttah with its pasturelands, Beth-shemesh with its pasturelands—nine cities out of these two tribes; 17 then out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with its pasturelands, Geba with its pasturelands, 18 Anathoth with its pasturelands, and Almon with its pasturelands—four cities. 19 The cities of the descendants of Aaron, the priests, were in all thirteen cities with their pasturelands.

    20 As to the rest of the Kohathites belonging to the Kohathite clans of the Levites, the cities allotted to them were out of the tribe of Ephraim. 21 To them were given Shechem, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer with its pasturelands, 22 Kibzaim with its pasturelands, Beth-horon with its pasturelands—four cities; 23 and out of the tribe of Dan, Elteke with its pasturelands, Gibbethon with its pasturelands, 24 Aijalon with its pasturelands, Gath-rimmon with its pasturelands—four cities; 25 and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Taanach with its pasturelands, and Gath-rimmon with its pasturelands—two cities. 26 The cities of the clans of the rest of the Kohathites were ten in all with their pasturelands.

    27 And to the Gershonites, one of the clans of the Levites, were given out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Beeshterah with its pasturelands—two cities; 28 and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishion with its pasturelands, Daberath with its pasturelands, 29 Jarmuth with its pasturelands, En-gannim with its pasturelands—four cities; 30 and out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with its pasturelands, Abdon with its pasturelands, 31 Helkath with its pasturelands, and Rehob with its pasturelands—four cities; 32 and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Hammoth-dor with its pasturelands, and Kartan with its pasturelands—three cities. 33 The cities of the several clans of the Gershonites were in all thirteen cities with their pasturelands.

    34 And to the rest of the Levites, the Merarite clans, were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasturelands, Kartah with its pasturelands, 35 Dimnah with its pasturelands, Nahalal with its pasturelands—four cities; 36 and out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with its pasturelands, Jahaz with its pasturelands, 37 Kedemoth with its pasturelands, and Mephaath with its pasturelands—four cities; 38 and out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Mahanaim with its pasturelands, 39 Heshbon with its pasturelands, Jazer with its pasturelands—four cities in all. 40 As for the cities of the several Merarite clans, that is, the remainder of the clans of the Levites, those allotted to them were in all twelve cities.

    41 The cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people of Israel were in all forty-eight cities with their pasturelands. 42 These cities each had its pasturelands around it. So it was with all these cities.

    43 Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. 44 And the LORD gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.

    (ESV)

    Chronicles and Prophets:
    Jeremiah 13
    Jeremiah 13 (Listen)
    The Ruined Loincloth

    13 Thus says the LORD to me, “Go and buy a linen loincloth and put it around your waist, and do not dip it in water.” 2 So I bought a loincloth according to the word of the LORD, and put it around my waist. 3 And the word of the LORD came to me a second time, 4 “Take the loincloth that you have bought, which is around your waist, and arise, go to the Euphrates and hide it there in a cleft of the rock.” 5 So I went and hid it by the Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me. 6 And after many days the LORD said to me, “Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take from there the loincloth that I commanded you to hide there.” 7 Then I went to the Euphrates, and dug, and I took the loincloth from the place where I had hidden it. And behold, the loincloth was spoiled; it was good for nothing.

    8 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 9 “Thus says the LORD: Even so will I spoil the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10 This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who stubbornly follow their own heart and have gone after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be like this loincloth, which is good for nothing. 11 For as the loincloth clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the LORD, that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but they would not listen.

    The Jars Filled with Wine

    12 “You shall speak to them this word: ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, “Every jar shall be filled with wine.”’ And they will say to you, ‘Do we not indeed know that every jar will be filled with wine?’ 13 Then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will fill with drunkenness all the inhabitants of this land: the kings who sit on David's throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 14 And I will dash them one against another, fathers and sons together, declares the LORD. I will not pity or spare or have compassion, that I should not destroy them.’”

    Exile Threatened

    15   Hear and give ear; be not proud,
        for the LORD has spoken.
    16   Give glory to the LORD your God
        before he brings darkness,
      before your feet stumble
        on the twilight mountains,
      and while you look for light
        he turns it into gloom
        and makes it deep darkness.
    17   But if you will not listen,
        my soul will weep in secret for your pride;
      my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears,
        because the LORD's flock has been taken captive.
    18   Say to the king and the queen mother:
        “Take a lowly seat,
      for your beautiful crown
        has come down from your head.”
    19   The cities of the Negeb are shut up,
        with none to open them;
      all Judah is taken into exile,
        wholly taken into exile.
    20   “Lift up your eyes and see
        those who come from the north.
      Where is the flock that was given you,
        your beautiful flock?
    21   What will you say when they set as head over you
        those whom you yourself have taught to be friends to you?
      Will not pangs take hold of you
        like those of a woman in labor?
    22   And if you say in your heart,
        ‘Why have these things come upon me?’
      it is for the greatness of your iniquity
        that your skirts are lifted up
        and you suffer violence.
    23   Can the Ethiopian change his skin
        or the leopard his spots?
      Then also you can do good
        who are accustomed to do evil.
    24   I will scatter youHebrew them">1 like chaff
        driven by the wind from the desert.
    25   This is your lot,
        the portion I have measured out to you, declares the LORD,
      because you have forgotten me
        and trusted in lies.
    26   I myself will lift up your skirts over your face,
        and your shame will be seen.
    27   I have seen your abominations,
        your adulteries and neighings, your lewd whorings,
        on the hills in the field.
      Woe to you, O Jerusalem!
        How long will it be before you are made clean?”

    Footnotes

    [1] 13:24 Hebrew them

    (ESV)

    Gospels and Epistles:
    Matthew 26:30–75
    Matthew 26:30–75 (Listen)
    Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

    30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

    Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

    36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watchOr keep awake; also verses 40, 41">1 with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.Or Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?">2 See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

    Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

    47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.”Or Friend, why are you here?">3 Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servantOr bondservant">4 of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

    Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council

    57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole councilGreek Sanhedrin">5 were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”Or Have you no answer to what these men testify against you?">6 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

    Peter Denies Jesus

    69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

    Footnotes

    [1] 26:38 Or keep awake; also verses 40, 41


    [2] 26:45 Or Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?

    [3] 26:50 Or Friend, why are you here?

    [4] 26:51 Or bondservant

    [5] 26:59 Greek Sanhedrin

    [6] 26:62 Or Have you no answer to what these men testify against you?

    (ESV)

    19 min
  • July 18: Ecclesiastes 11:1–8; Joshua 20; Jeremiah 11:18–12:17; Matthew 26:1–29
    Psalms and Wisdom:
    Ecclesiastes 11:1–8
    Ecclesiastes 11:1–8 (Listen)
    Cast Your Bread upon the Waters

    11   Cast your bread upon the waters,
        for you will find it after many days.
    2   Give a portion to seven, or even to eight,
        for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.
    3   If the clouds are full of rain,
        they empty themselves on the earth,
      and if a tree falls to the south or to the north,
        in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
    4   He who observes the wind will not sow,
        and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

    5 As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the wombSome Hebrew manuscripts, Targum; most Hebrew manuscripts As you do not know the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb">1 of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.

    6 In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

    7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.

    8 So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verse 10 (see note on 1:2)">2

    Footnotes

    [1] 11:5 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Targum; most Hebrew manuscripts As you do not know the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb


    [2] 11:8 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verse 10 (see note on 1:2)

    (ESV)

    Pentateuch and History:
    Joshua 20
    Joshua 20 (Listen)
    The Cities of Refuge

    20 Then the LORD said to Joshua, 2 “Say to the people of Israel, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3 that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood. 4 He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case to the elders of that city. Then they shall take him into the city and give him a place, and he shall remain with them. 5 And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not give up the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unknowingly, and did not hate him in the past. 6 And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time. Then the manslayer may return to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled.’”

    7 So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, and Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. 8 And beyond the Jordan east of Jericho, they appointed Bezer in the wilderness on the tableland, from the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead, from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan, from the tribe of Manasseh. 9 These were the cities designated for all the people of Israel and for the stranger sojourning among them, that anyone who killed a person without intent could flee there, so that he might not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, till he stood before the congregation.

    (ESV)

    Chronicles and Prophets:
    Jeremiah 11:18–12:17
    Jeremiah 11:18–12:17 (Listen)

    18   The LORD made it known to me and I knew;
        then you showed me their deeds.
    19   But I was like a gentle lamb
        led to the slaughter.
      I did not know it was against me
        they devised schemes, saying,
      “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit,
        let us cut him off from the land of the living,
        that his name be remembered no more.”
    20   But, O LORD of hosts, who judges righteously,
        who tests the heart and the mind,
      let me see your vengeance upon them,
        for to you have I committed my cause.

    21 Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, and say, “Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD, or you will die by our hand”—22 therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: “Behold, I will punish them. The young men shall die by the sword, their sons and their daughters shall die by famine, 23 and none of them shall be left. For I will bring disaster upon the men of Anathoth, the year of their punishment.”

    Jeremiah's Complaint

    12   Righteous are you, O LORD,
        when I complain to you;
        yet I would plead my case before you.
      Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
        Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
    2   You plant them, and they take root;
        they grow and produce fruit;
      you are near in their mouth
        and far from their heart.
    3   But you, O LORD, know me;
        you see me, and test my heart toward you.
      Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter,
        and set them apart for the day of slaughter.
    4   How long will the land mourn
        and the grass of every field wither?
      For the evil of those who dwell in it
        the beasts and the birds are swept away,
        because they said, “He will not see our latter end.”

    The Lord Answers Jeremiah

    5   “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you,
        how will you compete with horses?
      And if in a safe land you are so trusting,
        what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?
    6   For even your brothers and the house of your father,
        even they have dealt treacherously with you;
        they are in full cry after you;
      do not believe them,
        though they speak friendly words to you.”
    7   “I have forsaken my house;
        I have abandoned my heritage;
      I have given the beloved of my soul
        into the hands of her enemies.
    8   My heritage has become to me
        like a lion in the forest;
      she has lifted up her voice against me;
        therefore I hate her.
    9   Is my heritage to me like a hyena's lair?
        Are the birds of prey against her all around?
      Go, assemble all the wild beasts;
        bring them to devour.
    10   Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard;
        they have trampled down my portion;
      they have made my pleasant portion
        a desolate wilderness.
    11   They have made it a desolation;
        desolate, it mourns to me.
      The whole land is made desolate,
        but no man lays it to heart.
    12   Upon all the bare heights in the desert
        destroyers have come,
      for the sword of the LORD devours
        from one end of the land to the other;
        no flesh has peace.
    13   They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns;
        they have tired themselves out but profit nothing.
      They shall be ashamed of theirHebrew your">1 harvests
        because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”

    14 Thus says the LORD concerning all my evil neighbors who touch the heritage that I have given my people Israel to inherit: “Behold, I will pluck them up from their land, and I will pluck up the house of Judah from among them. 15 And after I have plucked them up, I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to his heritage and each to his land. 16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As the LORD lives,’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they shall be built up in the midst of my people. 17 But if any nation will not listen, then I will utterly pluck it up and destroy it, declares the LORD.”

    Footnotes

    [1] 12:13 Hebrew your

    (ESV)

    Gospels and Epistles:
    Matthew 26:1–29
    Matthew 26:1–29 (Listen)
    The Plot to Kill Jesus

    26 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

    3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

    Jesus Anointed at Bethany

    6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13">1 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

    Judas to Betray Jesus

    14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

    The Passover with the Disciples

    17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

    20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.Some manuscripts add disciples">2 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

    Institution of the Lord's Supper

    26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of theSome manuscripts insert new">3 covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

    Footnotes

    [1] 26:6 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13


    [2] 26:20 Some manuscripts add disciples

    [3] 26:28 Some manuscripts insert new

    (ESV)

    11 min
  • July 17: Ecclesiastes 10; Joshua 18–19; Jeremiah 11:1–17; Matthew 25
    Psalms and Wisdom:
    Ecclesiastes 10
    Ecclesiastes 10 (Listen)

    10   Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench;
        so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
    2   A wise man's heart inclines him to the right,
        but a fool's heart to the left.
    3   Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,
        and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
    4   If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place,
        for calmnessHebrew healing">1 will lay great offenses to rest.

    5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

    8   He who digs a pit will fall into it,
        and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
    9   He who quarries stones is hurt by them,
        and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
    10   If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
        he must use more strength,
        but wisdom helps one to succeed.Or wisdom is an advantage for success">2
    11   If the serpent bites before it is charmed,
        there is no advantage to the charmer.
    12   The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor,Or are gracious">3
        but the lips of a fool consume him.
    13   The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
        and the end of his talk is evil madness.
    14   A fool multiplies words,
        though no man knows what is to be,
        and who can tell him what will be after him?
    15   The toil of a fool wearies him,
        for he does not know the way to the city.
    16   Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
        and your princes feast in the morning!
    17   Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility,
        and your princes feast at the proper time,
        for strength, and not for drunkenness!
    18   Through sloth the roof sinks in,
        and through indolence the house leaks.
    19   Bread is made for laughter,
        and wine gladdens life,
        and money answers everything.
    20   Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,
        nor in your bedroom curse the rich,
      for a bird of the air will carry your voice,
        or some winged creature tell the matter.

    Footnotes

    [1] 10:4 Hebrew healing


    [2] 10:10 Or wisdom is an advantage for success

    [3] 10:12 Or are gracious

    (ESV)

    Pentateuch and History:
    Joshua 18–19
    Joshua 18–19 (Listen)
    Allotment of the Remaining Land

    18 Then the whole congregation of the people of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there. The land lay subdued before them.

    2 There remained among the people of Israel seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been apportioned. 3 So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you? 4 Provide three men from each tribe, and I will send them out that they may set out and go up and down the land. They shall write a description of it with a view to their inheritances, and then come to me. 5 They shall divide it into seven portions. Judah shall continue in his territory on the south, and the house of Joseph shall continue in their territory on the north. 6 And you shall describe the land in seven divisions and bring the description here to me. And I will cast lots for you here before the LORD our God. 7 The Levites have no portion among you, for the priesthood of the LORD is their heritage. And Gad and Reuben and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan eastward, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them.”

    8 So the men arose and went, and Joshua charged those who went to write the description of the land, saying, “Go up and down in the land and write a description and return to me. And I will cast lots for you here before the LORD in Shiloh.” 9 So the men went and passed up and down in the land and wrote in a book a description of it by towns in seven divisions. Then they came to Joshua to the camp at Shiloh, 10 and Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD. And there Joshua apportioned the land to the people of Israel, to each his portion.

    The Inheritance for Benjamin

    11 The lot of the tribe of the people of Benjamin according to its clans came up, and the territory allotted to it fell between the people of Judah and the people of Joseph. 12 On the north side their boundary began at the Jordan. Then the boundary goes up to the shoulder north of Jericho, then up through the hill country westward, and it ends at the wilderness of Beth-aven. 13 From there the boundary passes along southward in the direction of Luz, to the shoulder of Luz (that is, Bethel), then the boundary goes down to Ataroth-addar, on the mountain that lies south of Lower Beth-horon. 14 Then the boundary goes in another direction, turning on the western side southward from the mountain that lies to the south, opposite Beth-horon, and it ends at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city belonging to the people of Judah. This forms the western side. 15 And the southern side begins at the outskirts of Kiriath-jearim. And the boundary goes from there to Ephron,See 15:9; Hebrew westward">1 to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah. 16 Then the boundary goes down to the border of the mountain that overlooks the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, which is at the north end of the Valley of Rephaim. And it then goes down the Valley of Hinnom, south of the shoulder of the Jebusites, and downward to En-rogel. 17 Then it bends in a northerly direction going on to En-shemesh, and from there goes to Geliloth, which is opposite the ascent of Adummim. Then it goes down to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben, 18 and passing on to the north of the shoulder of Beth-arabahSeptuagint; Hebrew to the shoulder over against the Arabah">2 it goes down to the Arabah. 19 Then the boundary passes on to the north of the shoulder of Beth-hoglah. And the boundary ends at the northern bay of the Salt Sea, at the south end of the Jordan: this is the southern border. 20 The Jordan forms its boundary on the eastern side. This is the inheritance of the people of Benjamin, according to their clans, boundary by boundary all around.

    21 Now the cities of the tribe of the people of Benjamin according to their clans were Jericho, Beth-hoglah, Emek-keziz, 22 Beth-arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel, 23 Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, 24 Chephar-ammoni, Ophni, Geba—twelve cities with their villages: 25 Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth, 26 Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah, 27 Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah, 28 Zela, Haeleph, JebusSeptuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew the Jebusite">3 (that is, Jerusalem), GibeahHebrew Gibeath">4 and Kiriath-jearimSeptuagint; Hebrew Kiriath">5—fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the people of Benjamin according to its clans.

    The Inheritance for Simeon

    19 The second lot came out for Simeon, for the tribe of the people of Simeon, according to their clans, and their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the people of Judah. 2 And they had for their inheritance Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, 3 Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, 4 Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, 5 Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah, 6 Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen—thirteen cities with their villages; 7 Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan—four cities with their villages, 8 together with all the villages around these cities as far as Baalath-beer, Ramah of the Negeb. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Simeon according to their clans. 9 The inheritance of the people of Simeon formed part of the territory of the people of Judah. Because the portion of the people of Judah was too large for them, the people of Simeon obtained an inheritance in the midst of their inheritance.

    The Inheritance for Zebulun

    10 The third lot came up for the people of Zebulun, according to their clans. And the territory of their inheritance reached as far as Sarid. 11 Then their boundary goes up westward and on to Mareal and touches Dabbesheth, then the brook that is east of Jokneam. 12 From Sarid it goes in the other direction eastward toward the sunrise to the boundary of Chisloth-tabor. From there it goes to Daberath, then up to Japhia. 13 From there it passes along on the east toward the sunrise to Gath-hepher, to Eth-kazin, and going on to Rimmon it bends toward Neah, 14 then on the north the boundary turns about to Hannathon, and it ends at the Valley of Iphtahel; 15 and Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem—twelve cities with their villages. 16 This is the inheritance of the people of Zebulun, according to their clans—these cities with their villages.

    The Inheritance for Issachar

    17 The fourth lot came out for Issachar, for the people of Issachar, according to their clans. 18 Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem, 19 Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath, 20 Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez, 21 Remeth, En-gannim, En-haddah, Beth-pazzez. 22 The boundary also touches Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth-shemesh, and its boundary ends at the Jordan—sixteen cities with their villages. 23 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Issachar, according to their clans—the cities with their villages.

    The Inheritance for Asher

    24 The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the people of Asher according to their clans. 25 Their territory included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph, 26 Allammelech, Amad, and Mishal. On the west it touches Carmel and Shihor-libnath, 27 then it turns eastward, it goes to Beth-dagon, and touches Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtahel northward to Beth-emek and Neiel. Then it continues in the north to Cabul, 28 Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, Kanah, as far as Sidon the Great. 29 Then the boundary turns to Ramah, reaching to the fortified city of Tyre. Then the boundary turns to Hosah, and it ends at the sea; Mahalab,Compare Septuagint; Hebrew Mehebel">6 Achzib, 30 Ummah, Aphek and Rehob—twenty-two cities with their villages. 31 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Asher according to their clans—these cities with their villages.

    The Inheritance for Naphtali

    32 The sixth lot came out for the people of Naphtali, for the people of Naphtali, according to their clans. 33 And their boundary ran from Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim, and Adami-nekeb, and Jabneel, as far as Lakkum, and it ended at the Jordan. 34 Then the boundary turns westward to Aznoth-tabor and goes from there to Hukkok, touching Zebulun at the south and Asher on the west and Judah on the east at the Jordan. 35 The fortified cities are Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth, 36 Adamah, Ramah, Hazor, 37 Kedesh, Edrei, En-hazor, 38 Yiron, Migdal-el, Horem, Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh—nineteen cities with their villages. 39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Naphtali according to their clans—the cities with their villages.

    The Inheritance for Dan

    40 The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the people of Dan, according to their clans. 41 And the territory of its inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh, 42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, 43 Elon, Timnah, Ekron, 44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, 45 Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon, 46 and Me-jarkon and Rakkon with the territory over against Joppa. 47 When the territory of the people of Dan was lost to them, the people of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, and after capturing it and striking it with the sword they took possession of it and settled in it, calling Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor. 48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Dan, according to their clans—these cities with their villages.

    The Inheritance for Joshua

    49 When they had finished distributing the several territories of the land as inheritances, the people of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun. 50 By command of the LORD they gave him the city that he asked, Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he rebuilt the city and settled in it.

    51 These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel distributed by lot at Shiloh before the LORD, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. So they finished dividing the land.

    Footnotes

    [1] 18:15 See 15:9; Hebrew westward


    [2] 18:18 Septuagint; Hebrew to the shoulder over against the Arabah

    [3] 18:28 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew the Jebusite

    [4] 18:28 Hebrew Gibeath

    [5] 18:28 Septuagint; Hebrew Kiriath

    [6] 19:29 Compare Septuagint; Hebrew Mehebel

    (ESV)

    Chronicles and Prophets:
    Jeremiah 11:1–17
    Jeremiah 11:1–17 (Listen)
    The Broken Covenant

    11 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 “Hear the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 3 You shall say to them, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man who does not hear the words of this covenant 4 that I commanded your fathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Listen to my voice, and do all that I command you. So shall you be my people, and I will be your God, 5 that I may confirm the oath that I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day.” Then I answered, “So be it, LORD.”

    6 And the LORD said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem: Hear the words of this covenant and do them. 7 For I solemnly warned your fathers when I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, warning them persistently, even to this day, saying, Obey my voice. 8 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but everyone walked in the stubbornness of his evil heart. Therefore I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not.”

    9 Again the LORD said to me, “A conspiracy exists among the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 10 They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words. They have gone after other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant that I made with their fathers. 11 Therefore, thus says the LORD, Behold, I am bringing disaster upon them that they cannot escape. Though they cry to me, I will not listen to them. 12 Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry to the gods to whom they make offerings, but they cannot save them in the time of their trouble. 13 For your gods have become as many as your cities, O Judah, and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to shame, altars to make offerings to Baal.

    14 “Therefore do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer on their behalf, for I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their trouble. 15 What right has my beloved in my house, when she has done many vile deeds? Can even sacrificial flesh avert your doom? Can you then exult? 16 The LORD once called you ‘a green olive tree, beautiful with good fruit.’ But with the roar of a great tempest he will set fire to it, and its branches will be consumed. 17 The LORD of hosts, who planted you, has decreed disaster against you, because of the evil that the house of Israel and the house of Judah have done, provoking me to anger by making offerings to Baal.”

    (ESV)

    Gospels and Epistles:
    Matthew 25
    Matthew 25 (Listen)
    The Parable of the Ten Virgins

    25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lampsOr torches">1 and went to meet the bridegroom.Some manuscripts add and the bride">2 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

    The Parable of the Talents

    14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servantsOr bondservants; also verse 19">3 and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents,A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years' wages for a laborer">4 to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.Or bondservant; also verses 23, 26, 30">5 You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

    The Final Judgment

    31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,Or brothers and sisters">6 you did it to me.’

    41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

    Footnotes

    [1] 25:1 Or torches


    [2] 25:1 Some manuscripts add and the bride

    [3] 25:14 Or bondservants; also verse 19

    [4] 25:15 A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years' wages for a laborer

    [5] 25:21 Or bondservant; also verses 23, 26, 30

    [6] 25:40 Or brothers and sisters

    (ESV)

    22 min
  • July 16: Ecclesiastes 9:11–18; Joshua 16–17; Jeremiah 9:23–10:25; Matthew 24
    Psalms and Wisdom:
    Ecclesiastes 9:11–18
    Ecclesiastes 9:11–18 (Listen)
    Wisdom Better Than Folly

    11 Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. 12 For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.

    13 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. 14 There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15 But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.

    17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

    (ESV)

    Pentateuch and History:
    Joshua 16–17
    Joshua 16–17 (Listen)
    The Allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh

    16 The allotment of the people of Joseph went from the Jordan by Jericho, east of the waters of Jericho, into the wilderness, going up from Jericho into the hill country to Bethel. 2 Then going from Bethel to Luz, it passes along to Ataroth, the territory of the Archites. 3 Then it goes down westward to the territory of the Japhletites, as far as the territory of Lower Beth-horon, then to Gezer, and it ends at the sea.

    4 The people of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, received their inheritance.

    5 The territory of the people of Ephraim by their clans was as follows: the boundary of their inheritance on the east was Ataroth-addar as far as Upper Beth-horon, 6 and the boundary goes from there to the sea. On the north is Michmethath. Then on the east the boundary turns around toward Taanath-shiloh and passes along beyond it on the east to Janoah, 7 then it goes down from Janoah to Ataroth and to Naarah, and touches Jericho, ending at the Jordan. 8 From Tappuah the boundary goes westward to the brook Kanah and ends at the sea. Such is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Ephraim by their clans, 9 together with the towns that were set apart for the people of Ephraim within the inheritance of the Manassites, all those towns with their villages. 10 However, they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites have lived in the midst of Ephraim to this day but have been made to do forced labor.

    17 Then allotment was made to the people of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph. To Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, were allotted Gilead and Bashan, because he was a man of war. 2 And allotments were made to the rest of the people of Manasseh by their clans, Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These were the male descendants of Manasseh the son of Joseph, by their clans.

    3 Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, had no sons, but only daughters, and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 4 They approached Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the leaders and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance along with our brothers.” So according to the mouth of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brothers of their father. 5 Thus there fell to Manasseh ten portions, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is on the other side of the Jordan, 6 because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance along with his sons. The land of Gilead was allotted to the rest of the people of Manasseh.

    7 The territory of Manasseh reached from Asher to Michmethath, which is east of Shechem. Then the boundary goes along southward to the inhabitants of En-tappuah. 8 The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but the town of Tappuah on the boundary of Manasseh belonged to the people of Ephraim. 9 Then the boundary went down to the brook Kanah. These cities, to the south of the brook, among the cities of Manasseh, belong to Ephraim. Then the boundary of Manasseh goes on the north side of the brook and ends at the sea, 10 the land to the south being Ephraim's and that to the north being Manasseh's, with the sea forming its boundary. On the north Asher is reached, and on the east Issachar. 11 Also in Issachar and in Asher Manasseh had Beth-shean and its villages, and Ibleam and its villages, and the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, and the inhabitants of En-dor and its villages, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its villages, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; the third is Naphath.The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain">1 12 Yet the people of Manasseh could not take possession of those cities, but the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land. 13 Now when the people of Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out.

    14 Then the people of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given me but one lot and one portion as an inheritance, although I am a numerous people, since all along the LORD has blessed me?” 15 And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.” 16 The people of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel.” 17 Then Joshua said to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, “You are a numerous people and have great power. You shall not have one allotment only, 18 but the hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.”

    Footnotes

    [1] 17:11 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain

    (ESV)

    Chronicles and Prophets:
    Jeremiah 9:23–10:25
    Jeremiah 9:23–10:25 (Listen)

    23 Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”

    25 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh—26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.”

    Idols and the Living God

    10 Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2 Thus says the LORD:

      “Learn not the way of the nations,
        nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens
        because the nations are dismayed at them,
    3   for the customs of the peoples are vanity.Or vapor, or mist">1
      A tree from the forest is cut down
        and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman.
    4   They decorate it with silver and gold;
        they fasten it with hammer and nails
        so that it cannot move.
    5   Their idolsHebrew They">2 are like scarecrows in a cucumber field,
        and they cannot speak;
      they have to be carried,
        for they cannot walk.
      Do not be afraid of them,
        for they cannot do evil,
        neither is it in them to do good.”
    6   There is none like you, O LORD;
        you are great, and your name is great in might.
    7   Who would not fear you, O King of the nations?
        For this is your due;
      for among all the wise ones of the nations
        and in all their kingdoms
        there is none like you.
    8   They are both stupid and foolish;
        the instruction of idols is but wood!
    9   Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish,
        and gold from Uphaz.
      They are the work of the craftsman and of the hands of the goldsmith;
        their clothing is violet and purple;
        they are all the work of skilled men.
    10   But the LORD is the true God;
        he is the living God and the everlasting King.
      At his wrath the earth quakes,
        and the nations cannot endure his indignation.

    11 Thus shall you say to them: “The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.”This verse is in Aramaic">3

    12   It is he who made the earth by his power,
        who established the world by his wisdom,
        and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.
    13   When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens,
        and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth.
      He makes lightning for the rain,
        and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.
    14   Every man is stupid and without knowledge;
        every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols,
      for his images are false,
        and there is no breath in them.
    15   They are worthless, a work of delusion;
        at the time of their punishment they shall perish.
    16   Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob,
        for he is the one who formed all things,
      and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance;
        the LORD of hosts is his name.
    17   Gather up your bundle from the ground,
        O you who dwell under siege!
    18   For thus says the LORD:
      “Behold, I am slinging out the inhabitants of the land
        at this time,
      and I will bring distress on them,
        that they may feel it.”
    19   Woe is me because of my hurt!
        My wound is grievous.
      But I said, “Truly this is an affliction,
        and I must bear it.”
    20   My tent is destroyed,
        and all my cords are broken;
      my children have gone from me,
        and they are not;
      there is no one to spread my tent again
        and to set up my curtains.
    21   For the shepherds are stupid
        and do not inquire of the LORD;
      therefore they have not prospered,
        and all their flock is scattered.
    22   A voice, a rumor! Behold, it comes!—
        a great commotion out of the north country
      to make the cities of Judah a desolation,
        a lair of jackals.
    23   I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself,
        that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
    24   Correct me, O LORD, but in justice;
        not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.
    25   Pour out your wrath on the nations that know you not,
        and on the peoples that call not on your name,
      for they have devoured Jacob;
        they have devoured him and consumed him,
        and have laid waste his habitation.

    Footnotes

    [1] 10:3 Or vapor, or mist


    [2] 10:5 Hebrew They

    [3] 10:11 This verse is in Aramaic

    (ESV)

    Gospels and Epistles:
    Matthew 24
    Matthew 24 (Listen)
    Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

    24 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

    Signs of the End of the Age

    3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

    9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall awayOr stumble">1 and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

    The Abomination of Desolation

    15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

    The Coming of the Son of Man

    29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

    The Lesson of the Fig Tree

    32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

    No One Knows That Day and Hour

    36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,Some manuscripts omit nor the Son">2 but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

    45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant,Or bondservant; also verses 46, 48, 50">3 whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servantsOr bondservants">4 and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

    Footnotes

    [1] 24:10 Or stumble


    [2] 24:36 Some manuscripts omit nor the Son

    [3] 24:45 Or bondservant; also verses 46, 48, 50

    [4] 24:49 Or bondservants

    (ESV)

    18 min
  • July 15: Ecclesiastes 9:1–10; Joshua 15; Jeremiah 8:4–9:22; Matthew 23
    Psalms and Wisdom:
    Ecclesiastes 9:1–10
    Ecclesiastes 9:1–10 (Listen)
    Death Comes to All

    9 But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him. 2 It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil,Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew lacks and the evil">1 to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath. 3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.

    Enjoy Life with the One You Love

    7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.

    8 Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.

    9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vainThe Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)">2 life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might,Or finds to do with your might, do it">3 for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

    Footnotes

    [1] 9:2 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew lacks and the evil


    [2] 9:9 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)

    [3] 9:10 Or finds to do with your might, do it

    (ESV)

    Pentateuch and History:
    Joshua 15
    Joshua 15 (Listen)
    The Allotment for Judah

    15 The allotment for the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans reached southward to the boundary of Edom, to the wilderness of Zin at the farthest south. 2 And their south boundary ran from the end of the Salt Sea, from the bay that faces southward. 3 It goes out southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, passes along to Zin, and goes up south of Kadesh-barnea, along by Hezron, up to Addar, turns about to Karka, 4 passes along to Azmon, goes out by the Brook of Egypt, and comes to its end at the sea. This shall be your south boundary. 5 And the east boundary is the Salt Sea, to the mouth of the Jordan. And the boundary on the north side runs from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan. 6 And the boundary goes up to Beth-hoglah and passes along north of Beth-arabah. And the boundary goes up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben. 7 And the boundary goes up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, and so northward, turning toward Gilgal, which is opposite the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of the valley. And the boundary passes along to the waters of En-shemesh and ends at En-rogel. 8 Then the boundary goes up by the Valley of the Son of Hinnom at the southern shoulder of the Jebusite (that is, Jerusalem). And the boundary goes up to the top of the mountain that lies over against the Valley of Hinnom, on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim. 9 Then the boundary extends from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and from there to the cities of Mount Ephron. Then the boundary bends around to Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim). 10 And the boundary circles west of Baalah to Mount Seir, passes along to the northern shoulder of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon), and goes down to Beth-shemesh and passes along by Timnah. 11 The boundary goes out to the shoulder of the hill north of Ekron, then the boundary bends around to Shikkeron and passes along to Mount Baalah and goes out to Jabneel. Then the boundary comes to an end at the sea. 12 And the west boundary was the Great Sea with its coastline. This is the boundary around the people of Judah according to their clans.

    13 According to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, he gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the people of Judah, Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak). 14 And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak, Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai, the descendants of Anak. 15 And he went up from there against the inhabitants of Debir. Now the name of Debir formerly was Kiriath-sepher. 16 And Caleb said, “Whoever strikes Kiriath-sepher and captures it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter as wife.” 17 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, captured it. And he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife. 18 When she came to him, she urged him to ask her father for a field. And she got off her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you want?” 19 She said to him, “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water.” And he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

    20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans. 21 The cities belonging to the tribe of the people of Judah in the extreme south, toward the boundary of Edom, were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur, 22 Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, 23 Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan, 24 Ziph, Telem, Bealoth, 25 Hazor-hadattah, Kerioth-hezron (that is, Hazor), 26 Amam, Shema, Moladah, 27 Hazar-gaddah, Heshmon, Beth-pelet, 28 Hazar-shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah, 29 Baalah, Iim, Ezem, 30 Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah, 31 Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah, 32 Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon: in all, twenty-nine cities with their villages.

    33 And in the lowland, Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, 34 Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam, 35 Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah, 36 Shaaraim, Adithaim, Gederah, Gederothaim: fourteen cities with their villages.

    37 Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal-gad, 38 Dilean, Mizpeh, Joktheel, 39 Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon, 40 Cabbon, Lahmam, Chitlish, 41 Gederoth, Beth-dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah: sixteen cities with their villages.

    42 Libnah, Ether, Ashan, 43 Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib, 44 Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah: nine cities with their villages.

    45 Ekron, with its towns and its villages; 46 from Ekron to the sea, all that were by the side of Ashdod, with their villages.

    47 Ashdod, its towns and its villages; Gaza, its towns and its villages; to the Brook of Egypt, and the Great Sea with its coastline.

    48 And in the hill country, Shamir, Jattir, Socoh, 49 Dannah, Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir), 50 Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim, 51 Goshen, Holon, and Giloh: eleven cities with their villages.

    52 Arab, Dumah, Eshan, 53 Janim, Beth-tappuah, Aphekah, 54 Humtah, Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior: nine cities with their villages.

    55 Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah, 56 Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah, 57 Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah: ten cities with their villages.

    58 Halhul, Beth-zur, Gedor, 59 Maarath, Beth-anoth, and Eltekon: six cities with their villages.

    60 Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), and Rabbah: two cities with their villages.

    61 In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah, 62 Nibshan, the City of Salt, and Engedi: six cities with their villages.

    63 But the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive out, so the Jebusites dwell with the people of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.

    (ESV)

    Chronicles and Prophets:
    Jeremiah 8:4–9:22
    Jeremiah 8:4–9:22 (Listen)
    Sin and Treachery

    4   “You shall say to them, Thus says the LORD:
      When men fall, do they not rise again?
        If one turns away, does he not return?
    5   Why then has this people turned away
        in perpetual backsliding?
      They hold fast to deceit;
        they refuse to return.
    6   I have paid attention and listened,
        but they have not spoken rightly;
      no man relents of his evil,
        saying, ‘What have I done?’
      Everyone turns to his own course,
        like a horse plunging headlong into battle.
    7   Even the stork in the heavens
        knows her times,
      and the turtledove, swallow, and craneThe meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain">1
        keep the time of their coming,
      but my people know not
        the rulesOr just decrees">2 of the LORD.
    8   “How can you say, ‘We are wise,
        and the law of the LORD is with us’?
      But behold, the lying pen of the scribes
        has made it into a lie.
    9   The wise men shall be put to shame;
        they shall be dismayed and taken;
      behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD,
        so what wisdom is in them?
    10   Therefore I will give their wives to others
        and their fields to conquerors,
      because from the least to the greatest
        everyone is greedy for unjust gain;
      from prophet to priest,
        everyone deals falsely.
    11   They have healed the wound of my people lightly,
        saying, ‘Peace, peace,’
        when there is no peace.
    12   Were they ashamed when they committed abomination?
        No, they were not at all ashamed;
        they did not know how to blush.
      Therefore they shall fall among the fallen;
        when I punish them, they shall be overthrown,
          says the LORD.
    13   When I would gather them, declares the LORD,
        there are no grapes on the vine,
        nor figs on the fig tree;
      even the leaves are withered,
        and what I gave them has passed away from them.”The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain">3
    14   Why do we sit still?
      Gather together; let us go into the fortified cities
        and perish there,
      for the LORD our God has doomed us to perish
        and has given us poisoned water to drink,
        because we have sinned against the LORD.
    15   We looked for peace, but no good came;
        for a time of healing, but behold, terror.
    16   “The snorting of their horses is heard from Dan;
        at the sound of the neighing of their stallions
        the whole land quakes.
      They come and devour the land and all that fills it,
        the city and those who dwell in it.
    17   For behold, I am sending among you serpents,
        adders that cannot be charmed,
        and they shall bite you,”
          declares the LORD.

    Jeremiah Grieves for His People

    18   My joy is gone; grief is upon me;Compare Septuagint; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain">4
        my heart is sick within me.
    19   Behold, the cry of the daughter of my people
        from the length and breadth of the land:
      “Is the LORD not in Zion?
        Is her King not in her?”
      “Why have they provoked me to anger with their carved images
        and with their foreign idols?”
    20   “The harvest is past, the summer is ended,
        and we are not saved.”
    21   For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded;
        I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me.
    22   Is there no balm in Gilead?
        Is there no physician there?
      Why then has the health of the daughter of my people
        not been restored?
    9   Ch 8:23 in Hebrew">5 Oh that my head were waters,
        and my eyes a fountain of tears,
      that I might weep day and night
        for the slain of the daughter of my people!
    2   Ch 9:1 in Hebrew">6 Oh that I had in the desert
        a travelers' lodging place,
      that I might leave my people
        and go away from them!
      For they are all adulterers,
        a company of treacherous men.
    3   They bend their tongue like a bow;
        falsehood and not truth has grown strongSeptuagint; Hebrew and not for truth they have grown strong">7 in the land;
      for they proceed from evil to evil,
        and they do not know me, declares the LORD.
    4   Let everyone beware of his neighbor,
        and put no trust in any brother,
      for every brother is a deceiver,
        and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer.
    5   Everyone deceives his neighbor,
        and no one speaks the truth;
      they have taught their tongue to speak lies;
        they weary themselves committing iniquity.
    6   Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit,
        they refuse to know me, declares the LORD.
    7   Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts:
      “Behold, I will refine them and test them,
        for what else can I do, because of my people?
    8   Their tongue is a deadly arrow;
        it speaks deceitfully;
      with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor,
        but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.
    9   Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD,
        and shall I not avenge myself
        on a nation such as this?
    10   “I will take up weeping and wailing for the mountains,
        and a lamentation for the pastures of the wilderness,
      because they are laid waste so that no one passes through,
        and the lowing of cattle is not heard;
      both the birds of the air and the beasts
        have fled and are gone.
    11   I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins,
        a lair of jackals,
      and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation,
        without inhabitant.”

    12 Who is the man so wise that he can understand this? To whom has the mouth of the LORD spoken, that he may declare it? Why is the land ruined and laid waste like a wilderness, so that no one passes through? 13 And the LORD says: “Because they have forsaken my law that I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice or walked in accord with it, 14 but have stubbornly followed their own hearts and have gone after the Baals, as their fathers taught them. 15 Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will feed this people with bitter food, and give them poisonous water to drink. 16 I will scatter them among the nations whom neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them.”

    17   Thus says the LORD of hosts:
      “Consider, and call for the mourning women to come;
        send for the skillful women to come;
    18   let them make haste and raise a wailing over us,
        that our eyes may run down with tears
        and our eyelids flow with water.
    19   For a sound of wailing is heard from Zion:
        ‘How we are ruined!
        We are utterly shamed,
      because we have left the land,
        because they have cast down our dwellings.’”
    20   Hear, O women, the word of the LORD,
        and let your ear receive the word of his mouth;
      teach to your daughters a lament,
        and each to her neighbor a dirge.
    21   For death has come up into our windows;
        it has entered our palaces,
      cutting off the children from the streets
        and the young men from the squares.
    22   Speak: “Thus declares the LORD,
      ‘The dead bodies of men shall fall
        like dung upon the open field,
      like sheaves after the reaper,
        and none shall gather them.’”

    Footnotes

    [1] 8:7 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain


    [2] 8:7 Or just decrees

    [3] 8:13 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain

    [4] 8:18 Compare Septuagint; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain

    [5] 9:1 Ch 8:23 in Hebrew

    [6] 9:2 Ch 9:1 in Hebrew

    [7] 9:3 Septuagint; Hebrew and not for truth they have grown strong

    (ESV)

    Gospels and Epistles:
    Matthew 23
    Matthew 23 (Listen)
    Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees

    23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,Some manuscripts omit hard to bear">1 and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbiRabbi means my teacher, or my master; also verse 8">2 by others. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.Or brothers and sisters">3 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

    13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.Some manuscripts add here (or after verse 12) verse 14: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation">4 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hellGreek Gehenna; also verse 33">5 as yourselves.

    16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.

    23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!

    25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.

    27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

    29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, 30 saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. 33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? 34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, 35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah,Some manuscripts omit the son of Barachiah">6 whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

    Lament over Jerusalem

    37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

    Footnotes

    [1] 23:4 Some manuscripts omit hard to bear


    [2] 23:7 Rabbi means my teacher, or my master; also verse 8

    [3] 23:8 Or brothers and sisters

    [4] 23:13 Some manuscripts add here (or after verse 12) verse 14: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation

    [5] 23:15 Greek Gehenna; also verse 33

    [6] 23:35 Some manuscripts omit the son of Barachiah

    (ESV)

    21 min
  • July 14: Ecclesiastes 8; Joshua 13–14; Jeremiah 7–8:3; Matthew 22:15–46
    Psalms and Wisdom:
    Ecclesiastes 8
    Ecclesiastes 8 (Listen)
    Keep the King's Command

    8   Who is like the wise?
        And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
      A man's wisdom makes his face shine,
        and the hardness of his face is changed.

    2 I say:Hebrew lacks say">1 Keep the king's command, because of God's oath to him.Or because of your oath to God">2 3 Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” 5 Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.Or and judgment">3 6 For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's troubleOr evil">4 lies heavy on him. 7 For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? 8 No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. 9 All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt.

    Those Who Fear God Will Do Well

    10 Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praisedSome Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts forgotten">5 in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity.The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also twice in verse 14 (see note on 1:2)">6 11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.

    Man Cannot Know God's Ways

    14 There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. 15 And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

    16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one's eyes see sleep, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.

    Footnotes

    [1] 8:2 Hebrew lacks say


    [2] 8:2 Or because of your oath to God

    [3] 8:5 Or and judgment

    [4] 8:6 Or evil

    [5] 8:10 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts forgotten

    [6] 8:10 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also twice in verse 14 (see note on 1:2)

    (ESV)

    Pentateuch and History:
    Joshua 13–14
    Joshua 13–14 (Listen)
    Land Still to Be Conquered

    13 Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess. 2 This is the land that yet remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites 3 (from the Shihor, which is east of Egypt, northward to the boundary of Ekron, it is counted as Canaanite; there are five rulers of the Philistines, those of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron), and those of the Avvim, 4 in the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the boundary of the Amorites, 5 and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath, 6 all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you. 7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.”

    The Inheritance East of the Jordan

    8 With the other half of the tribe of ManassehHebrew With it">1 the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them: 9 from Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the tableland of Medeba as far as Dibon; 10 and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the boundary of the Ammonites; 11 and Gilead, and the region of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan to Salecah; 12 all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (he alone was left of the remnant of the Rephaim); these Moses had struck and driven out. 13 Yet the people of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites, but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel to this day.

    14 To the tribe of Levi alone Moses gave no inheritance. The offerings by fire to the LORD God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him.

    15 And Moses gave an inheritance to the tribe of the people of Reuben according to their clans. 16 So their territory was from Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the tableland by Medeba; 17 with Heshbon, and all its cities that are in the tableland; Dibon, and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon, 18 and Jahaz, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath, 19 and Kiriathaim, and Sibmah, and Zereth-shahar on the hill of the valley, 20 and Beth-peor, and the slopes of Pisgah, and Beth-jeshimoth, 21 that is, all the cities of the tableland, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses defeated with the leaders of Midian, Evi and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba, the princes of Sihon, who lived in the land. 22 Balaam also, the son of Beor, the one who practiced divination, was killed with the sword by the people of Israel among the rest of their slain. 23 And the border of the people of Reuben was the Jordan as a boundary. This was the inheritance of the people of Reuben, according to their clans with their cities and villages.

    24 Moses gave an inheritance also to the tribe of Gad, to the people of Gad, according to their clans. 25 Their territory was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites, to Aroer, which is east of Rabbah, 26 and from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the territory of Debir,Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew Lidebir">2 27 and in the valley Beth-haram, Beth-nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, having the Jordan as a boundary, to the lower end of the Sea of Chinnereth, eastward beyond the Jordan. 28 This is the inheritance of the people of Gad according to their clans, with their cities and villages.

    29 And Moses gave an inheritance to the half-tribe of Manasseh. It was allotted to the half-tribe of the people of Manasseh according to their clans. 30 Their region extended from Mahanaim, through all Bashan, the whole kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, sixty cities, 31 and half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. These were allotted to the people of Machir the son of Manasseh for the half of the people of Machir according to their clans.

    32 These are the inheritances that Moses distributed in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan east of Jericho. 33 But to the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance; the LORD God of Israel is their inheritance, just as he said to them.

    The Inheritance West of the Jordan

    14 These are the inheritances that the people of Israel received in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel gave them to inherit. 2 Their inheritance was by lot, just as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses for the nine and one-half tribes. 3 For Moses had given an inheritance to the two and one-half tribes beyond the Jordan, but to the Levites he gave no inheritance among them. 4 For the people of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion was given to the Levites in the land, but only cities to dwell in, with their pasturelands for their livestock and their substance. 5 The people of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses; they allotted the land.

    Caleb's Request and Inheritance

    6 Then the people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. 8 But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the LORD my God. 9 And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’ 10 And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. 11 I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. 12 So now give me this hill country of which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the LORD said.”

    13 Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. 14 Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD, the God of Israel. 15 Now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath-arba.Kiriath-arba means the city of Arba">3 (ArbaHebrew He">4 was the greatest man among the Anakim.) And the land had rest from war.

    Footnotes

    [1] 13:8 Hebrew With it


    [2] 13:26 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew Lidebir

    [3] 14:15 Kiriath-arba means the city of Arba

    [4] 14:15 Hebrew He

    (ESV)

    Chronicles and Prophets:
    Jeremiah 7–8:3
    Jeremiah 7–8:3 (Listen)
    Evil in the Land

    7 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 “Stand in the gate of the LORD's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all you men of Judah who enter these gates to worship the LORD. 3 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place. 4 Do not trust in these deceptive words: ‘This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.’

    5 “For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, 6 if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.

    8 “Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail. 9 Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—only to go on doing all these abominations? 11 Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the LORD. 12 Go now to my place that was in Shiloh, where I made my name dwell at first, and see what I did to it because of the evil of my people Israel. 13 And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and when I spoke to you persistently you did not listen, and when I called you, you did not answer, 14 therefore I will do to the house that is called by my name, and in which you trust, and to the place that I gave to you and to your fathers, as I did to Shiloh. 15 And I will cast you out of my sight, as I cast out all your kinsmen, all the offspring of Ephraim.

    16 “As for you, do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with me, for I will not hear you. 17 Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 18 The children gather wood, the fathers kindle fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven. And they pour out drink offerings to other gods, to provoke me to anger. 19 Is it I whom they provoke? declares the LORD. Is it not themselves, to their own shame? 20 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, my anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, upon man and beast, upon the trees of the field and the fruit of the ground; it will burn and not be quenched.”

    21 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices, and eat the flesh. 22 For in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to your fathers or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. 23 But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’ 24 But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. 25 From the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have persistently sent all my servants the prophets to them, day after day. 26 Yet they did not listen to me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers.

    27 “So you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you. 28 And you shall say to them, ‘This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the LORD their God, and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips.

    29   “‘Cut off your hair and cast it away;
        raise a lamentation on the bare heights,
      for the LORD has rejected and forsaken
        the generation of his wrath.’

    The Valley of Slaughter

    30 “For the sons of Judah have done evil in my sight, declares the LORD. They have set their detestable things in the house that is called by my name, to defile it. 31 And they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind. 32 Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when it will no more be called Topheth, or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter; for they will bury in Topheth, because there is no room elsewhere. 33 And the dead bodies of this people will be food for the birds of the air, and for the beasts of the earth, and none will frighten them away. 34 And I will silence in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, for the land shall become a waste.

    8 “At that time, declares the LORD, the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of its officials, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be brought out of their tombs. 2 And they shall be spread before the sun and the moon and all the host of heaven, which they have loved and served, which they have gone after, and which they have sought and worshiped. And they shall not be gathered or buried. They shall be as dung on the surface of the ground. 3 Death shall be preferred to life by all the remnant that remains of this evil family in all the places where I have driven them, declares the LORD of hosts.

    (ESV)

    Gospels and Epistles:
    Matthew 22:15–46
    Matthew 22:15–46 (Listen)
    Paying Taxes to Caesar

    15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.Greek for you do not look at people's faces">1 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius.A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer">2 20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

    Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection

    23 The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, 24 saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.’ 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. 26 So too the second and third, down to the seventh. 27 After them all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.”

    29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” 33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

    The Great Commandment

    34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

    Whose Son Is the Christ?

    41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,

    44   “‘The Lord said to my Lord,
      “Sit at my right hand,
        until I put your enemies under your feet”’?

    45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” 46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

    Footnotes

    [1] 22:16 Greek for you do not look at people's faces


    [2] 22:19 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer

    (ESV)

    19 min
  • July 13: Ecclesiastes 7:15–29; Joshua 11–12; Jeremiah 6; Matthew 21:28–22:14
    Psalms and Wisdom:
    Ecclesiastes 7:15–29
    Ecclesiastes 7:15–29 (Listen)

    15 In my vainThe Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)">1 life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. 16 Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.

    19 Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

    20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

    21 Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. 22 Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.

    23 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. 24 That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out?

    25 I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness. 26 And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her. 27 Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things—28 which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found. One man among a thousand I found, but a woman among all these I have not found. 29 See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.

    Footnotes

    [1] 7:15 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)

    (ESV)

    Pentateuch and History:
    Joshua 11–12
    Joshua 11–12 (Listen)
    Conquests in Northern Canaan

    11 When Jabin, king of Hazor, heard of this, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, 2 and to the kings who were in the northern hill country, and in the Arabah south of Chinneroth, and in the lowland, and in Naphoth-dor on the west, 3 to the Canaanites in the east and the west, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, and the Jebusites in the hill country, and the Hivites under Hermon in the land of Mizpah. 4 And they came out with all their troops, a great horde, in number like the sand that is on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots. 5 And all these kings joined their forces and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

    6 And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.” 7 So Joshua and all his warriors came suddenly against them by the waters of Merom and fell upon them. 8 And the LORD gave them into the hand of Israel, who struck them and chased them as far as Great Sidon and Misrephoth-maim, and eastward as far as the Valley of Mizpeh. And they struck them until he left none remaining. 9 And Joshua did to them just as the LORD said to him: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.

    10 And Joshua turned back at that time and captured Hazor and struck its king with the sword, for Hazor formerly was the head of all those kingdoms. 11 And they struck with the sword all who were in it, devoting them to destruction;That is, setting apart (devoting) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction); also verses 12, 20, 21">1 there was none left that breathed. And he burned Hazor with fire. 12 And all the cities of those kings, and all their kings, Joshua captured, and struck them with the edge of the sword, devoting them to destruction, just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded. 13 But none of the cities that stood on mounds did Israel burn, except Hazor alone; that Joshua burned. 14 And all the spoil of these cities and the livestock, the people of Israel took for their plunder. But every person they struck with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, and they did not leave any who breathed. 15 Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.

    16 So Joshua took all that land, the hill country and all the Negeb and all the land of Goshen and the lowland and the Arabah and the hill country of Israel and its lowland 17 from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon. And he captured all their kings and struck them and put them to death. 18 Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. 19 There was not a city that made peace with the people of Israel except the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon. They took them all in battle. 20 For it was the LORD's doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the LORD commanded Moses.

    21 And Joshua came at that time and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction with their cities. 22 There was none of the Anakim left in the land of the people of Israel. Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod did some remain. 23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war.

    Kings Defeated by Moses

    12 Now these are the kings of the land whom the people of Israel defeated and took possession of their land beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon, with all the Arabah eastward: 2 Sihon king of the Amorites who lived at Heshbon and ruled from Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and from the middle of the valley as far as the river Jabbok, the boundary of the Ammonites, that is, half of Gilead, 3 and the Arabah to the Sea of Chinneroth eastward, and in the direction of Beth-jeshimoth, to the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, southward to the foot of the slopes of Pisgah; 4 and OgSeptuagint; Hebrew the boundary of Og">2 king of Bashan, one of the remnant of the Rephaim, who lived at Ashtaroth and at Edrei 5 and ruled over Mount Hermon and Salecah and all Bashan to the boundary of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and over half of Gilead to the boundary of Sihon king of Heshbon. 6 Moses, the servant of the LORD, and the people of Israel defeated them. And Moses the servant of the LORD gave their land for a possession to the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

    Kings Defeated by Joshua

    7 And these are the kings of the land whom Joshua and the people of Israel defeated on the west side of the Jordan, from Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, that rises toward Seir (and Joshua gave their land to the tribes of Israel as a possession according to their allotments, 8 in the hill country, in the lowland, in the Arabah, in the slopes, in the wilderness, and in the Negeb, the land of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites): 9 the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one; 10 the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; 11 the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; 12 the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one; 13 the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one; 14 the king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one; 15 the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one; 16 the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one; 17 the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; 18 the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one; 19 the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one; 20 the king of Shimron-meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one; 21 the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; 22 the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one; 23 the king of Dor in Naphath-dor, one; the king of Goiim in Galilee,Septuagint; Hebrew Gilgal">3 one; 24 the king of Tirzah, one: in all, thirty-one kings.

    Footnotes

    [1] 11:11 That is, setting apart (devoting) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction); also verses 12, 20, 21


    [2] 12:4 Septuagint; Hebrew the boundary of Og

    [3] 12:23 Septuagint; Hebrew Gilgal

    (ESV)

    Chronicles and Prophets:
    Jeremiah 6
    Jeremiah 6 (Listen)
    Impending Disaster for Jerusalem

    6   Flee for safety, O people of Benjamin,
        from the midst of Jerusalem!
      Blow the trumpet in Tekoa,
        and raise a signal on Beth-haccherem,
      for disaster looms out of the north,
        and great destruction.
    2   The lovely and delicately bred I will destroy,
        the daughter of Zion.Or I have likened the daughter of Zion to the loveliest pasture">1
    3   Shepherds with their flocks shall come against her;
        they shall pitch their tents around her;
        they shall pasture, each in his place.
    4   “Prepare war against her;
        arise, and let us attack at noon!
      Woe to us, for the day declines,
        for the shadows of evening lengthen!
    5   Arise, and let us attack by night
        and destroy her palaces!”
    6   For thus says the LORD of hosts:
      “Cut down her trees;
        cast up a siege mound against Jerusalem.
      This is the city that must be punished;
        there is nothing but oppression within her.
    7   As a well keeps its water fresh,
        so she keeps fresh her evil;
      violence and destruction are heard within her;
        sickness and wounds are ever before me.
    8   Be warned, O Jerusalem,
        lest I turn from you in disgust,
      lest I make you a desolation,
        an uninhabited land.”
    9   Thus says the LORD of hosts:
      “They shall glean thoroughly as a vine
        the remnant of Israel;
      like a grape gatherer pass your hand again
        over its branches.”
    10   To whom shall I speak and give warning,
        that they may hear?
      Behold, their ears are uncircumcised,
        they cannot listen;
      behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn;
        they take no pleasure in it.
    11   Therefore I am full of the wrath of the LORD;
        I am weary of holding it in.
      “Pour it out upon the children in the street,
        and upon the gatherings of young men, also;
      both husband and wife shall be taken,
        the elderly and the very aged.
    12   Their houses shall be turned over to others,
        their fields and wives together,
      for I will stretch out my hand
        against the inhabitants of the land,”
          declares the LORD.
    13   “For from the least to the greatest of them,
        everyone is greedy for unjust gain;
      and from prophet to priest,
        everyone deals falsely.
    14   They have healed the wound of my people lightly,
        saying, ‘Peace, peace,’
        when there is no peace.
    15   Were they ashamed when they committed abomination?
        No, they were not at all ashamed;
        they did not know how to blush.
      Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
        at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,”
          says the LORD.
    16   Thus says the LORD:
      “Stand by the roads, and look,
        and ask for the ancient paths,
      where the good way is; and walk in it,
        and find rest for your souls.
      But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
    17   I set watchmen over you, saying,
        ‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’
      But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’
    18   Therefore hear, O nations,
        and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.
    19   Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people,
        the fruit of their devices,
      because they have not paid attention to my words;
        and as for my law, they have rejected it.
    20   What use to me is frankincense that comes from Sheba,
        or sweet cane from a distant land?
      Your burnt offerings are not acceptable,
        nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.
    21   Therefore thus says the LORD:
      ‘Behold, I will lay before this people
        stumbling blocks against which they shall stumble;
      fathers and sons together,
        neighbor and friend shall perish.’”
    22   Thus says the LORD:
      “Behold, a people is coming from the north country,
        a great nation is stirring from the farthest parts of the earth.
    23   They lay hold on bow and javelin;
        they are cruel and have no mercy;
        the sound of them is like the roaring sea;
      they ride on horses,
        set in array as a man for battle,
        against you, O daughter of Zion!”
    24   We have heard the report of it;
        our hands fall helpless;
      anguish has taken hold of us,
        pain as of a woman in labor.
    25   Go not out into the field,
        nor walk on the road,
      for the enemy has a sword;
        terror is on every side.
    26   O daughter of my people, put on sackcloth,
        and roll in ashes;
      make mourning as for an only son,
        most bitter lamentation,
      for suddenly the destroyer
        will come upon us.
    27   “I have made you a tester of metals among my people,
        that you may know and test their ways.
    28   They are all stubbornly rebellious,
        going about with slanders;
      they are bronze and iron;
        all of them act corruptly.
    29   The bellows blow fiercely;
        the lead is consumed by the fire;
      in vain the refining goes on,
        for the wicked are not removed.
    30   Rejected silver they are called,
        for the LORD has rejected them.”

    Footnotes

    [1] 6:2 Or I have likened the daughter of Zion to the loveliest pasture

    (ESV)

    Gospels and Epistles:
    Matthew 21:28–22:14
    Matthew 21:28–22:14 (Listen)
    The Parable of the Two Sons

    28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

    The Parable of the Tenants

    33 “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servantsOr bondservants; also verses 35, 36">1 to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”

    42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

      “‘The stone that the builders rejected
        has become the cornerstone;Greek the head of the corner">2
      this was the Lord's doing,
        and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

    43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”Some manuscripts omit verse 44">3

    45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

    The Parable of the Wedding Feast

    22 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servantsOr bondservants; also verses 4, 6, 8, 10">4 to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

    11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

    Footnotes

    [1] 21:34 Or bondservants; also verses 35, 36


    [2] 21:42 Greek the head of the corner

    [3] 21:44 Some manuscripts omit verse 44

    [4] 22:3 Or bondservants; also verses 4, 6, 8, 10

    (ESV)

    18 min
  • July 12: Ecclesiastes 7:1–14; Joshua 10; Jeremiah 5; Matthew 21:12–27
    Psalms and Wisdom:
    Ecclesiastes 7:1–14
    Ecclesiastes 7:1–14 (Listen)
    The Contrast of Wisdom and Folly

    7   A good name is better than precious ointment,
        and the day of death than the day of birth.
    2   It is better to go to the house of mourning
        than to go to the house of feasting,
      for this is the end of all mankind,
        and the living will lay it to heart.
    3   Sorrow is better than laughter,
        for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.
    4   The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
        but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
    5   It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise
        than to hear the song of fools.
    6   For as the crackling of thorns under a pot,
        so is the laughter of the fools;
        this also is vanity.The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)">1
    7   Surely oppression drives the wise into madness,
        and a bribe corrupts the heart.
    8   Better is the end of a thing than its beginning,
        and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
    9   Be not quick in your spirit to become angry,
        for anger lodges in the heartHebrew in the bosom">2 of fools.
    10   Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?”
        For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
    11   Wisdom is good with an inheritance,
        an advantage to those who see the sun.
    12   For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money,
        and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
    13   Consider the work of God:
        who can make straight what he has made crooked?

    14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.

    Footnotes

    [1] 7:6 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)


    [2] 7:9 Hebrew in the bosom

    (ESV)

    Pentateuch and History:
    Joshua 10
    Joshua 10 (Listen)
    The Sun Stands Still

    10 As soon as Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard how Joshua had captured Ai and had devoted it to destruction,That is, set apart (devoted) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction); also verses 28, 35, 37, 39, 40">1 doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them, 2 heOne Hebrew manuscript, Vulgate (compare Syriac); most Hebrew manuscripts they">2 feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were warriors. 3 So Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying, 4 “Come up to me and help me, and let us strike Gibeon. For it has made peace with Joshua and with the people of Israel.” 5 Then the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered their forces and went up with all their armies and encamped against Gibeon and made war against it.

    6 And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, saying, “Do not relax your hand from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered against us.” 7 So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. 8 And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.” 9 So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal. 10 And the LORD threw them into a panic before Israel, whoOr and he">3 struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 11 And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the LORD threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.

    12 At that time Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,

      “Sun, stand still at Gibeon,
        and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”
    13   And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
        until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.

    Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. 14 There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD heeded the voice of a man, for the LORD fought for Israel.

    15 So Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.

    Five Amorite Kings Executed

    16 These five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. 17 And it was told to Joshua, “The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah.” 18 And Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave and set men by it to guard them, 19 but do not stay there yourselves. Pursue your enemies; attack their rear guard. Do not let them enter their cities, for the LORD your God has given them into your hand.” 20 When Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished striking them with a great blow until they were wiped out, and when the remnant that remained of them had entered into the fortified cities, 21 then all the people returned safe to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah. Not a man moved his tongue against any of the people of Israel.

    22 Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me from the cave.” 23 And they did so, and brought those five kings out to him from the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. 24 And when they brought those kings out to Joshua, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come near; put your feet on the necks of these kings.” Then they came near and put their feet on their necks. 25 And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.” 26 And afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees. And they hung on the trees until evening. 27 But at the time of the going down of the sun, Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves, and they set large stones against the mouth of the cave, which remain to this very day.

    28 As for Makkedah, Joshua captured it on that day and struck it, and its king, with the edge of the sword. He devoted to destruction every person in it; he left none remaining. And he did to the king of Makkedah just as he had done to the king of Jericho.

    Conquest of Southern Canaan

    29 Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Makkedah to Libnah and fought against Libnah. 30 And the LORD gave it also and its king into the hand of Israel. And he struck it with the edge of the sword, and every person in it; he left none remaining in it. And he did to its king as he had done to the king of Jericho.

    31 Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Libnah to Lachish and laid siege to it and fought against it. 32 And the LORD gave Lachish into the hand of Israel, and he captured it on the second day and struck it with the edge of the sword, and every person in it, as he had done to Libnah.

    33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish. And Joshua struck him and his people, until he left none remaining.

    34 Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Lachish to Eglon. And they laid siege to it and fought against it. 35 And they captured it on that day, and struck it with the edge of the sword. And he devoted every person in it to destruction that day, as he had done to Lachish.

    36 Then Joshua and all Israel with him went up from Eglon to Hebron. And they fought against it 37 and captured it and struck it with the edge of the sword, and its king and its towns, and every person in it. He left none remaining, as he had done to Eglon, and devoted it to destruction and every person in it.

    38 Then Joshua and all Israel with him turned back to Debir and fought against it 39 and he captured it with its king and all its towns. And they struck them with the edge of the sword and devoted to destruction every person in it; he left none remaining. Just as he had done to Hebron and to Libnah and its king, so he did to Debir and to its king.

    40 So Joshua struck the whole land, the hill country and the Negeb and the lowland and the slopes, and all their kings. He left none remaining, but devoted to destruction all that breathed, just as the LORD God of Israel commanded. 41 And Joshua struck them from Kadesh-barnea as far as Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, as far as Gibeon. 42 And Joshua captured all these kings and their land at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel. 43 Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.

    Footnotes

    [1] 10:1 That is, set apart (devoted) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction); also verses 28, 35, 37, 39, 40


    [2] 10:2 One Hebrew manuscript, Vulgate (compare Syriac); most Hebrew manuscripts they

    [3] 10:10 Or and he

    (ESV)

    Chronicles and Prophets:
    Jeremiah 5
    Jeremiah 5 (Listen)
    Jerusalem Refused to Repent

    5   Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem,
        look and take note!
      Search her squares to see
        if you can find a man,
      one who does justice
        and seeks truth,
      that I may pardon her.
    2   Though they say, “As the LORD lives,”
        yet they swear falsely.
    3   O LORD, do not your eyes look for truth?
      You have struck them down,
        but they felt no anguish;
      you have consumed them,
        but they refused to take correction.
      They have made their faces harder than rock;
        they have refused to repent.
    4   Then I said, “These are only the poor;
        they have no sense;
      for they do not know the way of the LORD,
        the justice of their God.
    5   I will go to the great
        and will speak to them,
      for they know the way of the LORD,
        the justice of their God.”
      But they all alike had broken the yoke;
        they had burst the bonds.
    6   Therefore a lion from the forest shall strike them down;
        a wolf from the desert shall devastate them.
      A leopard is watching their cities;
        everyone who goes out of them shall be torn in pieces,
      because their transgressions are many,
        their apostasies are great.
    7   “How can I pardon you?
        Your children have forsaken me
        and have sworn by those who are no gods.
      When I fed them to the full,
        they committed adultery
        and trooped to the houses of whores.
    8   They were well-fed, lusty stallions,
        each neighing for his neighbor's wife.
    9   Shall I not punish them for these things?
          declares the LORD;
        and shall I not avenge myself
        on a nation such as this?
    10   “Go up through her vine rows and destroy,
        but make not a full end;
      strip away her branches,
        for they are not the LORD's.
    11   For the house of Israel and the house of Judah
        have been utterly treacherous to me,
          declares the LORD.
    12   They have spoken falsely of the LORD
        and have said, ‘He will do nothing;
      no disaster will come upon us,
        nor shall we see sword or famine.
    13   The prophets will become wind;
        the word is not in them.
      Thus shall it be done to them!’”

    The Lord Proclaims Judgment

    14   Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of hosts:
      “Because you have spoken this word,
      behold, I am making my words in your mouth a fire,
        and this people wood, and the fire shall consume them.
    15   Behold, I am bringing against you
        a nation from afar, O house of Israel,
          declares the LORD.
      It is an enduring nation;
        it is an ancient nation,
      a nation whose language you do not know,
        nor can you understand what they say.
    16   Their quiver is like an open tomb;
        they are all mighty warriors.
    17   They shall eat up your harvest and your food;
        they shall eat up your sons and your daughters;
      they shall eat up your flocks and your herds;
        they shall eat up your vines and your fig trees;
      your fortified cities in which you trust
        they shall beat down with the sword.”

    18 “But even in those days, declares the LORD, I will not make a full end of you. 19 And when your people say, ‘Why has the LORD our God done all these things to us?’ you shall say to them, ‘As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve foreigners in a land that is not yours.’”

    20   Declare this in the house of Jacob;
        proclaim it in Judah:
    21   “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people,
        who have eyes, but see not,
        who have ears, but hear not.
    22   Do you not fear me? declares the LORD.
        Do you not tremble before me?
      I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea,
        a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass;
      though the waves toss, they cannot prevail;
        though they roar, they cannot pass over it.
    23   But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart;
        they have turned aside and gone away.
    24   They do not say in their hearts,
        ‘Let us fear the LORD our God,
      who gives the rain in its season,
        the autumn rain and the spring rain,
      and keeps for us
        the weeks appointed for the harvest.’
    25   Your iniquities have turned these away,
        and your sins have kept good from you.
    26   For wicked men are found among my people;
        they lurk like fowlers lying in wait.The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain">1
      They set a trap;
        they catch men.
    27   Like a cage full of birds,
        their houses are full of deceit;
      therefore they have become great and rich;
    28     they have grown fat and sleek.
      They know no bounds in deeds of evil;
        they judge not with justice
      the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper,
        and they do not defend the rights of the needy.
    29   Shall I not punish them for these things?
          declares the LORD,
        and shall I not avenge myself
        on a nation such as this?”
    30   An appalling and horrible thing
        has happened in the land:
    31   the prophets prophesy falsely,
        and the priests rule at their direction;
      my people love to have it so,
        but what will you do when the end comes?

    Footnotes

    [1] 5:26 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain

    (ESV)

    Gospels and Epistles:
    Matthew 21:12–27
    Matthew 21:12–27 (Listen)
    Jesus Cleanses the Temple

    12 And Jesus entered the templeSome manuscripts add of God">1 and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”

    14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read,

      “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies
        you have prepared praise’?”

    17 And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.

    Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

    18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.

    20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

    The Authority of Jesus Challenged

    23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

    Footnotes

    [1] 21:12 Some manuscripts add of God

    (ESV)

    16 min
  • July 11: Ecclesiastes 6; Joshua 9; Jeremiah 4:5–31; Matthew 20:17–21:11
    Psalms and Wisdom:
    Ecclesiastes 6
    Ecclesiastes 6 (Listen)

    6 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: 2 a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity;The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verses 4, 9, 11 (see note on 1:2)">1 it is a grievous evil. 3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life's good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. 5 Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he. 6 Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoyOr see">2 no good—do not all go to the one place?

    7 All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.Hebrew filled">3 8 For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? 9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

    10 Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. 11 The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? 12 For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vainThe Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)">4 life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?

    Footnotes

    [1] 6:2 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verses 4, 9, 11 (see note on 1:2)


    [2] 6:6 Or see

    [3] 6:7 Hebrew filled

    [4] 6:12 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)

    (ESV)

    Pentateuch and History:
    Joshua 9
    Joshua 9 (Listen)
    The Gibeonite Deception

    9 As soon as all the kings who were beyond the Jordan in the hill country and in the lowland all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, heard of this, 2 they gathered together as one to fight against Joshua and Israel.

    3 But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, 4 they on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, 5 with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly. 6 And they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant with us.” 7 But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live among us; then how can we make a covenant with you?” 8 They said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” And Joshua said to them, “Who are you? And where do you come from?” 9 They said to him, “From a very distant country your servants have come, because of the name of the LORD your God. For we have heard a report of him, and all that he did in Egypt, 10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon the king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth. 11 So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, ‘Take provisions in your hand for the journey and go to meet them and say to them, “We are your servants. Come now, make a covenant with us.”’ 12 Here is our bread. It was still warm when we took it from our houses as our food for the journey on the day we set out to come to you, but now, behold, it is dry and crumbly. 13 These wineskins were new when we filled them, and behold, they have burst. And these garments and sandals of ours are worn out from the very long journey.” 14 So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD. 15 And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.

    16 At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors and that they lived among them. 17 And the people of Israel set out and reached their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. 18 But the people of Israel did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. Then all the congregation murmured against the leaders. 19 But all the leaders said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them. 20 This we will do to them: let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath that we swore to them.” 21 And the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, just as the leaders had said of them.

    22 Joshua summoned them, and he said to them, “Why did you deceive us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you dwell among us? 23 Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you shall never be anything but servants, cutters of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.” 24 They answered Joshua, “Because it was told to your servants for a certainty that the LORD your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you—so we feared greatly for our lives because of you and did this thing. 25 And now, behold, we are in your hand. Whatever seems good and right in your sight to do to us, do it.” 26 So he did this to them and delivered them out of the hand of the people of Israel, and they did not kill them. 27 But Joshua made them that day cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD, to this day, in the place that he should choose.

    (ESV)

    Chronicles and Prophets:
    Jeremiah 4:5–31
    Jeremiah 4:5–31 (Listen)
    Disaster from the North

    5 Declare in Judah, and proclaim in Jerusalem, and say,

      “Blow the trumpet through the land;
        cry aloud and say,
      ‘Assemble, and let us go
        into the fortified cities!’
    6   Raise a standard toward Zion,
        flee for safety, stay not,
      for I bring disaster from the north,
        and great destruction.
    7   A lion has gone up from his thicket,
        a destroyer of nations has set out;
        he has gone out from his place
      to make your land a waste;
        your cities will be ruins
        without inhabitant.
    8   For this put on sackcloth,
        lament and wail,
      for the fierce anger of the LORD
        has not turned back from us.”

    9 “In that day, declares the LORD, courage shall fail both king and officials. The priests shall be appalled and the prophets astounded.” 10 Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, surely you have utterly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, ‘It shall be well with you,’ whereas the sword has reached their very life.”

    11 At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A hot wind from the bare heights in the desert toward the daughter of my people, not to winnow or cleanse, 12 a wind too full for this comes for me. Now it is I who speak in judgment upon them.”

    13   Behold, he comes up like clouds;
        his chariots like the whirlwind;
      his horses are swifter than eagles—
        woe to us, for we are ruined!
    14   O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil,
        that you may be saved.
      How long shall your wicked thoughts
        lodge within you?
    15   For a voice declares from Dan
        and proclaims trouble from Mount Ephraim.
    16   Warn the nations that he is coming;
        announce to Jerusalem,
      “Besiegers come from a distant land;
        they shout against the cities of Judah.
    17   Like keepers of a field are they against her all around,
        because she has rebelled against me,
          declares the LORD.
    18   Your ways and your deeds
        have brought this upon you.
      This is your doom, and it is bitter;
        it has reached your very heart.”

    Anguish over Judah's Desolation

    19   My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain!
        Oh the walls of my heart!
      My heart is beating wildly;
        I cannot keep silent,
      for I hear the sound of the trumpet,
        the alarm of war.
    20   Crash follows hard on crash;
        the whole land is laid waste.
      Suddenly my tents are laid waste,
        my curtains in a moment.
    21   How long must I see the standard
        and hear the sound of the trumpet?
    22   “For my people are foolish;
        they know me not;
      they are stupid children;
        they have no understanding.
      They are ‘wise’—in doing evil!
        But how to do good they know not.”
    23   I looked on the earth, and behold, it was without form and void;
        and to the heavens, and they had no light.
    24   I looked on the mountains, and behold, they were quaking,
        and all the hills moved to and fro.
    25   I looked, and behold, there was no man,
        and all the birds of the air had fled.
    26   I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a desert,
        and all its cities were laid in ruins
        before the LORD, before his fierce anger.

    27 For thus says the LORD, “The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end.

    28   “For this the earth shall mourn,
        and the heavens above be dark;
      for I have spoken; I have purposed;
        I have not relented, nor will I turn back.”
    29   At the noise of horseman and archer
        every city takes to flight;
      they enter thickets; they climb among rocks;
        all the cities are forsaken,
        and no man dwells in them.
    30   And you, O desolate one,
      what do you mean that you dress in scarlet,
        that you adorn yourself with ornaments of gold,
        that you enlarge your eyes with paint?
      In vain you beautify yourself.
        Your lovers despise you;
        they seek your life.
    31   For I heard a cry as of a woman in labor,
        anguish as of one giving birth to her first child,
      the cry of the daughter of Zion gasping for breath,
        stretching out her hands,
      “Woe is me! I am fainting before murderers.”

    (ESV)

    Gospels and Epistles:
    Matthew 20:17–21:11
    Matthew 20:17–21:11 (Listen)
    Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

    17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

    A Mother's Request

    20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,Greek diakonos">1 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,Or bondservant, or servant (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)">2 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

    Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

    29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord,Some manuscripts omit Lord">3 have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

    The Triumphal Entry

    21 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

    5   “Say to the daughter of Zion,
      ‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
        humble, and mounted on a donkey,
        on a colt,Or donkey, and on a colt">4 the foal of a beast of burden.’”

    6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

    Footnotes

    [1] 20:26 Greek diakonos


    [2] 20:27 Or bondservant, or servant (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)

    [3] 20:30 Some manuscripts omit Lord

    [4] 21:5 Or donkey, and on a colt

    (ESV)

    14 min

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