Three Year Bible Reading Plan

Three Year Bible Reading Plan

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Three Year Bible Reading Plan episodes

  • 2025-08-13:1 Timothy 6:1-10 & Ezekiel 2-3

    BibleGateway: 1 Timothy 6:1-10
    ESV Text: 1 Timothy 6:1-10
    1 Timothy 6:1–10 (Listen)

    6:1 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservantsFor the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface">1 regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.

    False Teachers and True Contentment

    Teach and urge these things. 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the soundOr healthy">2 words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, andGreek for; some manuscripts insert [it is] certain [that]">3 we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

    Footnotes

    [1] 6:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface


    [2] 6:3 Or healthy

    [3] 6:7 Greek for; some manuscripts insert [it is] certain [that]

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: 1Timothy 6:1-10

    The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:34

    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/1125.mp3

         1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

         6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.(KJV)

    BibleGateway: Ezekiel 2-3
    ESV Text: Ezekiel 2-3
    Ezekiel 2–3 (Listen)
    Ezekiel’s Call

    2:1 And he said to me, “Son of man,Or Son of Adam; so throughout Ezekiel">1 stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” 2 And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. 4 The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ 5 And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions.Or on scorpion plants">2 Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. 7 And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.

    8 “But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” 9 And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. 10 And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe.

    3:1 And he said to me, “Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey.

    4 And he said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them. 5 For you are not sent to a people of foreign speech and a hard language, but to the house of Israel—6 not to many peoples of foreign speech and a hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, if I sent you to such, they would listen to you. 7 But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me: because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart. 8 Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. 9 Like emery harder than flint have I made your forehead. Fear them not, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.” 10 Moreover, he said to me, “Son of man, all my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears. 11 And go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ whether they hear or refuse to hear.”

    12 Then the SpiritOr the wind; also verse 14">3 lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voiceOr sound">4 of a great earthquake: “Blessed be the glory of the LORD from its place!” 13 It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures as they touched one another, and the sound of the wheels beside them, and the sound of a great earthquake. 14 The Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness in the heat of my spirit, the hand of the LORD being strong upon me. 15 And I came to the exiles at Tel-abib, who were dwelling by the Chebar canal, and I sat where they were dwelling.Or Chebar, and to where they dwelt">5 And I sat there overwhelmed among them seven days.

    A Watchman for Israel

    16 And at the end of seven days, the word of the LORD came to me: 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 18 If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die forOr in; also verses 19, 20">6 his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 19 But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. 20 Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hand. 21 But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul.”

    22 And the hand of the LORD was upon me there. And he said to me, “Arise, go out into the valley,Or plain; also verse 23">7 and there I will speak with you.” 23 So I arose and went out into the valley, and behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, like the glory that I had seen by the Chebar canal, and I fell on my face. 24 But the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and he spoke with me and said to me, “Go, shut yourself within your house. 25 And you, O son of man, behold, cords will be placed upon you, and you shall be bound with them, so that you cannot go out among the people. 26 And I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and unable to reprove them, for they are a rebellious house. 27 But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.

    Footnotes

    [1] 2:1 Or Son of Adam; so throughout Ezekiel


    [2] 2:6 Or on scorpion plants

    [3] 3:12 Or the wind; also verse 14

    [4] 3:12 Or sound

    [5] 3:15 Or Chebar, and to where they dwelt

    [6] 3:18 Or in; also verses 19, 20

    [7] 3:22 Or plain; also verse 23

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: Ezekiel 2:1-10
    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/0804.mp3

    KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 2:

         1 And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. 2 And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. 4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. 5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

         6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. 7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. 8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. 9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; 10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.(KJV)

    0 min
  • 2025-08-12:1 Timothy 5:15-25 & Ezekiel 1

    BibleGateway: 1 Timothy 5:15-25
    ESV Text: 1 Timothy 5:15-25
    1 Timothy 5:15–25 (Listen)

    15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

    17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: 1Timothy 5:15-25

    The section starts at about 1:42 and ends at about 3:6

    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/1124.mp3

    15 For some are already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

         17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. 23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. 24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.(KJV)

    BibleGateway: Ezekiel 1
    ESV Text: Ezekiel 1
    Ezekiel 1 (Listen)
    Ezekiel in Babylon

    1:1 In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.Or from God">1 2 On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin), 3 the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar canal, and the hand of the LORD was upon him there.

    The Glory of the Lord

    4 As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal.Or amber; also verse 27">2 5 And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness, 6 but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. 7 Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf’s foot. And they sparkled like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus: 9 their wings touched one another. Each one of them went straight forward, without turning as they went. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies. 12 And each went straight forward. Wherever the spiritOr Spirit; also twice in verse 20 and once in verse 21">3 would go, they went, without turning as they went. 13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches moving to and fro among the living creatures. And the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. 14 And the living creatures darted to and fro, like the appearance of a flash of lightning.

    15 Now as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them.Hebrew of their faces">4 16 As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl. And the four had the same likeness, their appearance and construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel. 17 When they went, they went in any of their four directionsHebrew on their four sides">5 without turning as they went. 18 And their rims were tall and awesome, and the rims of all four were full of eyes all around. 19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. 20 Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creaturesOr the spirit of life; also verse 21">6 was in the wheels. 21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

    22 Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, spread out above their heads. 23 And under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight, one toward another. And each creature had two wings covering its body. 24 And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army. When they stood still, they let down their wings. 25 And there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads. When they stood still, they let down their wings.

    26 And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire;Or lapis lazuli">7 and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. 27 And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.Or it">8 28 Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around.

    Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

    Footnotes

    [1] 1:1 Or from God


    [2] 1:4 Or amber; also verse 27

    [3] 1:12 Or Spirit; also twice in verse 20 and once in verse 21

    [4] 1:15 Hebrew of their faces

    [5] 1:17 Hebrew on their four sides

    [6] 1:20 Or the spirit of life; also verse 21

    [7] 1:26 Or lapis lazuli

    [8] 1:27 Or it

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: Ezekiel 1:1-28
    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/0803.mp3

    KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 1:

         1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. 2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, 3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

         4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. 6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. 7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. 8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. 9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. 11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. 12 And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went. 13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. 14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

         15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. 18 As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. 19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. 20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. 21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. 22 And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. 23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies. 24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings. 25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.

         26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. 27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. 28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.(KJV)

    2 min
  • 2025-08-11:1 Timothy 5:1-14 & Lamentations 5

    BibleGateway: 1 Timothy 5:1-14
    ESV Text: 1 Timothy 5:1-14
    1 Timothy 5:1–14 (Listen)
    Instructions for the Church

    5:1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

    3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

    9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,Or a woman of one man">1 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.

    Footnotes

    [1] 5:9 Or a woman of one man

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: 1Timothy 5:1-14

    The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:51

    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/1124.mp3

         1 Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

         3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.(KJV)

    BibleGateway: Lamentations 5
    ESV Text: Lamentations 5
    Lamentations 5 (Listen)
    Restore Us to Yourself, O Lord


    5:1   Remember, O LORD, what has befallen us;
        look, and see our disgrace!
    2   Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers,
        our homes to foreigners.
    3   We have become orphans, fatherless;
        our mothers are like widows.
    4   We must pay for the water we drink;
        the wood we get must be bought.
    5   Our pursuers are at our necks;
        we are weary; we are given no rest.
    6   We have given the hand to Egypt, and to Assyria,
        to get bread enough.
    7   Our fathers sinned, and are no more;
        and we bear their iniquities.
    8   Slaves rule over us;
        there is none to deliver us from their hand.
    9   We get our bread at the peril of our lives,
        because of the sword in the wilderness.
    10   Our skin is hot as an oven
        with the burning heat of famine.
    11   Women are raped in Zion,
        young women in the towns of Judah.
    12   Princes are hung up by their hands;
        no respect is shown to the elders.
    13   Young men are compelled to grind at the mill,
        and boys stagger under loads of wood.
    14   The old men have left the city gate,
        the young men their music.
    15   The joy of our hearts has ceased;
        our dancing has been turned to mourning.
    16   The crown has fallen from our head;
        woe to us, for we have sinned!
    17   For this our heart has become sick,
        for these things our eyes have grown dim,
    18   for Mount Zion which lies desolate;
        jackals prowl over it.
    19   But you, O LORD, reign forever;
        your throne endures to all generations.
    20   Why do you forget us forever,
        why do you forsake us for so many days?
    21   Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may be restored!
        Renew our days as of old—
    22   unless you have utterly rejected us,
        and you remain exceedingly angry with us.

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: Lamentations 5:1-22
    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/0802.mp3

    KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 5:

         1 Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2 Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3 We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows. 4 We have drunken our water for money; our wood is sold unto us. 5 Our necks are under persecution: we labour, and have no rest. 6 We have given the hand to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread. 7 Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities. 8 Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand. 9 We gat our bread with the peril of our lives because of the sword of the wilderness. 10 Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine. 11 They ravished the women in Zion, and the maids in the cities of Judah. 12 Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured. 13 They took the young men to grind, and the children fell under the wood. 14 The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their music. 15 The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning. 16 The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!

         17 For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim. 18 Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it. 19 Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation. 20 Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time? 21 Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. 22 But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.(KJV)

    2 min
  • 2025-08-08:1 Timothy 4:7-16 & Lamentations 4

    BibleGateway: 1 Timothy 4:7-16
    ESV Text: 1 Timothy 4:7-16
    1 Timothy 4:7–16 (Listen)

    7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive,Some manuscripts and suffer reproach">1 because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

    11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,Greek be in them">2 so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

    Footnotes

    [1] 4:10 Some manuscripts and suffer reproach


    [2] 4:15 Greek be in them

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: 1Timothy 4:7-16

    The section starts at about 0:51 and ends at about 2:7

    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/1123.mp3

    7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.(KJV)

    BibleGateway: Lamentations 4
    ESV Text: Lamentations 4
    Lamentations 4 (Listen)
    The Holy Stones Lie Scattered


    4:1   How the gold has grown dim,
        how the pure gold is changed!
      The holy stones lie scattered
        at the head of every street.


    2   The precious sons of Zion,
        worth their weight in fine gold,
      how they are regarded as earthen pots,
        the work of a potter’s hands!


    3   Even jackals offer the breast;
        they nurse their young;
      but the daughter of my people has become cruel,
        like the ostriches in the wilderness.


    4   The tongue of the nursing infant sticks
        to the roof of its mouth for thirst;
      the children beg for food,
        but no one gives to them.


    5   Those who once feasted on delicacies
        perish in the streets;
      those who were brought up in purple
        embrace ash heaps.


    6   For the chastisementOr iniquity">1 of the daughter of my people has been greater
        than the punishmentOr sin">2 of Sodom,
      which was overthrown in a moment,
        and no hands were wrung for her.The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain">3


    7   Her princes were purer than snow,
        whiter than milk;
      their bodies were more ruddy than coral,
        the beauty of their formThe meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain">4 was like sapphire.Hebrew lapis lazuli">5


    8   Now their face is blacker than soot;
        they are not recognized in the streets;
      their skin has shriveled on their bones;
        it has become as dry as wood.


    9   Happier were the victims of the sword
        than the victims of hunger,
      who wasted away, pierced
        by lack of the fruits of the field.


    10   The hands of compassionate women
        have boiled their own children;
      they became their food
        during the destruction of the daughter of my people.


    11   The LORD gave full vent to his wrath;
        he poured out his hot anger,
      and he kindled a fire in Zion
        that consumed its foundations.


    12   The kings of the earth did not believe,
        nor any of the inhabitants of the world,
      that foe or enemy could enter
        the gates of Jerusalem.


    13   This was for the sins of her prophets
        and the iniquities of her priests,
      who shed in the midst of her
        the blood of the righteous.


    14   They wandered, blind, through the streets;
        they were so defiled with blood
      that no one was able to touch
        their garments.


    15   “Away! Unclean!” people cried at them.
        “Away! Away! Do not touch!”
      So they became fugitives and wanderers;
        people said among the nations,
        “They shall stay with us no longer.”


    16   The LORD himselfHebrew The face of the Lord">6 has scattered them;
        he will regard them no more;
      no honor was shown to the priests,
        no favor to the elders.


    17   Our eyes failed, ever watching
        vainly for help;
      in our watching we watched
        for a nation which could not save.


    18   They dogged our steps
        so that we could not walk in our streets;
      our end drew near; our days were numbered,
        for our end had come.


    19   Our pursuers were swifter
        than the eagles in the heavens;
      they chased us on the mountains;
        they lay in wait for us in the wilderness.


    20   The breath of our nostrils, the LORD’s anointed,
        was captured in their pits,
      of whom we said, “Under his shadow
        we shall live among the nations.”


    21   Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom,
        you who dwell in the land of Uz;
      but to you also the cup shall pass;
        you shall become drunk and strip yourself bare.


    22   The punishment of your iniquity, O daughter of Zion, is accomplished;
        he will keep you in exile no longer;Or he will not exile you again">7
      but your iniquity, O daughter of Edom, he will punish;
        he will uncover your sins.

    Footnotes

    [1] 4:6 Or iniquity


    [2] 4:6 Or sin

    [3] 4:6 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain

    [4] 4:7 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain

    [5] 4:7 Hebrew lapis lazuli

    [6] 4:16 Hebrew The face of the Lord

    [7] 4:22 Or he will not exile you again

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: Lamentations 4:1-22
    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/0801.mp3

    KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 4:

         1 How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street. 2 The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter! 3 Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness. 4 The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them. 5 They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills. 6 For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her. 7 Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire: 8 Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick. 9 They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field. 10 The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people. 11 The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof. 12 The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.

         13 For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her, 14 They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments. 15 They cried unto them, Depart ye; it is unclean; depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and wandered, they said among the heathen, They shall no more sojourn there. 16 The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders. 17 As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us. 18 They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come. 19 Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness. 20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.

         21 Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked. 22 The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins.(KJV)

    2 min
  • 2025-08-07:1 Timothy 4:1-6 & Lamentations 3:34-66

    BibleGateway: 1 Timothy 4:1-6
    ESV Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-6
    1 Timothy 4:1–6 (Listen)
    Some Will Depart from the Faith

    4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

    A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

    6 If you put these things before the brothers,Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters">1 you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.

    Footnotes

    [1] 4:6 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: 1Timothy 4:1-6

    The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:0

    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/1123.mp3

         1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

         6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.(KJV)

    BibleGateway: Lamentations 3:34-66
    ESV Text: Lamentations 3:34-66
    Lamentations 3:34–66 (Listen)


    34   To crush underfoot
        all the prisoners of the earth,
    35   to deny a man justice
        in the presence of the Most High,
    36   to subvert a man in his lawsuit,
        the Lord does not approve.


    37   Who has spoken and it came to pass,
        unless the Lord has commanded it?
    38   Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
        that good and bad come?
    39   Why should a living man complain,
        a man, about the punishment of his sins?


    40   Let us test and examine our ways,
        and return to the LORD!
    41   Let us lift up our hearts and hands
        to God in heaven:
    42   “We have transgressed and rebelled,
        and you have not forgiven.


    43   “You have wrapped yourself with anger and pursued us,
        killing without pity;
    44   you have wrapped yourself with a cloud
        so that no prayer can pass through.
    45   You have made us scum and garbage
        among the peoples.


    46   “All our enemies
        open their mouths against us;
    47   panic and pitfall have come upon us,
        devastation and destruction;
    48   my eyes flow with rivers of tears
        because of the destruction of the daughter of my people.


    49   “My eyes will flow without ceasing,
        without respite,
    50   until the LORD from heaven
        looks down and sees;
    51   my eyes cause me grief
        at the fate of all the daughters of my city.


    52   “I have been hunted like a bird
        by those who were my enemies without cause;
    53   they flung me alive into the pitOr they end my life in the pit">1
        and cast stones on me;
    54   water closed over my head;
        I said, ‘I am lost.’


    55   “I called on your name, O LORD,
        from the depths of the pit;
    56   you heard my plea, ‘Do not close
        your ear to my cry for help!’
    57   You came near when I called on you;
        you said, ‘Do not fear!’


    58   “You have taken up my cause, O Lord;
        you have redeemed my life.
    59   You have seen the wrong done to me, O LORD;
        judge my cause.
    60   You have seen all their vengeance,
        all their plots against me.


    61   “You have heard their taunts, O LORD,
        all their plots against me.
    62   The lips and thoughts of my assailants
        are against me all the day long.
    63   Behold their sitting and their rising;
        I am the object of their taunts.


    64   “You will repay them,Or Repay them">2 O LORD,
        according to the work of their hands.
    65   You will give themOr Give them">3 dullness of heart;
        your curse will beOr place your curse">4 on them.
    66   You will pursue themOr Pursue them">5 in anger and destroy them
        from under your heavens, O LORD.”Syriac (compare Septuagint, Vulgate); Hebrew the heavens of the Lord">6

    Footnotes

    [1] 3:53 Or they end my life in the pit


    [2] 3:64 Or Repay them

    [3] 3:65 Or Give them

    [4] 3:65 Or place your curse

    [5] 3:66 Or Pursue them

    [6] 3:66 Syriac (compare Septuagint, Vulgate); Hebrew the heavens of the Lord

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: Lamentations 3:34-66

    The section starts at about 2:36 and ends at about 5:14

    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/0800.mp3

    34 To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth, 35 To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High, 36 To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.

         37 Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? 38 Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good? 39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? 40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. 41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

         42 We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned. 43 Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied. 44 Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through. 45 Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people. 46 All our enemies have opened their mouths against us. 47 Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction. 48 Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people. 49 Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission, 50 Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven. 51 Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city. 52 Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause. 53 They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me. 54 Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off.

         55 I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon. 56 Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. 57 Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. 58 O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life. 59 O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause. 60 Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their imaginations against me. 61 Thou hast heard their reproach, O LORD, and all their imaginations against me; 62 The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day. 63 Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their music. 64 Render unto them a recompense, O LORD, according to the work of their hands. 65 Give them sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them. 66 Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.(KJV)

    1 min
  • 2025-08-06:1 Timothy 3:8-16 & Lamentations 3:1-33

    BibleGateway: 1 Timothy 3:8-16
    ESV Text: 1 Timothy 3:8-16
    1 Timothy 3:8–16 (Listen)
    Qualifications for Deacons

    8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,Or devious in speech">1 not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewiseOr Wives likewise, or Women likewise">2 must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

    The Mystery of Godliness

    14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:


      HeGreek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which">3 was manifested in the flesh,
        vindicatedOr justified">4 by the Spirit,Or vindicated in spirit">5
          seen by angels,
      proclaimed among the nations,
        believed on in the world,
          taken up in glory.

    Footnotes

    [1] 3:8 Or devious in speech


    [2] 3:11 Or Wives likewise, or Women likewise

    [3] 3:16 Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which

    [4] 3:16 Or justified

    [5] 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: 1Timothy 3:8-16

    The section starts at about 0:50 and ends at about 2:10

    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/1122.mp3

         8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

         14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.(KJV)

    BibleGateway: Lamentations 3:1-33
    ESV Text: Lamentations 3:1-33
    Lamentations 3:1–33 (Listen)
    Great Is Your Faithfulness


    3:1   I am the man who has seen affliction
        under the rod of his wrath;
    2   he has driven and brought me
        into darkness without any light;
    3   surely against me he turns his hand
        again and again the whole day long.


    4   He has made my flesh and my skin waste away;
        he has broken my bones;
    5   he has besieged and enveloped me
        with bitterness and tribulation;
    6   he has made me dwell in darkness
        like the dead of long ago.


    7   He has walled me about so that I cannot escape;
        he has made my chains heavy;
    8   though I call and cry for help,
        he shuts out my prayer;
    9   he has blocked my ways with blocks of stones;
        he has made my paths crooked.


    10   He is a bear lying in wait for me,
        a lion in hiding;
    11   he turned aside my steps and tore me to pieces;
        he has made me desolate;
    12   he bent his bow and set me
        as a target for his arrow.


    13   He drove into my kidneys
        the arrows of his quiver;
    14   I have become the laughingstock of all my people,Some manuscripts all peoples">1
        the object of their taunts all day long.
    15   He has filled me with bitterness;
        he has sated me with wormwood.


    16   He has made my teeth grind on gravel,
        and made me cower in ashes;
    17   my soul is bereft of peace;
        I have forgotten what happinessHebrew good">2 is;
    18   so I say, “My endurance has perished;
        so has my hope from the LORD.”


    19   Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
        the wormwood and the gall!
    20   My soul continually remembers it
        and is bowed down within me.
    21   But this I call to mind,
        and therefore I have hope:


    22   The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;Syriac, Targum; Hebrew Because of the steadfast love of the Lord, we are not cut off">3
        his mercies never come to an end;
    23   they are new every morning;
        great is your faithfulness.
    24   “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
        “therefore I will hope in him.”


    25   The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
        to the soul who seeks him.
    26   It is good that one should wait quietly
        for the salvation of the LORD.
    27   It is good for a man that he bear
        the yoke in his youth.


    28   Let him sit alone in silence
        when it is laid on him;
    29   let him put his mouth in the dust—
        there may yet be hope;
    30   let him give his cheek to the one who strikes,
        and let him be filled with insults.


    31   For the Lord will not
        cast off forever,
    32   for, though he cause grief, he will have compassion
        according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
    33   for he does not afflict from his heart
        or grieve the children of men.

    Footnotes

    [1] 3:14 Some manuscripts all peoples


    [2] 3:17 Hebrew good

    [3] 3:22 Syriac, Targum; Hebrew Because of the steadfast love of the Lord, we are not cut off

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: Lamentations 3:1-33

    The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 2:45

    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/0800.mp3

         1 I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. 2 He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light. 3 Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day. 4 My flesh and my skin hath he made old: he hath broken my bones. 5 He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail. 6 He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old. 7 He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. 8 Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer. 9 He hath enclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked. 10 He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places. 11 He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate. 12 He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. 13 He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins. 14 I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day. 15 He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood. 16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes. 17 And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity. 18 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: 19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. 20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.

         21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. 28 He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. 29 He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope. 30 He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach. 31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever: 32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. 33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.(KJV)

    2 min
  • 2025-08-05:1 Timothy 3:1-7 & Lamentations 2

    BibleGateway: 1 Timothy 3:1-7
    ESV Text: 1 Timothy 3:1-7
    1 Timothy 3:1–7 (Listen)
    Qualifications for Overseers

    3:1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseerOr bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1">1 must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,Or a man of one woman; also verse 12">2 sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

    Footnotes

    [1] 3:2 Or bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1


    [2] 3:2 Or a man of one woman; also verse 12

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: 1Timothy 3:1-7

    The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 0:59

    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/1122.mp3

         1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.(KJV)

    BibleGateway: Lamentations 2
    ESV Text: Lamentations 2
    Lamentations 2 (Listen)
    The Lord Has Destroyed Without Pity


    2:1   How the Lord in his anger
        has set the daughter of Zion under a cloud!
      He has cast down from heaven to earth
        the splendor of Israel;
      he has not remembered his footstool
        in the day of his anger.


    2   The Lord has swallowed up without mercy
        all the habitations of Jacob;
      in his wrath he has broken down
        the strongholds of the daughter of Judah;
      he has brought down to the ground in dishonor
        the kingdom and its rulers.


    3   He has cut down in fierce anger
        all the might of Israel;
      he has withdrawn from them his right hand
        in the face of the enemy;
      he has burned like a flaming fire in Jacob,
        consuming all around.


    4   He has bent his bow like an enemy,
        with his right hand set like a foe;
      and he has killed all who were delightful in our eyes;
        in the tent of the daughter of Zion,
      he has poured out his fury like fire.


    5   The Lord has become like an enemy;
        he has swallowed up Israel;
      he has swallowed up all its palaces;
        he has laid in ruins its strongholds,
      and he has multiplied in the daughter of Judah
        mourning and lamentation.


    6   He has laid waste his booth like a garden,
        laid in ruins his meeting place;
      the LORD has made Zion forget
        festival and Sabbath,
      and in his fierce indignation has spurned king and priest.


    7   The Lord has scorned his altar,
        disowned his sanctuary;
      he has delivered into the hand of the enemy
        the walls of her palaces;
      they raised a clamor in the house of the LORD
        as on the day of festival.


    8   The LORD determined to lay in ruins
        the wall of the daughter of Zion;
      he stretched out the measuring line;
        he did not restrain his hand from destroying;
      he caused rampart and wall to lament;
        they languished together.


    9   Her gates have sunk into the ground;
        he has ruined and broken her bars;
      her king and princes are among the nations;
        the law is no more,
      and her prophets find
        no vision from the LORD.


    10   The elders of the daughter of Zion
        sit on the ground in silence;
      they have thrown dust on their heads
        and put on sackcloth;
      the young women of Jerusalem
        have bowed their heads to the ground.


    11   My eyes are spent with weeping;
        my stomach churns;
      my bile is poured out to the ground
        because of the destruction of the daughter of my people,
      because infants and babies faint
        in the streets of the city.


    12   They cry to their mothers,
        “Where is bread and wine?”
      as they faint like a wounded man
        in the streets of the city,
      as their life is poured out
        on their mothers’ bosom.


    13   What can I say for you, to what compare you,
        O daughter of Jerusalem?
      What can I liken to you, that I may comfort you,
        O virgin daughter of Zion?
      For your ruin is vast as the sea;
        who can heal you?


    14   Your prophets have seen for you
        false and deceptive visions;
      they have not exposed your iniquity
        to restore your fortunes,
      but have seen for you oracles
        that are false and misleading.


    15   All who pass along the way
        clap their hands at you;
      they hiss and wag their heads
        at the daughter of Jerusalem:
      “Is this the city that was called
        the perfection of beauty,
        the joy of all the earth?”


    16   All your enemies
        rail against you;
      they hiss, they gnash their teeth,
        they cry: “We have swallowed her!
      Ah, this is the day we longed for;
        now we have it; we see it!”


    17   The LORD has done what he purposed;
        he has carried out his word,
      which he commanded long ago;
        he has thrown down without pity;
      he has made the enemy rejoice over you
        and exalted the might of your foes.


    18   Their heart cried to the Lord.
        O wall of the daughter of Zion,
      let tears stream down like a torrent
        day and night!
      Give yourself no rest,
        your eyes no respite!


    19   “Arise, cry out in the night,
        at the beginning of the night watches!
      Pour out your heart like water
        before the presence of the Lord!
      Lift your hands to him
        for the lives of your children,
      who faint for hunger
        at the head of every street.”


    20   Look, O LORD, and see!
        With whom have you dealt thus?
      Should women eat the fruit of their womb,
        the children of their tender care?
      Should priest and prophet be killed
        in the sanctuary of the Lord?


    21   In the dust of the streets
        lie the young and the old;
      my young women and my young men
        have fallen by the sword;
      you have killed them in the day of your anger,
        slaughtering without pity.


    22   You summoned as if to a festival day
        my terrors on every side,
      and on the day of the anger of the LORD
        no one escaped or survived;
      those whom I held and raised
        my enemy destroyed.

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: Lamentations 2:1-22
    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/0799.mp3

    KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 2:

         1 How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger! 2 The Lord hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied: he hath thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah; he hath brought them down to the ground: he hath polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof. 3 He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about. 4 He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all that were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire. 5 The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation. 6 And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest. 7 The Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a solemn feast. 8 The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together. 9 Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.

         10 The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, and keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground. 11 Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city. 12 They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers’ bosom. 13 What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee? 14 Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment. 15 All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth? 16 All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it. 17 The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries. 18 Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease. 19 Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street. 20 Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord? 21 The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword; thou hast slain them in the day of thine anger; thou hast killed, and not pitied. 22 Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of the LORD’S anger none escaped nor remained: those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed.(KJV)

    1 min
  • 2025-08-04:1 Timothy 2:1-15 & Lamentations 1

    BibleGateway: 1 Timothy 2:1-15
    ESV Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-15
    1 Timothy 2 (Listen)
    Pray for All People

    2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the manmen and man render the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and 4">1 Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

    8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

    Footnotes

    [1] 2:5 men and man render the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and 4

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: 1Timothy 2:1-15

    The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:45

    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/1121.mp3

         1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

         9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.(KJV)

    BibleGateway: Lamentations 1
    ESV Text: Lamentations 1
    Lamentations 1 (Listen)
    How Lonely Sits the City


    1:1   How lonely sits the city
        that was full of people!
      How like a widow has she become,
        she who was great among the nations!
      She who was a princess among the provinces
        has become a slave.


    2   She weeps bitterly in the night,
        with tears on her cheeks;
      among all her lovers
        she has none to comfort her;
      all her friends have dealt treacherously with her;
        they have become her enemies.


    3   Judah has gone into exile because of afflictionOr under affliction">1
        and hard servitude;
      she dwells now among the nations,
        but finds no resting place;
      her pursuers have all overtaken her
        in the midst of her distress.Or in the narrow passes">2


    4   The roads to Zion mourn,
        for none come to the festival;
      all her gates are desolate;
        her priests groan;
      her virgins have been afflicted,Septuagint, Old Latin dragged away">3
        and she herself suffers bitterly.


    5   Her foes have become the head;
        her enemies prosper,
      because the LORD has afflicted her
        for the multitude of her transgressions;
      her children have gone away,
        captives before the foe.


    6   From the daughter of Zion
        all her majesty has departed.
      Her princes have become like deer
        that find no pasture;
      they fled without strength
        before the pursuer.


    7   Jerusalem remembers
        in the days of her affliction and wandering
      all the precious things
        that were hers from days of old.
      When her people fell into the hand of the foe,
        and there was none to help her,
      her foes gloated over her;
        they mocked at her downfall.


    8   Jerusalem sinned grievously;
        therefore she became filthy;
      all who honored her despise her,
        for they have seen her nakedness;
      she herself groans
        and turns her face away.


    9   Her uncleanness was in her skirts;
        she took no thought of her future;Or end">4
      therefore her fall is terrible;
        she has no comforter.
      “O LORD, behold my affliction,
        for the enemy has triumphed!”


    10   The enemy has stretched out his hands
        over all her precious things;
      for she has seen the nations
        enter her sanctuary,
      those whom you forbade
        to enter your congregation.


    11   All her people groan
        as they search for bread;
      they trade their treasures for food
        to revive their strength.
      “Look, O LORD, and see,
        for I am despised.”


    12   “Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?
        Look and see
      if there is any sorrow like my sorrow,
        which was brought upon me,
      which the LORD inflicted
        on the day of his fierce anger.


    13   “From on high he sent fire;
        into my bonesSeptuagint; Hebrew bones and">5 he made it descend;
      he spread a net for my feet;
        he turned me back;
      he has left me stunned,
        faint all the day long.


    14   “My transgressions were boundThe meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain">6 into a yoke;
        by his hand they were fastened together;
      they were set upon my neck;
        he caused my strength to fail;
      the Lord gave me into the hands
        of those whom I cannot withstand.


    15   “The Lord rejected
        all my mighty men in my midst;
      he summoned an assembly against me
        to crush my young men;
      the Lord has trodden as in a winepress
        the virgin daughter of Judah.


    16   “For these things I weep;
        my eyes flow with tears;
      for a comforter is far from me,
        one to revive my spirit;
      my children are desolate,
        for the enemy has prevailed.”


    17   Zion stretches out her hands,
        but there is none to comfort her;
      the LORD has commanded against Jacob
        that his neighbors should be his foes;
      Jerusalem has become
        a filthy thing among them.


    18   “The LORD is in the right,
        for I have rebelled against his word;
      but hear, all you peoples,
        and see my suffering;
      my young women and my young men
        have gone into captivity.


    19   “I called to my lovers,
        but they deceived me;
      my priests and elders
        perished in the city,
      while they sought food
        to revive their strength.


    20   “Look, O LORD, for I am in distress;
        my stomach churns;
      my heart is wrung within me,
        because I have been very rebellious.
      In the street the sword bereaves;
        in the house it is like death.


    21   “They heardSeptuagint, Syriac Hear">7 my groaning,
        yet there is no one to comfort me.
      All my enemies have heard of my trouble;
        they are glad that you have done it.
      You have broughtSyriac Bring">8 the day you announced;
        now let them be as I am.


    22   “Let all their evildoing come before you,
        and deal with them
      as you have dealt with me
        because of all my transgressions;
      for my groans are many,
        and my heart is faint.”

    Footnotes

    [1] 1:3 Or under affliction


    [2] 1:3 Or in the narrow passes

    [3] 1:4 Septuagint, Old Latin dragged away

    [4] 1:9 Or end

    [5] 1:13 Septuagint; Hebrew bones and

    [6] 1:14 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain

    [7] 1:21 Septuagint, Syriac Hear

    [8] 1:21 Syriac Bring

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: Lamentations 1:1-22
    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/0798.mp3

    KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 1:

         1 How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary! 2 She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies. 3 Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits. 4 The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness. 5 Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy. 6 And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is departed: her princes are become like harts that find no pasture, and they are gone without strength before the pursuer. 7 Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths. 8 Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward. 9 Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself. 10 The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation. 11 All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile.

         12 Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger. 13 From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day. 14 The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up. 15 The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress. 16 For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed. 17 Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them. 18 The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity. 19 I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls. 20 Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death. 21 They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me. 22 Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.(KJV)

    2 min
  • 2025-08-01:1 Timothy 1:12-20 & Jeremiah 52

    BibleGateway: 1 Timothy 1:12-20
    ESV Text: 1 Timothy 1:12-20
    1 Timothy 1:12–20 (Listen)
    Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners

    12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.Greek to the ages of ages">1 Amen.

    18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

    Footnotes

    [1] 1:17 Greek to the ages of ages

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: 1Timothy 1:12-20

    The section starts at about 1:30 and ends at about 2:56

    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/1120.mp3

         12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

         18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.(KJV)

    BibleGateway: Jeremiah 52
    ESV Text: Jeremiah 52
    Jeremiah 52 (Listen)
    The Fall of Jerusalem Recounted

    52:1 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 2 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 3 For because of the anger of the LORD it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that he cast them out from his presence.

    And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4 And in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with all his army against Jerusalem, and laid siege to it. And they built siegeworks all around it. 5 So the city was besieged till the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. 6 On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land. 7 Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled and went out from the city by night by the way of a gate between the two walls, by the king’s garden, and the Chaldeans were around the city. And they went in the direction of the Arabah. 8 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho, and all his army was scattered from him. 9 Then they captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he passed sentence on him. 10 The king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and also slaughtered all the officials of Judah at Riblah. 11 He put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him in chains, and the king of Babylon took him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.

    The Temple Burned

    12 In the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month—that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard, who served the king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem. 13 And he burned the house of the LORD, and the king’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. 14 And all the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down all the walls around Jerusalem. 15 And Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive some of the poorest of the people and the rest of the people who were left in the city and the deserters who had deserted to the king of Babylon, together with the rest of the artisans. 16 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left some of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and plowmen.

    17 And the pillars of bronze that were in the house of the LORD, and the stands and the bronze sea that were in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans broke in pieces, and carried all the bronze to Babylon. 18 And they took away the pots and the shovels and the snuffers and the basins and the dishes for incense and all the vessels of bronze used in the temple service; 19 also the small bowls and the fire pans and the basins and the pots and the lampstands and the dishes for incense and the bowls for drink offerings. What was of gold the captain of the guard took away as gold, and what was of silver, as silver. 20 As for the two pillars, the one sea, the twelve bronze bulls that were under the sea,Hebrew lacks the sea">1 and the stands, which Solomon the king had made for the house of the LORD, the bronze of all these things was beyond weight. 21 As for the pillars, the height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits,A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters">2 its circumference was twelve cubits, and its thickness was four fingers, and it was hollow. 22 On it was a capital of bronze. The height of the one capital was five cubits. A network and pomegranates, all of bronze, were around the capital. And the second pillar had the same, with pomegranates. 23 There were ninety-six pomegranates on the sides; all the pomegranates were a hundred upon the network all around.

    The People Exiled to Babylon

    24 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest and the three keepers of the threshold; 25 and from the city he took an officer who had been in command of the men of war, and seven men of the king’s council, who were found in the city; and the secretary of the commander of the army, who mustered the people of the land; and sixty men of the people of the land, who were found in the midst of the city. 26 And Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. 27 And the king of Babylon struck them down and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was taken into exile out of its land.

    28 This is the number of the people whom Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year, 3,023 Judeans; 29 in the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem 832 persons; 30 in the twenty-third year of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Judeans 745 persons; all the persons were 4,600.

    Jehoiachin Released from Prison

    31 And in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, graciously freedHebrew reign, lifted up the head of">3 Jehoiachin king of Judah and brought him out of prison. 32 And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon. 33 So Jehoiachin put off his prison garments. And every day of his life he dined regularly at the king’s table, 34 and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, until the day of his death, as long as he lived.

    Footnotes

    [1] 52:20 Hebrew lacks the sea


    [2] 52:21 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters

    [3] 52:31 Hebrew reign, lifted up the head of

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: Jeremiah 52:1-34
    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/0797.mp3

    KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 52:

         1 Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 2 And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 3 For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4 And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about. 5 So the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. 6 And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land. 7 Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king’s garden; (now the Chaldeans were by the city round about:) and they went by the way of the plain. 8 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him. 9 Then they took the king, and carried him up unto the king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; where he gave judgment upon him. 10 And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah. 11 Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.

         12 Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem, 13 And burned the house of the LORD, and the king’s house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great men, burned he with fire: 14 And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down all the walls of Jerusalem round about. 15 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive certain of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude. 16 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left certain of the poor of the land for vinedressers and for husbandmen. 17 Also the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brazen sea that was in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans brake, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon. 18 The caldrons also, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the bowls, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away. 19 And the basins, and the firepans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; that which was of gold in gold, and that which was of silver in silver, took the captain of the guard away. 20 The two pillars, one sea, and twelve brazen bulls that were under the bases, which king Solomon had made in the house of the LORD: the brass of all these vessels was without weight. 21 And concerning the pillars, the height of one pillar was eighteen cubits; and a fillet of twelve cubits did compass it; and the thickness thereof was four fingers: it was hollow. 22 And a chapiter of brass was upon it; and the height of one chapiter was five cubits, with network and pomegranates upon the chapiters round about, all of brass. The second pillar also and the pomegranates were like unto these. 23 And there were ninety and six pomegranates on a side; and all the pomegranates upon the network were an hundred round about.

         24 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door: 25 He took also out of the city an eunuch, which had the charge of the men of war; and seven men of them that were near the king’s person, which were found in the city; and the principal scribe of the host, who mustered the people of the land; and threescore men of the people of the land, that were found in the midst of the city. 26 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah. 27 And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land. 28 This is the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty: 29 In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty and two persons: 30 In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons were four thousand and six hundred.

         31 And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison, 32 And spake kindly unto him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon, 33 And changed his prison garments: and he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his life. 34 And for his diet, there was a continual diet given him of the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life.(KJV)

    2 min
  • 2025-07-31:1 Timothy 1:1-11 & Jeremiah 51:34-64

    BibleGateway: 1 Timothy 1:1-11
    ESV Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-11
    1 Timothy 1:1–11 (Listen)
    Greeting

    1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

    2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith:

    Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

    Warning Against False Teachers

    3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardshipOr good order">1 from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

    8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers,That is, those who take someone captive in order to sell him into slavery">2 liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to soundOr healthy">3 doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

    Footnotes

    [1] 1:4 Or good order


    [2] 1:10 That is, those who take someone captive in order to sell him into slavery

    [3] 1:10 Or healthy

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: 1Timothy 1:1-11

    The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:39

    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/1120.mp3

         1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

         5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.(KJV)

    BibleGateway: Jeremiah 51:34-64
    ESV Text: Jeremiah 51:34-64
    Jeremiah 51:34–64 (Listen)


    34   “Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon has devoured me;
        he has crushed me;
      he has made me an empty vessel;
        he has swallowed me like a monster;
      he has filled his stomach with my delicacies;
        he has rinsed me out.Or he has expelled me">1
    35   The violence done to me and to my kinsmen be upon Babylon,”
        let the inhabitant of Zion say.
      “My blood be upon the inhabitants of Chaldea,”
        let Jerusalem say.
    36   Therefore thus says the LORD:
      “Behold, I will plead your cause
        and take vengeance for you.
      I will dry up her sea
        and make her fountain dry,
    37   and Babylon shall become a heap of ruins,
        the haunt of jackals,
      a horror and a hissing,
        without inhabitant.


    38   “They shall roar together like lions;
        they shall growl like lions’ cubs.
    39   While they are inflamed I will prepare them a feast
        and make them drunk, that they may become merry,
      then sleep a perpetual sleep
        and not wake, declares the LORD.
    40   I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter,
        like rams and male goats.


    41   “How BabylonHebrew Sheshach, a code name for Babylon">2 is taken,
        the praise of the whole earth seized!
      How Babylon has become
        a horror among the nations!
    42   The sea has come up on Babylon;
        she is covered with its tumultuous waves.
    43   Her cities have become a horror,
        a land of drought and a desert,
      a land in which no one dwells,
        and through which no son of man passes.
    44   And I will punish Bel in Babylon,
        and take out of his mouth what he has swallowed.
      The nations shall no longer flow to him;
        the wall of Babylon has fallen.


    45   “Go out of the midst of her, my people!
        Let every one save his life
        from the fierce anger of the LORD!
    46   Let not your heart faint, and be not fearful
        at the report heard in the land,
      when a report comes in one year
        and afterward a report in another year,
      and violence is in the land,
        and ruler is against ruler.


    47   “Therefore, behold, the days are coming
        when I will punish the images of Babylon;
      her whole land shall be put to shame,
        and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her.
    48   Then the heavens and the earth,
        and all that is in them,
      shall sing for joy over Babylon,
        for the destroyers shall come against them out of the north,
          declares the LORD.
    49   Babylon must fall for the slain of Israel,
        just as for Babylon have fallen the slain of all the earth.


    50   “You who have escaped from the sword,
        go, do not stand still!
      Remember the LORD from far away,
        and let Jerusalem come into your mind:
    51   ‘We are put to shame, for we have heard reproach;
        dishonor has covered our face,
      for foreigners have come
        into the holy places of the LORD’s house.’


    52   “Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD,
        when I will execute judgment upon her images,
      and through all her land
        the wounded shall groan.
    53   Though Babylon should mount up to heaven,
        and though she should fortify her strong height,
      yet destroyers would come from me against her,
        declares the LORD.


    54   “A voice! A cry from Babylon!
        The noise of great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans!
    55   For the LORD is laying Babylon waste
        and stilling her mighty voice.
      Their waves roar like many waters;
        the noise of their voice is raised,
    56   for a destroyer has come upon her,
        upon Babylon;
      her warriors are taken;
        their bows are broken in pieces,
      for the LORD is a God of recompense;
        he will surely repay.
    57   I will make drunk her officials and her wise men,
        her governors, her commanders, and her warriors;
      they shall sleep a perpetual sleep and not wake,
        declares the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.


    58   “Thus says the LORD of hosts:
      The broad wall of Babylon
        shall be leveled to the ground,
      and her high gates
        shall be burned with fire.
      The peoples labor for nothing,
        and the nations weary themselves only for fire.”

    59 The word that Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah king of Judah to Babylon, in the fourth year of his reign. Seraiah was the quartermaster. 60 Jeremiah wrote in a book all the disaster that should come upon Babylon, all these words that are written concerning Babylon. 61 And Jeremiah said to Seraiah: “When you come to Babylon, see that you read all these words, 62 and say, ‘O LORD, you have said concerning this place that you will cut it off, so that nothing shall dwell in it, neither man nor beast, and it shall be desolate forever.’ 63 When you finish reading this book, tie a stone to it and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates, 64 and say, ‘Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her, and they shall become exhausted.’”

    Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.

    Footnotes

    [1] 51:34 Or he has expelled me


    [2] 51:41 Hebrew Sheshach, a code name for Babylon

    (ESV)

    KJV Text: Jeremiah 51:34-64

    The section starts at about 5:45 and ends at about 10:58

    https://ilc.edu/wordpressilc/kjvmp3/0796.mp3

    34 Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath cast me out. 35 The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say. 36 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry. 37 And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant. 38 They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions’ whelps. 39 In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD. 40 I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he goats. 41 How is Sheshach taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! how is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations! 42 The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof. 43 Her cities are a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness, a land wherein no man dwelleth, neither doth any son of man pass thereby. 44 And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall. 45 My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD. 46 And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land; a rumour shall both come one year, and after that in another year shall come a rumour, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler. 47 Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her. 48 Then the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon: for the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the LORD. 49 As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth. 50 Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind. 51 We are confounded, because we have heard reproach: shame hath covered our faces: for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the LORD’S house. 52 Wherefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will do judgment upon her graven images: and through all her land the wounded shall groan. 53 Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD. 54 A sound of a cry cometh from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans: 55 Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered: 56 Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompenses shall surely requite. 57 And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts. 58 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.

         59 The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah into Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. And this Seraiah was a quiet prince. 60 So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon. 61 And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words; 62 Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever. 63 And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates: 64 And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.(KJV)

    2 min

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