Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Genesis 11:1–13:4; Matthew 5:1-26; Psalm 5:1-12; and Proverbs 1:24-28. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Genesis 11-13:4 (Contemporary English Version)
Genesis 11
The Tower of Babel
1At first everyone spoke the same language, 2but after some of them moved from the east [a] and settled in Babylonia, [b]3-4they said: Let's build a city with a tower that reaches to the sky! We'll use hard bricks and tar instead of stone and mortar. We'll become famous, and we won't be scattered all over the world. 5But when the LORD came down to look at the city and the tower, 6he said:
These people are working together because they all speak the same language. This is just the beginning. Soon they will be able to do anything they want. 7Come on! Let's go down and confuse them by making them speak different languages--then they won't be able to understand each other.
8-9So the people had to stop building the city, because the LORD confused their language and scattered them all over the earth. That's how the city of Babel [c] got its name.
These people are working together because they all speak the same language. This is just the beginning. Soon they will be able to do anything they want. 7Come on! Let's go down and confuse them by making them speak different languages--then they won't be able to understand each other.
8-9So the people had to stop building the city, because the LORD confused their language and scattered them all over the earth. That's how the city of Babel [c] got its name.
The Descendants of Shem
10-11Two years after the flood, when Shem was one hundred, he had a son named Arpachshad. He had more children and died at the age of six hundred. This is a list of his descendants: 12When Arpachshad was thirty-five, he had a son named Shelah. 13Arpachshad had more children and died at the age of four hundred thirty-eight.
14When Shelah was thirty, he had a son named Eber. 15Shelah had more children and died at the age of four hundred thirty-three.
16When Eber was thirty-four, he had a son named Peleg. 17Eber had more children and died at the age of four hundred sixty-four.
18When Peleg was thirty, he had a son named Reu. 19Peleg had more children and died at the age of two hundred thirty-nine.
20When Reu was thirty-two he had a son named Serug. 21Reu had more children and died at the age of two hundred thirty-nine.
22When Serug was thirty, he had a son named Nahor. 23Serug had more children and died at the age of two hundred thirty.
24When Nahor was twenty-nine, he had a son named Terah. 25Nahor had more children and died at the age of one hundred forty-eight.
14When Shelah was thirty, he had a son named Eber. 15Shelah had more children and died at the age of four hundred thirty-three.
16When Eber was thirty-four, he had a son named Peleg. 17Eber had more children and died at the age of four hundred sixty-four.
18When Peleg was thirty, he had a son named Reu. 19Peleg had more children and died at the age of two hundred thirty-nine.
20When Reu was thirty-two he had a son named Serug. 21Reu had more children and died at the age of two hundred thirty-nine.
22When Serug was thirty, he had a son named Nahor. 23Serug had more children and died at the age of two hundred thirty.
24When Nahor was twenty-nine, he had a son named Terah. 25Nahor had more children and died at the age of one hundred forty-eight.
The Descendants of Terah
26-28After Terah was seventy years old, he had three sons: Abram, Nahor, and Haran, who became the father of Lot. Terah's sons were born in the city of Ur in Chaldea, [d] and Haran died there before the death of his father. The following is the story of Terah's descendants. 29-30Abram married Sarai, but she was not able to have any children. And Nahor married Milcah, who was the daughter of Haran and the sister of Iscah. 31Terah decided to move from Ur to the land of Canaan. He took along Abram and Sarai and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran. But when they came to the city of Haran, [e] they decided to settle there instead. 32Terah lived to be two hundred five years old and died in Haran.
Genesis 12
The LORD Chooses Abram
1The LORD said to Abram: Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. 2I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others. 3I will bless anyone who blesses you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you. [f]4-5Abram was seventy-five years old when the LORD told him to leave the city of Haran. He obeyed and left with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and slaves they had gotten while in Haran.
When they came to the land of Canaan, 6Abram went as far as the sacred tree of Moreh in a place called Shechem. The Canaanites were still living in the land at that time, 7but the LORD appeared to Abram and promised, "I will give this land to your family forever." Abram then built an altar there for the LORD.
8Abram traveled to the hill country east of Bethel and camped between Bethel and Ai, where he built another altar and worshiped the LORD. 9Later, Abram started out toward the Southern Desert.
When they came to the land of Canaan, 6Abram went as far as the sacred tree of Moreh in a place called Shechem. The Canaanites were still living in the land at that time, 7but the LORD appeared to Abram and promised, "I will give this land to your family forever." Abram then built an altar there for the LORD.
8Abram traveled to the hill country east of Bethel and camped between Bethel and Ai, where he built another altar and worshiped the LORD. 9Later, Abram started out toward the Southern Desert.
Abram in Egypt
10-11The crops failed, and there was no food anywhere in the land. So Abram and his wife Sarai went to live in Egypt for a while. But just before they got there, he said, "Sarai, you are really beautiful! 12When the Egyptians see how lovely you are, they will murder me because I am your husband. But they won't kill you. 13Please save my life by saying that you are my sister." 14As soon as Abram and Sarai arrived in Egypt, the Egyptians noticed how beautiful she was. 15The king's [g] officials told him about her, and she was taken to his house. 16The king was good to Abram because of Sarai, and Abram was given sheep, cattle, donkeys, slaves, and camels. 17Because of Sarai, the LORD struck the king and everyone in his palace with terrible diseases. 18Finally, the king sent for Abram and said to him, "What have you done to me? Why didn't you tell me Sarai was your wife? 19Why did you make me believe she was your sister? Now I've married her. Take her and go! She's your wife."
20So the king told his men to let Abram and Sarai take their possessions and leave.
20So the king told his men to let Abram and Sarai take their possessions and leave.
Genesis 13
Abram and Lot Separate
1Abram and Sarai took everything they owned and went to the Southern Desert. Lot went with them. 2Abram was very rich. He owned many cattle, sheep, and goats, and had a lot of silver and gold. 3Abram moved from place to place in the Southern Desert. And finally, he went north and set up his tents between Bethel and Ai, 4where he had earlier camped and built an altar. There he worshiped the LORD.
Footnotes:- Genesis 11:2from the east: Or "to the east."
- Genesis 11:2Babylonia: See the note at 10.6-20.
- Genesis 11:8Babel: In Hebrew "Babel" sounds like "confused."
- Genesis 11:26Ur in Chaldea: Chaldea was a region at the head of the Persian Gulf. Ur was on the main trade routes from Mesopotamia to the Mediterranean Sea.
- Genesis 11:31Haran: About 550 miles northwest of Ur.
- Genesis 12:3Everyone. . . you: Or "Everyone on earth will ask me to bless them as I have blessed you."
- Genesis 12:15The king's: The Hebrew text has "Pharaoh's," a Hebrew word sometimes used for the king of Egypt.
Footnotes:
- Genesis 11:2from the east: Or "to the east."
- Genesis 11:2Babylonia: See the note at 10.6-20.
- Genesis 11:8Babel: In Hebrew "Babel" sounds like "confused."
- Genesis 11:26Ur in Chaldea: Chaldea was a region at the head of the Persian Gulf. Ur was on the main trade routes from Mesopotamia to the Mediterranean Sea.
- Genesis 11:31Haran: About 550 miles northwest of Ur.
- Genesis 12:3Everyone. . . you: Or "Everyone on earth will ask me to bless them as I have blessed you."
- Genesis 12:15The king's: The Hebrew text has "Pharaoh's," a Hebrew word sometimes used for the king of Egypt.
Matthew 5:1-26 (Contemporary English Version)
Matthew 5
The Sermon on the Mount
1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the side of a mountain and sat down. [a] Jesus' disciples gathered around him,
Blessings
(Luke 6.20-23)
2and he taught them: 3God blesses those people
who depend only on him.
They belong to the kingdom
of heaven! [b]4God blesses those people
who grieve.
They will find comfort!
5God blesses those people
who are humble.
The earth will belong
to them!
6God blesses those people
who want to obey him [c] more than to eat or drink.
They will be given
what they want!
7God blesses those people
who are merciful.
They will be treated
with mercy!
8God blesses those people
whose hearts are pure.
They will see him!
9God blesses those people
who make peace.
They will be called
his children!
10God blesses those people
who are treated badly
for doing right.
They belong to the kingdom
of heaven. [d]11God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. 12Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.
who depend only on him.
They belong to the kingdom
of heaven! [b]4God blesses those people
who grieve.
They will find comfort!
5God blesses those people
who are humble.
The earth will belong
to them!
6God blesses those people
who want to obey him [c] more than to eat or drink.
They will be given
what they want!
7God blesses those people
who are merciful.
They will be treated
with mercy!
8God blesses those people
whose hearts are pure.
They will see him!
9God blesses those people
who make peace.
They will be called
his children!
10God blesses those people
who are treated badly
for doing right.
They belong to the kingdom
of heaven. [d]11God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. 12Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.
Salt and Light
(Mark 9.50; Luke 14.34,35)
13You are like salt for everyone on earth. But if salt no longer tastes like salt, how can it make food salty? All it is good for is to be thrown out and walked on. 14You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, 15and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. 16Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
The Law of Moses
17Don't suppose that I came to do away with the Law and the Prophets. [e] I did not come to do away with them, but to give them their full meaning. 18Heaven and earth may disappear. But I promise you that not even a period or comma will ever disappear from the Law. Everything written in it must happen. 19If you reject even the least important command in the Law and teach others to do the same, you will be the least important person in the kingdom of heaven. But if you obey and teach others its commands, you will have an important place in the kingdom. 20You must obey God's commands better than the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law obey them. If you don't, I promise you that you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
Anger
21You know that our ancestors were told, "Do not murder" and "A murderer must be brought to trial." 22But I promise you that if you are angry with someone, [f] you will have to stand trial. If you call someone a fool, you will be taken to court. And if you say that someone is worthless, you will be in danger of the fires of hell. 23So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God. 25Before you are dragged into court, make friends with the person who has accused you of doing wrong. If you don't, you will be handed over to the judge and then to the officer who will put you in jail. 26I promise you that you will not get out until you have paid the last cent you owe.
Footnotes:- Matthew 5:1sat down: Teachers in the ancient world, including Jewish teachers, usually sat down when they taught.
- Matthew 5:3They belong to the kingdom of heaven: Or "The kingdom of heaven belongs to them."
- Matthew 5:6who want to obey him: Or "who want to do right" or "who want everyone to be treated right."
- Matthew 5:10They belong to the kingdom of heaven: See the note at 5.3.
- Matthew 5:17the Law and the Prophets: The Jewish Scriptures, that is, the Old Testament.
- Matthew 5:22someone: In verses 22-24 the Greek text has "brother," which may refer to people in general or to other followers.
Footnotes:
- Matthew 5:1sat down: Teachers in the ancient world, including Jewish teachers, usually sat down when they taught.
- Matthew 5:3They belong to the kingdom of heaven: Or "The kingdom of heaven belongs to them."
- Matthew 5:6who want to obey him: Or "who want to do right" or "who want everyone to be treated right."
- Matthew 5:10They belong to the kingdom of heaven: See the note at 5.3.
- Matthew 5:17the Law and the Prophets: The Jewish Scriptures, that is, the Old Testament.
- Matthew 5:22someone: In verses 22-24 the Greek text has "brother," which may refer to people in general or to other followers.
Psalm 5:1-12 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 5
(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use flutes.)
A Prayer for Help
1Listen, LORD, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan. [a]2You are my King and my God.
Answer my cry for help
because I pray to you.
3Each morning you listen
to my prayer,
as I bring my requests [b] to you and wait for your reply.
4You are not the kind of God
who is pleased with evil.
Sinners can't stay with you.
5No one who boasts can stand
in your presence, LORD,
and you hate evil people.
6You destroy every liar,
and you despise violence
and deceit.
7Because of your great mercy,
I come to your house, LORD,
and I am filled with wonder
as I bow down
to worship
at your holy temple.
8You do what is right,
and I ask you to guide me.
Make your teaching clear
because of my enemies.
9Nothing they say is true!
They just want to destroy.
Their words are deceitful
like a hidden pit,
and their tongues are good
only for telling lies.
10Punish them, God,
and let their own plans
bring their downfall.
Get rid of them!
They keep committing crimes
and turning against you.
11Let all who run to you
for protection
always sing joyful songs.
Provide shelter for those
who truly love you
and let them rejoice.
12Our LORD, you bless those
who live right,
and you shield them
with your kindness.
Footnotes:
Answer my cry for help
because I pray to you.
3Each morning you listen
to my prayer,
as I bring my requests [b] to you and wait for your reply.
4You are not the kind of God
who is pleased with evil.
Sinners can't stay with you.
5No one who boasts can stand
in your presence, LORD,
and you hate evil people.
6You destroy every liar,
and you despise violence
and deceit.
7Because of your great mercy,
I come to your house, LORD,
and I am filled with wonder
as I bow down
to worship
at your holy temple.
8You do what is right,
and I ask you to guide me.
Make your teaching clear
because of my enemies.
9Nothing they say is true!
They just want to destroy.
Their words are deceitful
like a hidden pit,
and their tongues are good
only for telling lies.
10Punish them, God,
and let their own plans
bring their downfall.
Get rid of them!
They keep committing crimes
and turning against you.
11Let all who run to you
for protection
always sing joyful songs.
Provide shelter for those
who truly love you
and let them rejoice.
12Our LORD, you bless those
who live right,
and you shield them
with your kindness.
Footnotes:
Proverbs 1:24-28 (Contemporary English Version)
24You completely ignored me
and refused to listen;
25you rejected my advice
and paid no attention
when I warned you.
26"So when you are struck
by some terrible disaster,
27or when trouble and distress
surround you like a whirlwind,
I will laugh and make fun.
28You will ask for my help,
but I won't listen;
you will search,
but you won't find me.
and refused to listen;
25you rejected my advice
and paid no attention
when I warned you.
26"So when you are struck
by some terrible disaster,
27or when trouble and distress
surround you like a whirlwind,
I will laugh and make fun.
28You will ask for my help,
but I won't listen;
you will search,
but you won't find me.
Thought for the Day
“Wash yourselves clean! I am disgusted with your filthy deeds. Stop doing wrong and learn to live right. See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help those in need.” (Isaiah 1:16-17 - Contemporary English Version) Since we're entering a new year, we have the chance to stop and to start. And so, let's decide to stop doing things that are hate-filled and arrogant and to start reflecting the love commanded by Jesus Christ.
Quote for the Day
German statesman who served as the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) from 1949 to 1963, Konrad Adenauer wrote, “History is the sum total of things that could have been avoided.”
A Joke for Today
"Last Sunday I found a wallet packed with money down by the church."
"Did you give it back?"
"Not yet. I'm still trying to decide if it's a temptation from the devil or the answer to a prayer."
A Prayer Request
As Christians, we can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Below is the need that we're laying before God today.
That the people of Georgia make an informed decision as they select their Senators and accept the result with dignity and compassion.
No comments:
Post a Comment