Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Joshua 22:21–23:16; Luke 20:27-47; Psalm 89:14-37; and Proverbs 13:17-19. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Joshua 22:21-23:16 (Contemporary English Version)
21The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh answered:
22The LORD is the greatest God! We ask him to be our witness, because he knows whether or not we were rebellious or unfaithful when we built that altar. If we were unfaithful, then we pray that God won't rescue us today. Let us tell you why we built that altar, 23and we ask the LORD to punish us if we are lying. We didn't build it so we could turn our backs on the LORD. We didn't even build it so we could offer animal or grain sacrifices to please the LORD or ask his blessing.
24-25We built that altar because we were worried. Someday your descendants might tell our descendants, " The LORD made the Jordan River the boundary between us Israelites and you people of Reuben and Gad. The LORD is Israel's God, but you're not part of Israel, so you can't take part in worshiping the LORD."
Your descendants might say that and try to make our descendants stop worshiping and obeying the LORD. 26That's why we decided to build the altar. It isn't for offering sacrifices, not even sacrifices to please the LORD. a<="" value="[a]" >[]27-29To build another altar for offering sacrifices would be the same as turning our backs on the LORD and rebelling against him. We could never do that! No, we built the altar to remind us and you and the generations to come that we will worship the LORD. And so we will keep bringing our sacrifices to the LORD's altar, there in front of his sacred tent. Now your descendants will never be able to say to our descendants, " You can't worship the LORD." But if they do say this, our descendants can answer back, " Look at this altar our ancestors built! It's like the LORD's altar, but it isn't for offering sacrifices. It's here to remind us and you that we belong to the LORD, just as much as you do."
30-31Phinehas and the clan leaders were pleased when they heard the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh explain why they had built the altar. Then Phinehas told them, " Today we know that the LORD is helping us. You have not been unfaithful to him, and this means that the LORD will not be angry with us."
32Phinehas and the clan leaders left Gilead and went back to Canaan to tell the Israelites about their meeting with the Reuben and Gad tribes. 33The Israelites were happy and praised God. There was no more talk about going to war and wiping out the tribes of Reuben and Gad.
34The people of Reuben and Gad named the altar " A Reminder to Us All That the LORD Is Our God." [b<="">]
22The LORD is the greatest God! We ask him to be our witness, because he knows whether or not we were rebellious or unfaithful when we built that altar. If we were unfaithful, then we pray that God won't rescue us today. Let us tell you why we built that altar, 23and we ask the LORD to punish us if we are lying. We didn't build it so we could turn our backs on the LORD. We didn't even build it so we could offer animal or grain sacrifices to please the LORD or ask his blessing.
24-25We built that altar because we were worried. Someday your descendants might tell our descendants, " The LORD made the Jordan River the boundary between us Israelites and you people of Reuben and Gad. The LORD is Israel's God, but you're not part of Israel, so you can't take part in worshiping the LORD."
Your descendants might say that and try to make our descendants stop worshiping and obeying the LORD. 26That's why we decided to build the altar. It isn't for offering sacrifices, not even sacrifices to please the LORD. a<="" value="[a]" >[]27-29To build another altar for offering sacrifices would be the same as turning our backs on the LORD and rebelling against him. We could never do that! No, we built the altar to remind us and you and the generations to come that we will worship the LORD. And so we will keep bringing our sacrifices to the LORD's altar, there in front of his sacred tent. Now your descendants will never be able to say to our descendants, " You can't worship the LORD." But if they do say this, our descendants can answer back, " Look at this altar our ancestors built! It's like the LORD's altar, but it isn't for offering sacrifices. It's here to remind us and you that we belong to the LORD, just as much as you do."
30-31Phinehas and the clan leaders were pleased when they heard the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh explain why they had built the altar. Then Phinehas told them, " Today we know that the LORD is helping us. You have not been unfaithful to him, and this means that the LORD will not be angry with us."
32Phinehas and the clan leaders left Gilead and went back to Canaan to tell the Israelites about their meeting with the Reuben and Gad tribes. 33The Israelites were happy and praised God. There was no more talk about going to war and wiping out the tribes of Reuben and Gad.
34The people of Reuben and Gad named the altar " A Reminder to Us All That the LORD Is Our God." [b<="">]
Joshua 23
Joshua's Farewell Speech
1The LORD let Israel live in peace with its neighbors for a long time, and Joshua lived to a ripe old age. 2One day he called a meeting of the leaders of the tribes of Israel, including the old men, the judges, and the officials. Then he told them: I am now very old. 3You have seen how the LORD your God fought for you and helped you defeat the nations who lived in this land. 4-5There are still some nations left, but the LORD has promised you their land. So when you attack them, he will make them run away. I have already divided their land among your tribes, as I did with the land of the nations I defeated between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.
6Be sure that you carefully obey everything written in The Book of the Law [c<="">] of Moses and do exactly what it says. 7Don't have anything to do with the nations that live around you. Don't worship their gods or pray to their idols or make promises in the names of their gods. 8Be as faithful to the LORD as you have always been.
9When you attacked powerful nations, the LORD made them run away, and no one has ever been able to stand up to you. 10Any one of you can defeat a thousand enemy soldiers, because the LORD God fights for you, just as he promised. 11Be sure to always love the LORD your God. 12-13Don't ever turn your backs on him by marrying people from the nations that are left in the land. Don't even make friends with them. I tell you that if you are friendly with those nations, the LORD won't chase them away when you attack. Instead, they'll be like a trap for your feet, a whip on your back, and thorns in your eyes. And finally, none of you will be left in this good land that the LORD has given you.
14I will soon die, as everyone must. But deep in your hearts you know that the LORD has kept every promise he ever made to you. Not one of them has been broken. 15-16Yes, when the LORD makes a promise, he does what he has promised. But when he makes a threat, he will also do what he has threatened. The LORD is our God. He gave us this wonderful land and made an agreement with us that we would worship only him. But if you worship other gods, it will make the LORD furious. He will start getting rid of you, and soon not one of you will be left in this good land that he has given you.
Footnotes:- Joshua 22:26 sacrifices to please the LORD: See the note at 8.30-32.
- Joshua 22:34 named. . . God: Or " gave a name to the altar. They explained, This altar is here to remind us all that the LORD is our God " ; most Hebrew manuscripts. A few Hebrew manuscripts and one ancient translation " named the altar Reminder. They explained, This altar is here to remind us all that the LORD is our God. "
- Joshua 23:6 Law: See the note at 8.30-32.
6Be sure that you carefully obey everything written in The Book of the Law [c<="">] of Moses and do exactly what it says. 7Don't have anything to do with the nations that live around you. Don't worship their gods or pray to their idols or make promises in the names of their gods. 8Be as faithful to the LORD as you have always been.
9When you attacked powerful nations, the LORD made them run away, and no one has ever been able to stand up to you. 10Any one of you can defeat a thousand enemy soldiers, because the LORD God fights for you, just as he promised. 11Be sure to always love the LORD your God. 12-13Don't ever turn your backs on him by marrying people from the nations that are left in the land. Don't even make friends with them. I tell you that if you are friendly with those nations, the LORD won't chase them away when you attack. Instead, they'll be like a trap for your feet, a whip on your back, and thorns in your eyes. And finally, none of you will be left in this good land that the LORD has given you.
14I will soon die, as everyone must. But deep in your hearts you know that the LORD has kept every promise he ever made to you. Not one of them has been broken. 15-16Yes, when the LORD makes a promise, he does what he has promised. But when he makes a threat, he will also do what he has threatened. The LORD is our God. He gave us this wonderful land and made an agreement with us that we would worship only him. But if you worship other gods, it will make the LORD furious. He will start getting rid of you, and soon not one of you will be left in this good land that he has given you.
Footnotes:
- Joshua 22:26 sacrifices to please the LORD: See the note at 8.30-32.
- Joshua 22:34 named. . . God: Or " gave a name to the altar. They explained, This altar is here to remind us all that the LORD is our God " ; most Hebrew manuscripts. A few Hebrew manuscripts and one ancient translation " named the altar Reminder. They explained, This altar is here to remind us all that the LORD is our God. "
- Joshua 23:6 Law: See the note at 8.30-32.
Luke 20:27-47 (Contemporary English Version)
Life in the Future World
(Matthew 22.23-33; Mark 12.18-27)
27The Sadducees did not believe that people would rise to life after death. So some of them came to Jesus 28and said: Teacher, Moses wrote that if a married man dies and has no children, his brother should marry the widow. Their first son would then be thought of as the son of the dead brother.
29There were once seven brothers. The first one married, but died without having any children. 30The second one married his brother's widow, and he also died without having any children. 31The same thing happened to the third one. Finally, all seven brothers married that woman and died without having any children. 32At last the woman died. 33When God raises people from death, whose wife will this woman be? All seven brothers had married her.
34Jesus answered:
The people in this world get married. 35But in the future world no one who is worthy to rise from death will either marry 36or die. They will be like the angels and will be God's children, because they have been raised to life.
37In the story about the burning bush, Moses clearly shows that people will live again. He said, "The Lord is the God worshiped by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." a<="" value="[a]" >[] 38So the Lord isn't the God of the dead, but of the living. This means that everyone is alive as far as God is concerned. 39Some of the teachers of the Law of Moses said, "Teacher, you have given a good answer!" 40From then on, no one dared to ask Jesus any questions.
29There were once seven brothers. The first one married, but died without having any children. 30The second one married his brother's widow, and he also died without having any children. 31The same thing happened to the third one. Finally, all seven brothers married that woman and died without having any children. 32At last the woman died. 33When God raises people from death, whose wife will this woman be? All seven brothers had married her.
34Jesus answered:
The people in this world get married. 35But in the future world no one who is worthy to rise from death will either marry 36or die. They will be like the angels and will be God's children, because they have been raised to life.
37In the story about the burning bush, Moses clearly shows that people will live again. He said, "The Lord is the God worshiped by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." a<="" value="[a]" >[] 38So the Lord isn't the God of the dead, but of the living. This means that everyone is alive as far as God is concerned. 39Some of the teachers of the Law of Moses said, "Teacher, you have given a good answer!" 40From then on, no one dared to ask Jesus any questions.
About David's Son
(Matthew 22.41-46; Mark 12.35-37)
41Jesus asked, "Why do people say that the Messiah will be the son of King David? [b<="">] 42In the book of Psalms, David himself says, `The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right side [c<="">]
43until I make your enemies
into a footstool for you.'
44David spoke of the Messiah as his Lord, so how can the Messiah be his son?"
43until I make your enemies
into a footstool for you.'
44David spoke of the Messiah as his Lord, so how can the Messiah be his son?"
Jesus and the Teachers of the Law of Moses
(Matthew 23.1-36; Mark 12.38-40; Luke 11.37-54)
45While everyone was listening to Jesus, he said to his disciples: 46Guard against the teachers of the Law of Moses! They love to walk around in long robes, and they like to be greeted in the market. They want the front seats in the meeting places and the best seats at banquets. 47But they cheat widows out of their homes and then pray long prayers just to show off. These teachers will be punished most of all.
Footnotes:- Luke 20:37 " The Lord is the God worshiped by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" : Jesus argues that if God is worshiped by these three, they must be alive, because he is the God of the living.
- Luke 20:41 the son of King David: See the note at 18.38.
- Luke 20:42 right side: The place of power and honor.
Footnotes:
- Luke 20:37 " The Lord is the God worshiped by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" : Jesus argues that if God is worshiped by these three, they must be alive, because he is the God of the living.
- Luke 20:41 the son of King David: See the note at 18.38.
- Luke 20:42 right side: The place of power and honor.
Psalm 89:14-37 (Contemporary English Version)
14Your kingdom is ruled
by justice and fairness
with love and faithfulness
leading the way.
15Our LORD, you bless those
who join in the festival
and walk in the brightness
of your presence.
16We are happy all day
because of you,
and your saving power
brings honor to us.
17Your own glorious power
makes us strong,
and because of your kindness,
our strength increases.
18Our LORD and our King,
the Holy One of Israel,
you are truly our shield.
19In a vision, you once said
to your faithful followers:
"I have helped a mighty hero.
I chose him from my people
and made him famous.
20David, my servant, is the one
I chose to be king,
21and I will always be there
to help and strengthen him.
22"No enemy will outsmart David,
and he won't be defeated
by any hateful people.
23I will strike down and crush
his troublesome enemies.
24He will always be able
to depend on my love,
and I will make him strong
with my own power.
25I will let him rule the lands
across the rivers and seas.
26He will say to me,
`You are my Father
and my God,
as well as the mighty rock a<="" value="[a]" >[] where I am safe.'
27"I have chosen David
as my first-born son,
and he will be the ruler
of all kings on earth.
28My love for him will last,
and my agreement with him
will never be broken.
29"One of David's descendants
will always be king,
and his family will rule
until the sky disappears.
30Suppose some of his children
should reject my Law
and refuse my instructions.
31Or suppose they should disobey
all of my teachings.
32Then I will correct
and punish them
because of their sins.
33But I will always love David
and faithfully keep all
of my promises to him.
34"I won't break my agreement
or go back on my word.
35I have sworn once and for all
by my own holy name,
and I won't lie to David.
36His family will always rule.
I will let his kingdom last
as long as the sun 37and moon
appear in the sky."
Footnotes:- Psalm 89:26 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.
by justice and fairness
with love and faithfulness
leading the way.
15Our LORD, you bless those
who join in the festival
and walk in the brightness
of your presence.
16We are happy all day
because of you,
and your saving power
brings honor to us.
17Your own glorious power
makes us strong,
and because of your kindness,
our strength increases.
18Our LORD and our King,
the Holy One of Israel,
you are truly our shield.
19In a vision, you once said
to your faithful followers:
"I have helped a mighty hero.
I chose him from my people
and made him famous.
20David, my servant, is the one
I chose to be king,
21and I will always be there
to help and strengthen him.
22"No enemy will outsmart David,
and he won't be defeated
by any hateful people.
23I will strike down and crush
his troublesome enemies.
24He will always be able
to depend on my love,
and I will make him strong
with my own power.
25I will let him rule the lands
across the rivers and seas.
26He will say to me,
`You are my Father
and my God,
as well as the mighty rock a<="" value="[a]" >[] where I am safe.'
27"I have chosen David
as my first-born son,
and he will be the ruler
of all kings on earth.
28My love for him will last,
and my agreement with him
will never be broken.
29"One of David's descendants
will always be king,
and his family will rule
until the sky disappears.
30Suppose some of his children
should reject my Law
and refuse my instructions.
31Or suppose they should disobey
all of my teachings.
32Then I will correct
and punish them
because of their sins.
33But I will always love David
and faithfully keep all
of my promises to him.
34"I won't break my agreement
or go back on my word.
35I have sworn once and for all
by my own holy name,
and I won't lie to David.
36His family will always rule.
I will let his kingdom last
as long as the sun 37and moon
appear in the sky."
Footnotes:
- Psalm 89:26 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.
Proverbs 13:17-19 (Contemporary English Version)
17Whoever delivers your message
can make things better
or worse for you.
18All who refuse correction
will be poor and disgraced;
all who accept correction
will be praised.
19It's a good feeling
to get what you want,
but only a stupid fool
hates to turn from evil.
17Whoever delivers your message
can make things better
or worse for you.
18All who refuse correction
will be poor and disgraced;
all who accept correction
will be praised.
19It's a good feeling
to get what you want,
but only a stupid fool
hates to turn from evil.
can make things better
or worse for you.
18All who refuse correction
will be poor and disgraced;
all who accept correction
will be praised.
19It's a good feeling
to get what you want,
but only a stupid fool
hates to turn from evil.
Thought for the Day
“and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all others. No one can snatch them from his hands, and I am one with the Father.” (John 10:28-30 - Contemporary English Version) Not only do we have eternal life, we also have eternity. Since we belong to God, no one has the power to separate us from his love or his concern.
Quote for the Day
Scottish-American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, botanist, zoologist, glaciologist, and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States of America, John Muir wrote, “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.”
A Joke for Today