Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Joshua 24:1-33; Luke 21:1-28; Psalm 89:38-52; and Proverbs 13:20-23. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Joshua 24:1-33 (Contemporary English Version)
Joshua 24
We Will Worship and Obey the LORD
1Joshua called the tribes of Israel together for a meeting at Shechem. He had the leaders, including the old men, the judges, and the officials, come up and stand near the sacred tent. [a] 2Then Joshua told everyone to listen to this message from the LORD, the God of Israel: Long ago your ancestors lived on the other side of the Euphrates River, and they worshiped other gods. This continued until the time of your ancestor Terah and his two sons, Abraham and Nahor. 3But I brought Abraham across the Euphrates River and led him through the land of Canaan. I blessed him by giving him Isaac, the first in a line of many descendants. 4Then I gave Isaac two sons, Jacob and Esau. I had Esau live in the hill country of Mount Seir, but your ancestor Jacob and his children went to live in Egypt. 5-6Later I sent Moses and his brother Aaron to help your people, and I made all those horrible things happen to the Egyptians. I brought your ancestors out of Egypt, but the Egyptians got in their chariots and on their horses and chased your ancestors, catching up with them at the Red Sea. [b] 7Your people cried to me for help, so I put a dark cloud between them and the Egyptians. Then I opened up the sea and let your people walk across on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, I commanded the sea to swallow them, and they drowned while you watched. You lived in the desert for a long time, 8then I brought you into the land east of the Jordan River. The Amorites were living there, and they fought you. But with my help, you defeated them, wiped them out, and took their land. 9King Balak decided that his nation Moab would go to war against you, so he asked Balaam [c] to come and put a curse on you. 10But I wouldn't listen to Balaam, and I rescued you by making him bless you instead of curse you. 11You crossed the Jordan River and came to Jericho. The rulers of Jericho fought you, and so did the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. I helped you defeat them all. 12Your enemies ran from you, but not because you had swords and bows and arrows. I made your enemies panic and run away, as I had done with the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River.
13You didn't have to work for this land--I gave it to you. Now you live in towns you didn't build, and you eat grapes and olives from vineyards and trees you didn't plant.
14Then Joshua told the people:
Worship the LORD, obey him, and always be faithful. Get rid of the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived on the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt. 15But if you don't want to worship the LORD, then choose right now! Will you worship the same idols your ancestors did? Or since you're living on land that once belonged to the Amorites, maybe you'll worship their gods. I won't. My family and I are going to worship and obey the LORD!
16The people answered:
We could never worship other gods or stop worshiping the LORD. 17The LORD is our God. We were slaves in Egypt as our ancestors had been, but we saw the LORD work miracles to set our people free and to bring us out of Egypt. Even though other nations were all around us, the LORD protected us wherever we went. 18And when we fought the Amorites and the other nations that lived in this land, the LORD made them run away. Yes, we will worship and obey the LORD, because the LORD is our God.
19Joshua said:
The LORD is fearsome; he is the one true God, and I don't think you are able to worship and obey him in the ways he demands. You would have to be completely faithful, and if you sin or rebel, he won't let you get away with it. 20If you turn your backs on the LORD and worship the gods of other nations, the LORD will turn against you. He will make terrible things happen to you and wipe you out, even though he had been good to you before.
21But the people shouted, " We won't worship any other gods. We will worship and obey only the LORD!"
22Joshua said, " You have heard yourselves say that you will worship and obey the LORD. Isn't that true?"
" Yes, it's true," they answered.
23Joshua said, " But you still have some idols, like those the other nations worship. Get rid of your idols! You must decide once and for all that you really want to obey the LORD God of Israel."
24The people said, " The LORD is our God, and we will worship and obey only him."
25Joshua helped Israel make an agreement with the LORD that day at Shechem. Joshua made laws for Israel 26and wrote them down in The Book of the Law [d] of God. Then he set up a large stone under the oak tree at the place of worship in Shechem 27and told the people, " Look at this stone. It has heard everything that the LORD has said to us. Our God can call this stone as a witness if we ever reject him." 28Joshua sent everyone back to their homes.
13You didn't have to work for this land--I gave it to you. Now you live in towns you didn't build, and you eat grapes and olives from vineyards and trees you didn't plant.
14Then Joshua told the people:
Worship the LORD, obey him, and always be faithful. Get rid of the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived on the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt. 15But if you don't want to worship the LORD, then choose right now! Will you worship the same idols your ancestors did? Or since you're living on land that once belonged to the Amorites, maybe you'll worship their gods. I won't. My family and I are going to worship and obey the LORD!
16The people answered:
We could never worship other gods or stop worshiping the LORD. 17The LORD is our God. We were slaves in Egypt as our ancestors had been, but we saw the LORD work miracles to set our people free and to bring us out of Egypt. Even though other nations were all around us, the LORD protected us wherever we went. 18And when we fought the Amorites and the other nations that lived in this land, the LORD made them run away. Yes, we will worship and obey the LORD, because the LORD is our God.
19Joshua said:
The LORD is fearsome; he is the one true God, and I don't think you are able to worship and obey him in the ways he demands. You would have to be completely faithful, and if you sin or rebel, he won't let you get away with it. 20If you turn your backs on the LORD and worship the gods of other nations, the LORD will turn against you. He will make terrible things happen to you and wipe you out, even though he had been good to you before.
21But the people shouted, " We won't worship any other gods. We will worship and obey only the LORD!"
22Joshua said, " You have heard yourselves say that you will worship and obey the LORD. Isn't that true?"
" Yes, it's true," they answered.
23Joshua said, " But you still have some idols, like those the other nations worship. Get rid of your idols! You must decide once and for all that you really want to obey the LORD God of Israel."
24The people said, " The LORD is our God, and we will worship and obey only him."
25Joshua helped Israel make an agreement with the LORD that day at Shechem. Joshua made laws for Israel 26and wrote them down in The Book of the Law [d] of God. Then he set up a large stone under the oak tree at the place of worship in Shechem 27and told the people, " Look at this stone. It has heard everything that the LORD has said to us. Our God can call this stone as a witness if we ever reject him." 28Joshua sent everyone back to their homes.
Joshua, Joseph, and Eleazar Are Buried
29Not long afterwards, the LORD's servant Joshua died at the age of one hundred ten. 30The Israelites buried him in his own land at Timnath-Serah, north of Mount Gaash in the hill country of Ephraim. 31As long as Joshua lived, Israel worshiped and obeyed the LORD. There were other leaders old enough to remember everything that the LORD had done for Israel. And for as long as these men lived, Israel continued to worship and obey the LORD.
32When the people of Israel left Egypt, they brought the bones of Joseph along with them. They took the bones to the town of Shechem and buried them in the field that Jacob had bought for one hundred pieces of silver [e] from Hamor, the founder of Shechem. The town and the field both [f] became part of the land belonging to the descendants of Joseph. 33When Eleazar the priest [g] died, he was buried in the hill country of Ephraim on a hill that belonged to his son Phinehas.
Footnotes:- Joshua 24:1 near. . . tent: Or " in front of the sacred chest" ; Hebrew " in the presence of God."
- Joshua 24:5 Red Sea: See the note at 2.10.
- Joshua 24:9 King Balak. . . Balaam: The Hebrew text has " King Balak the son of Zippor. . . Balaam the son of Beor."
- Joshua 24:26 Law: See the note at 8.30-32.
- Joshua 24:32 pieces of silver: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew word.
- Joshua 24:32 town. . . both: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Joshua 24:33 Eleazar the priest: Hebrew " Eleazar the son of Aaron."
32When the people of Israel left Egypt, they brought the bones of Joseph along with them. They took the bones to the town of Shechem and buried them in the field that Jacob had bought for one hundred pieces of silver [e] from Hamor, the founder of Shechem. The town and the field both [f] became part of the land belonging to the descendants of Joseph. 33When Eleazar the priest [g] died, he was buried in the hill country of Ephraim on a hill that belonged to his son Phinehas.
Footnotes:
- Joshua 24:1 near. . . tent: Or " in front of the sacred chest" ; Hebrew " in the presence of God."
- Joshua 24:5 Red Sea: See the note at 2.10.
- Joshua 24:9 King Balak. . . Balaam: The Hebrew text has " King Balak the son of Zippor. . . Balaam the son of Beor."
- Joshua 24:26 Law: See the note at 8.30-32.
- Joshua 24:32 pieces of silver: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew word.
- Joshua 24:32 town. . . both: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Joshua 24:33 Eleazar the priest: Hebrew " Eleazar the son of Aaron."
Luke 21:1-28 (Contemporary English Version)
Luke 21
A Widow's Offering
(Mark 12.41-44)
1Jesus looked up and saw some rich people tossing their gifts into the offering box. 2He also saw a poor widow putting in two pennies. 3And he said, "I tell you that this poor woman has put in more than all the others. 4Everyone else gave what they didn't need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had."
The Temple Will Be Destroyed
(Matthew 24.1,2; Mark 13.1,2)
5Some people were talking about the beautiful stones used to build the temple and about the gifts that had been placed in it. Jesus said, 6"Do you see these stones? The time is coming when not one of them will be left in place. They will all be knocked down."
Warning about Trouble
(Matthew 24.3-14; Mark 13.3-13)
7Some people asked, "Teacher, when will all this happen? How can we know when these things are about to take place?" 8Jesus replied:
Don't be fooled by those who will come and claim to be me. They will say, "I am Christ!" and "Now is the time!" But don't follow them. 9When you hear about wars and riots, don't be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn't the end.
10Nations will go to war against one another, and kingdoms will attack each other. 11There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.
12Before all this happens, you will be arrested and punished. You will be tried in your meeting places and put in jail. Because of me you will be placed on trial before kings and governors. 13But this will be your chance to tell about your faith.
14Don't worry about what you will say to defend yourselves. 15I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong. 16You will be betrayed by your own parents, brothers, family, and friends. Some of you will even be killed. 17Because of me, you will be hated by everyone. 18But don't worry! [a] 19You will be saved by being faithful to me.
Don't be fooled by those who will come and claim to be me. They will say, "I am Christ!" and "Now is the time!" But don't follow them. 9When you hear about wars and riots, don't be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn't the end.
10Nations will go to war against one another, and kingdoms will attack each other. 11There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.
12Before all this happens, you will be arrested and punished. You will be tried in your meeting places and put in jail. Because of me you will be placed on trial before kings and governors. 13But this will be your chance to tell about your faith.
14Don't worry about what you will say to defend yourselves. 15I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong. 16You will be betrayed by your own parents, brothers, family, and friends. Some of you will even be killed. 17Because of me, you will be hated by everyone. 18But don't worry! [a] 19You will be saved by being faithful to me.
Jerusalem Will Be Destroyed
(Matthew 24.15-21; Mark 13.14-19)
20When you see Jerusalem surrounded by soldiers, you will know that it will soon be destroyed. 21If you are living in Judea at that time, run to the mountains. If you are in the city, leave it. And if you are out in the country, don't go back into the city. 22This time of punishment is what is written about in the Scriptures. 23It will be an awful time for women who are expecting babies or nursing young children! Everywhere in the land people will suffer horribly and be punished. 24Some of them will be killed by swords. Others will be carried off to foreign countries. Jerusalem will be overrun by foreign nations until their time comes to an end.
When the Son of Man Appears
(Matthew 24.29-31; Mark 13.24-27)
25Strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won't know what to do. 26People will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world. Every power in the sky will be shaken. [b] 27Then the Son of Man will be seen, coming in a cloud with great power and glory. 28When all of this starts happening, stand up straight and be brave. You will soon be set free. Footnotes:- Luke 21:18 But don't worry: The Greek text has " Not a hair of your head will be lost," which means, " There's no need to worry."
- Luke 21:26 Every power in the sky will be shaken: In ancient times people thought that the stars were spiritual powers.
Footnotes:
- Luke 21:18 But don't worry: The Greek text has " Not a hair of your head will be lost," which means, " There's no need to worry."
- Luke 21:26 Every power in the sky will be shaken: In ancient times people thought that the stars were spiritual powers.
Psalm 89:38-52 (Contemporary English Version)
38You are now angry, God,
and you have turned your back
on your chosen king.
39You broke off your agreement
with your servant, the king,
and you completely destroyed
his kingdom.
40The walls of his city
have been broken through,
and every fortress
now lies in ruin.
41All who pass by
take what they want,
and nations everywhere
joke about the king.
42You made his enemies powerful
and let them celebrate.
43But you forced him to retreat
because you did not fight
on his side.
44You took his crown [a] and threw his throne
in the dirt.
45You made an old man of him
and put him to shame.
46How much longer, LORD?
Will you hide forever?
How long will your anger
keep burning like fire?
47Remember, life is short! [b] Why did you empty our lives
of all meaning?
48No one can escape the power
of death and the grave.
49Our Lord, where is the love
you have always shown
and that you promised
so faithfully to David?
50Remember your servant, Lord!
People make jokes about me,
and I suffer many insults.
51I am your chosen one,
but your enemies chase
and make fun of me.
52Our LORD, we praise you
forever. Amen and amen.
Footnotes:- Psalm 89:44 You took. . . crown: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Psalm 89:47 Remember. . . short: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
and you have turned your back
on your chosen king.
39You broke off your agreement
with your servant, the king,
and you completely destroyed
his kingdom.
40The walls of his city
have been broken through,
and every fortress
now lies in ruin.
41All who pass by
take what they want,
and nations everywhere
joke about the king.
42You made his enemies powerful
and let them celebrate.
43But you forced him to retreat
because you did not fight
on his side.
44You took his crown [a] and threw his throne
in the dirt.
45You made an old man of him
and put him to shame.
46How much longer, LORD?
Will you hide forever?
How long will your anger
keep burning like fire?
47Remember, life is short! [b] Why did you empty our lives
of all meaning?
48No one can escape the power
of death and the grave.
49Our Lord, where is the love
you have always shown
and that you promised
so faithfully to David?
50Remember your servant, Lord!
People make jokes about me,
and I suffer many insults.
51I am your chosen one,
but your enemies chase
and make fun of me.
52Our LORD, we praise you
forever. Amen and amen.
Footnotes:
- Psalm 89:44 You took. . . crown: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Psalm 89:47 Remember. . . short: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Proverbs 13:20-23 (Contemporary English Version)
20Wise friends make you wise,
but you hurt yourself
by going around with fools.
21You are in for trouble
if you sin,
but you will be rewarded
if you live right.
22If you obey God,
you will have something
to leave your grandchildren.
If you don't obey God,
those who live right
will get what you leave.
23Even when the land of the poor
produces good crops,
they get cheated
out of what they grow. [a] Footnotes:- Proverbs 13:23 grow: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 23.
but you hurt yourself
by going around with fools.
21You are in for trouble
if you sin,
but you will be rewarded
if you live right.
22If you obey God,
you will have something
to leave your grandchildren.
If you don't obey God,
those who live right
will get what you leave.
23Even when the land of the poor
produces good crops,
they get cheated
out of what they grow. [a]
Footnotes:
- Proverbs 13:23 grow: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 23.
Thought for the Day
“God's eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. That's why those people don't have any excuse.” (Romans 1:20 - Contemporary English Version) We can begin to understand God's nature and his care through the universe he created. And we can trust that regardless of what we might face, his power is absolute and his love is eternal.
Quote for the Day
American novelist who won the Pulitzer Prize for the Novel in 1942, Ellen Glasgow wrote, “All change is not growth, as all movement is not forward.”
A Joke for Today