Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are 1 Chronicles 24:1–26:11; Romans 4:1-12; Psalm 13:1-6; and Proverbs 19:15-16. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
1 Chronicles 24-26:11 (Contemporary English Version)
1 Chronicles 24
David Assigns the Priests Their Duties
1Aaron's descendants were then divided into work groups. Aaron had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2But Nadab and Abihu died long before their father, without having any sons. That's why Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. 3David divided Aaron's descendants into groups, according to their assigned work. Zadok, one of Eleazar's descendants, and Ahimelech, one of Ithamar's descendants, helped David.
4Eleazar's descendants were divided into sixteen groups, and Ithamar's were divided into eight groups, because Eleazar's family included more family leaders. 5However, both families included temple officials and priests, and so to make sure the work was divided fairly, David asked God what to do. [a] 6As each group was assigned their duties, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the Levite wrote down the name of the family leader in charge of that group. The witnesses were David and his officials, as well as Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the family leaders from the clans of the priests and the Levites.
7-18Each group of priests went by the name of its family leader, and they were assigned their duties in the following order: Jehoiarib, Jedaiah, Harim, Seorim, Malchijah, Mijamin, Hakkoz, Abijah, Jeshua, Shecaniah, Eliashib, Jakim, Huppah, Jeshebeab, Bilgah, Immer, Hezir, Happizzez, Pethahiah, Jehezkel, Jachin, Gamul, Delaiah, Maaziah. 19These men were assigned their duties at the temple, just as the LORD God of Israel had commanded their ancestor Aaron.
4Eleazar's descendants were divided into sixteen groups, and Ithamar's were divided into eight groups, because Eleazar's family included more family leaders. 5However, both families included temple officials and priests, and so to make sure the work was divided fairly, David asked God what to do. [a] 6As each group was assigned their duties, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the Levite wrote down the name of the family leader in charge of that group. The witnesses were David and his officials, as well as Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the family leaders from the clans of the priests and the Levites.
7-18Each group of priests went by the name of its family leader, and they were assigned their duties in the following order: Jehoiarib, Jedaiah, Harim, Seorim, Malchijah, Mijamin, Hakkoz, Abijah, Jeshua, Shecaniah, Eliashib, Jakim, Huppah, Jeshebeab, Bilgah, Immer, Hezir, Happizzez, Pethahiah, Jehezkel, Jachin, Gamul, Delaiah, Maaziah. 19These men were assigned their duties at the temple, just as the LORD God of Israel had commanded their ancestor Aaron.
The Rest of the Levites Are Assigned Their Duties
20Here is a list of the other descendants of Levi: Amram was the ancestor of Shubael and Jehdeiah.
21Rehabiah was the ancestor of Isshiah, the oldest son in his family.
22Izhar was the father of Shelomoth and the grandfather of Jahath.
23Hebron had four sons, in the following order: Jeriah, Amariah, Jahaziel, and Jekameam.
24Uzziel was the father of Micah and the grandfather of Shamir.
25Isshiah, Micah's brother, was the father of Zechariah.
26Merari was the father of Mahli, Mushi, and Jaaziah.
27Jaaziah had three sons: Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. [b] 28-29Mahli was the father of Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar had no sons, but Kish was the father of Jerahmeel. 30Mushi had three sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the descendants of Levi, according to their clans. 31Each one was assigned his duties in the same way that their relatives the priests had been assigned their duties. David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the family leaders of the priests and Levites were the witnesses.
21Rehabiah was the ancestor of Isshiah, the oldest son in his family.
22Izhar was the father of Shelomoth and the grandfather of Jahath.
23Hebron had four sons, in the following order: Jeriah, Amariah, Jahaziel, and Jekameam.
24Uzziel was the father of Micah and the grandfather of Shamir.
25Isshiah, Micah's brother, was the father of Zechariah.
26Merari was the father of Mahli, Mushi, and Jaaziah.
27Jaaziah had three sons: Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. [b] 28-29Mahli was the father of Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar had no sons, but Kish was the father of Jerahmeel. 30Mushi had three sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the descendants of Levi, according to their clans. 31Each one was assigned his duties in the same way that their relatives the priests had been assigned their duties. David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the family leaders of the priests and Levites were the witnesses.
1 Chronicles 25
David Assigns the Temple Musicians Their Duties
1David and the temple officials chose the descendants of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to be in charge of music. They were to praise the LORD by playing cymbals, harps and other stringed instruments. Here is a list of the musicians and their duties: 2Asaph's four sons, Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah, were under the direction of their father and played music whenever the king told them to.
3Jeduthun's six sons, Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, [c] Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, were under the direction of their father and played harps and sang praises to the LORD. 4Heman had fourteen sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth. 5Heman was one of the king's prophets, and God honored Heman by giving him fourteen sons and three daughters. 6His sons were under his direction and played cymbals, harps, and other stringed instruments during times of worship at the temple.
Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman took their orders directly from the king.
7There were two hundred eighty-eight of these men, and all of them were skilled musicians. 8David assigned them their duties by asking the LORD what he wanted. [d] Everyone was responsible for something, whether young or old, teacher or student. 9-31The musicians were divided into twenty-four groups of twelve, and each group went by the name of their family leader. They were assigned their duties in the following order: Joseph, Gedaliah, Zaccur, Zeri, Nethaniah, Bukkiah, Asarelah, Jeshaiah, Mattaniah, Shimei, Uzziel, Hashabiah, Shebuel, Mattithiah, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Joshbekashah, Hanani, Mallothi, Eliathah, Hothir, Giddalti, Mahazioth, and Romamtiezer.
3Jeduthun's six sons, Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, [c] Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, were under the direction of their father and played harps and sang praises to the LORD. 4Heman had fourteen sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth. 5Heman was one of the king's prophets, and God honored Heman by giving him fourteen sons and three daughters. 6His sons were under his direction and played cymbals, harps, and other stringed instruments during times of worship at the temple.
Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman took their orders directly from the king.
7There were two hundred eighty-eight of these men, and all of them were skilled musicians. 8David assigned them their duties by asking the LORD what he wanted. [d] Everyone was responsible for something, whether young or old, teacher or student. 9-31The musicians were divided into twenty-four groups of twelve, and each group went by the name of their family leader. They were assigned their duties in the following order: Joseph, Gedaliah, Zaccur, Zeri, Nethaniah, Bukkiah, Asarelah, Jeshaiah, Mattaniah, Shimei, Uzziel, Hashabiah, Shebuel, Mattithiah, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Joshbekashah, Hanani, Mallothi, Eliathah, Hothir, Giddalti, Mahazioth, and Romamtiezer.
1 Chronicles 26
The Temple Guards Are Assigned Their Duties
1The temple guards were also divided into groups according to clans. Meshelemiah son of Kore was from the Korah clan and was a descendant of Asaph. 2He had seven sons, who were born in the following order: Zechariah, Jediael, Zebadiah, Jathniel, 3Elam, Jehohanan, and Eliehoenai.
4-5Obed-Edom had been blessed with eight sons: Shemaiah, Jehozabad, Joah, Sachar, Nethanel, Ammiel, Issachar, and Peullethai.
6-7Shemaiah was the father of Othni, Rephael, Obed, Elzabad, Elihu, and Semachiah. They were all respected leaders in their clan. 8There were sixty-two descendants of Obed-Edom who were strong enough to be guards at the temple.
9Eighteen descendants of Meshelemiah were chosen for this work.
10-11Hosah, from the Merari clan, was the father of Shimri, Hilkiah, Tebaliah, and Zechariah. Hosah had made Shimri the family leader, even though he was not the oldest son. Thirteen men from Hosah's family were chosen to be temple guards.
Footnotes:- 1 Chronicles 24:5 asked God what to do: The Hebrew text has "cast lots" (see the note at 6.65).
- 1 Chronicles 24:27 Ibri: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 26,27.
- 1 Chronicles 25:3 Shimei: One Hebrew manuscript and two ancient translations; other Hebrew manuscripts do not have this name.
- 1 Chronicles 25:8 asking the LORD what he wanted: The Hebrew text has "casting lots" (see the note at 6.65).
4-5Obed-Edom had been blessed with eight sons: Shemaiah, Jehozabad, Joah, Sachar, Nethanel, Ammiel, Issachar, and Peullethai.
6-7Shemaiah was the father of Othni, Rephael, Obed, Elzabad, Elihu, and Semachiah. They were all respected leaders in their clan. 8There were sixty-two descendants of Obed-Edom who were strong enough to be guards at the temple.
9Eighteen descendants of Meshelemiah were chosen for this work.
10-11Hosah, from the Merari clan, was the father of Shimri, Hilkiah, Tebaliah, and Zechariah. Hosah had made Shimri the family leader, even though he was not the oldest son. Thirteen men from Hosah's family were chosen to be temple guards.
Footnotes:
- 1 Chronicles 24:5 asked God what to do: The Hebrew text has "cast lots" (see the note at 6.65).
- 1 Chronicles 24:27 Ibri: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 26,27.
- 1 Chronicles 25:3 Shimei: One Hebrew manuscript and two ancient translations; other Hebrew manuscripts do not have this name.
- 1 Chronicles 25:8 asking the LORD what he wanted: The Hebrew text has "casting lots" (see the note at 6.65).
Romans 4:1-12 (Contemporary English Version)
Romans 4
The Example of Abraham
1Well then, what can we say about our ancestor Abraham? 2If he became acceptable to God because of what he did, then he would have something to brag about. But he would never be able to brag about it to God. 3The Scriptures say, "God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith in him." 4Money paid to workers isn't a gift. It is something they earn by working. 5But you cannot make God accept you because of something you do. God accepts sinners only because they have faith in him. 6In the Scriptures David talks about the blessings that come to people who are acceptable to God, even though they don't do anything to deserve these blessings. David says,
7"God blesses people
whose sins are forgiven
and whose evil deeds
are forgotten.
8The Lord blesses people
whose sins are erased
from his book."
9Are these blessings meant for circumcised people or for those who are not circumcised? Well, the Scriptures say that God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith in him. 10But when did this happen? Was it before or after Abraham was circumcised? Of course, it was before.
11Abraham let himself be circumcised to show that he had been accepted because of his faith even before he was circumcised. This makes Abraham the father of all who are acceptable to God because of their faith, even though they are not circumcised. 12This also makes Abraham the father of everyone who is circumcised and has faith in God, as Abraham did before he was circumcised.
7"God blesses people
whose sins are forgiven
and whose evil deeds
are forgotten.
8The Lord blesses people
whose sins are erased
from his book."
9Are these blessings meant for circumcised people or for those who are not circumcised? Well, the Scriptures say that God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith in him. 10But when did this happen? Was it before or after Abraham was circumcised? Of course, it was before.
11Abraham let himself be circumcised to show that he had been accepted because of his faith even before he was circumcised. This makes Abraham the father of all who are acceptable to God because of their faith, even though they are not circumcised. 12This also makes Abraham the father of everyone who is circumcised and has faith in God, as Abraham did before he was circumcised.
Psalm 13:1-6 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 13
(A psalm by David for the music leader.)
A Prayer for the LORD's Help
1How much longer, LORD, will you forget about me?
Will it be forever?
How long will you hide?
2How long must I be confused
and miserable all day?
How long will my enemies
keep beating me down?
3Please listen, LORD God,
and answer my prayers.
Make my eyes sparkle again,
or else I will fall
into the sleep of death.
4My enemies will say,
"Now we've won!"
They will be greatly pleased
when I am defeated.
5I trust your love,
and I feel like celebrating
because you rescued me.
6You have been good to me, LORD,
and I will sing about you.
Will it be forever?
How long will you hide?
2How long must I be confused
and miserable all day?
How long will my enemies
keep beating me down?
3Please listen, LORD God,
and answer my prayers.
Make my eyes sparkle again,
or else I will fall
into the sleep of death.
4My enemies will say,
"Now we've won!"
They will be greatly pleased
when I am defeated.
5I trust your love,
and I feel like celebrating
because you rescued me.
6You have been good to me, LORD,
and I will sing about you.
Proverbs 19:15-16 (Contemporary English Version)
15If you are lazy
and sleep your time away,
you will starve.
16Obey the Lord's teachings
and you will live--
disobey and you will die.
and sleep your time away,
you will starve.
16Obey the Lord's teachings
and you will live--
disobey and you will die.
Thought for the Day
“[The Power of the Good News]I am proud of the good news! It is God's powerful way of saving all people who have faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.” (Romans 1:16 - Contemporary English Version) We should never assume that the reasons we use to separate people reflect the will of God. You see, God sent Jesus Christ to save everyone, without distinction.
Quote for the Day
American jazz trumpeter, Lionel Ferbos wrote, “As long as I have teeth, I'll keep playing. You can't play trumpet without teeth.”
A Joke for Today
An old lady tottered into a lawyer's office and asked for help in arranging a divorce. "A divorce?" asked the unbelieving lawyer. "Tell me, how old are you?"
"I'm eighty-four," answered the old lady.
"Eighty-four! And how old is your husband?"
"My husband is eighty-seven."
"My, my," said the lawyer, "and how long have you been married?"
"Next September will be sixty-two years."
"Married sixty-two years?! Why would you want a divorce now?"
"Because," the woman answered calmly, "enough is enough."
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 we all recognize that our actions impact others.
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