Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are 1 Chronicles 4:5–5:17; Acts 25:1-27; Psalm 5:1-12; and Proverbs 18:19. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17 (Contemporary English Version)
5Ashhur, who settled the town of Tekoa, had two wives: Helah and Naarah. 6Ashhur and Naarah were the parents of Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. 7Ashhur and Helah were the parents of Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan.
8Koz, the father of Anub and Zobebah, was also the ancestor of the clans of Aharhel, the son of Harum.
9Jabez was a man who got his name because of the pain he caused his mother during birth. [a] But he was still the most respected son in his family. 10One day he prayed to Israel's God, "Please bless me and give me a lot of land. Be with me so I will be safe from harm." [b] And God did just what Jabez had asked. 11Chelub was the brother of Shuhah and the father of Mehir. Later, Mehir had a son, Eshton, 12whose three sons were Bethrapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah. It was Tehinnah who settled the town of Nahash. [c] These men and their families lived in the town of Recah. 13Kenaz was the father of Othniel and Seraiah. Othniel had two sons: Hathath and Meonothai, [d] 14who was the father of Ophrah. Seraiah was the father of Joab, who settled a place called "Valley of Crafts" [e] because the people who lived there were experts in making things. 15Caleb son of Jephunneh had three sons: Iru, Elah, and Naam. Elah was the father of Kenaz.
16Jehallelel was the father of Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.
17-18Ezrah was the father of Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. Mered was married to Bithiah the daughter of the king of Egypt. They had a daughter named Miriam and two sons: Shammai and Ishbah. It was Ishbah who settled the town of Eshtemoa. Mered was also married to a woman from the tribe of Judah, and their sons were Jered, Heber, and Jekuthiel. Jered settled the town of Gedor; Heber settled the town of Soco; and Jekuthiel settled the town of Zanoah.
19A man named Hodiah was married to the sister of Naham. Hodiah's descendants included Keilah of the Garmite clan and Eshtemoa of the Maacathite clan.
20Shimon was the father of Amnon, Rinnah, Benhanan, and Tilon.
Ishi was the father of Zoheth and Benzoheth.
21-22Judah also had a son named Shelah, whose descendants included Jokim and the people of the town of Cozeba, as well as Er who settled the town of Lecah and Laadah who settled the town of Mareshah. The people who lived in Beth-Ashbea were also descendants of Shelah, and they were experts in weaving cloth. Shelah was the ancestor of Joash and Saraph, two men who married Moabite women and then settled near Bethlehem [f] --but these family records are very old. 23The members of these clans were the potters who lived in the towns of Netaim and Gederah and worked for the king.
8Koz, the father of Anub and Zobebah, was also the ancestor of the clans of Aharhel, the son of Harum.
9Jabez was a man who got his name because of the pain he caused his mother during birth. [a] But he was still the most respected son in his family. 10One day he prayed to Israel's God, "Please bless me and give me a lot of land. Be with me so I will be safe from harm." [b] And God did just what Jabez had asked. 11Chelub was the brother of Shuhah and the father of Mehir. Later, Mehir had a son, Eshton, 12whose three sons were Bethrapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah. It was Tehinnah who settled the town of Nahash. [c] These men and their families lived in the town of Recah. 13Kenaz was the father of Othniel and Seraiah. Othniel had two sons: Hathath and Meonothai, [d] 14who was the father of Ophrah. Seraiah was the father of Joab, who settled a place called "Valley of Crafts" [e] because the people who lived there were experts in making things. 15Caleb son of Jephunneh had three sons: Iru, Elah, and Naam. Elah was the father of Kenaz.
16Jehallelel was the father of Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.
17-18Ezrah was the father of Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. Mered was married to Bithiah the daughter of the king of Egypt. They had a daughter named Miriam and two sons: Shammai and Ishbah. It was Ishbah who settled the town of Eshtemoa. Mered was also married to a woman from the tribe of Judah, and their sons were Jered, Heber, and Jekuthiel. Jered settled the town of Gedor; Heber settled the town of Soco; and Jekuthiel settled the town of Zanoah.
19A man named Hodiah was married to the sister of Naham. Hodiah's descendants included Keilah of the Garmite clan and Eshtemoa of the Maacathite clan.
20Shimon was the father of Amnon, Rinnah, Benhanan, and Tilon.
Ishi was the father of Zoheth and Benzoheth.
21-22Judah also had a son named Shelah, whose descendants included Jokim and the people of the town of Cozeba, as well as Er who settled the town of Lecah and Laadah who settled the town of Mareshah. The people who lived in Beth-Ashbea were also descendants of Shelah, and they were experts in weaving cloth. Shelah was the ancestor of Joash and Saraph, two men who married Moabite women and then settled near Bethlehem [f] --but these family records are very old. 23The members of these clans were the potters who lived in the towns of Netaim and Gederah and worked for the king.
The Descendants of Simeon
24Simeon had five sons: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul. 25The descendants of Shaul included his son Shallum, his grandson Mibsam, and his great-grandson Mishma. 26The descendants of Mishma included his son Hammuel, his grandson Zaccur, and his great-grandson Shimei. 27Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters. But his brothers did not have as many children, so the Simeon tribe was smaller than the Judah tribe. 28-31Before David became king, the people of the Simeon tribe lived in the following towns: Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar-Shual, Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad, Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth-Marcaboth, Hazarsusim, Bethbiri, and Shaaraim. 32They also lived in the five villages of Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan, 33as well as in the nearby villages as far as the town of Baal. These are the places where Simeon's descendants had settled, according to their own family records.
34-38As their families and clans became larger, the people of Simeon had the following leaders: Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah, Joel, Jehu, [g] Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, and Ziza. [h]39When the people needed more pastureland for their flocks and herds, they looked as far as the eastern side of the valley where the town of Gerar [i] is located, 40and they found a lot of good pastureland that was quiet and undisturbed. This had once belonged to the Hamites, 41but when Hezekiah was king of Judah, the descendants of Simeon attacked and forced the Hamites and Meunites off the land, then settled there. 42Some time later, five hundred men from the Simeon tribe went into Edom [j] under the command of Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel the sons of Ishi. 43They killed the last of the Amalekites and lived there from then on.
34-38As their families and clans became larger, the people of Simeon had the following leaders: Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah, Joel, Jehu, [g] Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, and Ziza. [h]39When the people needed more pastureland for their flocks and herds, they looked as far as the eastern side of the valley where the town of Gerar [i] is located, 40and they found a lot of good pastureland that was quiet and undisturbed. This had once belonged to the Hamites, 41but when Hezekiah was king of Judah, the descendants of Simeon attacked and forced the Hamites and Meunites off the land, then settled there. 42Some time later, five hundred men from the Simeon tribe went into Edom [j] under the command of Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel the sons of Ishi. 43They killed the last of the Amalekites and lived there from then on.
1 Chronicles 5
The Descendants of Reuben
1Reuben was the oldest son of Jacob, [k] but he lost his rights as the first-born son [l] because he slept with one of his father's wives. [m] The honor of the first-born son was then given to Joseph, 2even though it was the Judah tribe that became the most powerful and produced a leader. 3Reuben had four sons: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. 4-6The descendants of Joel included Shemaiah, Gog, Shimei, Micah, Reaiah, Baal, and Beerah, a leader of the Reuben tribe. Later, King Tiglath Pileser of Assyria took Beerah away as prisoner.
7-8The family records also include Jeiel, who was a clan leader, Zechariah, and Bela son of Azaz and grandson of Shema of the Joel clan. They lived in the territory around the town of Aroer, as far north as Nebo and Baal-Meon, 9and as far east as the desert just west of the Euphrates River. They needed this much land because they owned too many cattle to keep them all in Gilead.
10When Saul was king, the Reuben tribe attacked and defeated the Hagrites, then took over their land east of Gilead.
7-8The family records also include Jeiel, who was a clan leader, Zechariah, and Bela son of Azaz and grandson of Shema of the Joel clan. They lived in the territory around the town of Aroer, as far north as Nebo and Baal-Meon, 9and as far east as the desert just west of the Euphrates River. They needed this much land because they owned too many cattle to keep them all in Gilead.
10When Saul was king, the Reuben tribe attacked and defeated the Hagrites, then took over their land east of Gilead.
The Descendants of Gad
11The tribe of Gad lived in the region of Bashan, north of the Reuben tribe. Gad's territory extended all the way to the town of Salecah. 12Some of the clan leaders were Joel, Shapham, Janai, and Shaphat. 13Their relatives included Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, and Eber. 14They were all descendants of Abihail, whose family line went back through Huri, Jaroah, Gilead, Michael, Jeshishai, Jahdo, and Buz. 15Ahi, the son of Abdiel and the grandson of Guni, was the leader of their clan.
16The people of Gad lived in the towns in the regions of Bashan and Gilead, as well as in the pastureland of Sharon. 17Their family records were written when Jotham was king of Judah and Jeroboam was king of Israel.
Footnotes:- 1 Chronicles 4:9 Jabez. . . pain. . . birth: In Hebrew "Jabez" sounds like "pain."
- 1 Chronicles 4:10 I. . . harm: Or "keep me from harm, so I won't cause any pain."
- 1 Chronicles 4:12 who settled the town of Nahash: Or "who was the father of Irnahash."
- 1 Chronicles 4:13 and Meonothai: Two ancient translations; these words are not in the Hebrew text.
- 1 Chronicles 4:14 Valley of Crafts: Hebrew "Geharashim."
- 1 Chronicles 4:21 who married Moabite women and then settled near Bethlehem: Or "who ruled in Moab and Jashubi-Lahem" or "who ruled in Moab but then returned to Lahem."
- 1 Chronicles 4:34 Jehu: Hebrew "Jehu son of Joshibiah son of Seraiah son of Asiel."
- 1 Chronicles 4:34 Ziza: Hebrew "Ziza son of Shiphi son of Allon son of Jedaiah son of Shimri son of Shemaiah."
- 1 Chronicles 4:39 Gerar: One ancient translation; Hebrew "Gedor."
- 1 Chronicles 4:42 Edom: The Hebrew text has "Mount Seir," a common name for the nation of Edom.
- 1 Chronicles 5:1 Jacob: See the note at 1.34.
- 1 Chronicles 5:1 rights as the first-born son: The first-born son inherited the largest amount of property, as well as the leadership of the family.
- 1 Chronicles 5:1 wives: See Genesis 35.22; 49.3,4.
16The people of Gad lived in the towns in the regions of Bashan and Gilead, as well as in the pastureland of Sharon. 17Their family records were written when Jotham was king of Judah and Jeroboam was king of Israel.
Footnotes:
- 1 Chronicles 4:9 Jabez. . . pain. . . birth: In Hebrew "Jabez" sounds like "pain."
- 1 Chronicles 4:10 I. . . harm: Or "keep me from harm, so I won't cause any pain."
- 1 Chronicles 4:12 who settled the town of Nahash: Or "who was the father of Irnahash."
- 1 Chronicles 4:13 and Meonothai: Two ancient translations; these words are not in the Hebrew text.
- 1 Chronicles 4:14 Valley of Crafts: Hebrew "Geharashim."
- 1 Chronicles 4:21 who married Moabite women and then settled near Bethlehem: Or "who ruled in Moab and Jashubi-Lahem" or "who ruled in Moab but then returned to Lahem."
- 1 Chronicles 4:34 Jehu: Hebrew "Jehu son of Joshibiah son of Seraiah son of Asiel."
- 1 Chronicles 4:34 Ziza: Hebrew "Ziza son of Shiphi son of Allon son of Jedaiah son of Shimri son of Shemaiah."
- 1 Chronicles 4:39 Gerar: One ancient translation; Hebrew "Gedor."
- 1 Chronicles 4:42 Edom: The Hebrew text has "Mount Seir," a common name for the nation of Edom.
- 1 Chronicles 5:1 Jacob: See the note at 1.34.
- 1 Chronicles 5:1 rights as the first-born son: The first-born son inherited the largest amount of property, as well as the leadership of the family.
- 1 Chronicles 5:1 wives: See Genesis 35.22; 49.3,4.
Acts 25:1-27 (Contemporary English Version)
Acts 25
Paul Asks To Be Tried by the Roman Emperor
1Three days after Festus had become governor, he went from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2There the chief priests and some Jewish leaders told him about their charges against Paul. They also asked Festus 3if he would be willing to bring Paul to Jerusalem. They begged him to do this because they were planning to attack and kill Paul on the way. 4But Festus told them, "Paul will be kept in Caesarea, and I am soon going there myself. 5If he has done anything wrong, let your leaders go with me and bring charges against him there." 6Festus stayed in Jerusalem for eight or ten more days before going to Caesarea. Then the next day he took his place as judge and had Paul brought into court. 7As soon as Paul came in, the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem crowded around him and said he was guilty of many serious crimes. But they could not prove anything. 8Then Paul spoke in his own defense, "I have not broken the Law of my people. And I have not done anything against either the temple or the Emperor."
9Festus wanted to please the leaders. So he asked Paul, "Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried by me on these charges?"
10Paul replied, "I am on trial in the Emperor's court, and that's where I should be tried. You know very well that I have not done anything to harm the Jewish nation. 11If I had done something deserving death, I would not ask to escape the death penalty. But I am not guilty of any of these crimes, and no one has the right to hand me over to these people. I now ask to be tried by the Emperor himself."
12After Festus had talked this over with members of his council, he told Paul, "You have asked to be tried by the Emperor, and to the Emperor you will go!"
9Festus wanted to please the leaders. So he asked Paul, "Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried by me on these charges?"
10Paul replied, "I am on trial in the Emperor's court, and that's where I should be tried. You know very well that I have not done anything to harm the Jewish nation. 11If I had done something deserving death, I would not ask to escape the death penalty. But I am not guilty of any of these crimes, and no one has the right to hand me over to these people. I now ask to be tried by the Emperor himself."
12After Festus had talked this over with members of his council, he told Paul, "You have asked to be tried by the Emperor, and to the Emperor you will go!"
Paul Speaks to Agrippa and Bernice
13A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to visit Festus. 14They had been there for several days, when Festus told the king about the charges against Paul. He said: Felix left a man here in jail, 15and when I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the Jewish leaders came and asked me to find him guilty. 16I told them that it isn't the Roman custom to hand a man over to people who are bringing charges against him. He must first have the chance to meet them face to face and to defend himself against their charges.
17So when they came here with me, I wasted no time. On the very next day I took my place on the judge's bench and ordered him to be brought in. 18But when the men stood up to make their charges against him, they did not accuse him of any of the crimes that I thought they would. 19Instead, they argued with him about some of their beliefs and about a dead man named Jesus, who Paul said was alive.
20Since I did not know how to find out the truth about all this, I asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and be put on trial there. 21But Paul asked to be kept in jail until the Emperor could decide his case. So I ordered him to be kept here until I could send him to the Emperor.
22Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I would also like to hear what this man has to say."
Festus answered, "You can hear him tomorrow."
23The next day Agrippa and Bernice made a big show as they came into the meeting room. High ranking army officers and leading citizens of the town were also there. Festus then ordered Paul to be brought in 24and said:
King Agrippa and other guests, look at this man! Every Jew from Jerusalem and Caesarea has come to me, demanding for him to be put to death. 25I have not found him guilty of any crime deserving death. But because he has asked to be judged by the Emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.
26I have to write some facts about this man to the Emperor. So I have brought him before all of you, but especially before you, King Agrippa. After we have talked about his case, I will then have something to write. 27It makes no sense to send a prisoner to the Emperor without stating the charges against him.
17So when they came here with me, I wasted no time. On the very next day I took my place on the judge's bench and ordered him to be brought in. 18But when the men stood up to make their charges against him, they did not accuse him of any of the crimes that I thought they would. 19Instead, they argued with him about some of their beliefs and about a dead man named Jesus, who Paul said was alive.
20Since I did not know how to find out the truth about all this, I asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and be put on trial there. 21But Paul asked to be kept in jail until the Emperor could decide his case. So I ordered him to be kept here until I could send him to the Emperor.
22Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I would also like to hear what this man has to say."
Festus answered, "You can hear him tomorrow."
23The next day Agrippa and Bernice made a big show as they came into the meeting room. High ranking army officers and leading citizens of the town were also there. Festus then ordered Paul to be brought in 24and said:
King Agrippa and other guests, look at this man! Every Jew from Jerusalem and Caesarea has come to me, demanding for him to be put to death. 25I have not found him guilty of any crime deserving death. But because he has asked to be judged by the Emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.
26I have to write some facts about this man to the Emperor. So I have brought him before all of you, but especially before you, King Agrippa. After we have talked about his case, I will then have something to write. 27It makes no sense to send a prisoner to the Emperor without stating the charges against him.
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 18:19 (Contemporary English Version)
19Making up with a friend
you have offended [a] is harder than breaking
through a city wall.
Footnotes:- Proverbs 18:19 Making. . . offended: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
you have offended [a] is harder than breaking
through a city wall.
Footnotes:
- Proverbs 18:19 Making. . . offended: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Thought for the Day
“Your way is perfect, LORD, and your word is correct. You are a shield for those who run to you for help.” - Psalm 18:30 - Contemporary English Version) The Lord is our guide and our shield. Through him, we have the direction we need to live our lives and the confidence to face the future with hope.
Quote for the Day
American jazz trumpeter who led the band on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Doc Severinsen wrote, “Television is so influential that when an audience sees you day-in and day-out there's a certain acceptance that sets in; you're no longer a threatening personality. They become more willing to accept whatever you present.”
A Joke for Today
My wife left me because I’m insecure...
No wait, she’s back, she just went to get coffee.
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 our judges and Supreme Curt justices would adjudicate with godly wisdom.
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