Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Jeremiah 30:1–31:26; 1 Timothy 2:1-15; Psalm 87:1-7; and Proverbs 25:18-19. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Jeremiah 30:1-31:26Contemporary English Version (CEV)
The Lord Will Rescue Israel and Judah
30 1-2 The Lord God of Israel said, “Jeremiah, get a scroll[a] and write down everything I have told you. 3 Someday I will let my people from both Israel[b] and Judah return to the land I gave their ancestors.”4-5 Then the Lord told me to say to Israel and Judah:I, the Lord, hear screams
of terror,
and there is no peace.
6 Can men give birth?
Then why do I see them
looking so pale
and clutching their stomachs
like women in labor?
7 My people, soon you will suffer
worse than ever before,
but I will save you.8 Now you are slaves
of other nations,
but I will break the chains
and smash the yokes[c]
that keep you in slavery.
9 Then you will be my servants,
and I will choose a king for you
from the family of David.10 Israel,[d] you belong to me,
so don’t be afraid.
You deserved to be punished;
that’s why I scattered you
in distant nations.
But I am with you,
and someday I will destroy
those nations.
11 Then I will bring you
and your descendants
back to your land,
where I will protect you
and give you peace.
Then your fears will be gone.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
I, the Lord, hear screams
of terror,
and there is no peace.
6 Can men give birth?
Then why do I see them
looking so pale
and clutching their stomachs
like women in labor?
7 My people, soon you will suffer
worse than ever before,
but I will save you.
of terror,
and there is no peace.
6 Can men give birth?
Then why do I see them
looking so pale
and clutching their stomachs
like women in labor?
7 My people, soon you will suffer
worse than ever before,
but I will save you.
8 Now you are slaves
of other nations,
but I will break the chains
and smash the yokes[c]
that keep you in slavery.
9 Then you will be my servants,
and I will choose a king for you
from the family of David.
of other nations,
but I will break the chains
and smash the yokes[c]
that keep you in slavery.
9 Then you will be my servants,
and I will choose a king for you
from the family of David.
10 Israel,[d] you belong to me,
so don’t be afraid.
You deserved to be punished;
that’s why I scattered you
in distant nations.
But I am with you,
and someday I will destroy
those nations.
11 Then I will bring you
and your descendants
back to your land,
where I will protect you
and give you peace.
Then your fears will be gone.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
so don’t be afraid.
You deserved to be punished;
that’s why I scattered you
in distant nations.
But I am with you,
and someday I will destroy
those nations.
11 Then I will bring you
and your descendants
back to your land,
where I will protect you
and give you peace.
Then your fears will be gone.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
The Lord Will Heal Israel and Judah
12 The Lord said:My people, you are wounded
and near death.
13 You are accused of a crime
with no one to defend you,
and you are covered with sores
that no medicine can cure.
14 Your friends have forgotten you;
they don’t care anymore.
Even I have acted like an enemy.
And because your sins
are horrible and countless,
I will be cruel
as I punish you.
15 So don’t bother to cry out
for relief from your pain.16 But if your enemies try to rob
or destroy you,
I will rob and destroy them,
and they will be led as captives
to foreign lands.
17 No one wants you as a friend
or cares what happens to you.
But I will heal your injuries,
and you will get well.
My people, you are wounded
and near death.
13 You are accused of a crime
with no one to defend you,
and you are covered with sores
that no medicine can cure.
14 Your friends have forgotten you;
they don’t care anymore.
Even I have acted like an enemy.
And because your sins
are horrible and countless,
I will be cruel
as I punish you.
15 So don’t bother to cry out
for relief from your pain.
and near death.
13 You are accused of a crime
with no one to defend you,
and you are covered with sores
that no medicine can cure.
14 Your friends have forgotten you;
they don’t care anymore.
Even I have acted like an enemy.
And because your sins
are horrible and countless,
I will be cruel
as I punish you.
15 So don’t bother to cry out
for relief from your pain.
16 But if your enemies try to rob
or destroy you,
I will rob and destroy them,
and they will be led as captives
to foreign lands.
17 No one wants you as a friend
or cares what happens to you.
But I will heal your injuries,
and you will get well.
or destroy you,
I will rob and destroy them,
and they will be led as captives
to foreign lands.
17 No one wants you as a friend
or cares what happens to you.
But I will heal your injuries,
and you will get well.
The Lord Will Rescue Israel and Judah
18 The Lord said:Israel, I will be kind to you
and let you come home.
Jerusalem now lies in ruins,
but you will rebuild it,
complete with a new palace.[e]
19 Other nations will respect
and honor you.
Your homes will be filled
with children,
and you will celebrate,
singing praises to me.20 It will be just like old times.
Your nation will worship me,
and I will punish anyone
who abuses you.
21 One of your own people
will become your ruler.
And when I invite him
to come near me
at the place of worship,
he will do so.
No one would dare to come near
without being invited.
22 You will be my people,
and I will be your God.
I, the Lord, have spoken.23 I am furious!
And like a violent storm
I will strike those
who do wrong.
24 I won’t calm down
until I have finished
what I have decided to do.
Someday, you will understand
what I mean.
Israel, I will be kind to you
and let you come home.
Jerusalem now lies in ruins,
but you will rebuild it,
complete with a new palace.[e]
19 Other nations will respect
and honor you.
Your homes will be filled
with children,
and you will celebrate,
singing praises to me.
and let you come home.
Jerusalem now lies in ruins,
but you will rebuild it,
complete with a new palace.[e]
19 Other nations will respect
and honor you.
Your homes will be filled
with children,
and you will celebrate,
singing praises to me.
20 It will be just like old times.
Your nation will worship me,
and I will punish anyone
who abuses you.
21 One of your own people
will become your ruler.
And when I invite him
to come near me
at the place of worship,
he will do so.
No one would dare to come near
without being invited.
22 You will be my people,
and I will be your God.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
Your nation will worship me,
and I will punish anyone
who abuses you.
21 One of your own people
will become your ruler.
And when I invite him
to come near me
at the place of worship,
he will do so.
No one would dare to come near
without being invited.
22 You will be my people,
and I will be your God.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
23 I am furious!
And like a violent storm
I will strike those
who do wrong.
24 I won’t calm down
until I have finished
what I have decided to do.
Someday, you will understand
what I mean.
And like a violent storm
I will strike those
who do wrong.
24 I won’t calm down
until I have finished
what I have decided to do.
Someday, you will understand
what I mean.
Israel Will Return to God
31 The Lord said:Israel, I promise
that someday all your tribes
will again be my people,
and I will be your God.
2 In the desert I was kind
to those who escaped death.
I gave them peace,
and when the time is right,
I’ll do the same for you.[f]
I, the Lord, have spoken.
Israel, I promise
that someday all your tribes
will again be my people,
and I will be your God.
2 In the desert I was kind
to those who escaped death.
I gave them peace,
and when the time is right,
I’ll do the same for you.[f]
I, the Lord, have spoken.
that someday all your tribes
will again be my people,
and I will be your God.
2 In the desert I was kind
to those who escaped death.
I gave them peace,
and when the time is right,
I’ll do the same for you.[f]
I, the Lord, have spoken.
The Lord Will Rebuild Israel
3 Some time ago, the Lord appeared to me[g] and told me to say:Israel, I will always love you;
that’s why I’ve been so patient
and kind.
4 You are precious to me,
and so I will rebuild
your nation.
Once again you will dance for joy
and play your tambourines.
5 You will plant vineyards
on the hills of Samaria
and enjoy the grapes.
6 Someday those who guard
the hill country of Ephraim
will shout, “Let’s go to Zion
and worship the Lord our God.”
Israel, I will always love you;
that’s why I’ve been so patient
and kind.
4 You are precious to me,
and so I will rebuild
your nation.
Once again you will dance for joy
and play your tambourines.
5 You will plant vineyards
on the hills of Samaria
and enjoy the grapes.
6 Someday those who guard
the hill country of Ephraim
will shout, “Let’s go to Zion
and worship the Lord our God.”
that’s why I’ve been so patient
and kind.
4 You are precious to me,
and so I will rebuild
your nation.
Once again you will dance for joy
and play your tambourines.
5 You will plant vineyards
on the hills of Samaria
and enjoy the grapes.
6 Someday those who guard
the hill country of Ephraim
will shout, “Let’s go to Zion
and worship the Lord our God.”
Israel Will Return to Its Own Land
7 The Lord says:Celebrate and sing for Israel,
the greatest of nations.
Offer praises and shout,
“Come and rescue
your people, Lord!
Save what’s left of Israel.”8 I, the Lord, will bring
my people back from Babylonia[h]
and everywhere else on earth.
The blind and the lame
will be there.
Expectant mothers
and women about to give birth
will come and be part
of that great crowd.
9 They will weep and pray
as I bring them home.
I will lead them
to streams of water.
They will walk on a level[i] road
and not stumble.
I am a father to Israel,[j]
my favorite children.10 Listen to me, you nations
nearby or across the sea.
I scattered the people of Israel,
but I will gather them again.
I will protect them like a shepherd
guarding a flock;
11 I will rescue them from enemies
who could overpower them.
12 My people will come
to Mount Zion
and celebrate;
their faces will glow
because of my blessings.
I’ll give them grain, grapes,
and olive oil,
as well as sheep and cattle.
Israel will be prosperous
and grow
like a garden
with plenty of water.
13 Young women and young men,
together with the elderly,
will celebrate and dance,
because I will comfort them
and turn their sorrow
into happiness.
14 I will bless my people
with more food
than they need,
and the priests will enjoy
the choice cuts of meat.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
Celebrate and sing for Israel,
the greatest of nations.
Offer praises and shout,
“Come and rescue
your people, Lord!
Save what’s left of Israel.”
the greatest of nations.
Offer praises and shout,
“Come and rescue
your people, Lord!
Save what’s left of Israel.”
8 I, the Lord, will bring
my people back from Babylonia[h]
and everywhere else on earth.
The blind and the lame
will be there.
Expectant mothers
and women about to give birth
will come and be part
of that great crowd.
9 They will weep and pray
as I bring them home.
I will lead them
to streams of water.
They will walk on a level[i] road
and not stumble.
I am a father to Israel,[j]
my favorite children.
my people back from Babylonia[h]
and everywhere else on earth.
The blind and the lame
will be there.
Expectant mothers
and women about to give birth
will come and be part
of that great crowd.
9 They will weep and pray
as I bring them home.
I will lead them
to streams of water.
They will walk on a level[i] road
and not stumble.
I am a father to Israel,[j]
my favorite children.
10 Listen to me, you nations
nearby or across the sea.
I scattered the people of Israel,
but I will gather them again.
I will protect them like a shepherd
guarding a flock;
11 I will rescue them from enemies
who could overpower them.
12 My people will come
to Mount Zion
and celebrate;
their faces will glow
because of my blessings.
I’ll give them grain, grapes,
and olive oil,
as well as sheep and cattle.
Israel will be prosperous
and grow
like a garden
with plenty of water.
13 Young women and young men,
together with the elderly,
will celebrate and dance,
because I will comfort them
and turn their sorrow
into happiness.
14 I will bless my people
with more food
than they need,
and the priests will enjoy
the choice cuts of meat.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
nearby or across the sea.
I scattered the people of Israel,
but I will gather them again.
I will protect them like a shepherd
guarding a flock;
11 I will rescue them from enemies
who could overpower them.
12 My people will come
to Mount Zion
and celebrate;
their faces will glow
because of my blessings.
I’ll give them grain, grapes,
and olive oil,
as well as sheep and cattle.
Israel will be prosperous
and grow
like a garden
with plenty of water.
13 Young women and young men,
together with the elderly,
will celebrate and dance,
because I will comfort them
and turn their sorrow
into happiness.
14 I will bless my people
with more food
than they need,
and the priests will enjoy
the choice cuts of meat.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
The Lord Offers Hope
15 In Ramah[k] a voice is heard,
crying and weeping loudly.
Rachel mourns for her children[l]
and refuses to be comforted,
because they are dead.
16 But I, the Lord, say
to dry your tears.
Someday your children
will come home
from the enemy’s land.
Then all you have done for them
will be greatly rewarded.
17 So don’t lose hope.
I, the Lord, have spoken.18 The people of Israel[m] moan
and say to me,
“We were like wild bulls,
but you, Lord, broke us,
and we learned to obey.
You are our God—
please let us come home.
19 When we were young,
we strayed and sinned,
but then we realized
what we had done.
We are ashamed and disgraced
and want to return to you.”20 People of Israel,
you are my own dear children.
Don’t I love you best of all?
Though I often make threats,
I want you to be near me,
so I will have mercy on you.
I, the Lord, have spoken.21 With rock piles and signposts,
mark the way home,
my dear people.
It is the same road
by which you left.
22 Will you ever decide
to be faithful?
I will make sure that someday
things will be different,
as different as a woman
protecting a man.[n]
15 In Ramah[k] a voice is heard,
crying and weeping loudly.
Rachel mourns for her children[l]
and refuses to be comforted,
because they are dead.
16 But I, the Lord, say
to dry your tears.
Someday your children
will come home
from the enemy’s land.
Then all you have done for them
will be greatly rewarded.
17 So don’t lose hope.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
crying and weeping loudly.
Rachel mourns for her children[l]
and refuses to be comforted,
because they are dead.
16 But I, the Lord, say
to dry your tears.
Someday your children
will come home
from the enemy’s land.
Then all you have done for them
will be greatly rewarded.
17 So don’t lose hope.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
18 The people of Israel[m] moan
and say to me,
“We were like wild bulls,
but you, Lord, broke us,
and we learned to obey.
You are our God—
please let us come home.
19 When we were young,
we strayed and sinned,
but then we realized
what we had done.
We are ashamed and disgraced
and want to return to you.”
and say to me,
“We were like wild bulls,
but you, Lord, broke us,
and we learned to obey.
You are our God—
please let us come home.
19 When we were young,
we strayed and sinned,
but then we realized
what we had done.
We are ashamed and disgraced
and want to return to you.”
20 People of Israel,
you are my own dear children.
Don’t I love you best of all?
Though I often make threats,
I want you to be near me,
so I will have mercy on you.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
you are my own dear children.
Don’t I love you best of all?
Though I often make threats,
I want you to be near me,
so I will have mercy on you.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
21 With rock piles and signposts,
mark the way home,
my dear people.
It is the same road
by which you left.
22 Will you ever decide
to be faithful?
I will make sure that someday
things will be different,
as different as a woman
protecting a man.[n]
mark the way home,
my dear people.
It is the same road
by which you left.
22 Will you ever decide
to be faithful?
I will make sure that someday
things will be different,
as different as a woman
protecting a man.[n]
The Lord Will Bring Judah Home
23 The Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, said:I promise to set the people of Judah free and to lead them back to their hometowns. And when I do, they will once again say,“We pray that the Lord
will bless his home,
the sacred hill in Jerusalem
where his temple stands.”24 The people will live in Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah. Some will be farmers, and others will be shepherds. 25 Those who feel tired and worn out will find new life and energy, 26 and when they sleep, they will wake up refreshed.[o]
“We pray that the Lord
will bless his home,
the sacred hill in Jerusalem
where his temple stands.”
will bless his home,
the sacred hill in Jerusalem
where his temple stands.”
Footnotes:
- 30.1,2 scroll: A roll of paper or special leather used for writing on.
- 30.3 Israel: The northern kingdom.
- 30.8 yokes: See the note at 27.1,2.
- 30.10 Israel: The people of the northern and southern kingdoms.
- 30.18 Jerusalem. . . palace: Or “Your towns lie in ruins, but you will rebuild them, and your homes will be where they were before.”
- 31.2 In the desert. . . same for you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 31.3 Some time. . . me: Or “The Lord appeared to me from far away.”
- 31.8 Babylonia: The Hebrew text has “that country in the north,” referring to Babylonia.
- 31.9 level: Or “straight.”
- 31.9 Israel: The Hebrew text also has “Ephraim,” the leading tribe of the northern kingdom of Israel, which sometimes stands for the whole northern kingdom.
- 31.15 In Ramah: Or “In the hills.”
- 31.15 Rachel. . . children: Rachel was one of the wives of Jacob, the ancestor of the nation of Israel. She was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Joseph’s two sons Ephraim and Manasseh were the ancestors of the leading tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel.
- 31.18 Israel: Hebrew “Ephraim” (see the note at 31.9).
- 31.22 I will make sure. . . a woman protecting a man: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 31.26 and when they sleep. . . refreshed: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 30.1,2 scroll: A roll of paper or special leather used for writing on.
- 30.3 Israel: The northern kingdom.
- 30.8 yokes: See the note at 27.1,2.
- 30.10 Israel: The people of the northern and southern kingdoms.
- 30.18 Jerusalem. . . palace: Or “Your towns lie in ruins, but you will rebuild them, and your homes will be where they were before.”
- 31.2 In the desert. . . same for you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 31.3 Some time. . . me: Or “The Lord appeared to me from far away.”
- 31.8 Babylonia: The Hebrew text has “that country in the north,” referring to Babylonia.
- 31.9 level: Or “straight.”
- 31.9 Israel: The Hebrew text also has “Ephraim,” the leading tribe of the northern kingdom of Israel, which sometimes stands for the whole northern kingdom.
- 31.15 In Ramah: Or “In the hills.”
- 31.15 Rachel. . . children: Rachel was one of the wives of Jacob, the ancestor of the nation of Israel. She was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Joseph’s two sons Ephraim and Manasseh were the ancestors of the leading tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel.
- 31.18 Israel: Hebrew “Ephraim” (see the note at 31.9).
- 31.22 I will make sure. . . a woman protecting a man: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 31.26 and when they sleep. . . refreshed: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
1 Timothy 2Contemporary English Version (CEV)
How To Pray
2 First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them. 2 Pray for kings and others in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God. 3 This kind of prayer is good, and it pleases God our Savior. 4 God wants everyone to be saved and to know the whole truth, which is,5 There is only one God,
and Christ Jesus
is the only one
who can bring us
to God.
Jesus was truly human,
and he gave himself
to rescue all of us.
6 God showed us this
at the right time.7 This is why God chose me to be a preacher and an apostle of the good news. I am telling the truth. I am not lying. God sent me to teach the Gentiles about faith and truth.8 I want everyone everywhere to lift innocent hands toward heaven and pray, without being angry or arguing with each other.9 I would like for women to wear modest and sensible clothes. They should not have fancy hairdos, or wear expensive clothes, or put on jewelry made of gold or pearls. 10 Women who claim to love God should do helpful things for others, 11 and they should learn by being quiet and paying attention. 12 They should be silent and not be allowed to teach or to tell men what to do. 13 After all, Adam was created before Eve, 14 and the man Adam wasn’t the one who was fooled. It was the woman Eve who was completely fooled and sinned. 15 But women will be saved by having children,[a] if they stay faithful, loving, holy, and modest.
5 There is only one God,
and Christ Jesus
is the only one
who can bring us
to God.
Jesus was truly human,
and he gave himself
to rescue all of us.
6 God showed us this
at the right time.
and Christ Jesus
is the only one
who can bring us
to God.
Jesus was truly human,
and he gave himself
to rescue all of us.
6 God showed us this
at the right time.
Footnotes:
- 2.15 saved by having children: Or “brought safely through childbirth” or “saved by the birth of a child” (that is, by the birth of Jesus) or “saved by being good mothers.”
- 2.15 saved by having children: Or “brought safely through childbirth” or “saved by the birth of a child” (that is, by the birth of Jesus) or “saved by being good mothers.”
Psalm 87Contemporary English Version (CEV)
(A psalm and a song by the people of Korah.)
The Glory of Mount Zion
87 Zion was built by the Lord
on the holy mountain,
2 and he loves that city
more than any other place
in all of Israel.
3 Zion, you are the city of God,
and wonderful things
are told about you.5 God Most High will strengthen
the city of Zion.
Then everyone will say,
“We were born here too.”
6 The Lord will make a list
of his people,
and all who were born here
will be included.7 All who sing or dance will say,
“I too am from Zion.”
87 Zion was built by the Lord
on the holy mountain,
2 and he loves that city
more than any other place
in all of Israel.
3 Zion, you are the city of God,
and wonderful things
are told about you.
on the holy mountain,
2 and he loves that city
more than any other place
in all of Israel.
3 Zion, you are the city of God,
and wonderful things
are told about you.
5 God Most High will strengthen
the city of Zion.
Then everyone will say,
“We were born here too.”
6 The Lord will make a list
of his people,
and all who were born here
will be included.
the city of Zion.
Then everyone will say,
“We were born here too.”
6 The Lord will make a list
of his people,
and all who were born here
will be included.
7 All who sing or dance will say,
“I too am from Zion.”
“I too am from Zion.”
Footnotes:
Proverbs 25:18-19Contemporary English Version (CEV)
18 Telling lies about friends
is like attacking them
with clubs and swords
and sharp arrows.
19 A friend you can’t trust
in times of trouble
is like having a toothache
or a sore foot.
18 Telling lies about friends
is like attacking them
with clubs and swords
and sharp arrows.
19 A friend you can’t trust
in times of trouble
is like having a toothache
or a sore foot.
is like attacking them
with clubs and swords
and sharp arrows.
19 A friend you can’t trust
in times of trouble
is like having a toothache
or a sore foot.
Thought for the Day
“Our Lord, you are the friend of your worshipers, and you make an agreement with all of us. I always look to you, because you rescue me from every trap.” (Psalm 25:14-15 - Contemporary English Version) Sadly, people will let us down. And we may be disappointed by those we trust the most. But we can always count on God. He'll guide through whatever problem or pain we might have to face.
“Our Lord, you are the friend of your worshipers, and you make an agreement with all of us. I always look to you, because you rescue me from every trap.” (Psalm 25:14-15 - Contemporary English Version) Sadly, people will let us down. And we may be disappointed by those we trust the most. But we can always count on God. He'll guide through whatever problem or pain we might have to face.
Quote for the Day
Japanese musician, philosopher, and educator, Shinichi Suzuki wrote, “Children learn to smile from their parents.”
Joke for Today
Mary and Jane are old friends. They have both been married to their husbands for a long time; Mary is upset because she thinks her husband doesn't find her attractive anymore.
"As I get older he doesn't bother to look at me!" Mary cries.
"I'm so sorry for you, as I get older my husband says I get more beautiful every day." replies Jane.
"Yes, but your husband's an antique dealer!"
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 be thankful for the opportunities and responsibilities we've been given.
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