Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Zechariah 12:1–13:9; Revelation 19:1-21; Psalm 147:1-20; and Proverbs 31:1-7. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Zechariah 12-13:9 (Contemporary English Version)
Zechariah 12
Victory for Jerusalem
1This is a message from the LORD about Israel: I am the LORD! I stretched out the heavens; I put the earth on its foundations and gave breath to humans. 2I have decided that Jerusalem will become a bowl of wine that makes the neighboring nations drunk. And when Jerusalem is attacked, Judah will also be attacked. a] 3But I will turn Jerusalem into a heavy stone that crushes anyone who tries to lift it. When all nations on earth surround Jerusalem, 4I will make every horse panic and every rider confused. But at the same time, I will watch over Judah. 5Then every clan in Judah will realize that I, the LORD All-Powerful, am their God, and that I am the source of their strength.
6At that time I will let the clans of Judah be like a ball of fire in a wood pile or a fiery torch in a hay stack. Then Judah will send the surrounding nations up in smoke. And once again the city of Jerusalem will be filled with people.
7But I will first give victory to Judah, so the kingdom of David and the city of Jerusalem in all of their glory won't be thought of more highly than Judah itself. 8I, the LORD God, will protect Jerusalem. Even the weakest person there will be as strong as David, and David's kingdom will rule as though my very own angel were its leader. 9I am determined to wipe out every nation that attacks Jerusalem.
6At that time I will let the clans of Judah be like a ball of fire in a wood pile or a fiery torch in a hay stack. Then Judah will send the surrounding nations up in smoke. And once again the city of Jerusalem will be filled with people.
7But I will first give victory to Judah, so the kingdom of David and the city of Jerusalem in all of their glory won't be thought of more highly than Judah itself. 8I, the LORD God, will protect Jerusalem. Even the weakest person there will be as strong as David, and David's kingdom will rule as though my very own angel were its leader. 9I am determined to wipe out every nation that attacks Jerusalem.
Mourning for the One Pierced with a Spear
10I, the LORD, will make the descendants of David and the people of Jerusalem feel deep sorrow and pray when they see the one they pierced with a spear. They will mourn and weep for him, as parents weep over the death of their only child or their first-born. 11On that day the people of Jerusalem will mourn as much as everyone did for Hadad Rimmon b] on the flatlands near Megiddo. 12Everyone of each family in the land will mourn, and the men will mourn separately from the women. This includes those from the family of David, and the families of Nathan, 13Levi, Shimei, c] 14and all other families as well.
Zechariah 13
Getting Rid of Idols and False Prophets
1In the future there will be a fountain, where David's descendants and the people of Jerusalem can wash away their sin and guilt. 2The LORD All-Powerful says:
When that time comes, I will get rid of every idol in the country, and they will be forgotten forever. I will also do away with their prophets and those evil spirits that control them. 3If any such prophets ever appear again, their own parents must warn them that they will die for telling lies in my name--the name of the LORD. If those prophets don't stop speaking, their parents must then kill them with a sword.
4Those prophets will be ashamed of their so-called visions, and they won't deceive anyone by dressing like a true prophet. 5Instead, they will say, "I'm no prophet. I've been a farmer all my life." d] 6And if any of them are asked why they are wounded, e] they will answer, "It happened at the house of some friends."
When that time comes, I will get rid of every idol in the country, and they will be forgotten forever. I will also do away with their prophets and those evil spirits that control them. 3If any such prophets ever appear again, their own parents must warn them that they will die for telling lies in my name--the name of the LORD. If those prophets don't stop speaking, their parents must then kill them with a sword.
4Those prophets will be ashamed of their so-called visions, and they won't deceive anyone by dressing like a true prophet. 5Instead, they will say, "I'm no prophet. I've been a farmer all my life." d] 6And if any of them are asked why they are wounded, e] they will answer, "It happened at the house of some friends."
A Wounded Shepherd and Scattered Sheep
7The LORD All-Powerful said: My sword, wake up! Attack
my shepherd and friend.
Strike down the shepherd!
Scatter the little sheep,
and I will destroy them.
8Nowhere in the land
will more than a third of them
be left alive.
9Then I will purify them
and put them to the test,
just as gold and silver
are purified and tested.
They will pray in my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, "You are my people,"
and they will reply,
"You, LORD, are our God!"
Footnotes:- Zechariah 12:2 Judah. . . attacked: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Zechariah 12:11 Hadad Rimmon: Not mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament.
- Zechariah 12:13 Shimei: A descendant of Gershon son of Levi (see Numbers 3.18).
- Zechariah 13:5 I've. . . my life: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Zechariah 13:6 wounded: Probably from slashing themselves in the worship of a false god (see 1 Kings 18.28).
my shepherd and friend.
Strike down the shepherd!
Scatter the little sheep,
and I will destroy them.
8Nowhere in the land
will more than a third of them
be left alive.
9Then I will purify them
and put them to the test,
just as gold and silver
are purified and tested.
They will pray in my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, "You are my people,"
and they will reply,
"You, LORD, are our God!"
Footnotes:
- Zechariah 12:2 Judah. . . attacked: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Zechariah 12:11 Hadad Rimmon: Not mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament.
- Zechariah 12:13 Shimei: A descendant of Gershon son of Levi (see Numbers 3.18).
- Zechariah 13:5 I've. . . my life: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Zechariah 13:6 wounded: Probably from slashing themselves in the worship of a false god (see 1 Kings 18.28).
Revelation 19:1-21 (Contemporary English Version)
Revelation 19
1After this, I heard what sounded like a lot of voices in heaven, and they were shouting, "Praise the Lord!
To our God belongs
the glorious power to save,
2because his judgments
are honest and fair.
That filthy prostitute
ruined the earth
with shameful deeds.
But God has judged her
and made her pay
the price
for murdering
his servants."
3Then the crowd shouted,
"Praise the Lord!
Smoke will never stop rising
from her burning body."
4After this, the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures all knelt before the throne of God and worshiped him. They said, "Amen! Praise the Lord!"
To our God belongs
the glorious power to save,
2because his judgments
are honest and fair.
That filthy prostitute
ruined the earth
with shameful deeds.
But God has judged her
and made her pay
the price
for murdering
his servants."
3Then the crowd shouted,
"Praise the Lord!
Smoke will never stop rising
from her burning body."
4After this, the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures all knelt before the throne of God and worshiped him. They said, "Amen! Praise the Lord!"
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
5From the throne a voice said, "If you worship
and fear our God,
give praise to him,
no matter who you are."
6Then I heard what seemed to be a large crowd that sounded like a roaring flood and loud thunder all mixed together. They were saying,
"Praise the Lord!
Our Lord God All-Powerful
now rules as king.
7So we will be glad and happy
and give him praise.
The wedding day of the Lamb
is here,
and his bride is ready.
8She will be given
a wedding dress
made of pure
and shining linen.
This linen stands for
the good things
God's people have done."
9Then the angel told me, "Put this in writing. God will bless everyone who is invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb." The angel also said, "These things that God has said are true."
10I knelt at the feet of the angel and began to worship him. But the angel said, "Don't do that! I am a servant, just like you and everyone else who tells about Jesus. Don't worship anyone but God. Everyone who tells about Jesus does it by the power of the Spirit."
and fear our God,
give praise to him,
no matter who you are."
6Then I heard what seemed to be a large crowd that sounded like a roaring flood and loud thunder all mixed together. They were saying,
"Praise the Lord!
Our Lord God All-Powerful
now rules as king.
7So we will be glad and happy
and give him praise.
The wedding day of the Lamb
is here,
and his bride is ready.
8She will be given
a wedding dress
made of pure
and shining linen.
This linen stands for
the good things
God's people have done."
9Then the angel told me, "Put this in writing. God will bless everyone who is invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb." The angel also said, "These things that God has said are true."
10I knelt at the feet of the angel and began to worship him. But the angel said, "Don't do that! I am a servant, just like you and everyone else who tells about Jesus. Don't worship anyone but God. Everyone who tells about Jesus does it by the power of the Spirit."
The Rider on the White Horse
11I looked and saw that heaven was open, and a white horse was there. Its rider was called Faithful and True, and he is always fair when he judges or goes to war. 12He had eyes like flames of fire, and he was wearing a lot of crowns. His name was written on him, but he was the only one who knew what the name meant. 13The rider wore a robe that was covered with a] blood, and he was known as "The Word of God." 14He was followed by armies from heaven that rode on horses and were dressed in pure white linen. 15From his mouth a sharp sword went out to attack the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod and will show the fierce anger of God All-Powerful by trampling the grapes in the pit where wine is made. 16On the part of the robe that covered his thigh was written, "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." 17I then saw an angel standing on the sun, and he shouted to all the birds flying in the sky, "Come and join in God's great feast! 18You can eat the flesh of kings, rulers, leaders, horses, riders, free people, slaves, important people, and everyone else."
19I also saw the beast and all kings of the earth come together. They fought against the rider on the white horse and against his army. 20But the beast was captured and so was the false prophet. This is the same prophet who had worked miracles for the beast, so that he could fool everyone who had the mark of the beast and worshiped the idol. The beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into a lake of burning sulfur. 21But the rest of their army was killed by the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse. Then birds stuffed themselves on the dead bodies.
19I also saw the beast and all kings of the earth come together. They fought against the rider on the white horse and against his army. 20But the beast was captured and so was the false prophet. This is the same prophet who had worked miracles for the beast, so that he could fool everyone who had the mark of the beast and worshiped the idol. The beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into a lake of burning sulfur. 21But the rest of their army was killed by the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse. Then birds stuffed themselves on the dead bodies.
Psalm 147:1-20 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 147
Sing and Praise the LORD
1Shout praises to the LORD! Our God is kind,
and it is right and good
to sing praises to him.
2The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem
and brings the people of Israel
back home again.
3He renews our hopes
and heals our bodies.
4He decided how many stars
there would be in the sky
and gave each one a name.
5Our LORD is great and powerful!
He understands everything.
6The LORD helps the poor,
but he smears the wicked
in the dirt.
7Celebrate and sing!
Play your harps
for the LORD our God.
8He fills the sky with clouds
and sends rain to the earth,
so that the hills
will be green with grass.
9He provides food for cattle
and for the young ravens,
when they cry out.
10The LORD doesn't care about
the strength of horses
or powerful armies.
11The LORD is pleased only
with those who worship him
and trust his love.
12Everyone in Jerusalem,
come and praise
the LORD your God!
13He makes your city gates strong
and blesses your people
by giving them children.
14God lets you live in peace,
and he gives you
the very best wheat.
15As soon as God speaks,
the earth obeys.
16He covers the ground with snow
like a blanket of wool,
and he scatters frost
like ashes on the ground.
17God sends down hailstones
like chips of rocks.
Who can stand the cold?
18At his command the ice melts,
the wind blows,
and streams begin to flow.
19God gave his laws and teachings
to the descendants of Jacob,
the nation of Israel.
20But he has not given his laws
to any other nation.
Shout praises to the LORD!
and it is right and good
to sing praises to him.
2The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem
and brings the people of Israel
back home again.
3He renews our hopes
and heals our bodies.
4He decided how many stars
there would be in the sky
and gave each one a name.
5Our LORD is great and powerful!
He understands everything.
6The LORD helps the poor,
but he smears the wicked
in the dirt.
7Celebrate and sing!
Play your harps
for the LORD our God.
8He fills the sky with clouds
and sends rain to the earth,
so that the hills
will be green with grass.
9He provides food for cattle
and for the young ravens,
when they cry out.
10The LORD doesn't care about
the strength of horses
or powerful armies.
11The LORD is pleased only
with those who worship him
and trust his love.
12Everyone in Jerusalem,
come and praise
the LORD your God!
13He makes your city gates strong
and blesses your people
by giving them children.
14God lets you live in peace,
and he gives you
the very best wheat.
15As soon as God speaks,
the earth obeys.
16He covers the ground with snow
like a blanket of wool,
and he scatters frost
like ashes on the ground.
17God sends down hailstones
like chips of rocks.
Who can stand the cold?
18At his command the ice melts,
the wind blows,
and streams begin to flow.
19God gave his laws and teachings
to the descendants of Jacob,
the nation of Israel.
20But he has not given his laws
to any other nation.
Shout praises to the LORD!
Proverbs 31:1-7 (Contemporary English Version)
Proverbs 31
What King Lemuel's Mother Taught Him
1These are the sayings that King Lemuel of Massa
was taught by his mother.
2My son Lemuel, you were born
in answer to my prayers,
so listen carefully.
3Don't waste your life
chasing after women!
This has ruined many kings.
4Kings and leaders
should not get drunk
or even want to drink.
5Drinking makes you forget
your responsibilities,
and you mistreat the poor.
6Beer and wine are only
for the dying
or for those
who have lost all hope.
7Let them drink
and forget
how poor and miserable
they feel.
was taught by his mother.
2My son Lemuel, you were born
in answer to my prayers,
so listen carefully.
3Don't waste your life
chasing after women!
This has ruined many kings.
4Kings and leaders
should not get drunk
or even want to drink.
5Drinking makes you forget
your responsibilities,
and you mistreat the poor.
6Beer and wine are only
for the dying
or for those
who have lost all hope.
7Let them drink
and forget
how poor and miserable
they feel.
Thought for the Day
“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 - Contemporary English Version) Although following Jesus and living the Christian life can be challenging, it isn't because he's burdened us with a lot of rules and regulations. You see, he's freed us so that we can become everything we were created to be.
Quote for the Day
American humorist, writer, teacher, television host, and journalist, Sam Levenson wrote, “If you die in an elevator, be sure to push the Up button.”
“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 - Contemporary English Version) Although following Jesus and living the Christian life can be challenging, it isn't because he's burdened us with a lot of rules and regulations. You see, he's freed us so that we can become everything we were created to be.
Quote for the Day
American humorist, writer, teacher, television host, and journalist, Sam Levenson wrote, “If you die in an elevator, be sure to push the Up button.”
Joke for Today
This guy was watching TV as his wife was out cutting the grass during the hot summer. He finally worked up the energy to go out and ask his wife what was for supper.
Well, his missus was quite irritated about him sitting in the air conditioned house all day while she did all the work, so she scolded him. "I can't believe you're asking me about supper right now! Imagine I'm out of town, go inside and figure dinner out yourself."
So he went back in the house and fixed himself a big steak, with potatoes, garlic bread and tall glass of iced tea.
The wife finally walked in about the time he was finishing up and asked him, "You fixed something to eat? So where is mine?"
"Huh? I thought you were out of town."
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 American put aside partisan difference so that we can address the problem of gun-violence.
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