Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Leviticus 27:14–Numbers 1:54; Mark 11:1-25; Psalm 46:1-11; and Proverbs 10:23. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Leviticus 27:14 - Numbers 1:54 (Contemporary English Version)
14If you promise a house to me, a priest will set the price, whatever the condition of the house. 15But if you decide to buy it back, you must pay an additional twenty percent.
16If you promise part of your family's land to me, its value must be determined by the bushels of seed needed to plant the land, and the rate will be ten pieces of silver for every bushel of seed. 17If this promise is made in the Year of Celebration, a<="" value="[a]" >[] the land will be valued at the full price. 18But any time after that, the price will be figured according to the number of years before the next Year of Celebration. 19If you decide to buy back the land, you must pay the price plus an additional twenty percent, 20but you cannot buy it back once someone else has bought it. 21When the Year of Celebration comes, the land becomes holy because it belongs to me, and it will be given to the priests. 22If you promise me a field that you have bought, 23its value will be decided by a priest, according to the number of years before the next Year of Celebration, and the money you pay will be mine. 24However, on the next Year of Celebration, the land will go back to the family of its original owner. 25Every price will be set by the official standards.
16If you promise part of your family's land to me, its value must be determined by the bushels of seed needed to plant the land, and the rate will be ten pieces of silver for every bushel of seed. 17If this promise is made in the Year of Celebration, a<="" value="[a]" >[] the land will be valued at the full price. 18But any time after that, the price will be figured according to the number of years before the next Year of Celebration. 19If you decide to buy back the land, you must pay the price plus an additional twenty percent, 20but you cannot buy it back once someone else has bought it. 21When the Year of Celebration comes, the land becomes holy because it belongs to me, and it will be given to the priests. 22If you promise me a field that you have bought, 23its value will be decided by a priest, according to the number of years before the next Year of Celebration, and the money you pay will be mine. 24However, on the next Year of Celebration, the land will go back to the family of its original owner. 25Every price will be set by the official standards.
Various Offerings
The LORD said:
26All first-born animals of your flocks and herds are already mine, and so you cannot promise any of them to me. 27If you promise me a donkey, [b<="">] you may buy it back by adding an additional twenty percent to its value. If you don't buy it back, it can be sold to someone else for whatever a priest has said it is worth. 28Anything that you completely dedicate to me must be completely destroyed. [c<="">] It cannot be bought back or sold. Every person, animal, and piece of property that you dedicate completely is only for me. 29In fact, any humans who have been promised to me in this way must be put to death. 30Ten percent of everything you harvest is holy and belongs to me, whether it grows in your fields or on your fruit trees. 31If you want to buy back this part of your harvest, you may do so by paying what it is worth plus an additional twenty percent. 32When you count your flocks and herds, one out of ten of every newborn animal [d<="">] is holy and belongs to me, 33no matter how good or bad it is. If you substitute one animal for another, both of them become holy, and neither can be bought back. 34Moses was on Mount Sinai when the LORD gave him these laws for the people of Israel.
Numbers 1
The People of Israel Are Counted
1The people of Israel had left Egypt and were living in the Sinai Desert. Then on the first day of the second month [e<="">] of the second year, Moses was in the sacred tent when the LORD said: 2-3I want you and Aaron to find out how many people are in each of Israel's clans and families. And make a list of all the men twenty years and older who are able to fight in battle. 4-15The following twelve family leaders, one from each tribe, will help you: Elizur son of Shedeur
from Reuben,
Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai
from Simeon,
Nahshon son of Amminadab
from Judah,
Nethanel son of Zuar
from Issachar,
Eliab son of Helon
from Zebulun,
Elishama son of Ammihud
from Ephraim,
Gamaliel son of Pedahzur
from Manasseh,
Abidan son of Gideoni
from Benjamin,
Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai
from Dan,
Pagiel son of Ochran
from Asher,
Eliasaph son of Deuel
from Gad,
and Ahira son of Enan
from Naphtali.
16-17Moses and Aaron, together with these twelve tribal leaders, 18called together the people that same day. They were counted according to their clans and families. Then Moses and the others listed the names of the men twenty years and older, 19just as the LORD had commanded. 20-46The number of men from each tribe who were at least twenty years old and strong enough to fight in Israel's army was as follows:
46,500 from Reuben,
the oldest son of Jacob, [f<="">] 59,300 from Simeon,
45,650 from Gad,
74,600 from Judah,
54,400 from Issachar,
57,400 from Zebulun,
40,500 from Ephraim,
32,200 from Manasseh,
35,400 from Benjamin,
62,700 from Dan,
41,500 from Asher,
53,400 from Naphtali.
The total number of men registered by Moses, Aaron, and the twelve leaders was 603,550.
47But those from the Levi tribe were not included 48because the LORD had said to Moses:
49When you count the Israelites, do not include those from the Levi tribe. 50-51Instead, give them the job of caring for the sacred tent, its furnishings, and the objects used for worship. They will camp around the tent, and whenever you move, they will take it down, carry it to the new camp, and set it up again. Anyone else who tries to go near it must be put to death.
52The rest of the Israelites will camp in their own groups and under their own banners. 53But the Levites will camp around the sacred tent to make sure that no one goes near it and makes me furious with the Israelites.
54The people of Israel did everything the LORD had commanded.
Footnotes:- Leviticus 27:17 Year of Celebration: See 25.8-34.
- Leviticus 27:27 donkey: See the note at verse 11.
- Leviticus 27:28 completely dedicate. . . completely destroyed: In order to show that something belonged completely to the LORD and could not be used by anyone else, it was destroyed. This law most often applied to towns and people captured in war (see Joshua 6.16,17).
- Leviticus 27:32 one out of ten of every newborn animal: Or " one out of every ten animals."
- Numbers 1:1 second month: Ziv, the second month of the Hebrew calendar, from about mid-April to mid-May.
- Numbers 1:20 Jacob: The Hebrew text has " Israel," Jacob's name after God renamed him.
from Reuben,
Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai
from Simeon,
Nahshon son of Amminadab
from Judah,
Nethanel son of Zuar
from Issachar,
Eliab son of Helon
from Zebulun,
Elishama son of Ammihud
from Ephraim,
Gamaliel son of Pedahzur
from Manasseh,
Abidan son of Gideoni
from Benjamin,
Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai
from Dan,
Pagiel son of Ochran
from Asher,
Eliasaph son of Deuel
from Gad,
and Ahira son of Enan
from Naphtali.
16-17Moses and Aaron, together with these twelve tribal leaders, 18called together the people that same day. They were counted according to their clans and families. Then Moses and the others listed the names of the men twenty years and older, 19just as the LORD had commanded. 20-46The number of men from each tribe who were at least twenty years old and strong enough to fight in Israel's army was as follows:
46,500 from Reuben,
the oldest son of Jacob, [f<="">] 59,300 from Simeon,
45,650 from Gad,
74,600 from Judah,
54,400 from Issachar,
57,400 from Zebulun,
40,500 from Ephraim,
32,200 from Manasseh,
35,400 from Benjamin,
62,700 from Dan,
41,500 from Asher,
53,400 from Naphtali.
The total number of men registered by Moses, Aaron, and the twelve leaders was 603,550.
47But those from the Levi tribe were not included 48because the LORD had said to Moses:
49When you count the Israelites, do not include those from the Levi tribe. 50-51Instead, give them the job of caring for the sacred tent, its furnishings, and the objects used for worship. They will camp around the tent, and whenever you move, they will take it down, carry it to the new camp, and set it up again. Anyone else who tries to go near it must be put to death.
52The rest of the Israelites will camp in their own groups and under their own banners. 53But the Levites will camp around the sacred tent to make sure that no one goes near it and makes me furious with the Israelites.
54The people of Israel did everything the LORD had commanded.
Footnotes:
- Leviticus 27:17 Year of Celebration: See 25.8-34.
- Leviticus 27:27 donkey: See the note at verse 11.
- Leviticus 27:28 completely dedicate. . . completely destroyed: In order to show that something belonged completely to the LORD and could not be used by anyone else, it was destroyed. This law most often applied to towns and people captured in war (see Joshua 6.16,17).
- Leviticus 27:32 one out of ten of every newborn animal: Or " one out of every ten animals."
- Numbers 1:1 second month: Ziv, the second month of the Hebrew calendar, from about mid-April to mid-May.
- Numbers 1:20 Jacob: The Hebrew text has " Israel," Jacob's name after God renamed him.
Mark 11:1-25 (Contemporary English Version)
Mark 11
Jesus Enters Jerusalem
(Matthew 21.1-11; Luke 19.28-40; John 12.12-19)
1Jesus and his disciples reached Bethphage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives. When they were getting close to Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2He told them, "Go into the next village. As soon as you enter it, you will find a young donkey that has never been ridden. Untie the donkey and bring it here. 3If anyone asks why you are doing that, say, `The Lord a<="" value="[a]" >[] needs it and will soon bring it back.' " 4The disciples left and found the donkey tied near a door that faced the street. While they were untying it, 5some of the people standing there asked, "Why are you untying the donkey?" 6They told them what Jesus had said, and the people let them take it.
7The disciples led the donkey to Jesus. They put some of their clothes on its back, and Jesus got on. 8Many people spread clothes on the road, while others went to cut branches from the fields. [b<="">]
9In front of Jesus and behind him, people went along shouting,
"Hooray! [c<="">]
God bless the one
who comes
in the name of the Lord!
10God bless the coming kingdom
of our ancestor David.
Hooray for God
in heaven above!"
11After Jesus had gone to Jerusalem, he went into the temple and looked around at everything. But since it was already late in the day, he went back to Bethany with the twelve disciples.
7The disciples led the donkey to Jesus. They put some of their clothes on its back, and Jesus got on. 8Many people spread clothes on the road, while others went to cut branches from the fields. [b<="">]
9In front of Jesus and behind him, people went along shouting,
"Hooray! [c<="">]
God bless the one
who comes
in the name of the Lord!
10God bless the coming kingdom
of our ancestor David.
Hooray for God
in heaven above!"
11After Jesus had gone to Jerusalem, he went into the temple and looked around at everything. But since it was already late in the day, he went back to Bethany with the twelve disciples.
Jesus Puts a Curse on a Fig Tree
(Matthew 21.18,19)
12When Jesus and his disciples left Bethany the next morning, he was hungry. 13From a distance Jesus saw a fig tree covered with leaves, and he went to see if there were any figs on the tree. But there were not any, because it wasn't the season for figs. 14So Jesus said to the tree, "Never again will anyone eat fruit from this tree!" The disciples heard him say this.
Jesus in the Temple
(Matthew 21.12-17; Luke 19.45-48; John 2.13-22)
15After Jesus and his disciples reached Jerusalem, he went into the temple and began chasing out everyone who was selling and buying. He turned over the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of those who were selling doves. 16Jesus would not let anyone carry things through the temple. 17Then he taught the people and said, "The Scriptures say, `My house should be called a place of worship for all nations.' But you have made it a place where robbers hide!" 18The chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses heard what Jesus said, and they started looking for a way to kill him. They were afraid of him, because the crowds were completely amazed at his teaching.
19That evening, Jesus and the disciples went outside the city.
19That evening, Jesus and the disciples went outside the city.
A Lesson from the Fig Tree
(Matthew 21.20-22)
20As the disciples walked past the fig tree the next morning, they noticed that it was completely dried up, roots and all. 21Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree. Then Peter said, "Teacher, look! The tree you put a curse on has dried up." 22Jesus told his disciples:
Have faith in God! 23If you have faith in God and don't doubt, you can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. 24Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours, if you only have faith.
25-26Whenever you stand up to pray, you must forgive what others have done to you. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your sins. [d<="">]
Footnotes:- Mark 11:3 The Lord: Or "The master of the donkey."
- Mark 11:8 spread. . . branches from the fields: This was one way that the Jewish people welcomed a famous person.
- Mark 11:9 Hooray: This translates a word that can mean "please save us." But it is most often used as a shout of praise to God.
- Mark 11:25 your sins: Some manuscripts add, "But if you do not forgive others, God will not forgive you."
Have faith in God! 23If you have faith in God and don't doubt, you can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. 24Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours, if you only have faith.
25-26Whenever you stand up to pray, you must forgive what others have done to you. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your sins. [d<="">]
Footnotes:
- Mark 11:3 The Lord: Or "The master of the donkey."
- Mark 11:8 spread. . . branches from the fields: This was one way that the Jewish people welcomed a famous person.
- Mark 11:9 Hooray: This translates a word that can mean "please save us." But it is most often used as a shout of praise to God.
- Mark 11:25 your sins: Some manuscripts add, "But if you do not forgive others, God will not forgive you."
Psalm 46:1-11 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 46
(A special song for the people of Korah and for the music leader.)
God Is Our Mighty Fortress
1God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help
in times of trouble.
2And so, we won't be afraid!
Let the earth tremble
and the mountains tumble
into the deepest sea.
3Let the ocean roar and foam,
and its raging waves
shake the mountains.
4A river and its streams
bring joy to the city,
which is the sacred home
of God Most High.
5God is in that city,
and it won't be shaken.
He will help it at dawn.
6Nations rage! Kingdoms fall!
But at the voice of God
the earth itself melts.
7The LORD All-Powerful
is with us.
The God of Jacob
is our fortress.
8Come! See the fearsome things
the LORD has done on earth.
9God brings wars to an end
all over the world.
He breaks the arrows,
shatters the spears,
and burns the shields. a<="" value="[a]" >[] 10Our God says, "Calm down,
and learn that I am God!
All nations on earth
will honor me."
11The LORD All-Powerful
is with us.
The God of Jacob
is our fortress.
Footnotes:- Psalm 46:9 shields: Or " chariots."
in times of trouble.
2And so, we won't be afraid!
Let the earth tremble
and the mountains tumble
into the deepest sea.
3Let the ocean roar and foam,
and its raging waves
shake the mountains.
4A river and its streams
bring joy to the city,
which is the sacred home
of God Most High.
5God is in that city,
and it won't be shaken.
He will help it at dawn.
6Nations rage! Kingdoms fall!
But at the voice of God
the earth itself melts.
7The LORD All-Powerful
is with us.
The God of Jacob
is our fortress.
8Come! See the fearsome things
the LORD has done on earth.
9God brings wars to an end
all over the world.
He breaks the arrows,
shatters the spears,
and burns the shields. a<="" value="[a]" >[] 10Our God says, "Calm down,
and learn that I am God!
All nations on earth
will honor me."
11The LORD All-Powerful
is with us.
The God of Jacob
is our fortress.
Footnotes:
- Psalm 46:9 shields: Or " chariots."
Proverbs 10:23 (Contemporary English Version)
23Fools enjoy doing wrong,
but anyone with good sense
enjoys acting wisely.
but anyone with good sense
enjoys acting wisely.
Thought for the Day
“The LORD says: 'My thoughts and my ways are not like yours. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours.'” (Isaiah 55:8-9 - Contemporary English Version) Idolatry is when the creature worships the creation rather than the creator. When we project our thoughts, values and desires on God, that's idolatry regardless of how we might describe it.
Quote for the Day
American cartoonist, writer, and entrepreneur, Will Eisner wrote, "A key to my thinking has always been the almost fanatical belief that what I was engaged in was a literary art form. That belief was compounded out of ego and necessity, I guess, a combination of the two."
A Joke for Today
Quasimodo goes to a doctor for an annual checkup. "I think something is wrong with your back," the doctor says.
"What makes you think that?" asks Quasimodo.
"I don't know," the doctor replies. "It's just a hunch."
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 people are sensitive to the vulnerability of their neighbors.
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