Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Isaiah 6:1–7:25; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33; Psalm 54:1-7; and Proverbs 23:1-3. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Isaiah 6-7:25 (Contemporary English Version)
Isaiah 6
A Vision of the LORD in the Temple
1In the year that King Uzziah died, [a] I had a vision of the LORD. He was on his throne high above, and his robe filled the temple. 2Flaming creatures with six wings each were flying over him. They covered their faces with two of their wings and their bodies with two more. They used the other two wings for flying, 3as they shouted, "Holy, holy, holy, LORD All-Powerful! The earth is filled with your glory." 4As they shouted, the doorposts of the temple shook, and the temple was filled with smoke. 5Then I cried out, "I'm doomed! Everything I say is sinful, and so are the words of everyone around me. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD All-Powerful." 6One of the flaming creatures flew over to me with a burning coal that it had taken from the altar with a pair of metal tongs. 7It touched my lips with the hot coal and said, "This has touched your lips. Your sins are forgiven, and you are no longer guilty." 8After this, I heard the LORD ask, "Is there anyone I can send? Will someone go for us?" "I'll go," I answered. "Send me!" 9Then the LORD told me to go and speak this message to the people: "You will listen and listen, but never understand. You will look and look, but never see." The LORD also said, 10"Make these people stubborn! Make them stop up their ears, cover their eyes, and fail to understand. Don't let them turn to me and be healed." 11Then I asked the LORD, "How long will this last?" The LORD answered: Until their towns are destroyed and their houses are deserted, until their fields are empty, 12and I have sent them far away, leaving their land in ruins. 13If only a tenth of the people are left, even they will be destroyed. But just as stumps remain after trees have been cut down, [b] some of my chosen ones will be left.
1In the year that King Uzziah died, [a] I had a vision of the LORD. He was on his throne high above, and his robe filled the temple. 2Flaming creatures with six wings each were flying over him. They covered their faces with two of their wings and their bodies with two more. They used the other two wings for flying, 3as they shouted, "Holy, holy, holy,
LORD All-Powerful!
The earth is filled
with your glory."
4As they shouted, the doorposts of the temple shook, and the temple was filled with smoke. 5Then I cried out, "I'm doomed! Everything I say is sinful, and so are the words of everyone around me. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD All-Powerful."
6One of the flaming creatures flew over to me with a burning coal that it had taken from the altar with a pair of metal tongs. 7It touched my lips with the hot coal and said, "This has touched your lips. Your sins are forgiven, and you are no longer guilty."
8After this, I heard the LORD ask, "Is there anyone I can send? Will someone go for us?"
"I'll go," I answered. "Send me!"
9Then the LORD told me to go and speak this message to the people:
"You will listen and listen,
but never understand.
You will look and look,
but never see."
The LORD also said,
10"Make these people stubborn!
Make them stop up
their ears,
cover their eyes,
and fail to understand.
Don't let them turn to me
and be healed."
11Then I asked the LORD, "How long will this last?"
The LORD answered:
Until their towns are destroyed and their houses are deserted, until their fields are empty, 12and I have sent them far away, leaving their land in ruins. 13If only a tenth of the people are left, even they will be destroyed. But just as stumps remain after trees have been cut down, [b] some of my chosen ones will be left.
Isaiah 7
Isaiah Offers Hope to King Ahaz
1Ahaz, the son of Jotham and the grandson of Uzziah, was king of Judah when King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah son of Remaliah of Israel went to attack Jerusalem. But they were not able to do what they had planned. [c] 2When news reached the royal palace that Syria had joined forces with Israel, King Ahaz and everyone in Judah were so terrified that they shook like trees in a windstorm. 3Then the LORD said to me: Take your son Shearjashub [d] and go see King Ahaz. You will find him on the road near the cloth makers' shops at the end of the canal that brings water from the upper pool. 4Tell Ahaz to stop worrying. There's no need for him to be afraid of King Rezin and King Pekah. They are very angry, but they are nothing more than a dying fire. Ahaz doesn't need to fear 5their evil threats 6to invade and defeat Judah and Jerusalem and to let the son of Tabeel be king in his place. 7I, the LORD, promise that this will never happen. 8-9Damascus is just the capital of Syria, and King Rezin rules only in Damascus. Samaria is just the capital of Israel, and King Pekah rules only in Samaria. But in less than sixty-five years, Israel will be destroyed. And if Ahaz and his officials don't trust me, they will be defeated.
1Ahaz, the son of Jotham and the grandson of Uzziah, was king of Judah when King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah son of Remaliah of Israel went to attack Jerusalem. But they were not able to do what they had planned. [c] 2When news reached the royal palace that Syria had joined forces with Israel, King Ahaz and everyone in Judah were so terrified that they shook like trees in a windstorm. 3Then the LORD said to me:
Take your son Shearjashub [d] and go see King Ahaz. You will find him on the road near the cloth makers' shops at the end of the canal that brings water from the upper pool. 4Tell Ahaz to stop worrying. There's no need for him to be afraid of King Rezin and King Pekah. They are very angry, but they are nothing more than a dying fire. Ahaz doesn't need to fear 5their evil threats 6to invade and defeat Judah and Jerusalem and to let the son of Tabeel be king in his place. 7I, the LORD, promise that this will never happen. 8-9Damascus is just the capital of Syria, and King Rezin rules only in Damascus. Samaria is just the capital of Israel, and King Pekah rules only in Samaria. But in less than sixty-five years, Israel will be destroyed. And if Ahaz and his officials don't trust me, they will be defeated.
A Son Named Immanuel
10Once again the LORD God spoke to King Ahaz. This time he said, 11"Ask me for proof that my promise will come true. Ask for something to happen deep in the world of the dead or high in the heavens above." 12"No, LORD," Ahaz answered. "I won't test you!" 13Then I said: Listen, every one of you in the royal family of David. You have already tried my patience. Now you are trying God's patience by refusing to ask for proof. 14But the LORD will still give you proof. A virgin [e] is pregnant; she will have a son and will name him Immanuel. [f] 15-16Even before the boy is old enough to know how to choose between right and wrong, he will eat yogurt and honey, [g] and the countries of the two kings you fear will be destroyed. 17But the LORD will make more trouble for your people and your kingdom than any of you have known since Israel broke away from Judah. He will even bring the king of Assyria to attack you.
10Once again the LORD God spoke to King Ahaz. This time he said, 11"Ask me for proof that my promise will come true. Ask for something to happen deep in the world of the dead or high in the heavens above."
12"No, LORD," Ahaz answered. "I won't test you!"
13Then I said:
Listen, every one of you in the royal family of David. You have already tried my patience. Now you are trying God's patience by refusing to ask for proof. 14But the LORD will still give you proof. A virgin [e] is pregnant; she will have a son and will name him Immanuel. [f] 15-16Even before the boy is old enough to know how to choose between right and wrong, he will eat yogurt and honey, [g] and the countries of the two kings you fear will be destroyed. 17But the LORD will make more trouble for your people and your kingdom than any of you have known since Israel broke away from Judah. He will even bring the king of Assyria to attack you.
The Threat of an Invasion
18When that time comes, the LORD will whistle, and armies will come from Egypt like flies and from Assyria like bees. 19They will settle everywhere--in the deep valleys and between the rocks, on every bush and all over the pastureland. 20The Lord will pay the king of Assyria to bring a razor from across the Euphrates River and shave your head and every hair on your body, including your beard. [h] 21No one will have more than one young cow and two sheep, 22but those who do will have enough milk to make yogurt. In fact, everyone left in the land will eat yogurt and honey. [i] 23Vineyards that had a thousand vines and were worth a thousand pieces of silver will turn into thorn patches. 24You will go there to hunt with your bow and arrows, because the whole country will be covered with thornbushes. 25The hills where you once planted crops will be overgrown with thorns and thistles. You will be afraid to go there, and your cattle, sheep, and goats will be turned loose on those hills. Footnotes:- Isaiah 6:1 the year that King Uzziah died: Probably 742 B.C.
- Isaiah 6:13 But just. . . down: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 7:1 went. . . had planned: Or "attacked Jerusalem, but could not capture it."
- Isaiah 7:3 Shearjashub: In Hebrew "Shearjashub" means "a few will return."
- Isaiah 7:14 virgin: Or "young woman." In this context the difficult Hebrew word did not imply a virgin birth. However, in the Greek translation made about 200 (B.C. )and used by the early Christians, the word parthenos had a double meaning. While the translator took it to mean "young woman," Matthew understood it to mean "virgin" and quoted the passage (Matthew 1.23) because it was the appropriate description of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
- Isaiah 7:14 Immanuel: In Hebrew "Immanuel" means "God is with us."
- Isaiah 7:15 yogurt and honey: This may refer either to expensive foods eaten in a time of plenty or to a limited diet eaten in times of a food shortage.
- Isaiah 7:20 shave. . . head. . . body. . . beard: This would have been a terrible insult.
- Isaiah 7:22 yogurt and honey: See the note at 7.15,16.
18When that time comes, the LORD will whistle, and armies will come from Egypt like flies and from Assyria like bees. 19They will settle everywhere--in the deep valleys and between the rocks, on every bush and all over the pastureland.
20The Lord will pay the king of Assyria to bring a razor from across the Euphrates River and shave your head and every hair on your body, including your beard. [h] 21No one will have more than one young cow and two sheep, 22but those who do will have enough milk to make yogurt. In fact, everyone left in the land will eat yogurt and honey. [i] 23Vineyards that had a thousand vines and were worth a thousand pieces of silver will turn into thorn patches. 24You will go there to hunt with your bow and arrows, because the whole country will be covered with thornbushes. 25The hills where you once planted crops will be overgrown with thorns and thistles. You will be afraid to go there, and your cattle, sheep, and goats will be turned loose on those hills.
Footnotes:
- Isaiah 6:1 the year that King Uzziah died: Probably 742 B.C.
- Isaiah 6:13 But just. . . down: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 7:1 went. . . had planned: Or "attacked Jerusalem, but could not capture it."
- Isaiah 7:3 Shearjashub: In Hebrew "Shearjashub" means "a few will return."
- Isaiah 7:14 virgin: Or "young woman." In this context the difficult Hebrew word did not imply a virgin birth. However, in the Greek translation made about 200 (B.C. )and used by the early Christians, the word parthenos had a double meaning. While the translator took it to mean "young woman," Matthew understood it to mean "virgin" and quoted the passage (Matthew 1.23) because it was the appropriate description of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
- Isaiah 7:14 Immanuel: In Hebrew "Immanuel" means "God is with us."
- Isaiah 7:15 yogurt and honey: This may refer either to expensive foods eaten in a time of plenty or to a limited diet eaten in times of a food shortage.
- Isaiah 7:20 shave. . . head. . . body. . . beard: This would have been a terrible insult.
- Isaiah 7:22 yogurt and honey: See the note at 7.15,16.
2 Corinthians 11:16-33 (Contemporary English Version)
Paul's Sufferings for Christ
16I don't want any of you to think that I am a fool. But if you do, then let me be a fool and brag a little. 17When I do all this bragging, I do it as a fool and not for the Lord. 18Yet if others want to brag about what they have done, so will I. 19And since you are so smart, you will gladly put up with a fool. 20In fact, you let people make slaves of you and cheat you and steal from you. Why, you even let them strut around and slap you in the face. 21I am ashamed to say that we are too weak to behave in such a way. If they can brag, so can I, but it is a foolish thing to do. 22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Jews? So am I. Are they from the family of Abraham? Well, so am I. 23Are they servants of Christ? I am a fool to talk this way, but I serve him better than they do. I have worked harder and have been put in jail more times. I have been beaten with whips more and have been in danger of death more often. 24Five times the Jews gave me thirty-nine lashes with a whip. 25Three times the Romans beat me with a big stick, and once my enemies stoned me. I have been shipwrecked three times, and I even had to spend a night and a day in the sea. 26During my many travels, I have been in danger from rivers, robbers, my own people, and foreigners. My life has been in danger in cities, in deserts, at sea, and with people who only pretended to be the Lord's followers. 27I have worked and struggled and spent many sleepless nights. I have gone hungry and thirsty and often had nothing to eat. I have been cold from not having enough clothes to keep me warm. 28Besides everything else, each day I am burdened down, worrying about all the churches. 29When others are weak, I am weak too. When others are tricked into sin, I get angry. [a] 30If I have to brag, I will brag about how weak I am. 31God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, knows I am not lying. And God is to be praised forever! 32The governor of Damascus at the time of King Aretas had the city gates guarded, so that he could capture me. 33But I escaped by being let down in a basket through a window in the city wall. Footnotes:- 2 Corinthians 11:29 When others are tricked into sin, I get angry: Or "When others stumble into sin, I hurt for them."
16I don't want any of you to think that I am a fool. But if you do, then let me be a fool and brag a little. 17When I do all this bragging, I do it as a fool and not for the Lord. 18Yet if others want to brag about what they have done, so will I. 19And since you are so smart, you will gladly put up with a fool. 20In fact, you let people make slaves of you and cheat you and steal from you. Why, you even let them strut around and slap you in the face. 21I am ashamed to say that we are too weak to behave in such a way.
If they can brag, so can I, but it is a foolish thing to do. 22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Jews? So am I. Are they from the family of Abraham? Well, so am I. 23Are they servants of Christ? I am a fool to talk this way, but I serve him better than they do. I have worked harder and have been put in jail more times. I have been beaten with whips more and have been in danger of death more often.
24Five times the Jews gave me thirty-nine lashes with a whip. 25Three times the Romans beat me with a big stick, and once my enemies stoned me. I have been shipwrecked three times, and I even had to spend a night and a day in the sea. 26During my many travels, I have been in danger from rivers, robbers, my own people, and foreigners. My life has been in danger in cities, in deserts, at sea, and with people who only pretended to be the Lord's followers.
27I have worked and struggled and spent many sleepless nights. I have gone hungry and thirsty and often had nothing to eat. I have been cold from not having enough clothes to keep me warm. 28Besides everything else, each day I am burdened down, worrying about all the churches. 29When others are weak, I am weak too. When others are tricked into sin, I get angry. [a] 30If I have to brag, I will brag about how weak I am. 31God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, knows I am not lying. And God is to be praised forever! 32The governor of Damascus at the time of King Aretas had the city gates guarded, so that he could capture me. 33But I escaped by being let down in a basket through a window in the city wall.
Footnotes:
- 2 Corinthians 11:29 When others are tricked into sin, I get angry: Or "When others stumble into sin, I hurt for them."
Psalm 54:1-7 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 54
(For the music leader. Use with stringed instruments. A special psalm that David wrote when the people of Ziph went to Saul and said, "David is hiding here with us.")
Trusting God in Times of Trouble
1Save me, God, by your power and prove that I am right. 2Listen to my prayer and hear what I say. 3Cruel strangers have attacked and want me dead. Not one of them cares about you. 4You will help me, Lord God, and keep me from falling; 5you will punish my enemies for their evil deeds. Be my faithful friend and destroy them. 6I will bring a gift and offer a sacrifice to you, LORD. I will praise your name because you are good. 7You have rescued me from all of my troubles, and my own eyes have seen my enemies fall.
1Save me, God, by your power
and prove that I am right.
2Listen to my prayer
and hear what I say.
3Cruel strangers have attacked
and want me dead.
Not one of them cares
about you.
4You will help me, Lord God,
and keep me from falling;
5you will punish my enemies
for their evil deeds.
Be my faithful friend
and destroy them.
6I will bring a gift
and offer a sacrifice
to you, LORD.
I will praise your name
because you are good.
7You have rescued me
from all of my troubles,
and my own eyes have seen
my enemies fall.
Proverbs 23:1-3 (Contemporary English Version)
Proverbs 23
-6-
1 When you are invited to eat with a king, use your best manners. 2Don't go and stuff yourself! That would be just the same as cutting your throat. 3Don't be greedy for all of that fancy food! It may not be so tasty.
1 When you are invited
to eat with a king,
use your best manners.
2Don't go and stuff yourself!
That would be just the same
as cutting your throat.
3Don't be greedy for all
of that fancy food!
It may not be so tasty.
Thought for the Day
“I will still be the same when you are old and gray, and I will take care of you. I created you. I will carry you and always keep you safe.” (Isaiah 46:4 - Contemporary English Version) God's love is eternal. He loved us before he created the universe, and he'll love us after time has lost its meaning. And when life seems unbearable, this is something we can remember.
Thought for the Day
Quote for the Day
American writer and lecturer, and the developer of courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking, and interpersonal skills, Dale Carnegie wrote, "The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it."
A Joke for Today
Mrs. Hunter was called to serve for jury duty, but asked to be excused because she didn't believe in capital punishment and didn't want her personal thoughts to prevent the trial from running its proper course.
But the public defender liked her thoughtfulness and quiet calm, and tried to convince her that she was appropriate to serve on the jury.
"Madam," he explained, "this is not a murder trial! It's a simple civil lawsuit. A wife is bringing this case against her husband because he gambled away the $12,000 he had promised to use to remodel the kitchen for her birthday."
"Well, okay," agreed Mrs. Hunter, "I'll serve. I guess I could be wrong about capital punishment after all."
Quote for the Day
American writer and lecturer, and the developer of courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking, and interpersonal skills, Dale Carnegie wrote, "The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it."
A Joke for Today
Mrs. Hunter was called to serve for jury duty, but asked to be excused because she didn't believe in capital punishment and didn't want her personal thoughts to prevent the trial from running its proper course.
But the public defender liked her thoughtfulness and quiet calm, and tried to convince her that she was appropriate to serve on the jury.
"Madam," he explained, "this is not a murder trial! It's a simple civil lawsuit. A wife is bringing this case against her husband because he gambled away the $12,000 he had promised to use to remodel the kitchen for her birthday."
"Well, okay," agreed Mrs. Hunter, "I'll serve. I guess I could be wrong about capital punishment after all."