Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Isaiah 30:12–33:12; Galatians 5:1-12; Psalm 63:1-11; and Proverbs 23:22. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Isaiah 30:12-33:12 (Contemporary English Version)
12Now this is the answer
of the holy God of Israel:
"You rejected my message,
and you trust in violence
and lies.
13This sin is like a crack
that makes a high wall
quickly crumble 14and shatter
like a crushed bowl.
There's not a piece left
big enough to carry hot coals
or to dip out water."
of the holy God of Israel:
"You rejected my message,
and you trust in violence
and lies.
13This sin is like a crack
that makes a high wall
quickly crumble 14and shatter
like a crushed bowl.
There's not a piece left
big enough to carry hot coals
or to dip out water."
Trust the LORD
15The holy LORD God of Israel had told all of you,
"I will keep you safe
if you turn back to me
and calm down.
I will make you strong
if you quietly trust me."
Then you stubbornly 16said,
"No! We will safely escape
on speedy horses."
But those who chase you
will be even faster.
17As few as five of them,
or even one,
will be enough
to chase a thousand of you.
Finally, all that will be left
will be a few survivors
as lonely as a flag pole
on a barren hill.
"I will keep you safe
if you turn back to me
and calm down.
I will make you strong
if you quietly trust me."
Then you stubbornly 16said,
"No! We will safely escape
on speedy horses."
But those who chase you
will be even faster.
17As few as five of them,
or even one,
will be enough
to chase a thousand of you.
Finally, all that will be left
will be a few survivors
as lonely as a flag pole
on a barren hill.
The LORD Will Show Mercy
18The LORD God is waiting to show how kind he is
and to have pity on you.
The LORD always does right;
he blesses those who trust him.
19People of Jerusalem, you don't need to cry anymore. The Lord is kind, and as soon as he hears your cries for help, he will come. 20The Lord has given you trouble and sorrow as your food and drink. But now you will again see the Lord, your teacher, and he will guide you. 21Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, "This is the road! Now follow it." 22Then you will treat your idols of silver and gold like garbage; you will throw them away like filthy rags.
23The Lord will send rain to water the seeds you have planted--your fields will produce more crops than you need, and your cattle will graze in open pastures. 24Even the oxen and donkeys that plow your fields will be fed the finest grain. [a] 25On that day people will be slaughtered and towers destroyed, but streams of water will flow from high hills and towering mountains. 26Then the LORD will bandage his people's injuries and heal the wounds he has caused. The moon will shine as bright as the sun, and the sun will shine seven times brighter than usual. It will be like the light of seven days all at once.
and to have pity on you.
The LORD always does right;
he blesses those who trust him.
19People of Jerusalem, you don't need to cry anymore. The Lord is kind, and as soon as he hears your cries for help, he will come. 20The Lord has given you trouble and sorrow as your food and drink. But now you will again see the Lord, your teacher, and he will guide you. 21Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, "This is the road! Now follow it." 22Then you will treat your idols of silver and gold like garbage; you will throw them away like filthy rags.
23The Lord will send rain to water the seeds you have planted--your fields will produce more crops than you need, and your cattle will graze in open pastures. 24Even the oxen and donkeys that plow your fields will be fed the finest grain. [a] 25On that day people will be slaughtered and towers destroyed, but streams of water will flow from high hills and towering mountains. 26Then the LORD will bandage his people's injuries and heal the wounds he has caused. The moon will shine as bright as the sun, and the sun will shine seven times brighter than usual. It will be like the light of seven days all at once.
Assyria Will Be Punished
27The LORD is coming from far away
with his fiery anger
and thick clouds of smoke. [b] His angry words flame up
like a destructive fire;
28he breathes out a flood
that comes up to the neck.
He sifts the nations
and destroys them.
Then he puts a bridle
in every foreigner's mouth
and leads them to doom.
29The LORD's people will sing as they do when they celebrate a religious festival [c] at night. The LORD is Israel's mighty rock, [d] and his people will be as happy as they are when they follow the sound of flutes to the mountain where he is worshiped. 30The LORD will get furious. His fearsome voice will be heard, his arm will be seen ready to strike, and his anger will be like a destructive fire, followed by thunderstorms and hailstones. 31When the Assyrians hear the LORD's voice and see him striking with his iron rod, they will be terrified. 32He will attack them in battle, and each time he strikes them, it will be to the music of tambourines and harps.
33Long ago the LORD got a place ready for burning the body of the dead king. [e] The place for the fire is deep and wide, the wood is piled high, and the LORD will start the fire by breathing out flaming sulfur.
with his fiery anger
and thick clouds of smoke. [b] His angry words flame up
like a destructive fire;
28he breathes out a flood
that comes up to the neck.
He sifts the nations
and destroys them.
Then he puts a bridle
in every foreigner's mouth
and leads them to doom.
29The LORD's people will sing as they do when they celebrate a religious festival [c] at night. The LORD is Israel's mighty rock, [d] and his people will be as happy as they are when they follow the sound of flutes to the mountain where he is worshiped. 30The LORD will get furious. His fearsome voice will be heard, his arm will be seen ready to strike, and his anger will be like a destructive fire, followed by thunderstorms and hailstones. 31When the Assyrians hear the LORD's voice and see him striking with his iron rod, they will be terrified. 32He will attack them in battle, and each time he strikes them, it will be to the music of tambourines and harps.
33Long ago the LORD got a place ready for burning the body of the dead king. [e] The place for the fire is deep and wide, the wood is piled high, and the LORD will start the fire by breathing out flaming sulfur.
Isaiah 31
Don't Trust the Power of Egypt
1You are in for trouble if you go to Egypt for help,
or if you depend on
an army of chariots
or a powerful cavalry.
Instead you should depend on
and trust
the holy LORD God
of Israel.
2The LORD isn't stupid!
He does what he promises,
and he can bring doom.
If you are cruel yourself,
or help those who are evil,
you will be destroyed.
3The Egyptians are mere humans.
They aren't God.
Their horses are made of flesh;
they can't live forever.
When the LORD shows his power,
he will destroy the Egyptians
and all who depend on them.
Together they will fall.
4The LORD All-Powerful
said to me,
"I will roar and attack
like a fearless lion
not frightened by the shouts
of shepherds
trying to protect
their sheep.
That's how I will come down
and fight on Mount Zion.
5I, the LORD All-Powerful,
will protect Jerusalem
like a mother bird circling
over her nest."
or if you depend on
an army of chariots
or a powerful cavalry.
Instead you should depend on
and trust
the holy LORD God
of Israel.
2The LORD isn't stupid!
He does what he promises,
and he can bring doom.
If you are cruel yourself,
or help those who are evil,
you will be destroyed.
3The Egyptians are mere humans.
They aren't God.
Their horses are made of flesh;
they can't live forever.
When the LORD shows his power,
he will destroy the Egyptians
and all who depend on them.
Together they will fall.
4The LORD All-Powerful
said to me,
"I will roar and attack
like a fearless lion
not frightened by the shouts
of shepherds
trying to protect
their sheep.
That's how I will come down
and fight on Mount Zion.
5I, the LORD All-Powerful,
will protect Jerusalem
like a mother bird circling
over her nest."
Come Back to the LORD
6People of Israel, come back! You have completely turned
from the LORD.
7The time is coming
when you will throw away
your idols of silver and gold,
made by your sinful hands.
8The Assyrians will be killed,
but not by the swords
of humans.
Their young men will try
to escape,
but they will be captured
and forced into slavery.
9Their fortress [f] will fall when terror strikes;
their army officers
will be frightened
and run from the battle.
This is what the LORD has said,
the LORD whose fiery furnace
is built on Mount Zion.
from the LORD.
7The time is coming
when you will throw away
your idols of silver and gold,
made by your sinful hands.
8The Assyrians will be killed,
but not by the swords
of humans.
Their young men will try
to escape,
but they will be captured
and forced into slavery.
9Their fortress [f] will fall when terror strikes;
their army officers
will be frightened
and run from the battle.
This is what the LORD has said,
the LORD whose fiery furnace
is built on Mount Zion.
Isaiah 32
Justice Will Rule
1A king and his leaders will rule with justice.
2They will be a place of safety
from stormy winds,
a stream in the desert,
and a rock that gives shade
from the heat of the sun.
3Then everyone who has eyes
will open them and see,
and those who have ears
will pay attention.
4All who are impatient
will take time to think;
everyone who stutters
will talk clearly.
5Fools will no longer
be highly respected,
and crooks won't be given
positions of honor.
6Fools talk foolishness.
They always make plans
to do sinful things,
to lie about the LORD,
to let the hungry starve,
and to keep water
from those
who are thirsty.
7Cruel people tell lies--
they do evil things,
and make cruel plans
to destroy the poor and needy,
even when they beg
for justice.
8But helpful people
can always be trusted
to make helpful plans.
2They will be a place of safety
from stormy winds,
a stream in the desert,
and a rock that gives shade
from the heat of the sun.
3Then everyone who has eyes
will open them and see,
and those who have ears
will pay attention.
4All who are impatient
will take time to think;
everyone who stutters
will talk clearly.
5Fools will no longer
be highly respected,
and crooks won't be given
positions of honor.
6Fools talk foolishness.
They always make plans
to do sinful things,
to lie about the LORD,
to let the hungry starve,
and to keep water
from those
who are thirsty.
7Cruel people tell lies--
they do evil things,
and make cruel plans
to destroy the poor and needy,
even when they beg
for justice.
8But helpful people
can always be trusted
to make helpful plans.
Punishment for the Women of Jerusalem
9Listen to what I say, you women
who are carefree
and careless!
10You may not have worries now,
but in about a year,
the grape harvest will fail,
and you will tremble.
11Shake and shudder,
you women without a care!
Strip off your clothes--
put on sackcloth.
12Slap your breasts in sorrow
because of what happened
to the fruitful fields
and vineyards,
13and to the happy homes
in Jerusalem.
The land of my people
is covered with thorns.
14The palace will be deserted,
the crowded city empty.
Fortresses and towers
will forever become
playgrounds for wild donkeys
and pastures for sheep.
who are carefree
and careless!
10You may not have worries now,
but in about a year,
the grape harvest will fail,
and you will tremble.
11Shake and shudder,
you women without a care!
Strip off your clothes--
put on sackcloth.
12Slap your breasts in sorrow
because of what happened
to the fruitful fields
and vineyards,
13and to the happy homes
in Jerusalem.
The land of my people
is covered with thorns.
14The palace will be deserted,
the crowded city empty.
Fortresses and towers
will forever become
playgrounds for wild donkeys
and pastures for sheep.
God's Spirit Makes the Difference
15When the Spirit is given to us from heaven,
deserts will become orchards
thick as fertile forests.
16Honesty and justice
will prosper there,
17and justice will produce
lasting peace and security.
18You, the LORD's people,
will live in peace,
calm and secure,
19even if hailstones
flatten
forests and cities.
20You will have God's blessing,
as you plant your crops
beside streams,
while your donkeys and cattle
roam freely about.
deserts will become orchards
thick as fertile forests.
16Honesty and justice
will prosper there,
17and justice will produce
lasting peace and security.
18You, the LORD's people,
will live in peace,
calm and secure,
19even if hailstones
flatten
forests and cities.
20You will have God's blessing,
as you plant your crops
beside streams,
while your donkeys and cattle
roam freely about.
Isaiah 33
Jerusalem Will Be Safe
1You defeated my people. Now you're in for trouble!
You've never been destroyed,
but you will be destroyed;
you've never been betrayed,
but you will be betrayed.
When you have finished
destroying and betraying,
you will be destroyed
and betrayed in return.
2Please, LORD, be kind to us!
We depend on you.
Make us strong each morning,
and come to save us
when we are in trouble.
3Nations scatter when you roar
and show your greatness. [g] 4We attack our enemies
like swarms of locusts; [h] we take everything
that belongs to them. [i] 5You, LORD, are above all others,
and you live in the heavens.
You have brought justice
and fairness to Jerusalem;
6you are the foundation
on which we stand today.
You always save us and give
true wisdom and knowledge.
Nothing means more to us [j] than obeying you.
You've never been destroyed,
but you will be destroyed;
you've never been betrayed,
but you will be betrayed.
When you have finished
destroying and betraying,
you will be destroyed
and betrayed in return.
2Please, LORD, be kind to us!
We depend on you.
Make us strong each morning,
and come to save us
when we are in trouble.
3Nations scatter when you roar
and show your greatness. [g] 4We attack our enemies
like swarms of locusts; [h] we take everything
that belongs to them. [i] 5You, LORD, are above all others,
and you live in the heavens.
You have brought justice
and fairness to Jerusalem;
6you are the foundation
on which we stand today.
You always save us and give
true wisdom and knowledge.
Nothing means more to us [j] than obeying you.
The LORD Will Do Something
7Listen! Our bravest soldiers are running through the streets,
screaming for help. [k] Our messengers hoped for peace,
but came home crying.
8No one travels anymore;
every road is empty.
Treaties are broken,
and no respect is shown
to any who keep promises. [l] 9Fields are dry and barren;
Mount Lebanon wilts
with shame.
Sharon Valley is a desert;
the forests of Bashan and Carmel
have lost their leaves.
10But the LORD says,
"Now I will do something
and be greatly praised.
11Your deeds are straw
that will be set on fire
by your very own breath.
12You will be burned to ashes
like thorns in a fire.
Footnotes:- Isaiah 30:24 the finest grain: The Hebrew text refers to grain with the husks removed.
- Isaiah 30:27 with. . . smoke: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 30:29 a religious festival: Probably Passover.
- Isaiah 30:29 mighty rock: See the note at 17.10.
- Isaiah 30:33 burning. . . king: Or "sacrificing the king" or "sacrificing to Molech." Human sacrifices were sometimes offered to Molech, a god whose name sounds like the Hebrew word for "king" (see 2 Kings 23.10; Jeremiah 32.35).
- Isaiah 31:9 fortress: The Hebrew text has "rock," which may refer to the Assyrian god or king, or to their army.
- Isaiah 33:3 greatness: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 3.
- Isaiah 33:4 locusts: Insects like grasshoppers that travel in swarms and cause great damage to crops.
- Isaiah 33:4 them: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 4.
- Isaiah 33:6 Nothing. . . us: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 33:7 Listen. . . help: Or "The LORD heard our shouts and will come to help us."
- Isaiah 33:8 to any. . . promises: The Dead Sea Scrolls; the Standard Hebrew Text "to those in the cities."
screaming for help. [k] Our messengers hoped for peace,
but came home crying.
8No one travels anymore;
every road is empty.
Treaties are broken,
and no respect is shown
to any who keep promises. [l] 9Fields are dry and barren;
Mount Lebanon wilts
with shame.
Sharon Valley is a desert;
the forests of Bashan and Carmel
have lost their leaves.
10But the LORD says,
"Now I will do something
and be greatly praised.
11Your deeds are straw
that will be set on fire
by your very own breath.
12You will be burned to ashes
like thorns in a fire.
Footnotes:
- Isaiah 30:24 the finest grain: The Hebrew text refers to grain with the husks removed.
- Isaiah 30:27 with. . . smoke: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 30:29 a religious festival: Probably Passover.
- Isaiah 30:29 mighty rock: See the note at 17.10.
- Isaiah 30:33 burning. . . king: Or "sacrificing the king" or "sacrificing to Molech." Human sacrifices were sometimes offered to Molech, a god whose name sounds like the Hebrew word for "king" (see 2 Kings 23.10; Jeremiah 32.35).
- Isaiah 31:9 fortress: The Hebrew text has "rock," which may refer to the Assyrian god or king, or to their army.
- Isaiah 33:3 greatness: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 3.
- Isaiah 33:4 locusts: Insects like grasshoppers that travel in swarms and cause great damage to crops.
- Isaiah 33:4 them: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 4.
- Isaiah 33:6 Nothing. . . us: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 33:7 Listen. . . help: Or "The LORD heard our shouts and will come to help us."
- Isaiah 33:8 to any. . . promises: The Dead Sea Scrolls; the Standard Hebrew Text "to those in the cities."
Galatians 5:1-12 (Contemporary English Version)
Galatians 5
Christ Gives Freedom
1Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again. 2I, Paul, promise you that Christ won't do you any good if you get circumcised. 3If you do, you must obey the whole Law. 4And if you try to please God by obeying the Law, you have cut yourself off from Christ and his wonderful kindness. 5But the Spirit makes us sure that God will accept us because of our faith in Christ. 6If you are a follower of Christ Jesus, it makes no difference whether you are circumcised or not. All that matters is your faith that makes you love others.
7You were doing so well until someone made you turn from the truth. 8And that person was certainly not sent by the one who chose you. 9A little yeast can change a whole batch of dough, 10but you belong to the Lord. That makes me certain that you will do what I say, instead of what someone else tells you to do. Whoever is causing trouble for you will be punished.
11My friends, if I still preach that people need to be circumcised, why am I in so much trouble? The message about the cross would no longer be a problem, if I told people to be circumcised. 12I wish that everyone who is upsetting you would not only get circumcised, but would cut off much more!
7You were doing so well until someone made you turn from the truth. 8And that person was certainly not sent by the one who chose you. 9A little yeast can change a whole batch of dough, 10but you belong to the Lord. That makes me certain that you will do what I say, instead of what someone else tells you to do. Whoever is causing trouble for you will be punished.
11My friends, if I still preach that people need to be circumcised, why am I in so much trouble? The message about the cross would no longer be a problem, if I told people to be circumcised. 12I wish that everyone who is upsetting you would not only get circumcised, but would cut off much more!
Psalm 63:1-11 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 63
(A psalm by David when he was in the desert of Judah.)
God's Love Means More than Life
1You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you,
as I would long for a stream
in a scorching desert.
2I have seen your power
and your glory
in the place of worship.
3Your love means more
than life to me,
and I praise you.
4As long as I live,
I will pray to you.
5I will sing joyful praises
and be filled with excitement
like a guest at a banquet.
6I think about you
before I go to sleep,
and my thoughts turn to you
during the night.
7You have helped me,
and I sing happy songs
in the shadow of your wings.
8I stay close to you,
and your powerful arm
supports me.
9All who want to kill me
will end up in the ground.
10Swords will run them through,
and wild dogs will eat them.
11Because of you, our God,
the king will celebrate
with your faithful followers,
but liars will be silent.
as I would long for a stream
in a scorching desert.
2I have seen your power
and your glory
in the place of worship.
3Your love means more
than life to me,
and I praise you.
4As long as I live,
I will pray to you.
5I will sing joyful praises
and be filled with excitement
like a guest at a banquet.
6I think about you
before I go to sleep,
and my thoughts turn to you
during the night.
7You have helped me,
and I sing happy songs
in the shadow of your wings.
8I stay close to you,
and your powerful arm
supports me.
9All who want to kill me
will end up in the ground.
10Swords will run them through,
and wild dogs will eat them.
11Because of you, our God,
the king will celebrate
with your faithful followers,
but liars will be silent.
Proverbs 23:22 (Contemporary English Version)
-16-
22 Pay attention to your father, and don't neglect your mother
when she grows old.
when she grows old.
Thought for the Day
“Stop all your dirty talk. Say the right thing at the right time and help others by what you say.” (Ephesians 4:29 - Contemporary English Version) What we say matters. And so, instead of calling folks juvenile names and making crude comments, let's use our words to glorify God and to help others.
Thought for the Day
Quote for the Day
Czech long-distance runner best known for winning three gold medals at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Emil Zátopek wrote, "It's at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys."
A Joke for Today
Three patients in a mental institution prepare for an examination given by the head psychiatrist. If the patients pass the exam, they will be free to leave the hospital. However, if they fail, the institution will detain them for five years.
Quote for the Day
Czech long-distance runner best known for winning three gold medals at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Emil Zátopek wrote, "It's at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys."
A Joke for Today
Three patients in a mental institution prepare for an examination given by the head psychiatrist. If the patients pass the exam, they will be free to leave the hospital. However, if they fail, the institution will detain them for five years.