Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Isaiah 39:1–41:16; Ephesians 1:1-23; Psalm 66:1-20; and Proverbs 23:26-28. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Isaiah 39-41:16 (Contemporary English Version)
Isaiah 39
Isaiah Speaks the LORD's Message to Hezekiah
(2 Kings 20.12-19)
1Merodach Baladan, the son of Baladan, was now king of Babylonia. And when he learned that Hezekiah was well, he sent messengers with letters and a gift for him. 2Hezekiah welcomed the messengers and showed them all the silver, the gold, the spices, and the fine oils that were in his storehouse. He even showed them where he kept his weapons. Nothing in his palace or in his entire kingdom was kept hidden from them. 3I asked Hezekiah, "Where did these men come from? What did they want?"
"They came all the way from Babylonia," Hezekiah answered.
4"What did you show them?" I asked.
Hezekiah answered, "I showed them everything in my kingdom."
5Then I told Hezekiah:
I have a message for you from the LORD All-Powerful. 6One day everything you and your ancestors have stored up will be taken to Babylonia. The LORD has promised that nothing will be left. 7Some of your own sons will be taken to Babylonia, where they will be disgraced and made to serve in the king's palace.
8Hezekiah thought, "At least our nation will be at peace for a while." So he told me, "The message you brought from the LORD is good."
"They came all the way from Babylonia," Hezekiah answered.
4"What did you show them?" I asked.
Hezekiah answered, "I showed them everything in my kingdom."
5Then I told Hezekiah:
I have a message for you from the LORD All-Powerful. 6One day everything you and your ancestors have stored up will be taken to Babylonia. The LORD has promised that nothing will be left. 7Some of your own sons will be taken to Babylonia, where they will be disgraced and made to serve in the king's palace.
8Hezekiah thought, "At least our nation will be at peace for a while." So he told me, "The message you brought from the LORD is good."
Isaiah 40
Encourage God's People
1Our God has said: "Encourage my people!
Give them comfort.
2Speak kindly to Jerusalem
and announce:
Your slavery is past;
your punishment is over.
I, the LORD, made you pay
double for your sins."
3Someone is shouting:
"Clear a path in the desert!
Make a straight road
for the LORD our God.
4Fill in the valleys;
flatten every hill
and mountain.
Level the rough
and rugged ground.
5Then the glory of the LORD
will appear for all to see.
The LORD has promised this!"
6Someone told me to shout,
and I asked,
"What should I shout?"
We humans are merely grass,
and we last no longer
than wild flowers.
7At the LORD's command,
flowers and grass disappear,
and so do we.
8Flowers and grass fade away,
but what our God has said
will never change.
Give them comfort.
2Speak kindly to Jerusalem
and announce:
Your slavery is past;
your punishment is over.
I, the LORD, made you pay
double for your sins."
3Someone is shouting:
"Clear a path in the desert!
Make a straight road
for the LORD our God.
4Fill in the valleys;
flatten every hill
and mountain.
Level the rough
and rugged ground.
5Then the glory of the LORD
will appear for all to see.
The LORD has promised this!"
6Someone told me to shout,
and I asked,
"What should I shout?"
We humans are merely grass,
and we last no longer
than wild flowers.
7At the LORD's command,
flowers and grass disappear,
and so do we.
8Flowers and grass fade away,
but what our God has said
will never change.
Your God Is Here!
9There is good news for the city of Zion.
Shout it as loud as you can [a] from the highest mountain.
Don't be afraid to shout
to the towns of Judah,
"Your God is here!"
10Look! The powerful LORD God
is coming
to rule
with his mighty arm.
He brings with him
what he has taken in war,
and he rewards his people.
11The LORD cares for his nation,
just as shepherds care
for their flocks.
He carries the lambs
in his arms,
while gently leading
the mother sheep.
Shout it as loud as you can [a] from the highest mountain.
Don't be afraid to shout
to the towns of Judah,
"Your God is here!"
10Look! The powerful LORD God
is coming
to rule
with his mighty arm.
He brings with him
what he has taken in war,
and he rewards his people.
11The LORD cares for his nation,
just as shepherds care
for their flocks.
He carries the lambs
in his arms,
while gently leading
the mother sheep.
Who Compares with God?
12Did any of you measure the ocean by yourself
or stretch out the sky
with your own hands?
Did you put the soil
of the earth in a bucket
or weigh the hills and mountains
on balance scales?
13Has anyone told the LORD [b] what he must do
or given him advice?
14Did the LORD ask anyone
to teach him wisdom
and justice?
Who gave him knowledge
and understanding?
15To the LORD, all nations
are merely a drop in a bucket
or dust on balance scales;
all of the islands
are but a handful of sand.
16The cattle
on Lebanon's mountains
would not be enough
to offer
as a sacrifice to God,
and the trees would not
be enough for the fire.
17God thinks of the nations
as far less than nothing.
18Who compares with God?
Is anything like him?
19Is an idol at all like God?
It is made of bronze
with a thin layer of gold,
and decorated with silver.
20Or special wood may be chosen [c] because it doesn't rot--
then skilled hands
take care to make an idol
that won't fall on its face.
or stretch out the sky
with your own hands?
Did you put the soil
of the earth in a bucket
or weigh the hills and mountains
on balance scales?
13Has anyone told the LORD [b] what he must do
or given him advice?
14Did the LORD ask anyone
to teach him wisdom
and justice?
Who gave him knowledge
and understanding?
15To the LORD, all nations
are merely a drop in a bucket
or dust on balance scales;
all of the islands
are but a handful of sand.
16The cattle
on Lebanon's mountains
would not be enough
to offer
as a sacrifice to God,
and the trees would not
be enough for the fire.
17God thinks of the nations
as far less than nothing.
18Who compares with God?
Is anything like him?
19Is an idol at all like God?
It is made of bronze
with a thin layer of gold,
and decorated with silver.
20Or special wood may be chosen [c] because it doesn't rot--
then skilled hands
take care to make an idol
that won't fall on its face.
God Rules the Whole Earth
21Don't you know? Haven't you heard?
Isn't it clear that God
created the world? [d] 22God is the one who rules
the whole earth,
and we that live here
are merely insects.
He spread out the heavens
like a curtain or an open tent.
23God brings down rulers
and turns them into nothing.
24They are like flowers
freshly sprung up
and starting to grow.
But when God blows on them,
they wilt
and are carried off
like straw in a storm.
25The holy God asks,
"Who compares with me?
Is anyone my equal?"
26Look at the evening sky!
Who created the stars?
Who gave them each a name?
Who leads them like an army?
The LORD is so powerful
that none of the stars
are ever missing.
Isn't it clear that God
created the world? [d] 22God is the one who rules
the whole earth,
and we that live here
are merely insects.
He spread out the heavens
like a curtain or an open tent.
23God brings down rulers
and turns them into nothing.
24They are like flowers
freshly sprung up
and starting to grow.
But when God blows on them,
they wilt
and are carried off
like straw in a storm.
25The holy God asks,
"Who compares with me?
Is anyone my equal?"
26Look at the evening sky!
Who created the stars?
Who gave them each a name?
Who leads them like an army?
The LORD is so powerful
that none of the stars
are ever missing.
The LORD Gives Strength
27You people of Israel, say, "God pays no attention to us!
He doesn't care if we
are treated unjustly."
But how can you say that?
28Don't you know?
Haven't you heard?
The LORD is the eternal God,
Creator of the earth.
He never gets weary or tired;
his wisdom cannot be measured.
29The LORD gives strength
to those who are weary.
30Even young people get tired,
then stumble and fall.
31But those who trust the LORD
will find new strength.
They will be strong like eagles
soaring upward on wings;
they will walk and run
without getting tired.
He doesn't care if we
are treated unjustly."
But how can you say that?
28Don't you know?
Haven't you heard?
The LORD is the eternal God,
Creator of the earth.
He never gets weary or tired;
his wisdom cannot be measured.
29The LORD gives strength
to those who are weary.
30Even young people get tired,
then stumble and fall.
31But those who trust the LORD
will find new strength.
They will be strong like eagles
soaring upward on wings;
they will walk and run
without getting tired.
Isaiah 41
The LORD Controls Human Events
1Be silent and listen, every island in the sea.
Have courage and come near,
every one of you nations.
Let's settle this matter!
2Who appointed this ruler
from the east? [e] Who puts nations and kings
in his power? [f] His sword and his arrows
turn them to dust
blown by the wind.
3He goes after them so quickly
that his feet
barely touch the ground--
he doesn't even get hurt.
4Who makes these things happen?
Who controls human events?
I do! I am the LORD.
I was there at the beginning;
I will be there at the end.
5Islands and foreign nations
saw what I did
and trembled
as they came near.
Have courage and come near,
every one of you nations.
Let's settle this matter!
2Who appointed this ruler
from the east? [e] Who puts nations and kings
in his power? [f] His sword and his arrows
turn them to dust
blown by the wind.
3He goes after them so quickly
that his feet
barely touch the ground--
he doesn't even get hurt.
4Who makes these things happen?
Who controls human events?
I do! I am the LORD.
I was there at the beginning;
I will be there at the end.
5Islands and foreign nations
saw what I did
and trembled
as they came near.
What Can Idols Do?
6Worshipers of idols comfort each other,
saying, "Don't worry!"
7Woodcarvers, goldsmiths,
and other workers [g] encourage one another and say,
"We've done a great job!"
Then they nail the idol down,
so it won't fall over.
saying, "Don't worry!"
7Woodcarvers, goldsmiths,
and other workers [g] encourage one another and say,
"We've done a great job!"
Then they nail the idol down,
so it won't fall over.
The LORD's Chosen Servant
8Israel, you are my servant. I chose you,
the family
of my friend Abraham.
9From far across the earth
I brought you here and said,
"You are my chosen servant.
I haven't forgotten you."
10Don't be afraid. I am with you.
Don't tremble with fear.
I am your God.
I will make you strong,
as I protect you with my arm
and give you victories.
11Everyone who hates you
will be terribly disgraced;
those who attack
will vanish into thin air.
12You will look around
for those brutal enemies,
but you won't find them
because they will be gone.
13I am the LORD your God.
I am holding your hand,
so don't be afraid.
I am here to help you.
14People of Israel, don't worry,
though others may say,
"Israel is only a worm!"
I am the holy God of Israel,
who saves and protects you.
15I will let you be like a log
covered with sharp spikes. [h] You will grind and crush
every mountain and hill [i] until they turn to dust.
16A strong wind will scatter them
in all directions.
Then you will celebrate
and praise me, your LORD,
the holy God of Israel.
Footnotes:- Isaiah 40:9 There. . . can: Or "City of Jerusalem, you have good news. Shout it as loud as you can."
- Isaiah 40:13 the LORD: Or "the LORD's Spirit."
- Isaiah 40:20 Or. . . chosen: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. Two kinds of idols seem to be described: bronze idols covered with gold (verse 19) and wooden idols (verse 20).
- Isaiah 40:21 Isn't. . . world: Or "Hasn't it been clear since the time of creation?"
- Isaiah 41:2 ruler from the east: Probably Cyrus (see 44.28; 45.1; 48.14).
- Isaiah 41:2 Who puts. . . power: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 41:7 and other workers: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 41:15 I will let. . . sharp spikes: In ancient times a heavy object was sometimes dragged over wheat or barley to separate the grain from the husk. This was called threshing.
- Isaiah 41:15 mountain and hill: These stand for the power and pride of Israel's enemies.
the family
of my friend Abraham.
9From far across the earth
I brought you here and said,
"You are my chosen servant.
I haven't forgotten you."
10Don't be afraid. I am with you.
Don't tremble with fear.
I am your God.
I will make you strong,
as I protect you with my arm
and give you victories.
11Everyone who hates you
will be terribly disgraced;
those who attack
will vanish into thin air.
12You will look around
for those brutal enemies,
but you won't find them
because they will be gone.
13I am the LORD your God.
I am holding your hand,
so don't be afraid.
I am here to help you.
14People of Israel, don't worry,
though others may say,
"Israel is only a worm!"
I am the holy God of Israel,
who saves and protects you.
15I will let you be like a log
covered with sharp spikes. [h] You will grind and crush
every mountain and hill [i] until they turn to dust.
16A strong wind will scatter them
in all directions.
Then you will celebrate
and praise me, your LORD,
the holy God of Israel.
Footnotes:
- Isaiah 40:9 There. . . can: Or "City of Jerusalem, you have good news. Shout it as loud as you can."
- Isaiah 40:13 the LORD: Or "the LORD's Spirit."
- Isaiah 40:20 Or. . . chosen: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. Two kinds of idols seem to be described: bronze idols covered with gold (verse 19) and wooden idols (verse 20).
- Isaiah 40:21 Isn't. . . world: Or "Hasn't it been clear since the time of creation?"
- Isaiah 41:2 ruler from the east: Probably Cyrus (see 44.28; 45.1; 48.14).
- Isaiah 41:2 Who puts. . . power: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 41:7 and other workers: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 41:15 I will let. . . sharp spikes: In ancient times a heavy object was sometimes dragged over wheat or barley to separate the grain from the husk. This was called threshing.
- Isaiah 41:15 mountain and hill: These stand for the power and pride of Israel's enemies.
Ephesians 1:1-23 (Contemporary English Version)
Ephesians 1
Christ Brings Spiritual Blessings
3Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! 4Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. 5God was kind [b] and decided that Christ would choose us to be God's own adopted children. 6God was very kind to us because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God. 7-8Christ sacrificed his life's blood to set us free, which means that our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because God was so kind to us. God has great wisdom and understanding, 9and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways. 10Then when the time is right, God will do all that he has planned, and Christ will bring together everything in heaven and on earth. 11God always does what he plans, and that's why he appointed Christ to choose us. 12He did this so that we Jews would bring honor to him and be the first ones to have hope because of him. 13Christ also brought you the truth, which is the good news about how you can be saved. You put your faith in Christ and were given the promised Holy Spirit to show that you belong to God. 14The Spirit also makes us sure that we will be given what God has stored up for his people. Then we will be set free, and God will be honored and praised.Paul's Prayer
15I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people. 16So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers. 17I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. 18My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God's people. 19I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used 20when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side [c] in heaven. 21There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. 22God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. 23The church is Christ's body and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything. [d]Footnotes:
- Ephesians 1:1 live in Ephesus and: Some manuscripts do not have these words.
- Ephesians 1:5 holy and innocent and loving people. !sr5God was kind: Or holy and innocent people. God was loving !sr5and kind.
- Ephesians 1:20 right side: The place of power and honor.
- Ephesians 1:23 and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything: Or which completely fills Christ and fully completes his work.
Psalm 66:1-20 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 66
(A song and a psalm for the music leader.)
Shout Praises to God
1Tell everyone on this earth to shout praises to God!
2Sing about his glorious name.
Honor him with praises.
3Say to God, "Everything you do
is fearsome,
and your mighty power makes
your enemies come crawling.
4You are worshiped by everyone!
We all sing praises to you."
5Come and see the fearsome things
our God has done!
6When God made the sea dry up,
our people walked across,
and because of him,
we celebrated there.
7His mighty power rules forever,
and nothing the nations do
can be hidden from him.
So don't turn against God.
8All of you people,
come praise our God!
Let his praises be heard.
9God protects us from death
and keeps us steady.
10Our God, you tested us,
just as silver is tested.
11You trapped us in a net
and gave us heavy burdens.
12You sent war chariots
to crush our skulls.
We traveled through fire
and through floods,
but you brought us
to a land of plenty.
13I will bring sacrifices
into your house, my God,
and I will do what I promised
14when I was in trouble.
15I will sacrifice my best sheep
and offer bulls and goats
on your altar.
16All who worship God,
come here and listen;
I will tell you everything
God has done for me.
17I prayed to the Lord,
and I praised him.
18If my thoughts had been sinful,
he would have refused
to hear me.
19But God did listen
and answered my prayer.
20Let's praise God!
He listened when I prayed,
and he is always kind.
2Sing about his glorious name.
Honor him with praises.
3Say to God, "Everything you do
is fearsome,
and your mighty power makes
your enemies come crawling.
4You are worshiped by everyone!
We all sing praises to you."
5Come and see the fearsome things
our God has done!
6When God made the sea dry up,
our people walked across,
and because of him,
we celebrated there.
7His mighty power rules forever,
and nothing the nations do
can be hidden from him.
So don't turn against God.
8All of you people,
come praise our God!
Let his praises be heard.
9God protects us from death
and keeps us steady.
10Our God, you tested us,
just as silver is tested.
11You trapped us in a net
and gave us heavy burdens.
12You sent war chariots
to crush our skulls.
We traveled through fire
and through floods,
but you brought us
to a land of plenty.
13I will bring sacrifices
into your house, my God,
and I will do what I promised
14when I was in trouble.
15I will sacrifice my best sheep
and offer bulls and goats
on your altar.
16All who worship God,
come here and listen;
I will tell you everything
God has done for me.
17I prayed to the Lord,
and I praised him.
18If my thoughts had been sinful,
he would have refused
to hear me.
19But God did listen
and answered my prayer.
20Let's praise God!
He listened when I prayed,
and he is always kind.
Proverbs 23:26-28 (Contemporary English Version)
-17-
26 My son, pay close attention, and gladly follow
my example.
27Bad women and unfaithful wives
are like a deep pit--
28they are waiting to attack you
like a gang of robbers
with victim after victim.
my example.
27Bad women and unfaithful wives
are like a deep pit--
28they are waiting to attack you
like a gang of robbers
with victim after victim.
Thought for the Day
“Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you.” (Romans 15:7 - Contemporary English Version) Sadly, many Christians believe they're honoring God by being intolerant of others. They even judge and condemn other believers when they don't share certain absolute assumptions and inflexible prejudices. It's as though these judgmental Christians have completely forgotten that Christ accepted them, warts included.
Thought for the Day
Quote for the Day
A Joke for Today
Quote for the Day
A Joke for Today