Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Isaiah 51:1–53:12; Ephesians 5:1-33; Psalm 69:19-36; and Proverbs 24:7. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Isaiah 51-53:12 (Contemporary English Version)
Isaiah 51
The LORD Will Bring Comfort
1If you want to do right and obey the LORD,
follow Abraham's example.
He was the rock from which
you were chipped.
2God chose Abraham and Sarah
to be your ancestors.
The LORD blessed Abraham,
and from that one man
came many descendants.
3Though Zion is in ruins,
the LORD will bring comfort,
and the city will be as lovely
as the garden of Eden
that he provided.
Then Zion will celebrate;
it will be thankful
and sing joyful songs.
follow Abraham's example.
He was the rock from which
you were chipped.
2God chose Abraham and Sarah
to be your ancestors.
The LORD blessed Abraham,
and from that one man
came many descendants.
3Though Zion is in ruins,
the LORD will bring comfort,
and the city will be as lovely
as the garden of Eden
that he provided.
Then Zion will celebrate;
it will be thankful
and sing joyful songs.
The LORD's Victory Will Last
4The LORD says: You are my people and nation!
So pay attention to me.
My teaching will cause justice
to shine like a light
for every nation.
5Those who live across the sea
are eagerly waiting
for me to rescue them.
I am strong and ready;
soon I will come to save
and to rule all nations.
6Look closely at the sky!
Stare at the earth.
The sky will vanish like smoke;
the earth will wear out
like clothes.
Everyone on this earth
will die like flies.
But my victory will last;
my saving power never ends.
7If you want to do right
and to obey my teaching
with all your heart,
then pay close attention.
Don't be discouraged
when others insult you
and say hurtful things.
8They will be eaten away
like a moth-eaten coat.
But my victory will last;
my saving power
will never end.
So pay attention to me.
My teaching will cause justice
to shine like a light
for every nation.
5Those who live across the sea
are eagerly waiting
for me to rescue them.
I am strong and ready;
soon I will come to save
and to rule all nations.
6Look closely at the sky!
Stare at the earth.
The sky will vanish like smoke;
the earth will wear out
like clothes.
Everyone on this earth
will die like flies.
But my victory will last;
my saving power never ends.
7If you want to do right
and to obey my teaching
with all your heart,
then pay close attention.
Don't be discouraged
when others insult you
and say hurtful things.
8They will be eaten away
like a moth-eaten coat.
But my victory will last;
my saving power
will never end.
A Prayer for the LORD's Help
9Wake up! Do something, LORD. Be strong and ready.
Wake up! Do what you did
for our people long ago.
Didn't you chop up
Rahab [a] the monster? 10Didn't you dry up the deep sea
and make a road
for your people
to follow safely across?
11Now those you have rescued
will return to Jerusalem,
singing on their way.
They will be crowned
with great happiness,
never again to be burdened
with sadness and sorrow.
Wake up! Do what you did
for our people long ago.
Didn't you chop up
Rahab [a] the monster? 10Didn't you dry up the deep sea
and make a road
for your people
to follow safely across?
11Now those you have rescued
will return to Jerusalem,
singing on their way.
They will be crowned
with great happiness,
never again to be burdened
with sadness and sorrow.
The LORD Gives Hope
12I am the LORD, the one who encourages you.
Why are you afraid
of mere humans?
They dry up and die like grass.
13I spread out the heavens
and laid foundations
for the earth.
But you have forgotten me,
your LORD and Creator.
All day long you were afraid
of those who were angry
and hoped to abuse you.
Where are they now?
14Everyone crying out in pain
will be quickly set free;
they will be rescued
from the power of death
and never go hungry.
15I will help them
because I am your God,
the LORD All-Powerful,
who makes the ocean roar.
16I have told you what to say,
and I will keep you safe
in the palm of my hand.
I spread out the heavens
and laid foundations
for the earth.
Now I say, "Jerusalem,
your people are mine."
Why are you afraid
of mere humans?
They dry up and die like grass.
13I spread out the heavens
and laid foundations
for the earth.
But you have forgotten me,
your LORD and Creator.
All day long you were afraid
of those who were angry
and hoped to abuse you.
Where are they now?
14Everyone crying out in pain
will be quickly set free;
they will be rescued
from the power of death
and never go hungry.
15I will help them
because I am your God,
the LORD All-Powerful,
who makes the ocean roar.
16I have told you what to say,
and I will keep you safe
in the palm of my hand.
I spread out the heavens
and laid foundations
for the earth.
Now I say, "Jerusalem,
your people are mine."
A Warning to Jerusalem
17Jerusalem, wake up! Stand up! You've drunk too much
from the cup filled
with the LORD's anger.
You have swallowed every drop,
and you can't walk straight.
18Not one of your many children
is there to guide you
or to offer a helping hand.
19You have been destroyed
by war and by famine;
I cannot comfort you. [b] 20The LORD your God is angry,
and on every street corner
your children lie helpless,
like deer trapped in nets.
21You are in trouble and drunk,
but not from wine.
So pay close attention
22to the LORD your God,
who defends you and says,
"I have taken from your hands
the cup filled with my anger
that made you drunk.
You will never be forced
to drink it again.
23Instead I will give it
to your brutal enemies,
who treated you like dirt
and walked all over you."
from the cup filled
with the LORD's anger.
You have swallowed every drop,
and you can't walk straight.
18Not one of your many children
is there to guide you
or to offer a helping hand.
19You have been destroyed
by war and by famine;
I cannot comfort you. [b] 20The LORD your God is angry,
and on every street corner
your children lie helpless,
like deer trapped in nets.
21You are in trouble and drunk,
but not from wine.
So pay close attention
22to the LORD your God,
who defends you and says,
"I have taken from your hands
the cup filled with my anger
that made you drunk.
You will never be forced
to drink it again.
23Instead I will give it
to your brutal enemies,
who treated you like dirt
and walked all over you."
Isaiah 52
Jerusalem Can Celebrate
1Jerusalem, wake up! Stand up and be strong.
Holy city of Zion,
dress in your best clothes.
Those foreigners who ruined
your sacred city
won't bother you again.
2Zion, rise from the dirt!
Free yourself from the rope
around your neck.
Holy city of Zion,
dress in your best clothes.
Those foreigners who ruined
your sacred city
won't bother you again.
2Zion, rise from the dirt!
Free yourself from the rope
around your neck.
Suffering Will End
3The LORD says: My people, you were sold,
but not for money;
now you will be set free,
but not for a payment.
4Long ago you went to Egypt
where you lived
as foreigners.
Then Assyria was cruel to you,
5and now another nation [c] has taken you prisoner
for no reason at all.
Your leaders groan with pain, [d] and day after day
my own name is cursed.
6My people, you will learn
who I am and who is speaking
because I am here.
but not for money;
now you will be set free,
but not for a payment.
4Long ago you went to Egypt
where you lived
as foreigners.
Then Assyria was cruel to you,
5and now another nation [c] has taken you prisoner
for no reason at all.
Your leaders groan with pain, [d] and day after day
my own name is cursed.
6My people, you will learn
who I am and who is speaking
because I am here.
A Message of Hope for Jerusalem
7What a beautiful sight! On the mountains a messenger
announces to Jerusalem,
"Good news! You're saved.
There will be peace.
Your God is now King."
8Everyone on guard duty,
sing and celebrate!
Look! You can see the LORD
returning to Zion.
9Jerusalem, rise from the ruins!
Join in the singing.
The LORD has given comfort
to his people;
he comes to your rescue.
10The LORD has shown all nations
his mighty strength;
now everyone will see
the saving power of our God.
announces to Jerusalem,
"Good news! You're saved.
There will be peace.
Your God is now King."
8Everyone on guard duty,
sing and celebrate!
Look! You can see the LORD
returning to Zion.
9Jerusalem, rise from the ruins!
Join in the singing.
The LORD has given comfort
to his people;
he comes to your rescue.
10The LORD has shown all nations
his mighty strength;
now everyone will see
the saving power of our God.
A Command To Leave Babylon
11Leave the city of Babylon! Don't touch anything filthy.
Wash yourselves. Be ready
to carry back everything sacred
that belongs to the LORD.
12You won't need to run.
No one is chasing you.
The LORD God of Israel
will lead and protect you
from enemy attacks.
Wash yourselves. Be ready
to carry back everything sacred
that belongs to the LORD.
12You won't need to run.
No one is chasing you.
The LORD God of Israel
will lead and protect you
from enemy attacks.
The Suffering Servant
13The LORD says: My servant will succeed!
He will be given great praise
and the highest honors.
14Many were horrified
at what happened to him. [e] But everyone who saw him
was even more horrified
because he suffered until
he no longer looked human. [f] 15My servant will make
nations worthy to worship me; [g] kings will be silent
as they bow in wonder. [h] They will see and think about
things
they have never seen
or thought about before.
He will be given great praise
and the highest honors.
14Many were horrified
at what happened to him. [e] But everyone who saw him
was even more horrified
because he suffered until
he no longer looked human. [f] 15My servant will make
nations worthy to worship me; [g] kings will be silent
as they bow in wonder. [h] They will see and think about
things
they have never seen
or thought about before.
Isaiah 53
What God's Servant Did for Us
1Has anyone believed us or seen the mighty power
of the LORD in action?
2Like a young plant or a root
that sprouts in dry ground,
the servant grew up
obeying the LORD.
He wasn't some handsome king.
Nothing about the way he looked
made him attractive to us.
3He was hated and rejected;
his life was filled with sorrow
and terrible suffering.
No one wanted to look at him.
We despised him and said,
"He is a nobody!"
4He suffered and endured
great pain for us,
but we thought his suffering
was punishment from God.
5He was wounded and crushed
because of our sins;
by taking our punishment,
he made us completely well.
6All of us were like sheep
that had wandered off.
We had each gone our own way,
but the LORD gave him
the punishment we deserved.
7He was painfully abused,
but he did not complain.
He was silent like a lamb
being led to the butcher,
as quiet as a sheep
having its wool cut off.
8He was condemned to death
without a fair trial.
Who could have imagined
what would happen to him?
His life was taken away
because of the sinful things
my people [i] had done. 9He wasn't dishonest or violent,
but he was buried in a tomb
of cruel and rich people. [j] 10The LORD decided his servant
would suffer as a sacrifice
to take away the sin
and guilt of others.
Now the servant will live
to see his own descendants. [k] He did everything
the LORD had planned.
11By suffering, the servant
will learn the true meaning
of obeying the LORD.
Although he is innocent,
he will take the punishment
for the sins of others,
so that many of them
will no longer be guilty.
12The LORD will reward him
with honor and power
for sacrificing his life.
Others thought he was a sinner,
but he suffered for our sins
and asked God to forgive us.
Footnotes:- Isaiah 51:9 Rahab: This may refer to Egypt at the time of the exodus.
- Isaiah 51:19 I. . . you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 52:5 another nation: Babylonia.
- Isaiah 52:5 groan with pain: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 52:14 him: One ancient translation; Hebrew "you."
- Isaiah 52:14 human: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 14.
- Isaiah 52:15 My. . . me: Hebrew; one ancient translation "The nations will be amazed at him."
- Isaiah 52:15 kings. . . wonder: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 53:8 my people: Or "his people."
- Isaiah 53:9 but he. . . people: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 53:10 The LORD. . . descendants: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
of the LORD in action?
2Like a young plant or a root
that sprouts in dry ground,
the servant grew up
obeying the LORD.
He wasn't some handsome king.
Nothing about the way he looked
made him attractive to us.
3He was hated and rejected;
his life was filled with sorrow
and terrible suffering.
No one wanted to look at him.
We despised him and said,
"He is a nobody!"
4He suffered and endured
great pain for us,
but we thought his suffering
was punishment from God.
5He was wounded and crushed
because of our sins;
by taking our punishment,
he made us completely well.
6All of us were like sheep
that had wandered off.
We had each gone our own way,
but the LORD gave him
the punishment we deserved.
7He was painfully abused,
but he did not complain.
He was silent like a lamb
being led to the butcher,
as quiet as a sheep
having its wool cut off.
8He was condemned to death
without a fair trial.
Who could have imagined
what would happen to him?
His life was taken away
because of the sinful things
my people [i] had done. 9He wasn't dishonest or violent,
but he was buried in a tomb
of cruel and rich people. [j] 10The LORD decided his servant
would suffer as a sacrifice
to take away the sin
and guilt of others.
Now the servant will live
to see his own descendants. [k] He did everything
the LORD had planned.
11By suffering, the servant
will learn the true meaning
of obeying the LORD.
Although he is innocent,
he will take the punishment
for the sins of others,
so that many of them
will no longer be guilty.
12The LORD will reward him
with honor and power
for sacrificing his life.
Others thought he was a sinner,
but he suffered for our sins
and asked God to forgive us.
Footnotes:
- Isaiah 51:9 Rahab: This may refer to Egypt at the time of the exodus.
- Isaiah 51:19 I. . . you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 52:5 another nation: Babylonia.
- Isaiah 52:5 groan with pain: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 52:14 him: One ancient translation; Hebrew "you."
- Isaiah 52:14 human: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 14.
- Isaiah 52:15 My. . . me: Hebrew; one ancient translation "The nations will be amazed at him."
- Isaiah 52:15 kings. . . wonder: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 53:8 my people: Or "his people."
- Isaiah 53:9 but he. . . people: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Isaiah 53:10 The LORD. . . descendants: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Ephesians 5:1-33 (Contemporary English Version)
Ephesians 5
1Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. 2Let love be your guide. Christ loved us [a] and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God. 3You are God's people, so don't let it be said that any of you are immoral or indecent or greedy. 4Don't use dirty or foolish or filthy words. Instead, say how thankful you are. 5Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols. You can be sure that people who behave in this way will never be part of the kingdom that belongs to Christ and to God.
Living as People of Light
6Don't let anyone trick you with foolish talk. God punishes everyone who disobeys him and says [b] foolish things. 7So don't have anything to do with anyone like that. 8You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light 9and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful, 10as you try to please the Lord. 11Don't take part in doing those worthless things that are done in the dark. Instead, show how wrong they are. 12It is disgusting even to talk about what is done in the dark. 13But the light will show what these things are really like. 14Light shows up everything, [c] just as the Scriptures say, "Wake up from your sleep and rise from death.
Then Christ will shine on you."
15Act like people with good sense and not like fools. 16These are evil times, so make every minute count. 17Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do. 18Don't destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life. 19When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart. 20Always use the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to thank God the Father for everything.
Then Christ will shine on you."
15Act like people with good sense and not like fools. 16These are evil times, so make every minute count. 17Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do. 18Don't destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life. 19When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart. 20Always use the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to thank God the Father for everything.
Wives and Husbands
21Honor Christ and put others first. 22A wife should put her husband first, as she does the Lord. 23A husband is the head of his wife, as Christ is the head and the Savior of the church, which is his own body. 24Wives should always put their husbands first, as the church puts Christ first. 25A husband should love his wife as much as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. 26He made the church holy by the power of his word, and he made it pure by washing it with water. 27Christ did this, so that he would have a glorious and holy church, without faults or spots or wrinkles or any other flaws.
28In the same way, a husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself. A husband who loves his wife shows that he loves himself. 29None of us hate our own bodies. We provide for them and take good care of them, just as Christ does for the church, 30because we are each part of his body. 31As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother to get married, and he becomes like one person with his wife." 32This is a great mystery, but I understand it to mean Christ and his church. 33So each husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself, and each wife should respect her husband.
Footnotes:- Ephesians 5:2 us: Some manuscripts have you.
- Ephesians 5:6 says: Or does.
- Ephesians 5:14 Light shows up everything: Or Everything that is seen in the light becomes light itself.
28In the same way, a husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself. A husband who loves his wife shows that he loves himself. 29None of us hate our own bodies. We provide for them and take good care of them, just as Christ does for the church, 30because we are each part of his body. 31As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother to get married, and he becomes like one person with his wife." 32This is a great mystery, but I understand it to mean Christ and his church. 33So each husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself, and each wife should respect her husband.
Footnotes:
- Ephesians 5:2 us: Some manuscripts have you.
- Ephesians 5:6 says: Or does.
- Ephesians 5:14 Light shows up everything: Or Everything that is seen in the light becomes light itself.
Psalm 69:19-36 (Contemporary English Version)
19You know how I am insulted,
mocked, and disgraced;
you know every one
of my enemies.
20I am crushed by insults,
and I feel sick.
I had hoped for mercy and pity,
but there was none.
21Enemies poisoned my food,
and when I was thirsty,
they gave me vinegar.
22Make their table a trap
for them and their friends.
23Blind them with darkness
and make them tremble.
24Show them how angry you are!
Be furious and catch them.
25Destroy their camp
and don't let anyone live
in their tents.
26They cause trouble for people
you have already punished;
their gossip hurts those
you have wounded.
27Make them guiltier than ever
and don't forgive them.
28Wipe their names from the book
of the living;
remove them from the list
of the innocent.
29I am mistreated and in pain.
Protect me, God,
and keep me safe!
30I will praise the LORD God
with a song
and a thankful heart.
31This will please the LORD
better than offering an ox
or a full-grown bull.
32When those in need see this,
they will be happy,
and the LORD's worshipers
will be encouraged.
33The LORD will listen
when the homeless cry out,
and he will never forget
his people in prison.
34Heaven and earth
will praise our God,
and so will the oceans
and everything in them.
35God will rescue Jerusalem,
and he will rebuild
the towns of Judah.
His people will live there
on their own land,
36and when the time comes,
their children will inherit
the land.
Then everyone who loves God
will also settle there.
mocked, and disgraced;
you know every one
of my enemies.
20I am crushed by insults,
and I feel sick.
I had hoped for mercy and pity,
but there was none.
21Enemies poisoned my food,
and when I was thirsty,
they gave me vinegar.
22Make their table a trap
for them and their friends.
23Blind them with darkness
and make them tremble.
24Show them how angry you are!
Be furious and catch them.
25Destroy their camp
and don't let anyone live
in their tents.
26They cause trouble for people
you have already punished;
their gossip hurts those
you have wounded.
27Make them guiltier than ever
and don't forgive them.
28Wipe their names from the book
of the living;
remove them from the list
of the innocent.
29I am mistreated and in pain.
Protect me, God,
and keep me safe!
30I will praise the LORD God
with a song
and a thankful heart.
31This will please the LORD
better than offering an ox
or a full-grown bull.
32When those in need see this,
they will be happy,
and the LORD's worshipers
will be encouraged.
33The LORD will listen
when the homeless cry out,
and he will never forget
his people in prison.
34Heaven and earth
will praise our God,
and so will the oceans
and everything in them.
35God will rescue Jerusalem,
and he will rebuild
the towns of Judah.
His people will live there
on their own land,
36and when the time comes,
their children will inherit
the land.
Then everyone who loves God
will also settle there.
Proverbs 24:7 (Contemporary English Version)
-22-
7 Wisdom is too much for fools! Their advice is no good.
Thought for the Day
“But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” (Matthew 6:33 - Contemporary English Version) Jesus challenges us to set what God has called us to do as our top priority. In other words, before doing anything else, we should actively and intentionally love both God and others.
Thought for the Day
Quote for the Day
American third baseman in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Baltimore Orioles from 1955 to 1977, Brooks Robinson wrote, "If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job."
A Joke for Today
Quote for the Day
American third baseman in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Baltimore Orioles from 1955 to 1977, Brooks Robinson wrote, "If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job."
A Joke for Today