Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Song of Solomon 5:1-8:14; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Psalm 51:1-19; and Proverbs 22:24-25. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Song of Solomon 5-8:14 (Contemporary English Version)
He Speaks:5 My bride, my very own,
I come to my garden
and enjoy its spices.
I eat my honeycomb and honey;
I drink my wine and milk.Their Friends Speak:Eat and drink
until
you are drunk with love.
5 My bride, my very own,
I come to my garden
and enjoy its spices.
I eat my honeycomb and honey;
I drink my wine and milk.
I come to my garden
and enjoy its spices.
I eat my honeycomb and honey;
I drink my wine and milk.
Eat and drink
until
you are drunk with love.
until
you are drunk with love.
Another Dream
She Speaks:2 I was asleep, but dreaming:
The one I love was at the door,
knocking and saying,
“My darling, my very own,
my flawless dove,
open the door for me!
My head is drenched
with evening dew.”3 But I had already undressed
and bathed my feet.
Should I dress again
and get my feet dirty?
4 Then my darling’s hand
reached to open the latch,
and my heart stood still.
5 When I rose to open the door,
my hands and my fingers
dripped with perfume.6 My heart stood still
while he spoke to me,
but when I opened the door,
my darling had disappeared.
I searched and shouted,
but I could not find him—
there was no answer.
7 Then I was found by the guards
patrolling the town
and guarding the wall.
They beat me up
and stripped off my robe.8 Young women of Jerusalem,
if you find the one I love,
please say to him,
“She is weak with desire.”Their Friends Speak:9 Most beautiful of women,
why is the one you love
more special than others?
Why do you ask us
to tell him how you feel?She Speaks:10 He is handsome and healthy,
the most outstanding
among ten thousand.
11 His head is purest gold;
his hair is wavy,
black as a raven.
12 His eyes are a pair of doves
bathing in a stream
flowing with milk.[a]
13 His face is a garden
of sweet-smelling spices;
his lips are lilies
dripping with perfume.14 His arms are branches of gold
covered with jewels;
his body is ivory[b]
decorated with sapphires.
15 His legs are columns of marble
on feet of gold.
He stands there majestic
like Mount Lebanon
and its choice cedar trees.
16 His kisses are sweet.
I desire him so much!
Young women of Jerusalem,
he is my lover and friend.Their Friends Speak:6 Most beautiful of women,
tell us where he has gone.
Let us help you find him.She Speaks:2 My darling has gone down
to his garden of spices,
where he will feed his sheep
and gather lilies.
3 I am his, and he is mine,
as he feeds his sheep
among the lilies.He Speaks:4 My dearest, the cities of Tirzah
and Jerusalem
are not as lovely as you.
Your charms are more powerful
than all of the stars
in the heavens.[c]
5 Turn away your eyes—
they make me melt.
Your hair tosses about
as gracefully as goats
coming down from Gilead.
6 Your teeth are whiter
than sheep freshly washed;
they match perfectly,
not one is missing.
7 Behind your veil are hidden
beautiful rosy cheeks.[d]8 What if I could have
sixty queens, eighty wives,
and thousands of others!
9 You would be my only choice,
my flawless dove,
the favorite child
of your mother.
The young women, the queens,
and all the others
tell how excited you are
as they sing your praises:
10 “You are as majestic
as the morning sky—
glorious as the moon—
blinding as the sun!
Your charms are more powerful
than all the stars above.”[e]She Speaks:11 I went down to see if blossoms
were on the walnut trees,
grapevines, and fruit trees.
12 But in my imagination
I was suddenly riding
on a glorious chariot.[f]Their Friends Speak:13 Dance! Dance!
Beautiful woman from Shulam,
let us see you dance!She Speaks:Why do you want to see
this woman from Shulam
dancing with the others?[g]
2 I was asleep, but dreaming:
The one I love was at the door,
knocking and saying,
“My darling, my very own,
my flawless dove,
open the door for me!
My head is drenched
with evening dew.”
The one I love was at the door,
knocking and saying,
“My darling, my very own,
my flawless dove,
open the door for me!
My head is drenched
with evening dew.”
3 But I had already undressed
and bathed my feet.
Should I dress again
and get my feet dirty?
4 Then my darling’s hand
reached to open the latch,
and my heart stood still.
5 When I rose to open the door,
my hands and my fingers
dripped with perfume.
and bathed my feet.
Should I dress again
and get my feet dirty?
4 Then my darling’s hand
reached to open the latch,
and my heart stood still.
5 When I rose to open the door,
my hands and my fingers
dripped with perfume.
6 My heart stood still
while he spoke to me,
but when I opened the door,
my darling had disappeared.
I searched and shouted,
but I could not find him—
there was no answer.
7 Then I was found by the guards
patrolling the town
and guarding the wall.
They beat me up
and stripped off my robe.
while he spoke to me,
but when I opened the door,
my darling had disappeared.
I searched and shouted,
but I could not find him—
there was no answer.
7 Then I was found by the guards
patrolling the town
and guarding the wall.
They beat me up
and stripped off my robe.
8 Young women of Jerusalem,
if you find the one I love,
please say to him,
“She is weak with desire.”
if you find the one I love,
please say to him,
“She is weak with desire.”
9 Most beautiful of women,
why is the one you love
more special than others?
Why do you ask us
to tell him how you feel?
why is the one you love
more special than others?
Why do you ask us
to tell him how you feel?
10 He is handsome and healthy,
the most outstanding
among ten thousand.
11 His head is purest gold;
his hair is wavy,
black as a raven.
12 His eyes are a pair of doves
bathing in a stream
flowing with milk.[a]
13 His face is a garden
of sweet-smelling spices;
his lips are lilies
dripping with perfume.
the most outstanding
among ten thousand.
11 His head is purest gold;
his hair is wavy,
black as a raven.
12 His eyes are a pair of doves
bathing in a stream
flowing with milk.[a]
13 His face is a garden
of sweet-smelling spices;
his lips are lilies
dripping with perfume.
14 His arms are branches of gold
covered with jewels;
his body is ivory[b]
decorated with sapphires.
15 His legs are columns of marble
on feet of gold.
He stands there majestic
like Mount Lebanon
and its choice cedar trees.
16 His kisses are sweet.
I desire him so much!
Young women of Jerusalem,
he is my lover and friend.
covered with jewels;
his body is ivory[b]
decorated with sapphires.
15 His legs are columns of marble
on feet of gold.
He stands there majestic
like Mount Lebanon
and its choice cedar trees.
16 His kisses are sweet.
I desire him so much!
Young women of Jerusalem,
he is my lover and friend.
6 Most beautiful of women,
tell us where he has gone.
Let us help you find him.
tell us where he has gone.
Let us help you find him.
2 My darling has gone down
to his garden of spices,
where he will feed his sheep
and gather lilies.
3 I am his, and he is mine,
as he feeds his sheep
among the lilies.
to his garden of spices,
where he will feed his sheep
and gather lilies.
3 I am his, and he is mine,
as he feeds his sheep
among the lilies.
4 My dearest, the cities of Tirzah
and Jerusalem
are not as lovely as you.
Your charms are more powerful
than all of the stars
in the heavens.[c]
5 Turn away your eyes—
they make me melt.
Your hair tosses about
as gracefully as goats
coming down from Gilead.
6 Your teeth are whiter
than sheep freshly washed;
they match perfectly,
not one is missing.
7 Behind your veil are hidden
beautiful rosy cheeks.[d]
and Jerusalem
are not as lovely as you.
Your charms are more powerful
than all of the stars
in the heavens.[c]
5 Turn away your eyes—
they make me melt.
Your hair tosses about
as gracefully as goats
coming down from Gilead.
6 Your teeth are whiter
than sheep freshly washed;
they match perfectly,
not one is missing.
7 Behind your veil are hidden
beautiful rosy cheeks.[d]
8 What if I could have
sixty queens, eighty wives,
and thousands of others!
9 You would be my only choice,
my flawless dove,
the favorite child
of your mother.
The young women, the queens,
and all the others
tell how excited you are
as they sing your praises:
10 “You are as majestic
as the morning sky—
glorious as the moon—
blinding as the sun!
Your charms are more powerful
than all the stars above.”[e]
sixty queens, eighty wives,
and thousands of others!
9 You would be my only choice,
my flawless dove,
the favorite child
of your mother.
The young women, the queens,
and all the others
tell how excited you are
as they sing your praises:
10 “You are as majestic
as the morning sky—
glorious as the moon—
blinding as the sun!
Your charms are more powerful
than all the stars above.”[e]
11 I went down to see if blossoms
were on the walnut trees,
grapevines, and fruit trees.
12 But in my imagination
I was suddenly riding
on a glorious chariot.[f]
were on the walnut trees,
grapevines, and fruit trees.
12 But in my imagination
I was suddenly riding
on a glorious chariot.[f]
13 Dance! Dance!
Beautiful woman from Shulam,
let us see you dance!
Beautiful woman from Shulam,
let us see you dance!
Why do you want to see
this woman from Shulam
dancing with the others?[g]
this woman from Shulam
dancing with the others?[g]
The Wedding Dance
He Speaks:7 You are a princess,
and your feet are graceful
in their sandals.
Your thighs are works of art,
each one a jewel;
2 your navel is a wine glass
filled to overflowing.
Your body is full and slender
like a bundle of wheat
bound together by lilies.
3 Your breasts are like twins
of a deer.
4 Your neck is like ivory,
and your eyes sparkle
like the pools of Heshbon
by the gate of Bath-Rabbim.
Your nose is beautiful
like Mount Lebanon
above the city of Damascus.
5 Your head is held high
like Mount Carmel;
your hair is so lovely
it holds a king prisoner.[h]6 You are beautiful,
so very desirable!
7 You are tall and slender
like a palm tree,
and your breasts are full.
8 I will climb that tree
and cling to its branches.
I will discover that your breasts
are clusters of grapes,
and that your breath
is the aroma of apples.
9 Kissing you is more delicious
than drinking the finest wine.
How wonderful and tasty![i]She Speaks:10 My darling, I am yours,
and you desire me.
11 Let’s stroll through the fields
and sleep in the villages.
12 At dawn let’s slip out and see
if grapevines and fruit trees
are covered with blossoms.
When we are there,
I will give you my love.
13 Perfume from the magic flower[j]
fills the air, my darling.
Right at our doorstep
I have stored up for you
all kinds of tasty fruits.
7 You are a princess,
and your feet are graceful
in their sandals.
Your thighs are works of art,
each one a jewel;
2 your navel is a wine glass
filled to overflowing.
Your body is full and slender
like a bundle of wheat
bound together by lilies.
3 Your breasts are like twins
of a deer.
4 Your neck is like ivory,
and your eyes sparkle
like the pools of Heshbon
by the gate of Bath-Rabbim.
Your nose is beautiful
like Mount Lebanon
above the city of Damascus.
5 Your head is held high
like Mount Carmel;
your hair is so lovely
it holds a king prisoner.[h]
and your feet are graceful
in their sandals.
Your thighs are works of art,
each one a jewel;
2 your navel is a wine glass
filled to overflowing.
Your body is full and slender
like a bundle of wheat
bound together by lilies.
3 Your breasts are like twins
of a deer.
4 Your neck is like ivory,
and your eyes sparkle
like the pools of Heshbon
by the gate of Bath-Rabbim.
Your nose is beautiful
like Mount Lebanon
above the city of Damascus.
5 Your head is held high
like Mount Carmel;
your hair is so lovely
it holds a king prisoner.[h]
6 You are beautiful,
so very desirable!
7 You are tall and slender
like a palm tree,
and your breasts are full.
8 I will climb that tree
and cling to its branches.
I will discover that your breasts
are clusters of grapes,
and that your breath
is the aroma of apples.
9 Kissing you is more delicious
than drinking the finest wine.
How wonderful and tasty![i]
so very desirable!
7 You are tall and slender
like a palm tree,
and your breasts are full.
8 I will climb that tree
and cling to its branches.
I will discover that your breasts
are clusters of grapes,
and that your breath
is the aroma of apples.
9 Kissing you is more delicious
than drinking the finest wine.
How wonderful and tasty![i]
10 My darling, I am yours,
and you desire me.
11 Let’s stroll through the fields
and sleep in the villages.
12 At dawn let’s slip out and see
if grapevines and fruit trees
are covered with blossoms.
When we are there,
I will give you my love.
13 Perfume from the magic flower[j]
fills the air, my darling.
Right at our doorstep
I have stored up for you
all kinds of tasty fruits.
and you desire me.
11 Let’s stroll through the fields
and sleep in the villages.
12 At dawn let’s slip out and see
if grapevines and fruit trees
are covered with blossoms.
When we are there,
I will give you my love.
13 Perfume from the magic flower[j]
fills the air, my darling.
Right at our doorstep
I have stored up for you
all kinds of tasty fruits.
If Only You and I. . .
She Speaks:8 If you were my brother,
I could kiss you
whenever we happen to meet,
and no one would say
I did wrong.
2 I could take you to the home
of my mother,
who taught me all I know.[k]
I would give you delicious wine
and fruit juice as well.
3 Put your left hand under my head
and embrace me
with your right arm.4 Young women of Jerusalem,
promise me by the power
of deer and gazelles[l]
never to awaken love
before it is ready.Their Friends Speak:5 Who is this young woman
coming in from the desert
and leaning on the shoulder
of the one she loves?She Speaks:I stirred up your passions
under the apple tree
where you were born.
6 Always keep me in your heart
and wear this bracelet
to remember me by.
The passion of love
bursting into flame
is more powerful than death,
stronger than the grave.
7 Love cannot be drowned
by oceans or floods;
it cannot be bought,
no matter what is offered.Their Friends Speak:8 We have a little sister
whose breasts
are not yet formed.
If someone asks to marry her,
what should we do?
9 She isn’t a wall
that we can defend
behind a silver shield.
Neither is she a room
that we can protect
behind a wooden door.She Speaks:10 I am a wall around a city,
my breasts are towers,
and just looking at me
brings him great pleasure.
11 Solomon has a vineyard
at Baal-Hamon,
which he rents to others
for a thousand pieces
of silver each.
12 My vineyard is mine alone!
Solomon can keep his silver
and the others can keep
their share of the profits.He Speaks:13 You are in the garden
with friends all around.
Let me hear your voice!She Speaks:14 Hurry to me, my darling!
Run faster than a deer
to mountains of spices.
8 If you were my brother,
I could kiss you
whenever we happen to meet,
and no one would say
I did wrong.
2 I could take you to the home
of my mother,
who taught me all I know.[k]
I would give you delicious wine
and fruit juice as well.
3 Put your left hand under my head
and embrace me
with your right arm.
I could kiss you
whenever we happen to meet,
and no one would say
I did wrong.
2 I could take you to the home
of my mother,
who taught me all I know.[k]
I would give you delicious wine
and fruit juice as well.
3 Put your left hand under my head
and embrace me
with your right arm.
4 Young women of Jerusalem,
promise me by the power
of deer and gazelles[l]
never to awaken love
before it is ready.
promise me by the power
of deer and gazelles[l]
never to awaken love
before it is ready.
5 Who is this young woman
coming in from the desert
and leaning on the shoulder
of the one she loves?
coming in from the desert
and leaning on the shoulder
of the one she loves?
I stirred up your passions
under the apple tree
where you were born.
6 Always keep me in your heart
and wear this bracelet
to remember me by.
The passion of love
bursting into flame
is more powerful than death,
stronger than the grave.
7 Love cannot be drowned
by oceans or floods;
it cannot be bought,
no matter what is offered.
under the apple tree
where you were born.
6 Always keep me in your heart
and wear this bracelet
to remember me by.
The passion of love
bursting into flame
is more powerful than death,
stronger than the grave.
7 Love cannot be drowned
by oceans or floods;
it cannot be bought,
no matter what is offered.
8 We have a little sister
whose breasts
are not yet formed.
If someone asks to marry her,
what should we do?
9 She isn’t a wall
that we can defend
behind a silver shield.
Neither is she a room
that we can protect
behind a wooden door.
whose breasts
are not yet formed.
If someone asks to marry her,
what should we do?
9 She isn’t a wall
that we can defend
behind a silver shield.
Neither is she a room
that we can protect
behind a wooden door.
10 I am a wall around a city,
my breasts are towers,
and just looking at me
brings him great pleasure.
11 Solomon has a vineyard
at Baal-Hamon,
which he rents to others
for a thousand pieces
of silver each.
12 My vineyard is mine alone!
Solomon can keep his silver
and the others can keep
their share of the profits.
my breasts are towers,
and just looking at me
brings him great pleasure.
11 Solomon has a vineyard
at Baal-Hamon,
which he rents to others
for a thousand pieces
of silver each.
12 My vineyard is mine alone!
Solomon can keep his silver
and the others can keep
their share of the profits.
13 You are in the garden
with friends all around.
Let me hear your voice!
with friends all around.
Let me hear your voice!
14 Hurry to me, my darling!
Run faster than a deer
to mountains of spices.
Run faster than a deer
to mountains of spices.
Footnotes:
- 5.12 milk: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 12.
- 5.14 his. . . ivory: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 6.4 all. . . heavens: Or “a mighty army ready for war.”
- 6.7 cheeks: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 7.
- 6.10 all. . . above: Or “a mighty army ready for war.”
- 6.12 chariot: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 12.
- 6.13 dancing. . . others: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 7.5 it. . . prisoner: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 7.9 How. . . tasty: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 7.13 magic flower: The Hebrew text has “mandrake,” a plant that was thought to give sexual powers.
- 8.2 who...know: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 8.4 deer and gazelles: See the note at 2.7.
- 5.12 milk: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 12.
- 5.14 his. . . ivory: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 6.4 all. . . heavens: Or “a mighty army ready for war.”
- 6.7 cheeks: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 7.
- 6.10 all. . . above: Or “a mighty army ready for war.”
- 6.12 chariot: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 12.
- 6.13 dancing. . . others: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 7.5 it. . . prisoner: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 7.9 How. . . tasty: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 7.13 magic flower: The Hebrew text has “mandrake,” a plant that was thought to give sexual powers.
- 8.2 who...know: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 8.4 deer and gazelles: See the note at 2.7.
2 Corinthians 9:1-15 (Contemporary English Version)
The Money for God’s People
9 I don’t need to write you about the money you plan to give for God’s people. 2 I know how eager you are to give. And I have proudly told the Lord’s followers in Macedonia that you people in Achaia have been ready for a whole year. Now your desire to give has made them want to give. 3 That’s why I am sending Titus and the two others to you. I want you to be ready, just as I promised. This will prove that we were not wrong to brag about you.4 Some followers from Macedonia may come with me, and I want them to find that you have the money ready. If you don’t, I would be embarrassed for trusting you to do this. But you would be embarrassed even more. 5 So I have decided to ask Titus and the others to spend some time with you before I arrive. This way they can arrange to collect the money you have promised. Then you will have the chance to give because you want to, and not because you feel forced to.6 Remember this saying,“A few seeds make
a small harvest,
but a lot of seeds make
a big harvest.”7 Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don’t feel sorry that you must give and don’t feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give. 8 God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others. 9 The Scriptures say,“God freely gives his gifts
to the poor,
and always does right.”10 God gives seed to farmers and provides everyone with food. He will increase what you have, so that you can give even more to those in need. 11 You will be blessed in every way, and you will be able to keep on being generous. Then many people will thank God when we deliver your gift.12 What you are doing is much more than a service that supplies God’s people with what they need. It is something that will make many others thank God. 13 The way in which you have proved yourselves by this service will bring honor and praise to God. You believed the message about Christ, and you obeyed it by sharing generously with God’s people and with everyone else. 14 Now they are praying for you and want to see you, because God used you to bless them so very much. 15 Thank God for his gift that is too wonderful for words!
“A few seeds make
a small harvest,
but a lot of seeds make
a big harvest.”
a small harvest,
but a lot of seeds make
a big harvest.”
“God freely gives his gifts
to the poor,
and always does right.”
to the poor,
and always does right.”
Psalm 51:1-19 (Contemporary English Version)
(For the music leader. A psalm by David when the prophet Nathan came to him after David had been with Bathsheba.)
A Prayer for Forgiveness
51 You are kind, God!
Please have pity on me.
You are always merciful!
Please wipe away my sins.
2 Wash me clean from all
of my sin and guilt.
3 I know about my sins,
and I cannot forget
my terrible guilt.
4 You are really the one
I have sinned against;
I have disobeyed you
and have done wrong.
So it is right and fair for you
to correct and punish me.5 I have sinned and done wrong
since the day I was born.
6 But you want complete honesty,
so teach me true wisdom.
7 Wash me with hyssop[a]
until I am clean
and whiter than snow.
8 Let me be happy and joyful!
You crushed my bones,
now let them celebrate.
9 Turn your eyes from my sin
and cover my guilt.
10 Create pure thoughts in me
and make me faithful again.
11 Don’t chase me away from you
or take your Holy Spirit
away from me.12 Make me as happy as you did
when you saved me;
make me want to obey!
13 I will teach sinners your Law,
and they will return to you.
14 Keep me from any deadly sin.
Only you can save me!
Then I will shout and sing
about your power to save.15 Help me to speak,
and I will praise you, Lord.
16 Offerings and sacrifices
are not what you want.
17 The way to please you
is to feel sorrow
deep in our hearts.
This is the kind of sacrifice
you won’t refuse.18 Please be willing, Lord,
to help the city of Zion
and to rebuild its walls.
19 Then you will be pleased
with the proper sacrifices,
and we will offer bulls
on your altar once again.
51 You are kind, God!
Please have pity on me.
You are always merciful!
Please wipe away my sins.
2 Wash me clean from all
of my sin and guilt.
3 I know about my sins,
and I cannot forget
my terrible guilt.
4 You are really the one
I have sinned against;
I have disobeyed you
and have done wrong.
So it is right and fair for you
to correct and punish me.
Please have pity on me.
You are always merciful!
Please wipe away my sins.
2 Wash me clean from all
of my sin and guilt.
3 I know about my sins,
and I cannot forget
my terrible guilt.
4 You are really the one
I have sinned against;
I have disobeyed you
and have done wrong.
So it is right and fair for you
to correct and punish me.
5 I have sinned and done wrong
since the day I was born.
6 But you want complete honesty,
so teach me true wisdom.
7 Wash me with hyssop[a]
until I am clean
and whiter than snow.
8 Let me be happy and joyful!
You crushed my bones,
now let them celebrate.
9 Turn your eyes from my sin
and cover my guilt.
10 Create pure thoughts in me
and make me faithful again.
11 Don’t chase me away from you
or take your Holy Spirit
away from me.
since the day I was born.
6 But you want complete honesty,
so teach me true wisdom.
7 Wash me with hyssop[a]
until I am clean
and whiter than snow.
8 Let me be happy and joyful!
You crushed my bones,
now let them celebrate.
9 Turn your eyes from my sin
and cover my guilt.
10 Create pure thoughts in me
and make me faithful again.
11 Don’t chase me away from you
or take your Holy Spirit
away from me.
12 Make me as happy as you did
when you saved me;
make me want to obey!
13 I will teach sinners your Law,
and they will return to you.
14 Keep me from any deadly sin.
Only you can save me!
Then I will shout and sing
about your power to save.
when you saved me;
make me want to obey!
13 I will teach sinners your Law,
and they will return to you.
14 Keep me from any deadly sin.
Only you can save me!
Then I will shout and sing
about your power to save.
15 Help me to speak,
and I will praise you, Lord.
16 Offerings and sacrifices
are not what you want.
17 The way to please you
is to feel sorrow
deep in our hearts.
This is the kind of sacrifice
you won’t refuse.
and I will praise you, Lord.
16 Offerings and sacrifices
are not what you want.
17 The way to please you
is to feel sorrow
deep in our hearts.
This is the kind of sacrifice
you won’t refuse.
18 Please be willing, Lord,
to help the city of Zion
and to rebuild its walls.
19 Then you will be pleased
with the proper sacrifices,
and we will offer bulls
on your altar once again.
to help the city of Zion
and to rebuild its walls.
19 Then you will be pleased
with the proper sacrifices,
and we will offer bulls
on your altar once again.
Footnotes:
- 51.7 hyssop: A small bush with bunches of small, white flowers. It was sometimes used as a symbol for making a person clean from sin.
- 51.7 hyssop: A small bush with bunches of small, white flowers. It was sometimes used as a symbol for making a person clean from sin.
Proverbs 22:24-25 (Contemporary English Version)
-2-
24 Don’t make friends with anyone
who has a bad temper.
25 You might turn out like them
and get caught in a trap.
24 Don’t make friends with anyone
who has a bad temper.
25 You might turn out like them
and get caught in a trap.
who has a bad temper.
25 You might turn out like them
and get caught in a trap.
Thought for the Day
We announce the message about Christ, and we use all our wisdom to warn and teach everyone, so that all of Christ’s followers will grow and become mature. (Colossians 1:28 - Contemporary English Version) Those who are mature and knowledgeable in their faith have a responsibility to help the less mature. Although we all have plenty of growing to do before our journey is finished, the trip is much better if we're open to those who can help us on our way, 
Thought for the Day
Quote for the Day
American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, abolitionist, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."
A Joke for Today
"I'm sorry," said the clerk in flower shop, "we don't have potted geraniums. Could you use African violets instead?"
Replied the customer sadly, "No, it was geraniums my wife told me to water while she was gone."
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 we have the courage to confront the violence within our society.
Quote for the Day
American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, abolitionist, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."
A Joke for Today
"I'm sorry," said the clerk in flower shop, "we don't have potted geraniums. Could you use African violets instead?"
Replied the customer sadly, "No, it was geraniums my wife told me to water while she was gone."
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 we have the courage to confront the violence within our society.
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