Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Lamentations 1:1–2:19; Philemon 1-25; Psalm 101:1-8; and Proverbs 26:20. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Lamentations 1-2:19 (Contemporary English Version)
Lamentations 1
Lonely Jerusalem
The Prophet Speaks:
1Jerusalem, once so crowded, lies deserted and lonely. This city that was known all over the world is now like a widow. This queen of the nations has been made a slave. 2Each night, bitter tears flood her cheeks. None of her former lovers are there to offer comfort; her friends a] have betrayed her and are now her enemies. 3The people of Judah are slaves, suffering in a foreign land, with no rest from sorrow. Their enemies captured them and were terribly cruel. b] 4The roads to Zion mourn because no one travels there to celebrate the festivals. The city gates are deserted; priests are weeping. Young women are raped; c] Zion is in sorrow! 5Enemies now rule the city and live as they please. The LORD has punished Jerusalem because of her awful sins; he has let her people be dragged away. 6Zion's glory has disappeared. Her leaders are like deer that cannot find pasture; they are hunted down till their strength is gone. 7Her people recall the good life that once was theirs; now they suffer and are scattered. No one was there to protect them from their enemies who sneered when their city was taken. 8Jerusalem's horrible sins have made the city a joke. Those who once admired her now hate her instead-- she has been disgraced; she groans and turns away. 9Her sins had made her filthy, but she wasn't worried about what could happen. And when Jerusalem fell, it was so tragic. No one gave her comfort when she cried out, "Help! I'm in trouble, LORD! The enemy has won." 10Zion's treasures were stolen. Jerusalem saw foreigners enter her place of worship, though the LORD had forbidden them to belong to his people. d] 11Everyone in the city groans while searching for food; they trade their valuables for barely enough scraps to stay alive. Jerusalem shouts to the LORD, "Please look and see how miserable I am!"
1Jerusalem, once so crowded, lies deserted and lonely.
This city that was known
all over the world
is now like a widow.
This queen of the nations
has been made a slave.
2Each night, bitter tears
flood her cheeks.
None of her former lovers
are there to offer comfort;
her friends a] have betrayed her and are now her enemies.
3The people of Judah are slaves,
suffering in a foreign land,
with no rest from sorrow.
Their enemies captured them
and were terribly cruel. b] 4The roads to Zion mourn
because no one travels there
to celebrate the festivals.
The city gates are deserted;
priests are weeping.
Young women are raped; c] Zion is in sorrow!
5Enemies now rule the city
and live as they please.
The LORD has punished Jerusalem
because of her awful sins;
he has let her people
be dragged away.
6Zion's glory has disappeared.
Her leaders are like deer
that cannot find pasture;
they are hunted down
till their strength is gone.
7Her people recall the good life
that once was theirs;
now they suffer
and are scattered.
No one was there to protect them
from their enemies
who sneered
when their city was taken.
8Jerusalem's horrible sins
have made the city a joke.
Those who once admired her
now hate her instead--
she has been disgraced;
she groans and turns away.
9Her sins had made her filthy,
but she wasn't worried
about what could happen.
And when Jerusalem fell,
it was so tragic.
No one gave her comfort
when she cried out,
"Help! I'm in trouble, LORD!
The enemy has won."
10Zion's treasures were stolen.
Jerusalem saw foreigners
enter her place of worship,
though the LORD
had forbidden them
to belong to his people. d] 11Everyone in the city groans
while searching for food;
they trade their valuables
for barely enough scraps
to stay alive.
Jerusalem shouts to the LORD,
"Please look and see
how miserable I am!"
Jerusalem Speaks:
12No passerby even cares. e] Why doesn't someone notice my terrible sufferings? You were fiercely angry, LORD, and you punished me worst of all. 13From heaven you sent a fire that burned in my bones; you set a trap for my feet and made me turn back. All day long you leave me in shock from constant pain. 14You have tied my sins around my neck, f] and they weigh so heavily that my strength is gone. You have put me in the power of enemies too strong for me. 15You, LORD, have turned back my warriors and crushed my young heroes. Judah was a woman untouched, but you let her be trampled like grapes in a wine pit. 16Because of this, I mourn, and tears flood my eyes. No one is here to comfort or to encourage me; we have lost the war-- my people are suffering.
12No passerby even cares. e] Why doesn't someone notice my terrible sufferings?
You were fiercely angry, LORD,
and you punished me
worst of all.
13From heaven you sent a fire
that burned in my bones;
you set a trap for my feet
and made me turn back.
All day long you leave me
in shock from constant pain.
14You have tied my sins
around my neck, f] and they weigh so heavily
that my strength is gone.
You have put me in the power
of enemies
too strong for me.
15You, LORD, have turned back
my warriors
and crushed
my young heroes.
Judah was a woman untouched,
but you let her be trampled
like grapes in a wine pit.
16Because of this, I mourn,
and tears flood my eyes.
No one is here to comfort
or to encourage me;
we have lost the war--
my people are suffering.
The Prophet Speaks:
17Zion reaches out her hands, but no one offers comfort. The LORD has turned the neighboring nations against Jacob's descendants. Jerusalem is merely a filthy rag to her neighbors.
17Zion reaches out her hands, but no one offers comfort.
The LORD has turned
the neighboring nations
against Jacob's descendants.
Jerusalem is merely a filthy rag
to her neighbors.
Jerusalem Speaks:
18The LORD was right, but I refused to obey him. Now I ask all of you to look at my sufferings-- even my young people have been dragged away. 19I called out to my lovers, but they betrayed me. My priests and my leaders died while searching the city for scraps of food. 20Won't you look and see how upset I am, our LORD? My stomach is in knots, and my heart is broken because I betrayed you. In the streets and at home, my people are slaughtered. 21Everyone heard my groaning, but no one offered comfort. My enemies know of the trouble that you have brought on me, and it makes them glad. Hurry and punish them, as you have promised. 22Don't let their evil deeds escape your sight. Punish them as much as you have punished me because of my sins. I never stop groaning-- I've lost all hope!
18The LORD was right, but I refused to obey him.
Now I ask all of you to look
at my sufferings--
even my young people
have been dragged away.
19I called out to my lovers,
but they betrayed me.
My priests and my leaders died
while searching the city
for scraps of food.
20Won't you look and see
how upset I am, our LORD?
My stomach is in knots,
and my heart is broken
because I betrayed you.
In the streets and at home,
my people are slaughtered.
21Everyone heard my groaning,
but no one offered comfort.
My enemies know of the trouble
that you have brought on me,
and it makes them glad.
Hurry and punish them,
as you have promised.
22Don't let their evil deeds
escape your sight.
Punish them as much
as you have punished me
because of my sins.
I never stop groaning--
I've lost all hope!
Lamentations 2
The LORD Was Like an Enemy
The Prophet Speaks:
1The Lord was angry! So he disgraced g] Zion though it was Israel's pride and his own place of rest. In his anger he threw Zion down from heaven to earth. 2The LORD had no mercy! He destroyed the homes of Jacob's descendants. In his anger he tore down every walled city in Judah; he toppled the nation together with its leaders, leaving them in shame. 3The Lord was so furiously angry that he wiped out the whole army h] of Israel by not supporting them when the enemy attacked. He was like a raging fire that swallowed up the descendants of Jacob. 4He attacked like an enemy with a bow and arrows, killing our loved ones. He has burned to the ground the homes on Mount Zion. i] 5The Lord was like an enemy! He left Israel in ruins with its palaces and fortresses destroyed, and with everyone in Judah moaning and weeping. 6He shattered his temple like a hut in a garden; j] he completely wiped out his meeting place, and did away with festivals and Sabbaths in the city of Zion. In his fierce anger he rejected our king and priests. 7The Lord abandoned his altar and his temple; he let Zion's enemies capture her fortresses. Noisy shouts were heard from the temple, as if it were a time of celebration. 8The LORD had decided to tear down the walls of Zion stone by stone. So he started destroying and did not stop until walls and fortresses mourned and trembled. 9Zion's gates have fallen facedown on the ground; the bars that locked the gates are smashed to pieces. Her king and royal family are prisoners in foreign lands. Her priests don't teach, and her prophets don't have a message from the LORD. 10Zion's leaders are silent. They just sit on the ground, tossing dirt on their heads and wearing sackcloth. Her young women can do nothing but stare at the ground. 11My eyes are red from crying, my stomach is in knots, and I feel sick all over. My people are being wiped out, and children lie helpless in the streets of the city. 12A child begs its mother for food and drink, then blacks out like a wounded soldier lying in the street. The child slowly dies in its mother's arms. 13Zion, how can I comfort you? How great is your pain? k] Lovely city of Jerusalem, how can I heal your wounds, gaping as wide as the sea? 14Your prophets deceived you with false visions and lying messages-- they should have warned you to leave your sins and be saved from disaster. 15Those who pass by shake their heads and sneer as they make fun and shout, "What a lovely city you were, the happiest on earth, but look at you now!" 16Zion, your enemies curse you and snarl like wild animals, while shouting, "This is the day we've waited for! At last, we've got you!" 17The LORD has done everything that he had planned and threatened long ago. He destroyed you without mercy and let your enemies boast about their powerful forces. l] 18Zion, deep in your heart you cried out to the Lord. Now let your tears overflow your walls day and night. Don't ever lose hope or let your tears stop. 19Get up and pray for help all through the night. Pour out your feelings to the Lord, as you would pour water out of a jug. Beg him to save your people, who are starving to death at every street crossing.
Footnotes:- Lamentations 1:2 lovers. . . friends: Israel's former allies.
- Lamentations 1:3 Their. . . cruel: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Lamentations 1:4 raped: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Lamentations 1:10 to. . . people: Or "to enter his temple."
- Lamentations 1:12 No. . . cares: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Lamentations 1:14 You. . . neck: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Lamentations 2:1 disgraced: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Lamentations 2:3 army: The Hebrew text has "horn," which refers to the horn of a bull, one of the most powerful animals in ancient Palestine.
- Lamentations 2:4 the homes on Mount Zion: Or "the temple on Mount Zion."
- Lamentations 2:6 He. . . garden: Or "He shattered the temple walls, as if they were the walls of a garden."
- Lamentations 2:13 How great. . . pain: Or "What are you really like?" or "What can I say about you?"
- Lamentations 2:17 powerful forces: The Hebrew text has "horn," which refers to the horn of a bull, one of the most powerful animals in ancient Palestine.
1The Lord was angry! So he disgraced g] Zion though it was Israel's pride
and his own place of rest.
In his anger he threw Zion down
from heaven to earth.
2The LORD had no mercy!
He destroyed the homes
of Jacob's descendants.
In his anger he tore down
every walled city in Judah;
he toppled the nation
together with its leaders,
leaving them in shame.
3The Lord was so furiously angry
that he wiped out
the whole army h] of Israel by not supporting them
when the enemy attacked.
He was like a raging fire
that swallowed up
the descendants of Jacob.
4He attacked like an enemy
with a bow and arrows,
killing our loved ones.
He has burned to the ground
the homes on Mount Zion. i] 5The Lord was like an enemy!
He left Israel in ruins
with its palaces
and fortresses destroyed,
and with everyone in Judah
moaning and weeping.
6He shattered his temple
like a hut in a garden; j] he completely wiped out
his meeting place,
and did away with festivals
and Sabbaths
in the city of Zion.
In his fierce anger he rejected
our king and priests.
7The Lord abandoned his altar
and his temple;
he let Zion's enemies
capture her fortresses.
Noisy shouts were heard
from the temple,
as if it were a time
of celebration.
8The LORD had decided
to tear down the walls of Zion
stone by stone.
So he started destroying
and did not stop
until walls and fortresses
mourned and trembled.
9Zion's gates have fallen
facedown on the ground;
the bars that locked the gates
are smashed to pieces.
Her king and royal family
are prisoners
in foreign lands.
Her priests don't teach,
and her prophets don't have
a message from the LORD.
10Zion's leaders are silent.
They just sit on the ground,
tossing dirt on their heads
and wearing sackcloth.
Her young women can do nothing
but stare at the ground.
11My eyes are red from crying,
my stomach is in knots,
and I feel sick all over.
My people are being wiped out,
and children lie helpless
in the streets of the city.
12A child begs its mother
for food and drink,
then blacks out
like a wounded soldier
lying in the street.
The child slowly dies
in its mother's arms.
13Zion, how can I comfort you?
How great is your pain? k] Lovely city of Jerusalem,
how can I heal your wounds,
gaping as wide as the sea?
14Your prophets deceived you
with false visions
and lying messages--
they should have warned you
to leave your sins
and be saved from disaster.
15Those who pass by
shake their heads and sneer
as they make fun and shout,
"What a lovely city you were,
the happiest on earth,
but look at you now!"
16Zion, your enemies curse you
and snarl like wild animals,
while shouting,
"This is the day
we've waited for!
At last, we've got you!"
17The LORD has done everything
that he had planned
and threatened long ago.
He destroyed you without mercy
and let your enemies boast
about
their powerful forces. l] 18Zion, deep in your heart
you cried out to the Lord.
Now let your tears overflow
your walls day and night.
Don't ever lose hope
or let your tears stop.
19Get up and pray for help
all through the night.
Pour out your feelings
to the Lord,
as you would pour water
out of a jug.
Beg him to save your people,
who are starving to death
at every street crossing.
Footnotes:
- Lamentations 1:2 lovers. . . friends: Israel's former allies.
- Lamentations 1:3 Their. . . cruel: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Lamentations 1:4 raped: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Lamentations 1:10 to. . . people: Or "to enter his temple."
- Lamentations 1:12 No. . . cares: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Lamentations 1:14 You. . . neck: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Lamentations 2:1 disgraced: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Lamentations 2:3 army: The Hebrew text has "horn," which refers to the horn of a bull, one of the most powerful animals in ancient Palestine.
- Lamentations 2:4 the homes on Mount Zion: Or "the temple on Mount Zion."
- Lamentations 2:6 He. . . garden: Or "He shattered the temple walls, as if they were the walls of a garden."
- Lamentations 2:13 How great. . . pain: Or "What are you really like?" or "What can I say about you?"
- Lamentations 2:17 powerful forces: The Hebrew text has "horn," which refers to the horn of a bull, one of the most powerful animals in ancient Palestine.
Philemon 1-25 (Contemporary English Version)
Philemon 1
1From Paul, who is in jail for serving Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, who is like a brother because of our faith. Philemon, you work with us and are very dear to us. This letter is to you 2and to the church that meets in your home. It is also to our dear friend Apphia and to Archippus, who serves the Lord as we do. 3I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!
1From Paul, who is in jail for serving Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, who is like a brother because of our faith. Philemon, you work with us and are very dear to us. This letter is to you
2and to the church that meets in your home. It is also to our dear friend Apphia and to Archippus, who serves the Lord as we do.
3I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!
Philemon's Love and Faith
4Philemon, each time I mention you in my prayers, I thank God. 5I hear about your faith in our Lord Jesus and about your love for all of God's people. 6As you share your faith with others, I pray that they may come to know all the blessings Christ has given us. 7My friend, your love has made me happy and has greatly encouraged me. It has also cheered the hearts of God's people.
4Philemon, each time I mention you in my prayers, I thank God. 5I hear about your faith in our Lord Jesus and about your love for all of God's people.
6As you share your faith with others, I pray that they may come to know all the blessings Christ has given us.
7My friend, your love has made me happy and has greatly encouraged me. It has also cheered the hearts of God's people.
Paul Speaks to Philemon about Onesimus
8Christ gives me the courage to tell you what to do. 9But I would rather ask you to do it simply because of love. Yes, as someone a]in jail for Christ, 10I beg you to help Onesimus! b] He is like a son to me because I led him to Christ here in jail. 11Before this, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. 12Sending Onesimus back to you makes me very sad. 13I would like to keep him here with me, where he could take your place in helping me while I am here in prison for preaching the good news. 14But I won't do anything unless you agree to it first. I want your act of kindness to come from your heart, and not be something you feel forced to do. 15Perhaps Onesimus was taken from you for a little while so that you could have him back for good, 16but not as a slave. Onesimus is much more than a slave. To me he is a dear friend, but to you he is even more, both as a person and as a follower of the Lord. 17If you consider me a friend because of Christ, then welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me. 18If he has cheated you or owes you anything, charge it to my account. 19With my own hand I write: I, PAUL, WILL PAY YOU BACK. But don't forget that you owe me your life. 20My dear friend and follower of Christ our Lord, please cheer me up by doing this for me. 21I am sure you will do all I have asked, and even more. 22Please get a room ready for me. I hope your prayers will be answered, and I can visit you. 23Epaphras is also here in jail for being a follower of Christ Jesus. He sends his greetings, 24and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, who work together with me. 25I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you!
Footnotes:- Philemon 1:9 someone: Greek "a messenger" or "an old man."
- Philemon 1:10 Onesimus: In Greek this name means "useful."
8Christ gives me the courage to tell you what to do. 9But I would rather ask you to do it simply because of love. Yes, as someone a]in jail for Christ,
10I beg you to help Onesimus! b] He is like a son to me because I led him to Christ here in jail.
11Before this, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.
12Sending Onesimus back to you makes me very sad.
13I would like to keep him here with me, where he could take your place in helping me while I am here in prison for preaching the good news.
14But I won't do anything unless you agree to it first. I want your act of kindness to come from your heart, and not be something you feel forced to do.
15Perhaps Onesimus was taken from you for a little while so that you could have him back for good,
16but not as a slave. Onesimus is much more than a slave. To me he is a dear friend, but to you he is even more, both as a person and as a follower of the Lord.
17If you consider me a friend because of Christ, then welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me.
18If he has cheated you or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
19With my own hand I write: I, PAUL, WILL PAY YOU BACK. But don't forget that you owe me your life.
20My dear friend and follower of Christ our Lord, please cheer me up by doing this for me.
21I am sure you will do all I have asked, and even more.
22Please get a room ready for me. I hope your prayers will be answered, and I can visit you.
23Epaphras is also here in jail for being a follower of Christ Jesus. He sends his greetings,
24and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, who work together with me.
25I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you!
Footnotes:
- Philemon 1:9 someone: Greek "a messenger" or "an old man."
- Philemon 1:10 Onesimus: In Greek this name means "useful."
Psalm 101:1-8 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 101
(A psalm by David.)
A King and His Promises
1I will sing to you, LORD! I will celebrate your kindness and your justice. 2Please help me learn to do the right thing, and I will be honest and fair in my own kingdom. 3I refuse to be corrupt or to take part in anything crooked, 4and I won't be dishonest or deceitful. 5Anyone who spreads gossip will be silenced, and no one who is conceited will be my friend. 6I will find trustworthy people to serve as my advisors, and only an honest person will serve as an official. 7No one who cheats or lies will have a position in my royal court. 8Each morning I will silence any lawbreakers I find in the countryside or in the city of the LORD.
1I will sing to you, LORD! I will celebrate your kindness
and your justice.
2Please help me learn
to do the right thing,
and I will be honest and fair
in my own kingdom.
3I refuse to be corrupt
or to take part
in anything crooked,
4and I won't be dishonest
or deceitful.
5Anyone who spreads gossip
will be silenced,
and no one who is conceited
will be my friend.
6I will find trustworthy people
to serve as my advisors,
and only an honest person
will serve as an official.
7No one who cheats or lies
will have a position
in my royal court.
8Each morning I will silence
any lawbreakers I find
in the countryside
or in the city of the LORD.
Proverbs 26:20 (Contemporary English Version)
20Where there is no fuel a fire goes out; where there is no gossip arguments come to an end.
20Where there is no fuel
a fire goes out;
where there is no gossip
arguments come to an end.
Thought for the Day
Thought for the Day
Quote for the Day
American and Canadian actor, Matthew Perry wrote, "There's nothing better than a world where everybody's just trying to make each other laugh."
A Joke for Today
A newly ordained deacon was asked to hold a graveside service for someone with no family or friends. It was his first official assignment, so he eagerly agreed.
Taking his duties very seriously, the deacon let early the next morning for the cemetery. However, he made several wrong turns and quickly got himself lost. When he finally arrived more than an hour late, the hearse was nowhere to be seen and the two workmen were eating lunch.
The deacon got out of his car, quickly threw on his vestments, and hurried to the open grave. Looking into the pit, he saw that the vault lid was already in place. With a sign, he took out his prayer book and read the burial service. After he had left, one of the workmen said to the other, “Maybe we should have told him he just blessed a septic tank.”
Quote for the Day
American and Canadian actor, Matthew Perry wrote, "There's nothing better than a world where everybody's just trying to make each other laugh."
A Joke for Today
A newly ordained deacon was asked to hold a graveside service for someone with no family or friends. It was his first official assignment, so he eagerly agreed.
Taking his duties very seriously, the deacon let early the next morning for the cemetery. However, he made several wrong turns and quickly got himself lost. When he finally arrived more than an hour late, the hearse was nowhere to be seen and the two workmen were eating lunch.
The deacon got out of his car, quickly threw on his vestments, and hurried to the open grave. Looking into the pit, he saw that the vault lid was already in place. With a sign, he took out his prayer book and read the burial service. After he had left, one of the workmen said to the other, “Maybe we should have told him he just blessed a septic tank.”
Taking his duties very seriously, the deacon let early the next morning for the cemetery. However, he made several wrong turns and quickly got himself lost. When he finally arrived more than an hour late, the hearse was nowhere to be seen and the two workmen were eating lunch.
The deacon got out of his car, quickly threw on his vestments, and hurried to the open grave. Looking into the pit, he saw that the vault lid was already in place. With a sign, he took out his prayer book and read the burial service. After he had left, one of the workmen said to the other, “Maybe we should have told him he just blessed a septic tank.”