Today our passages are Genesis 11:1–13:4; Matthew 5:1-26; Psalm 5:1-12; and Proverbs 1:24-28. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version. The readings are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson.
Genesis 11-13:4 (Contemporary English Version)
Genesis 11
The Tower of Babel
1At first everyone spoke the same language, 2but after some of them moved from the east [a] and settled in Babylonia, [b]3-4they said: Let's build a city with a tower that reaches to the sky! We'll use hard bricks and tar instead of stone and mortar. We'll become famous, and we won't be scattered all over the world. 5But when the LORD came down to look at the city and the tower, 6he said:
These people are working together because they all speak the same language. This is just the beginning. Soon they will be able to do anything they want. 7Come on! Let's go down and confuse them by making them speak different languages--then they won't be able to understand each other.
8-9So the people had to stop building the city, because the LORD confused their language and scattered them all over the earth. That's how the city of Babel [c] got its name.
These people are working together because they all speak the same language. This is just the beginning. Soon they will be able to do anything they want. 7Come on! Let's go down and confuse them by making them speak different languages--then they won't be able to understand each other.
8-9So the people had to stop building the city, because the LORD confused their language and scattered them all over the earth. That's how the city of Babel [c] got its name.
The Descendants of Shem
10-11Two years after the flood, when Shem was one hundred, he had a son named Arpachshad. He had more children and died at the age of six hundred. This is a list of his descendants: 12When Arpachshad was thirty-five, he had a son named Shelah. 13Arpachshad had more children and died at the age of four hundred thirty-eight.
14When Shelah was thirty, he had a son named Eber. 15Shelah had more children and died at the age of four hundred thirty-three.
16When Eber was thirty-four, he had a son named Peleg. 17Eber had more children and died at the age of four hundred sixty-four.
18When Peleg was thirty, he had a son named Reu. 19Peleg had more children and died at the age of two hundred thirty-nine.
20When Reu was thirty-two he had a son named Serug. 21Reu had more children and died at the age of two hundred thirty-nine.
22When Serug was thirty, he had a son named Nahor. 23Serug had more children and died at the age of two hundred thirty.
24When Nahor was twenty-nine, he had a son named Terah. 25Nahor had more children and died at the age of one hundred forty-eight.
14When Shelah was thirty, he had a son named Eber. 15Shelah had more children and died at the age of four hundred thirty-three.
16When Eber was thirty-four, he had a son named Peleg. 17Eber had more children and died at the age of four hundred sixty-four.
18When Peleg was thirty, he had a son named Reu. 19Peleg had more children and died at the age of two hundred thirty-nine.
20When Reu was thirty-two he had a son named Serug. 21Reu had more children and died at the age of two hundred thirty-nine.
22When Serug was thirty, he had a son named Nahor. 23Serug had more children and died at the age of two hundred thirty.
24When Nahor was twenty-nine, he had a son named Terah. 25Nahor had more children and died at the age of one hundred forty-eight.
The Descendants of Terah
26-28After Terah was seventy years old, he had three sons: Abram, Nahor, and Haran, who became the father of Lot. Terah's sons were born in the city of Ur in Chaldea, [d] and Haran died there before the death of his father. The following is the story of Terah's descendants. 29-30Abram married Sarai, but she was not able to have any children. And Nahor married Milcah, who was the daughter of Haran and the sister of Iscah. 31Terah decided to move from Ur to the land of Canaan. He took along Abram and Sarai and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran. But when they came to the city of Haran, [e] they decided to settle there instead. 32Terah lived to be two hundred five years old and died in Haran.
Genesis 12
The LORD Chooses Abram
1The LORD said to Abram: Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. 2I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others. 3I will bless anyone who blesses you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you. [f]4-5Abram was seventy-five years old when the LORD told him to leave the city of Haran. He obeyed and left with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and slaves they had gotten while in Haran.
When they came to the land of Canaan, 6Abram went as far as the sacred tree of Moreh in a place called Shechem. The Canaanites were still living in the land at that time, 7but the LORD appeared to Abram and promised, "I will give this land to your family forever." Abram then built an altar there for the LORD.
8Abram traveled to the hill country east of Bethel and camped between Bethel and Ai, where he built another altar and worshiped the LORD. 9Later, Abram started out toward the Southern Desert.
When they came to the land of Canaan, 6Abram went as far as the sacred tree of Moreh in a place called Shechem. The Canaanites were still living in the land at that time, 7but the LORD appeared to Abram and promised, "I will give this land to your family forever." Abram then built an altar there for the LORD.
8Abram traveled to the hill country east of Bethel and camped between Bethel and Ai, where he built another altar and worshiped the LORD. 9Later, Abram started out toward the Southern Desert.
Abram in Egypt
10-11The crops failed, and there was no food anywhere in the land. So Abram and his wife Sarai went to live in Egypt for a while. But just before they got there, he said, "Sarai, you are really beautiful! 12When the Egyptians see how lovely you are, they will murder me because I am your husband. But they won't kill you. 13Please save my life by saying that you are my sister." 14As soon as Abram and Sarai arrived in Egypt, the Egyptians noticed how beautiful she was. 15The king's [g] officials told him about her, and she was taken to his house. 16The king was good to Abram because of Sarai, and Abram was given sheep, cattle, donkeys, slaves, and camels. 17Because of Sarai, the LORD struck the king and everyone in his palace with terrible diseases. 18Finally, the king sent for Abram and said to him, "What have you done to me? Why didn't you tell me Sarai was your wife? 19Why did you make me believe she was your sister? Now I've married her. Take her and go! She's your wife."
20So the king told his men to let Abram and Sarai take their possessions and leave.
20So the king told his men to let Abram and Sarai take their possessions and leave.
Genesis 13
Abram and Lot Separate
1Abram and Sarai took everything they owned and went to the Southern Desert. Lot went with them. 2Abram was very rich. He owned many cattle, sheep, and goats, and had a lot of silver and gold. 3Abram moved from place to place in the Southern Desert. And finally, he went north and set up his tents between Bethel and Ai, 4where he had earlier camped and built an altar. There he worshiped the LORD.
Footnotes:- Genesis 11:2from the east: Or "to the east."
- Genesis 11:2Babylonia: See the note at 10.6-20.
- Genesis 11:8Babel: In Hebrew "Babel" sounds like "confused."
- Genesis 11:26Ur in Chaldea: Chaldea was a region at the head of the Persian Gulf. Ur was on the main trade routes from Mesopotamia to the Mediterranean Sea.
- Genesis 11:31Haran: About 550 miles northwest of Ur.
- Genesis 12:3Everyone. . . you: Or "Everyone on earth will ask me to bless them as I have blessed you."
- Genesis 12:15The king's: The Hebrew text has "Pharaoh's," a Hebrew word sometimes used for the king of Egypt.
Footnotes:
- Genesis 11:2from the east: Or "to the east."
- Genesis 11:2Babylonia: See the note at 10.6-20.
- Genesis 11:8Babel: In Hebrew "Babel" sounds like "confused."
- Genesis 11:26Ur in Chaldea: Chaldea was a region at the head of the Persian Gulf. Ur was on the main trade routes from Mesopotamia to the Mediterranean Sea.
- Genesis 11:31Haran: About 550 miles northwest of Ur.
- Genesis 12:3Everyone. . . you: Or "Everyone on earth will ask me to bless them as I have blessed you."
- Genesis 12:15The king's: The Hebrew text has "Pharaoh's," a Hebrew word sometimes used for the king of Egypt.
Matthew 4:12-25 (Contemporary English Version)
Jesus Begins His Work
(Mark 1.14,15; Luke 4.14,15)
12When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he went to Galilee. 13But instead of staying in Nazareth, Jesus moved to Capernaum. This town was beside Lake Galilee in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali. [a] 14So God's promise came true, just as the prophet Isaiah had said, 15"Listen, lands of Zebulun and Naphtali,
lands along the road
to the sea
and east
of the Jordan!
Listen Galilee,
land of the Gentiles!
16Although your people
live in darkness,
they will see
a bright light.
Although they live
in the shadow of death,
a light will shine
on them."
17Then Jesus started preaching, "Turn back to God! The kingdom of heaven will soon be here." [b]
lands along the road
to the sea
and east
of the Jordan!
Listen Galilee,
land of the Gentiles!
16Although your people
live in darkness,
they will see
a bright light.
Although they live
in the shadow of death,
a light will shine
on them."
17Then Jesus started preaching, "Turn back to God! The kingdom of heaven will soon be here." [b]
Jesus Chooses Four Fishermen
(Mark 1.16-20; Luke 5.1-11)
18While Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers. One was Simon, also known as Peter, and the other was Andrew. They were fishermen, and they were casting their net into the lake. 19Jesus said to them, "Come with me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish." 20Right then the two brothers dropped their nets and went with him. 21Jesus walked on until he saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father, mending their nets. Jesus asked them to come with him too. 22Right away they left the boat and their father and went with Jesus.
Jesus Teaches, Preaches, and Heals
(Luke 6.17-19)
23Jesus went all over Galilee, teaching in the Jewish meeting places and preaching the good news about God's kingdom. He also healed every kind of disease and sickness. 24News about him spread all over Syria, and people with every kind of sickness or disease were brought to him. Some of them had a lot of demons in them, others were thought to be crazy, [c] and still others could not walk. But Jesus healed them all. 25Large crowds followed Jesus from Galilee and the region around the ten cities known as Decapolis. [d] They also came from Jerusalem, Judea, and from across the Jordan River. Footnotes:- Matthew 4:13 Zebulun and Naphtali: In Old Testament times these tribes were in northern Palestine, and in New Testament times many Gentiles lived where these tribes had once been.
- Matthew 4:17 The kingdom of heaven will soon be here: See the two notes at 3.2.
- Matthew 4:24 thought to be crazy: In ancient times people with epilepsy were thought to be crazy.
- Matthew 4:25 the ten cities known as Decapolis: A group of ten cities east of Samaria and Galilee, where the people followed the Greek way of life.
Footnotes:
- Matthew 4:13 Zebulun and Naphtali: In Old Testament times these tribes were in northern Palestine, and in New Testament times many Gentiles lived where these tribes had once been.
- Matthew 4:17 The kingdom of heaven will soon be here: See the two notes at 3.2.
- Matthew 4:24 thought to be crazy: In ancient times people with epilepsy were thought to be crazy.
- Matthew 4:25 the ten cities known as Decapolis: A group of ten cities east of Samaria and Galilee, where the people followed the Greek way of life.
Psalm 5:1-12 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 5
(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use flutes.)
A Prayer for Help
1Listen, LORD, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan. [a]2You are my King and my God.
Answer my cry for help
because I pray to you.
3Each morning you listen
to my prayer,
as I bring my requests [b] to you and wait for your reply.
4You are not the kind of God
who is pleased with evil.
Sinners can't stay with you.
5No one who boasts can stand
in your presence, LORD,
and you hate evil people.
6You destroy every liar,
and you despise violence
and deceit.
7Because of your great mercy,
I come to your house, LORD,
and I am filled with wonder
as I bow down
to worship
at your holy temple.
8You do what is right,
and I ask you to guide me.
Make your teaching clear
because of my enemies.
9Nothing they say is true!
They just want to destroy.
Their words are deceitful
like a hidden pit,
and their tongues are good
only for telling lies.
10Punish them, God,
and let their own plans
bring their downfall.
Get rid of them!
They keep committing crimes
and turning against you.
11Let all who run to you
for protection
always sing joyful songs.
Provide shelter for those
who truly love you
and let them rejoice.
12Our LORD, you bless those
who live right,
and you shield them
with your kindness.
Footnotes:
Answer my cry for help
because I pray to you.
3Each morning you listen
to my prayer,
as I bring my requests [b] to you and wait for your reply.
4You are not the kind of God
who is pleased with evil.
Sinners can't stay with you.
5No one who boasts can stand
in your presence, LORD,
and you hate evil people.
6You destroy every liar,
and you despise violence
and deceit.
7Because of your great mercy,
I come to your house, LORD,
and I am filled with wonder
as I bow down
to worship
at your holy temple.
8You do what is right,
and I ask you to guide me.
Make your teaching clear
because of my enemies.
9Nothing they say is true!
They just want to destroy.
Their words are deceitful
like a hidden pit,
and their tongues are good
only for telling lies.
10Punish them, God,
and let their own plans
bring their downfall.
Get rid of them!
They keep committing crimes
and turning against you.
11Let all who run to you
for protection
always sing joyful songs.
Provide shelter for those
who truly love you
and let them rejoice.
12Our LORD, you bless those
who live right,
and you shield them
with your kindness.
Footnotes:
Proverbs 1:24-28 (Contemporary English Version)
24You completely ignored me
and refused to listen;
25you rejected my advice
and paid no attention
when I warned you.
26"So when you are struck
by some terrible disaster,
27or when trouble and distress
surround you like a whirlwind,
I will laugh and make fun.
28You will ask for my help,
but I won't listen;
you will search,
but you won't find me.
and refused to listen;
25you rejected my advice
and paid no attention
when I warned you.
26"So when you are struck
by some terrible disaster,
27or when trouble and distress
surround you like a whirlwind,
I will laugh and make fun.
28You will ask for my help,
but I won't listen;
you will search,
but you won't find me.
Thought for the Day
“Wash yourselves clean! I am disgusted with your filthy deeds. Stop doing wrong and learn to live right. See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help those in need.” (Isaiah 1:16-17 - Contemporary English Version) It's clear what God wants from us. According to Isaiah, he wants us to fight for justice, to defend those who are weak and often exploited and to offer tangible help to those in need. If this is what we choose to do, we are truly living the way God would have us live.
Thought for the Day
“Wash yourselves clean! I am disgusted with your filthy deeds. Stop doing wrong and learn to live right. See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help those in need.” (Isaiah 1:16-17 - Contemporary English Version) It's clear what God wants from us. According to Isaiah, he wants us to fight for justice, to defend those who are weak and often exploited and to offer tangible help to those in need. If this is what we choose to do, we are truly living the way God would have us live.
Joke for Today
A guy goes to the doctor.
Guy: "Doc, I think I broke my arm in three places."
Doctor: "Well, don't go to those places!"
Joke for Today
A guy goes to the doctor.
Guy: "Doc, I think I broke my arm in three places."
Doctor: "Well, don't go to those places!"