Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Exodus 13:17–15:18; Matthew 21:23-46; Psalm 26:1-12; and Proverbs 6:16-19. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.
Exodus 13:17-15:18 (Contemporary English Version)
The LORD Leads His People
17After the king [a] had finally let the people go, the LORD did not lead them through Philistine territory, [b] though that was the shortest way. God had said, " If they are attacked, they may decide to return to Egypt." 18So he led them around through the desert and toward the Red Sea. [c] The Israelites left Egypt, prepared for battle. 19Moses had them take along the bones of Joseph, whose dying words had been, " God will come to your rescue, and when he does, be sure to take along my bones."
20The people of Israel left Succoth and camped at Etham at the border of Egypt near the desert. 21-22During the day the LORD went ahead of his people in a thick cloud, and during the night he went ahead of them in a flaming fire. That way the LORD could lead them at all times, whether day or night.
20The people of Israel left Succoth and camped at Etham at the border of Egypt near the desert. 21-22During the day the LORD went ahead of his people in a thick cloud, and during the night he went ahead of them in a flaming fire. That way the LORD could lead them at all times, whether day or night.
Exodus 14
The Israelites Cross the Red Sea
1At Etham the LORD said to Moses: 2Tell the people of Israel to turn back and camp across from Pi-Hahiroth near Baal-Zephon, between Migdol and the Red Sea. [d] 3The king [e] will think they were afraid to cross the desert and that they are wandering around, trying to find another way to leave the country. 4I will make the king stubborn again, and he will try to catch you. Then I will destroy him and his army. People everywhere will praise me for my victory, and the Egyptians will know that I really am the LORD. The Israelites obeyed the LORD and camped where he told them.
5When the king of Egypt heard that the Israelites had finally left, he and his officials changed their minds and said, " Look what we have done! We let them get away, and they will no longer be our slaves."
6The king got his war chariot and army ready. 7He commanded his officers in charge of his six hundred best chariots and all his other chariots to start after the Israelites. 8The LORD made the king so stubborn that he went after them, even though the Israelites proudly [f] went on their way. 9But the king's horses and chariots and soldiers caught up with them while they were camping by the Red Sea near Pi-Hahiroth and Baal-Zephon. 10When the Israelites saw the king coming with his army, they were frightened and begged the LORD for help. 11They also complained to Moses, " Wasn't there enough room in Egypt to bury us? Is that why you brought us out here to die in the desert? Why did you bring us out of Egypt anyway? 12While we were there, didn't we tell you to leave us alone? We had rather be slaves in Egypt than die in this desert!"
13But Moses answered, " Don't be afraid! Be brave, and you will see the LORD save you today. These Egyptians will never bother you again. 14The LORD will fight for you, and you won't have to do a thing."
15The LORD said to Moses, " Why do you keep calling out to me for help? Tell the Israelites to move forward. 16Then hold your walking stick over the sea. The water will open up and make a road where they can walk through on dry ground. 17I will make the Egyptians so stubborn that they will go after you. Then I will be praised because of what happens to the king and his chariots and cavalry. 18The Egyptians will know for sure that I am the LORD."
19All this time God's angel had gone ahead of Israel's army, but now he moved behind them. A large cloud had also gone ahead of them, 20but now it moved between the Egyptians and the Israelites. The cloud gave light to the Israelites, but made it dark for the Egyptians, and during the night they could not come any closer.
21Moses stretched his arm over the sea, and the LORD sent a strong east wind that blew all night until there was dry land where the water had been. The sea opened up, 22and the Israelites walked through on dry land with a wall of water on each side.
23The Egyptian chariots and cavalry went after them. 24But before daylight the LORD looked down at the Egyptian army from the fiery cloud and made them panic. 25Their chariot wheels got stuck, [g] and it was hard for them to move. So the Egyptians said to one another, " Let's leave these people alone! The LORD is on their side and is fighting against us." 26The LORD told Moses, " Stretch your arm toward the sea--the water will cover the Egyptians and their cavalry and chariots." 27Moses stretched out his arm, and at daybreak the water rushed toward the Egyptians. They tried to run away, but the LORD drowned them in the sea. 28The water came and covered the chariots, the cavalry, and the whole Egyptian army that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them was left alive. 29But the sea had made a wall of water on each side of the Israelites; so they walked through on dry land.
30On that day, when the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the shore, they knew that the LORD had saved them. 31Because of the mighty power he had used against the Egyptians, the Israelites worshiped him and trusted him and his servant Moses.
5When the king of Egypt heard that the Israelites had finally left, he and his officials changed their minds and said, " Look what we have done! We let them get away, and they will no longer be our slaves."
6The king got his war chariot and army ready. 7He commanded his officers in charge of his six hundred best chariots and all his other chariots to start after the Israelites. 8The LORD made the king so stubborn that he went after them, even though the Israelites proudly [f] went on their way. 9But the king's horses and chariots and soldiers caught up with them while they were camping by the Red Sea near Pi-Hahiroth and Baal-Zephon. 10When the Israelites saw the king coming with his army, they were frightened and begged the LORD for help. 11They also complained to Moses, " Wasn't there enough room in Egypt to bury us? Is that why you brought us out here to die in the desert? Why did you bring us out of Egypt anyway? 12While we were there, didn't we tell you to leave us alone? We had rather be slaves in Egypt than die in this desert!"
13But Moses answered, " Don't be afraid! Be brave, and you will see the LORD save you today. These Egyptians will never bother you again. 14The LORD will fight for you, and you won't have to do a thing."
15The LORD said to Moses, " Why do you keep calling out to me for help? Tell the Israelites to move forward. 16Then hold your walking stick over the sea. The water will open up and make a road where they can walk through on dry ground. 17I will make the Egyptians so stubborn that they will go after you. Then I will be praised because of what happens to the king and his chariots and cavalry. 18The Egyptians will know for sure that I am the LORD."
19All this time God's angel had gone ahead of Israel's army, but now he moved behind them. A large cloud had also gone ahead of them, 20but now it moved between the Egyptians and the Israelites. The cloud gave light to the Israelites, but made it dark for the Egyptians, and during the night they could not come any closer.
21Moses stretched his arm over the sea, and the LORD sent a strong east wind that blew all night until there was dry land where the water had been. The sea opened up, 22and the Israelites walked through on dry land with a wall of water on each side.
23The Egyptian chariots and cavalry went after them. 24But before daylight the LORD looked down at the Egyptian army from the fiery cloud and made them panic. 25Their chariot wheels got stuck, [g] and it was hard for them to move. So the Egyptians said to one another, " Let's leave these people alone! The LORD is on their side and is fighting against us." 26The LORD told Moses, " Stretch your arm toward the sea--the water will cover the Egyptians and their cavalry and chariots." 27Moses stretched out his arm, and at daybreak the water rushed toward the Egyptians. They tried to run away, but the LORD drowned them in the sea. 28The water came and covered the chariots, the cavalry, and the whole Egyptian army that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them was left alive. 29But the sea had made a wall of water on each side of the Israelites; so they walked through on dry land.
30On that day, when the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the shore, they knew that the LORD had saved them. 31Because of the mighty power he had used against the Egyptians, the Israelites worshiped him and trusted him and his servant Moses.
Exodus 15
The Song of Moses
1Moses and the Israelites sang this song in praise of the LORD: I sing praises to the LORD
for his great victory!
He has thrown the horses
and their riders
into the sea.
2The LORD is my strength,
the reason for my song,
because he has saved me.
I praise and honor the LORD--
he is my God
and the God
of my ancestors.
3The LORD is his name,
and he is a warrior!
4He threw the chariots and army
of Egypt's king [h] into the Red Sea, [i] and he drowned the best
of the king's officers.
5They sank to the bottom
just like stones.
6With the tremendous force
of your right arm, our LORD,
you crushed your enemies.
7What a great victory was yours,
as you defeated everyone
who opposed you.
Your fiery anger wiped them out,
as though they were straw.
8You were so furious
that the sea piled up
like a wall,
and the ocean depths
curdled like cheese.
9Your enemies boasted
that they would
pursue and capture us,
divide up our possessions,
treat us as they wished,
then take out their swords
and kill us right there.
10But when you got furious,
they sank like lead,
swallowed by ocean waves.
11Our LORD, no other gods
compare with you--
Majestic and holy!
Fearsome and glorious!
Miracle worker!
12When you signaled
with your right hand,
your enemies were swallowed
deep into the earth.
13The people you rescued
were led by your powerful love
to your holy place.
14Nations learned of this
and trembled--
Philistines shook with horror.
15The leaders of Edom and of Moab
were terrified.
Everyone in Canaan fainted,
16struck down by fear.
Our LORD, your powerful arm
kept them still as a rock
until the people you rescued
for your very own
had marched by.
17You will let your people settle
on your chosen mountain,
where you built your home
and your temple.
18Our LORD, you will rule forever!
Footnotes:- Exodus 13:17 Philistine territory: The shortest land route from the Nile Delta to Canaan; it was the southern section of the
- Exodus 13:17 mmajor road that led to Megiddo and then on to Mesopotamia by way of Asia Minor.
- Exodus 13:18 Red Sea: Hebrew yam suph " Sea of Reeds," one of the marshes or fresh water lakes, near the eastern part of the Nile Delta. This identification is based on Exodus 13.17--14.9, which lists the towns on the route of the Israelites before crossing the sea. In the Greek translation of the Scriptures made about 200 B.C., the " Sea of Reeds" was named " Red Sea."
- Exodus 14:2 Red Sea: Hebrew hayyam " the Sea," understood as yam suph, " Sea of Reeds" (see also the note at 13.18).
- Exodus 14:3 The king: See the note at 1.11.
- Exodus 14:8 proudly: Or " victoriously."
- Exodus 14:25 stuck: The Samaritan Hebrew text and two ancient translations; Hebrew " came off."
- Exodus 15:4 Egypt's king: See the note at 1.11.
- Exodus 15:4 Red Sea: See the note at 13.18.
for his great victory!
He has thrown the horses
and their riders
into the sea.
2The LORD is my strength,
the reason for my song,
because he has saved me.
I praise and honor the LORD--
he is my God
and the God
of my ancestors.
3The LORD is his name,
and he is a warrior!
4He threw the chariots and army
of Egypt's king [h] into the Red Sea, [i] and he drowned the best
of the king's officers.
5They sank to the bottom
just like stones.
6With the tremendous force
of your right arm, our LORD,
you crushed your enemies.
7What a great victory was yours,
as you defeated everyone
who opposed you.
Your fiery anger wiped them out,
as though they were straw.
8You were so furious
that the sea piled up
like a wall,
and the ocean depths
curdled like cheese.
9Your enemies boasted
that they would
pursue and capture us,
divide up our possessions,
treat us as they wished,
then take out their swords
and kill us right there.
10But when you got furious,
they sank like lead,
swallowed by ocean waves.
11Our LORD, no other gods
compare with you--
Majestic and holy!
Fearsome and glorious!
Miracle worker!
12When you signaled
with your right hand,
your enemies were swallowed
deep into the earth.
13The people you rescued
were led by your powerful love
to your holy place.
14Nations learned of this
and trembled--
Philistines shook with horror.
15The leaders of Edom and of Moab
were terrified.
Everyone in Canaan fainted,
16struck down by fear.
Our LORD, your powerful arm
kept them still as a rock
until the people you rescued
for your very own
had marched by.
17You will let your people settle
on your chosen mountain,
where you built your home
and your temple.
18Our LORD, you will rule forever!
Footnotes:
- Exodus 13:17 Philistine territory: The shortest land route from the Nile Delta to Canaan; it was the southern section of the
- Exodus 13:17 mmajor road that led to Megiddo and then on to Mesopotamia by way of Asia Minor.
- Exodus 13:18 Red Sea: Hebrew yam suph " Sea of Reeds," one of the marshes or fresh water lakes, near the eastern part of the Nile Delta. This identification is based on Exodus 13.17--14.9, which lists the towns on the route of the Israelites before crossing the sea. In the Greek translation of the Scriptures made about 200 B.C., the " Sea of Reeds" was named " Red Sea."
- Exodus 14:2 Red Sea: Hebrew hayyam " the Sea," understood as yam suph, " Sea of Reeds" (see also the note at 13.18).
- Exodus 14:3 The king: See the note at 1.11.
- Exodus 14:8 proudly: Or " victoriously."
- Exodus 14:25 stuck: The Samaritan Hebrew text and two ancient translations; Hebrew " came off."
- Exodus 15:4 Egypt's king: See the note at 1.11.
- Exodus 15:4 Red Sea: See the note at 13.18.
Matthew 20:29-21:22 (Contemporary English Version)
Matthew 20:29-21:22 (Contemporary English Version)
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
(Mark 10.46-52; Luke 18.35-43)
29Jesus was followed by a large crowd as he and his disciples were leaving Jericho. 30Two blind men were sitting beside the road. And when they heard that Jesus was coming their way, they shouted, "Lord and Son of David, [a] have pity on us!" 31The crowd told them to be quiet, but they shouted even louder, "Lord and Son of David, have pity on us!"32When Jesus heard them, he stopped and asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"
33They answered, "Lord, we want to see!"
34Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Right away they could see, and they became his followers.
33They answered, "Lord, we want to see!"
34Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Right away they could see, and they became his followers.
Matthew 21
Jesus Enters Jerusalem
(Mark 11.1-11; Luke 19.28-38; John 12.12-19)
1When Jesus and his disciples came near Jerusalem, he went to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives and sent two of them on ahead. 2He told them, "Go into the next village, where you will at once find a donkey and her colt. Untie the two donkeys and bring them to me. 3If anyone asks why you are doing that, just say, `The Lord [b] needs them.' Right away he will let you have the donkeys." 4So God's promise came true, just as the prophet had said, 5"Announce to the people
of Jerusalem:
`Your king is coming to you!
He is humble
and rides on a donkey.
He comes on the colt
of a donkey.' "
6The disciples left and did what Jesus had told them to do. 7They brought the donkey and its colt and laid some clothes on their backs. Then Jesus got on.
8Many people spread clothes in the road, while others put down branches [c] which they had cut from trees. 9Some people walked ahead of Jesus and others followed behind. They were all shouting, "Hooray [d] for the Son of David! [e]God bless the one who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hooray for God
in heaven above!"
10When Jesus came to Jerusalem, everyone in the city was excited and asked, "Who can this be?"
11The crowd answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
of Jerusalem:
`Your king is coming to you!
He is humble
and rides on a donkey.
He comes on the colt
of a donkey.' "
6The disciples left and did what Jesus had told them to do. 7They brought the donkey and its colt and laid some clothes on their backs. Then Jesus got on.
8Many people spread clothes in the road, while others put down branches [c] which they had cut from trees. 9Some people walked ahead of Jesus and others followed behind. They were all shouting, "Hooray [d] for the Son of David! [e]God bless the one who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hooray for God
in heaven above!"
10When Jesus came to Jerusalem, everyone in the city was excited and asked, "Who can this be?"
11The crowd answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
Jesus in the Temple
(Mark 11.15-19; Luke 19.45-48; John 2.13-22)
12Jesus went into the temple and chased out everyone who was selling or buying. He turned over the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of the ones who were selling doves. 13He told them, "The Scriptures say, `My house should be called a place of worship.' But you have turned it into a place where robbers hide." 14Blind and lame people came to Jesus in the temple, and he healed them. 15But the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses were angry when they saw his miracles and heard the children shouting praises to the Son of David. 16The men said to Jesus, "Don't you hear what those children are saying?"
"Yes, I do!" Jesus answered. "Don't you know that the Scriptures say, `Children and infants will sing praises'?" 17Then Jesus left the city and went out to the village of Bethany, where he spent the night.
"Yes, I do!" Jesus answered. "Don't you know that the Scriptures say, `Children and infants will sing praises'?" 17Then Jesus left the city and went out to the village of Bethany, where he spent the night.
Jesus Puts a Curse on a Fig Tree
(Mark 11.12-14,20-24)
18When Jesus got up the next morning, he was hungry. He started out for the city, 19and along the way he saw a fig tree. But when he came to it, he found only leaves and no figs. So he told the tree, "You will never again grow any fruit!" Right then the fig tree dried up. 20The disciples were shocked when they saw how quickly the tree had dried up. 21But Jesus said to them, "If you have faith and don't doubt, I promise that you can do what I did to this tree. And you will be able to do even more. You can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. 22If you have faith when you pray, you will be given whatever you ask for."
Footnotes:- Matthew 20:30Son of David: See the note at 9.27.
- Matthew 21:3The Lord: Or "The master of the donkeys."
- Matthew 21:8spread clothes. . . put down branches: This was one way that the Jewish people welcomed a famous person.
- Matthew 21:9Hooray: This translates a word that can mean "please save us." But it is most often used as a shout of praise to God.
- Matthew 21:9Son of David: See the note at 9.27.
Footnotes:
- Matthew 20:30Son of David: See the note at 9.27.
- Matthew 21:3The Lord: Or "The master of the donkeys."
- Matthew 21:8spread clothes. . . put down branches: This was one way that the Jewish people welcomed a famous person.
- Matthew 21:9Hooray: This translates a word that can mean "please save us." But it is most often used as a shout of praise to God.
- Matthew 21:9Son of David: See the note at 9.27.
Psalm 26:1-12 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 26
(By David.)
The Prayer of an Innocent Person
1Show that I am right, LORD! I stay true to myself,
and I have trusted you
without doubting.
2Test my thoughts and find out
what I am like.
3I never forget your kindness,
and I am always faithful
to you. [a] 4I don't spend my time
with worthless liars
5or go with evil crowds.
6I wash my hands, LORD,
to show my innocence,
and I worship at your altar,
7while gratefully singing
about your wonders.
8I love the temple
where you live,
and where
your glory shines.
9Don't sweep me away,
as you do sinners.
Don't punish me with death
as you do those people
who are brutal
10or full of meanness
or who bribe others.
11I stay true to myself.
Be kind and rescue me.
12Now I stand on solid ground!
And when your people meet,
I will praise you, LORD.
Footnotes:- Psalm 26:3 I am. . . to you: Or " I trust your faithfulness."
and I have trusted you
without doubting.
2Test my thoughts and find out
what I am like.
3I never forget your kindness,
and I am always faithful
to you. [a] 4I don't spend my time
with worthless liars
5or go with evil crowds.
6I wash my hands, LORD,
to show my innocence,
and I worship at your altar,
7while gratefully singing
about your wonders.
8I love the temple
where you live,
and where
your glory shines.
9Don't sweep me away,
as you do sinners.
Don't punish me with death
as you do those people
who are brutal
10or full of meanness
or who bribe others.
11I stay true to myself.
Be kind and rescue me.
12Now I stand on solid ground!
And when your people meet,
I will praise you, LORD.
Footnotes:
- Psalm 26:3 I am. . . to you: Or " I trust your faithfulness."
Proverbs 6:16-19 (Contemporary English Version)
16There are six or seven
kinds of people
the LORD doesn't like:
17Those who are too proud
or tell lies or murder,
18those who make evil plans
or are quick to do wrong,
19those who tell lies in court
or stir up trouble
in a family.
kinds of people
the LORD doesn't like:
17Those who are too proud
or tell lies or murder,
18those who make evil plans
or are quick to do wrong,
19those who tell lies in court
or stir up trouble
in a family.
Thought for the Day
Listen, Israel! The LORD our God is the only true God! So love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - Contemporary English Version) God has called us to love him with our entire being. But that love isn't best shown by the words we use or the rituals we follow. You see, we best show our love for God through the love we show to others.
Thought for the Day
Listen, Israel! The LORD our God is the only true God! So love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - Contemporary English Version) God has called us to love him with our entire being. But that love isn't best shown by the words we use or the rituals we follow. You see, we best show our love for God through the love we show to others.
British writer and psychoanalyst, Marion Milner wrote, "I used to worry about what life was for - now being alive seems sufficient reason."
Joke for Today
My GPS just told me to turn around...
Now I can’t see where I’m driving.
My GPS just told me to turn around...
Now I can’t see where I’m driving.