WELS Through my Bible in Three Years

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-1003db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – October 03 Proverbs 13:1 – 14:21 Wise Ways to Live Proverbs 13 1 A wise son accepts his father's discipline, but a scornful son does not listen to a reprimand. 2 From the fruit of his mouth a person eats well, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence. 3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life. Whoever opens his lips carelessly ruins himself. 4 The appetite of a lazy person craves things, but he gets nothing. The appetite of hardworking people is fully satisfied. 5 A righteous person hates everything false, but a wicked person causes disgrace and shame. 6 Righteousness guards a person who has integrity, but wickedness perverts a sinner. 7 One person pretends to be rich but has nothing. Another pretends to be poor but has great wealth. 8 A man's riches may ransom his life, but a poor man does not hear a threat. 9 The light of the righteous brings joy, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 10 Insolence produces only strife, but wisdom resides with those who take advice. 11 Wealth gained out of thin air [1] shrinks, but wealth accumulated by steady work grows. 12 Hope delayed makes a heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13 The person who despises a word of instruction will pay the price, but the person who respects a command will be rewarded. 14 The teaching of a wise person is a fountain of life. It can turn someone away from the snares of death. 15 Good sense yields grace, but the way of the treacherous is unchanging. [2] 16 Every sensible person acts with knowledge, but a fool displays stupidity. 17 A wicked [3] messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. 18 A person who ignores discipline ends up with poverty and shame, but one who conforms to correction will be honored. 19 A desire that is fulfilled tastes sweet to the soul, but to fools it is disgusting [4] to turn from evil. 20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. 21 Trouble pursues sinners, but goodness repays the righteous. 22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous. 23 The farmland of the poor may produce much food, but it may be swept away by injustice. 24 A person who withholds his rod hates his son, but one who loves him administers discipline promptly. 25 A righteous person eats until his appetite is satisfied, but the stomach of the wicked is always empty. More Wise Ways to Live Proverbs 14 1 A wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. 2 Whoever walks in the right way fears the Lord, but a person who is devious in his ways despises him. 3 In the mouth of a stubborn fool there is a proud rod, [5] but the lips of the wise protect them. 4 Without cattle the manger is empty, but a great harvest is gained by the strength of an ox. 5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes lies. 6 A scoffer seeks wisdom yet finds none, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person. 7 Keep away from a foolish person, since you will not learn anything from his lips. 8 The wisdom of a sensible [6] person is that he understands his way, but the stupidity of fools is deceptive. [7] 9 Fools scoff at the idea of guilt, [8] but favor is found among the upright. 10 A heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger can share its joy. 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will thrive. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it is the road to death. 13 Even in laughter a heart can ache, and the end of joy may be grief. 14 A backslider [9] will be satisfied with his ways, [10] and a good man will be satisfied with his. 15 A gullible person trusts anything, but a sensible person considers his steps. 16 A wise person fears and turns from evil, but a fool is rash and overconfident. 17 A short-tempered person acts foolishly, and a schemer is hated. 18 Gullible people inherit stupidity, but sensible people embrace knowledge. 19 Evil people will bow down to good people, and wicked people will bow at the gates of the righteous. 20 A poor person is hated even by his neighbor, but those who love a rich person are many. 21 A person who despises his neighbor is sinning, but one who is kind to the oppressed is blessed. Footnotes Proverbs 13:11 Or dishonestly. A variant in the versions is too quickly. Proverbs 13:15 Or inescapable. The Hebrew reads the way of the treacherous always flows (that is, it is enduring). The translation above attempts to make sense of this difficult reading without emendation. Common emendations are to add the word not to the sentence (the way of the treacherous does not endure) or to change enduring to hard. Proverbs 13:17 Or an unreliable Proverbs 13:19 Or an abomination Proverbs 14:3 The meaning of a proud rod is uncertain, but there is no textual support for the common emendation, a rod for his back. Proverbs 14:8 Or prudent Proverbs 14:8 Or deceives them Proverbs 14:9 Or the need for a guilt offering Proverbs 14:14 Or a person who deserts God Proverbs 14:14 Or will be repaid for his ways The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-1002db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – October 02 Proverbs 11:14 – 12:28 Proverbs 11 14 Without guidance people fall, but in many advisors there is safety. 15 Guaranteeing a loan for a stranger leads to trouble, but one who hates to shake hands [1] remains secure. 16 A gracious woman takes hold of honor, but ruthless men take hold of riches. [2] 17 A merciful man benefits his own soul, but a cruel man brings trouble on his own flesh. 18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a true reward. 19 Just as righteousness leads to life, pursuing evil leads to death. 20 Perverted hearts are disgusting to the Lord, but his favor rests on those whose way has integrity. 21 Be sure of this: An evil person will not go unpunished, but the children of the righteous will escape. 22 The beauty of a woman who lacks moral judgment     is like a gold ring in a pig's snout. 23 The desire of the righteous leads only to good. The hope of the wicked leads to fury. 24 One person scatters his wealth, but it still increases. Another hoards it unjustly, but this leads only to poverty. 25 A person who spreads blessings will be enriched. One who gives a refreshing drink will be refreshed. 26 People curse the person who hoards grain, but a blessing rests on the head of one who sells it. 27 Whoever searches for good seeks favor, but whoever pursues evil will find it. 28 Whoever trusts his wealth will fall, but righteous people will flourish like green plants. 29 Whoever troubles his household will inherit the wind, and a stubborn fool will be a slave to a person with a wise heart. 30 The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life, and one who harvests souls is wise. 31 If a righteous person is paid back on earth, how much more a wicked person or a sinner! More Examples of Righteous Behavior Proverbs 12 1 A person who loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is stupid. 2 A good person will obtain favor from the Lord, but he will condemn a schemer. 3 A person cannot be made secure by wickedness, but the roots of the righteous will never be uprooted. 4 A wife with strong character is a crown to her husband, but one who brings shame is like rot in his bones. 5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouths of the upright will save them. 7 Wicked people are overthrown, and they are no more, but the house of the righteous continues to stand. 8 A person is praised for the good sense that he speaks, but a person with a twisted heart will be despised. 9 Better to be underestimated and have a servant than to pretend to be wealthy and lack bread. 10 A righteous person understands the needs of his livestock, but the compassion of the wicked is cruel. 11 A person who works his land will have enough food, but whoever pursues fantasies lacks sense. 12 A wicked man covets the fortress [3] of evil people, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. 13 The rebellion on his lips is a trap for an evil person, but a righteous person gets out of trouble. 14 From the fruit of his lips a person is filled with good, and the labor of a person's hands returns to him. 15 The way of a stubborn fool seems correct to him, but whoever listens to advice is wise. 16 A stubborn fool immediately lets his annoyance be known, but a sensible person overlooks an insult. 17 Whoever breathes the truth proclaims righteousness, but a lying witness is deceitful. 18 Some people wield reckless words like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips are established forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. 20 Deceit lies in the heart of those who plot evil, but for those who promote peace there will be joy. 21 No disaster will strike a righteous person, but wicked people are filled with trouble. 22 Lying lips are disgusting to the Lord, but those who act truthfully gain his favor. 23 A man who is shrewd conceals his knowledge, but the hearts of fools broadcast stupidity. 24 Hardworking hands will rule, but laziness results in forced labor. [4] 25 Anxiety in a person's heart weighs him down, but a good word brings him joy. 26 A righteous person guides his neighbor, [5] but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 A lazy person does not roast his game, but a diligent person uses his wealth wisely. 28 In the path of righteousness there is life, and there is no death in following this path. [6] Footnotes Proverbs 11:15 Or make a deal Proverbs 11:16 The Greek text has a longer double proverb here: A gracious woman takes hold of honor, ⎣and she who hates virtue sets up a throne for dishonor. The lazy become destitute,⎦ but ruthless men take hold of riches. Proverbs 12:12 Or net. The verse is difficult and the meaning is uncertain. Proverbs 12:24 Or leads to debtor's prison Proverbs 12:26 Or is cautious in friendship or works to learn about his friend Proverbs 12:28 The translation follows the main Hebrew reading. A variant in some Hebrew manuscripts and the ancient versions reads and another path leads to death. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-1001db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – October 01 Proverbs 10:1 – 11:3 The Collected Proverbs of Solomon Proverbs 10 1 The proverbs of Solomon. Introduction to Wisdom and Righteousness A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. 2 Treasures gained by wickedness produce no profit, but righteousness saves from death. 3 The Lord will not allow the righteous to starve, but he frustrates the greed of the wicked. 4 Lazy hands produce poverty, but hardworking hands bring riches. 5 Whoever gathers crops in summer is a sensible [1] son. Whoever sleeps at harvest time is a disgraceful [2] son. Wise Words and Wise Ways 6 Blessings crown the head of a righteous person, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. [3] 7 To remember a righteous person is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. 8 A wise heart accepts commands, but a babbling fool will be ruined. 9 Whoever walks with integrity walks safely, but whoever follows crooked ways will be found out. 10 Whoever winks at evil causes trouble, and a babbling fool will be ruined. 11 The mouth of a righteous person is a fountain of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. [4] 12 Hatred stirs up a quarrel, but love covers all sins. 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of a discerning person, but a rod is appropriate for the back of one who lacks sense. 14 Wise people store up knowledge, but the mouth of a stubborn fool brings ruin. 15 A rich person's wealth is his strong city. Poverty is the ruin of poor people. 16 The work of a righteous person leads to life. The income of a wicked person leads to sin. 17 Whoever practices discipline is on the path to life, but whoever rejects a warning goes astray. 18 Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads gossip is a fool. 19 When there are many words, sin never stops, [5] but a person who restrains his lips acts wisely. 20 The tongue of a righteous person is fine silver. The heart of a wicked person has little value. 21 The lips of a righteous person shepherd many, but stubborn fools die for lack of sense. 22 The blessing of the Lord makes a person wealthy, and he adds no sorrow to it. [6] 23 Carrying out a wicked scheme is a game for the fool, but wisdom gives pleasure to a person with understanding. Contrasts Between the Righteous and the Wicked 24 What the wicked person dreads will come upon him, but the Lord will grant what the righteous desire. 25 When the storm has passed, the wicked person is no more, but the righteous person has an everlasting foundation. 26 Like vinegar to the teeth and like smoke to the eyes, so is a lazy person to those who send him. 27 The fear of the Lord will add days to a person's life, but the years of wicked people will be cut short. 28 The confident hope of the righteous is joy, but the ambitions of the wicked will perish. 29 The way of the Lord is a fortress for a person who has integrity, but it brings destruction for evildoers. 30 A righteous person will never be toppled, [7] but wicked people will not dwell on earth. 31 The mouth of a righteous person produces the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut off. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, [8] but the mouth of the wicked produces depraved words. Righteous Behavior Proverbs 11 1 Dishonest scales are disgusting [9] to the Lord but an accurate weight wins his approval. 2 When arrogance comes, shame follows, but with humility comes wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the dishonesty of the treacherous destroys them. Footnotes Proverbs 10:5 Or far-sighted Proverbs 10:5 Or an embarrassing Proverbs 10:6 Or the mouth of the wicked conceals violence Proverbs 10:11 Or the mouth of the wicked conceals violence Proverbs 10:19 Or cannot be avoided Proverbs 10:22 Or hard work adds nothing to it or worry adds nothing to it Proverbs 10:30 Or knocked off his foundation Proverbs 10:32 Or know what finds favor Proverbs 11:1 Or repulsive or an abomination The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0930db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 30 Proverbs 9 Lady Wisdom's Banquet 1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has already set her table. 3 She has sent out her servant girls. She calls from the highest point in the city, 4 “Whoever is naïve, [1] let him turn in here.” To someone who lacks sense she says, 5 “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine that I have mixed. 6 Abandon your naïve ways and live. Travel the road to understanding.” Lady Wisdom's Proverbs 7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults, and whoever warns a wicked person invites abuse. 8 Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you. Warn a wise person, and he will love you. 9 Give advice to a wise person, and he will become even wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will add to his learning. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning [2] of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding, 11 because through me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage. But if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences. Lady Folly's Banquet 13 The woman Folly is boisterous. She is deluded. She knows nothing. 14 She sits at the doorway of her house, on a throne on the heights of the city, 15 in order to call to those who pass by on the street, those who are simply going along on their way, 16 “Whoever is gullible, let him turn in here.” To someone who lacks sense she says, 17 “Stolen waters are sweet, and food eaten in secret is delicious.” 18 But he does not know that the souls of the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell. [3] Footnotes Proverbs 9:4 Or inexperienced or gullible Proverbs 9:10 Or prerequisite or most important part Proverbs 9:18 Or the grave The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0929db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 29 Proverbs 8 Wisdom's Invitation 1 Do you hear Wisdom calling out? Do you hear Understanding raising her voice? 2 On the hills above the roads, she takes her stand at the crossroads. 3 Beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrance to the doorways, she cries out: 4 I call to you men, and I raise my voice to the people. 5 You gullible people, get good judgment. [1] You fools, take this to heart. 6 Listen, because I am speaking noble thoughts. I open my lips to speak upright things, 7 for my mouth declares truth, but wickedness is disgusting [2] to my lips. 8 All the words from my mouth are righteous. There is nothing twisted or crooked in them. 9 All of them are clear to those who have understanding, and they are upright to those who find knowledge. 10 Accept my discipline instead of silver. Accept knowledge rather than fine gold, 11 because Wisdom is better than gems, [3] and anything you may desire cannot equal her. Wisdom's Benefit 12 I, Wisdom, dwell with good judgment. [4] I discover knowledge and foresight. 13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. I hate haughtiness, arrogance, an evil way, and a perverse mouth. 14 Good advice and sound judgment are mine. I, Understanding, have strength. 15 By me kings reign, and rulers administer justice. 16 By me officials govern, as well as nobles and all just judges. 17 I certainly love those who love me, and those who eagerly look for me find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, as well as enduring wealth and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, better than pure gold, and what I produce is better than fine silver. 20 I walk on the path of righteousness, down the middle of the pathways of justice, 21 so I can provide a rich inheritance to those who love me, and I can fill their treasuries. Wisdom Is the Craftsman of Creation 22 The Lord possessed [5] me at the beginning of his way, before his works of long ago. 23 From eternity I was appointed, from the beginning, from before the origin of the earth. 24 When there were no deep waters, I was brought forth, [6] when there were no springs filled with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was brought forth, 26 when he had not yet made land or fields or the first dust of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there. When he drew the horizon around the surface of the deep, 28 when he placed the clouds in the sky above, when the fountains of the deep gushed out, 29 when he established his decree for the sea, so that the waters could not go beyond the limit set by his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 I was beside him as a master craftsman. I was his joy day after day. I rejoiced in his presence at all times. 31 I rejoiced in his inhabited world. I was delighted with the children of Adam. [7] Wisdom Is the Giver of Life 32 So now, you children, listen to me, because those who keep my ways are blessed. 33 Listen to discipline and become wise. Do not neglect it. 34 How blessed is the person who listens to me, so that he can watch at my doors day after day, so that he can stand guard beside my front door, 35 because whoever finds me finds life, and he obtains favor from the Lord, 36 but whoever sins against me harms himself. All who hate me love death. Footnotes Proverbs 8:5 Or prudence Proverbs 8:7 Or repulsive or an abomination Proverbs 8:11 Perhaps rubies or red coral Proverbs 8:12 Or prudence Proverbs 8:22 Or created Proverbs 8:24 Or was born. Also in verse 25. Proverbs 8:31 Or human race The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0928db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 28 Proverbs 6 – 7 Eighth Address to a Son: Wisdom Avoids Entanglements Proverbs 6 1 My son, if you have guaranteed your neighbor's debts, if you have shaken hands for a stranger, 2 you are trapped by the promises from your mouth; you are captured by the promises from your mouth. 3 Because you have fallen into your neighbor's hands, go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor. 4 Do not allow your eyes to sleep, or your eyelids to slumber. 5 Save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of a hunter, or like a bird from the hand of a trapper. Wisdom Warns Against Laziness 6 Go to the ant, you slacker! [1] Observe its ways and become wise. 7 Although it has no overseer, officer, or ruler, 8 it stores its food in summer. It gathers its provisions at harvest time. 9 How long will you lie there, you slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of your hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come on you like a prowler, and scarcity will come on you like a warrior. Dishonesty Leads to Disaster 12 A worthless, wicked scoundrel, who goes around with a corrupt mouth, 13 who winks with his eye, signals with his foot, and gestures with his fingers, 14 who plots evil with a deceitful heart— he always spreads conflict. 15 Therefore his disaster will come upon him suddenly. All at once he will be broken, and there will be no remedy. Things That Are Disgusting to the Lord 16 These are six things the Lord hates, seven things that really disgust him: 17 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run quickly to do evil, 19 a false witness who breathes lies, and a person who spreads conflict between brothers. Ninth Address to a Son: Avoid Sexual Immorality 20 My son, keep your father's commands, and do not forsake your mother's teachings. 21 Fasten them permanently to your heart, and tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk around, they will lead you. When you lie down, they will stand guard over you. When you wake up, they will converse with you, 23 because a command is a lamp, teaching is a light, and the warnings given by discipline are a road to life. 24 They guard you from an evil woman, from the smooth tongue of a woman who is not your wife. 25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart. Do not let her captivate you with her eyes. 26 A prostitute costs you a loaf of bread, but a married woman stalks your precious life. 27 Can a man place fire on his lap     without burning his clothes? 28 Can a man walk on hot coals     without scorching his feet? 29 So it is with the man who goes to his neighbor's wife. No one who touches her will be forgiven. 30 No one despises a thief when he steals     to satisfy his hunger when he is starving, 31 but when he is caught, he will have to repay seven times as much. He will have to give up all the wealth of his house. 32 Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks sense. He who does it destroys himself. 33 He will find disease and dishonor, and his disgrace will never be wiped out, 34 because jealousy ignites a husband's anger, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. 35 He will not accept any amount as a payment. He will not relent, even if you increase your offer. Tenth Address to a Son: Wisdom Protects You From Adultery and Death Proverbs 7 1 My son, guard what I say. Keep my commands with you. 2 Obey my commands so that you may live. Protect my teachings like the pupil of your eye. 3 Tie them to your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Say to Wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call Understanding your relative. [2] 5 She will keep you safe from an immoral woman, from an unfaithful woman and her seductive words. Wisdom's Warning 6 At a window of my house, I looked out through the lattice. 7 I was watching the gullible [3] people. Among the young men I noticed a youth without sense. 8 He was crossing the street near her corner, strolling along the road to her house, 9 in the twilight, in the evening of the day, when the darkness of the night was coming. [4] 10 Suddenly a woman meets him. She is dressed like a prostitute with a scheming heart! 11 She is loud and rebellious. Her feet will not stay home. 12 One moment she is in the street. The next moment she is in the public square. She is on the prowl near every corner. 13 She grabs him and kisses him. With a brazen face she says, 14 “I have food from fellowship offerings. Today I fulfilled my vows. 15 That is why I came out to meet you. I came eagerly to seek you, and now I have found you! 16 I have covered my couch with a bedspread, with colored cloth made of Egyptian yarn. 17 I have perfumed my bed     with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let's drink our fill of love [5] until morning. Let's enjoy making love. 19 Look, my husband isn't home. He has gone on a long trip. 20 He took a bag of silver with him. He will not come home till the next full moon.” 21 She deceives him with enticing words. With smooth lips she seduces him. 22 He follows right after her, like a steer going to slaughter, like a deer prancing into a noose, [6] 23     until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a trap. He does not realize this will cost him his life. 24 Now, you sons, listen to me. Pay attention to the words from my mouth. 25 Do not let your heart turn in her direction. Do not wander on her pathways, 26 because she has brought down many victims. Those she has killed are countless. 27 Her house is on the road to the grave. [7] It goes down to the chambers of death. Footnotes Proverbs 6:6 Or you loafer or you lazybones Proverbs 7:4 Or close friend Proverbs 7:7 Or naïve Proverbs 7:9 Literally in the pupil of the night and darkness Proverbs 7:18 The Hebrew word refers to physical expressions of love. Proverbs 7:22 The ancient versions support the translation. The Hebrew text reads like an anklet to the discipline of a fool. Reading the word for fool as the very similar word for deer leads to the translation above. The context seems to require the trapping of an animal. Proverbs 7:27 Or on the highway to hell. The Hebrew word is sheol. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0927db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 27 Proverbs 4 – 5 An Address to Sons: Your Parents Teach You Wisdom Proverbs 4 1 Listen, you sons, to a father's discipline. Pay attention so that you will gain discernment, 2 because I have given you good instruction. Do not abandon my teaching. 3 When I was a son living with my father, a tender and only child with my mother, 4 he used to instruct me and say to me, “Cling to my words with all your heart. Obey my commands so that you may live. 5 Acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding. Do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not abandon it, and it will watch over you. Love it and it will guard you.” 7 The beginning of wisdom is to obtain Wisdom. Give up everything you have, in order to gain Understanding. 8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you. She will honor you when you embrace her. 9 She will set a garland of grace on your head. She will present you with a beautiful crown. Fifth Address to a Son: The Difference Between the Wicked and the Righteous 10 Listen, my son, and accept my words, so that the years of your life will be many. 11 I have instructed you in the way of wisdom. I have led you along straight paths. [1] 12 When you walk, your stride will not be hindered. Even if you run, you will not stumble. 13 Hold on to discipline. Do not let go. Guard it, because it is your life. 14 Do not travel on the path of the wicked. Do not walk in the way of evil people. 15 Avoid it! Do not travel on it! Turn away from it. Pass it by. 16 For they cannot sleep     unless they have been doing wrong, and they are robbed of sleep     unless they are making someone stumble, 17 because wickedness is the food they eat, and violence is the wine they drink. 18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until it is day. 19 The way of the wicked is like gloomy darkness. They never know where they will stumble. Sixth Address to a Son: Advice for a Righteous Life 20 My son, pay attention to my words. Open your ears to what I say. 21 Do not let them escape from your sight. Keep them deep in your heart, 22 because they are life for those who find them and healing for the entire body. [2] 23 Above all else, guard your heart carefully, because your life flows from it. 24 Turn your mouth away from perverted speech, and keep devious lips far away from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead. Let your gaze [3] be directly in front of you. 26 Make a level pathway for your feet, and all your ways will be secure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or the left. Turn your feet away from evil. Seventh Address to a Son: Wisdom Teaches You to Avoid Adultery Proverbs 5 1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Open your ears to my understanding, 2 so that you may hold on to insight, so your lips may guard knowledge, 3 because the lips of an immoral woman drip with honey, and her words are [4] as smooth as olive oil, 4 but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood [5] and as sharp as a double-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead to hell. [6] 6 She gives no thought to the path of life. [7] Her ways wander, but she doesn't realize it. 7 Now, you sons, listen to me. Do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 8 Keep your way far from her. Do not go near the doorway of her house. 9 If you do, you will give your wealth to others and your years to a cruel person. 10 If you do, your work will satisfy strangers, and the results of your labor will end up in another man's house. 11 You will groan when your end comes, when your body and flesh are consumed. 12 Then you will say, “Oh, how I hated discipline, and my heart despised warnings! 13 I did not listen to my teachers' voices, and I did not open my ears to hear my instructors. 14 I soon [8] reached total ruin in the midst of the assembly of the community.” Encouragement to Faithfulness in Marriage 15 Drink water from your own cistern. Drink running water from your own well. 16 Why should the water from your springs flow out into the street, your streams of water into the public squares? 17 They should be yours, yours alone. They are not for strangers to share with you. 18 Let your fountain be blessed. Obtain your joy from the wife you married in your youth, 19     who is a loving doe and a graceful deer. Let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Always be intoxicated with her love. 20 Why should you be led astray, my son, by an immoral woman? Why embrace a woman who is not your wife? 21 For the ways of a man are in front of the eyes of the Lord, and he weighs all of his paths. 22 The evil deeds of the wicked man will capture him, and he will be bound by the ropes of his sin. 23 He will die for lack of discipline, and he will go astray because of his great stupidity. Footnotes Proverbs 4:11 Or on the right track Proverbs 4:22 Literally all of his flesh Proverbs 4:25 Literally your eyelids Proverbs 5:3 Literally her palate is Proverbs 5:4 Wormwood is a toxic, bitter-tasting drink (absinthe). Proverbs 5:5 Or the grave. The Hebrew word is sheol. Proverbs 5:6 Or she does not make the paths of life level Proverbs 5:14 Or almost The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0926db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 26 Proverbs 2 – 3 Second Address to a Son: Wisdom Provides Protection Proverbs 2 1 My son, if you accept my words, if you store up my commands within you, 2     by paying attention [1] to wisdom with your ear,     by reaching out for understanding with your heart, 3 if indeed you call out for intelligence, if you raise your voice for understanding, 4 if you search for it like silver, if you hunt for it like hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord, then you will find the knowledge of God, 6 because the Lord gives wisdom. Knowledge and understanding come from his mouth. 7 He stores up sound judgment for upright people. He is a shield for those who walk in integrity. 8 He protects those who walk on paths of justice. He guards the way of his favored ones. [2] 9 Then you will understand righteousness, justice,     and fairness—every good path, 10 because wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant for your soul. 11 Foresight will stand guard over you. Understanding will protect you. 12 It will save you from the evil way, from the man who speaks perverse things, 13 from those who abandon upright paths     in order to walk in the ways of darkness. 14 It will save you from those who enjoy doing evil, from those who celebrate the twisted ways of evil, 15 from those whose paths are crooked, and from those whose ways are devious. Wisdom Protects You From the Adulterous Woman 16 Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, [3] from the unfaithful woman [4] with her seductive words, 17 who abandons the husband of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God. 18 So she sinks down to death, which becomes her house. [5] Her way of life leads down to the spirits of the dead. 19 All who enter her house never return. They never reach the paths of life. Admonition to Live Righteously 20 This is how to walk in the way of good people, how to stay on the paths of the righteous. 21 Yes, the upright will live in the land, and people with integrity will remain in it, 22 but wicked people will be cut off from the land, and treacherous people will be torn out of it. Third Address to a Son: Wisdom Leads to the Lord's Blessing Proverbs 3 1 My son, do not forget my teaching. Let your heart keep my commands, 2 because they will add long days and many years to your life, and peace and prosperity [6] will come to you. 3 Do not allow mercy and truth to leave you. Fasten them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will find favor and approval [7]     in the eyes of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not consider yourself wise. Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 Then your body [8] will be healed, and your bones will be refreshed. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits from your entire harvest. 10 Then your barns will be filled to capacity, and your wine vats will overflow with fresh wine. 11 Do not reject the Lord's discipline, my son, and do not despise his warning, 12 because the Lord warns [9] the one he loves     as a father warns a son with whom he is pleased. 13 How blessed is the person who finds wisdom, [10] the person who acquires understanding, 14 because the profit it gives is better than the profit from silver, and its yield is better than gold! 15 It is more valuable than gems, [11] and nothing you desire can equal it. 16 In its right hand are the days of a long life. In its left hand are riches and honor. 17 Its ways are pleasant ways, and all its paths are peace. 18 It is a tree of life for those who hold on to it. Those who cling to it are blessed. 19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom. He established the heavens by understanding. 20 By his knowledge the deep waters were divided, and the clouds drip dew. 21 My son, do not take your eyes off these things. Guard sound judgment and insight. 22 They will be life for your soul and grace to adorn your neck. 23 Then you will walk safely on your way, and your foot will not stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. When you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of the destruction of the wicked when it comes, 26 because the Lord will be your confidence. He will keep your foot from being caught. Fourth Address to a Son: Practice Wisdom Toward Your Neighbor 27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due     when it is within your power to give it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back some other time. I will give something to you tomorrow,” when in fact it is already with you right now. 29 Do not plan harm against your neighbor     when he is living with you peacefully. 30 Do not quarrel with a person for no good reason     when he has done nothing to harm you. 31 Do not envy a violent person. Do not choose any of his ways, 32 because a crooked person is an abomination [12] to the Lord, but God's friendly guidance leads [13] the upright. 33 The Lord's curse rests on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. 34 Although he scorns the scornful, he gives grace to the humble. 35 Wise people inherit honor, but proud fools receive disgrace. Footnotes Proverbs 2:2 Or so you can pay attention Proverbs 2:8 Or those who are merciful or those who have received his mercy Proverbs 2:16 Literally from the strange woman, that is, one who is married to another man Proverbs 2:16 Literally from the foreign woman, that is, one who is married to another man Proverbs 2:18 The line is difficult and the translation is uncertain. Proverbs 3:2 The Hebrew word shalom here contains both meanings. Proverbs 3:4 Literally good understanding Proverbs 3:8 Literally navel Proverbs 3:12 Or disciplines Proverbs 3:13 Or Wisdom. An issue throughout Proverbs 1-9 is when wisdom should be capitalized as the personal name of Lady Wisdom and when it is the common noun. Most translations do not capitalize wisdom in verses like verse 13 because of the parallelism with understanding. This decision also determines whether the English pronouns should be she or it. In Hebrew the noun for wisdom is feminine, so the pronouns in Hebrew are always feminine. Proverbs 3:15 The meaning of this word is uncertain. It may refer to a specific gemstone, such as rubies or red coral. Proverbs 3:32 Or is disgusting or is repulsive Proverbs 3:32 Or intimate counsel guides The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0925db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 25 Proverbs 1 The Superscription 1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel. The Purpose of Proverbs 2 To learn wisdom and discipline, to understand sayings [1] that give insight, [2] 3 to acquire discipline to act sensibly, to acquire righteousness, justice, and fairness, 4 to give good judgment [3] to the inexperienced, to give a young man knowledge and foresight. 5 A wise person should listen, and he will increase learning. A person with understanding should obtain guidance 6 so he will understand proverbs, puzzling statements, [4] and the thought-provoking words of the wise. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of [5] knowledge, but stubborn fools despise wisdom and discipline. Solomon's Speeches About Wisdom First Address to a Son: Avoid the Company of Sinners 8 Listen, my son, to your father's discipline, and do not forsake your mother's teaching, 9 because they are a garland of grace for your head. They are jewelry for your neck. 10 My son, if sinners lure you, do not go along with them. 11 If they say, “Come with us. Let's lie in wait to shed blood. Let's hide and ambush an innocent person for no reason. 12 We will swallow them alive like the grave. We will swallow them whole     like those who go down to the pit. 13 We will find all kinds of wealth and treasure.     We will fill our houses with loot. 14 Cast your lot with us.     We will all share one bag of money.” 15 My son, do not walk along the road with them. Do not set foot on their path, 16     because their feet run to do evil,     and they hurry to shed blood. 17 How useless to spread a net in the sight of any bird! 18 Yet they set up an ambush for their own blood. They hide in ambush to take their own lives. 19 This is where the path leads for everyone     who is greedy for stolen property: It takes away the life of those who possess it. First Poem About Wisdom: Wisdom Calls but Many Refuse 20 Wisdom calls out loudly in the street. In the public squares she raises her voice. 21 At the noisy street corners she calls out. At the entrances to the city gates she speaks her words: 22 “How long will you gullible [6] people love being gullible? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing? How long will fools hate knowledge? 23 If you respond to my warning, I will pour out my spirit for you. I will make my words known to you. 24 Because I called, but you refused to listen, because I stretched out my hand, but no one paid attention, 25 because you ignored all my advice, and you did not accept my warning, 26 therefore I will laugh at your calamity. I will jeer when terror strikes you, 27 when terror strikes you like a violent storm, when calamity strikes you like a windstorm, when trouble and distress come upon you. 28 Then they will call to me, but I will not answer. They will look for me, but they will not find me, 29 because they hated knowledge, and they did not choose the fear of the Lord. 30 They would not accept my advice, and they despised all my warnings. 31 So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and they will be stuffed with their own schemes. 32 Therefore the wandering ways [7] of the gullible kill them, and the complacency of fools destroys them. 33 But whoever listens to me will live in safety. He will be secure, without fear of evil.” Footnotes Proverbs 1:2 Or axioms Proverbs 1:2 Or discernment Proverbs 1:4 Or prudence Proverbs 1:6 Or enigmas Proverbs 1:7 Or prerequisite for or most important part of Proverbs 1:22 Or naïve Proverbs 1:32 Or apostasy The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0924db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 24 Galatians 5:25 – 6:18 Galatians 5 25 If we live by the spirit, let us also walk in step with it. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another and envying one another. Bear One Another's Burdens Galatians 6 1 Brothers, if a person is caught in some trespass, you who are spiritual should restore such a person in a spirit of humility, carefully watching yourself so that you are not also tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and in this way fulfill [1] the law of Christ. 3 For if someone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each person test his own work, and then he will take pride in regard to himself and not his neighbor. 5 For each man will bear his own burden. 6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with his teacher. 7 Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. To be sure, whatever a man sows, he will also reap. 8 Indeed, the one who sows for his own sinful flesh will reap destruction from the sinful flesh. But the one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit. 9 Let us not become weary of doing good, because at the appointed time we will reap, if we do not give up. [2] 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the household of faith. What Matters: A New Creation, Not Circumcision 11 See what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 Those who want to look good in the flesh are the ones who are trying to compel you to be circumcised. Their only reason is so that they are not persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 As a matter of fact, those who are circumcised do not keep the law themselves. But they want to have you circumcised, so that they can boast about your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. 15 In fact, in Christ Jesus [3] circumcision or uncircumcision does not matter. What matters is being a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy on those who follow this rule, namely, on the Israel of God. 17 Finally, let no one cause me any trouble, because I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus on my body. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. Footnotes Galatians 6:2 Some witnesses to the text read in this way you will fulfill. Galatians 6:9 Or reap without ever getting tired, or reap without ceasing Galatians 6:15 Some witnesses to the text omit in Christ Jesus. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0923db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 23 Galatians 5:2-24 Galatians 5 2 Look, I, Paul, tell you that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I testify again to every man who allows himself to be circumcised that he is obligated to do the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law are completely separated from Christ. You have fallen from grace. 5 Indeed, through the Spirit, we by faith are eagerly waiting for the sure hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, it is faith working through love that matters. 7 You were running well! Who cut in on you, so that you are no longer persuaded by the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from the one who calls you. 9 A little yeast works through the whole batch. 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will have no other opinion than this. But the one who is trying to disturb you will pay the penalty, whoever he is. 11 Brothers, [1] if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? Then the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 If only those who are upsetting you would also cut themselves off! [2] 13 After all, brothers, you were called to freedom. Only do not use your freedom as a starting point for your sinful flesh. Rather, serve one another through love. 14 In fact, the whole law is summed up in this one statement: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [3] 15 But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. Flesh Opposes Spirit 16 What I am saying is this: Walk by the spirit, [4] and you will not carry out what the sinful flesh desires. 17 For the sinful flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit, and the spirit what is contrary to the sinful flesh. In fact, these two continually oppose one another, so that you do not continue to do these things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the control of the law. 19 Now the works of the sinful flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, complete lack of restraint, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, discord, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, [5] drunkenness, orgies, and things similar to these. I warn you, just as I also warned you before, that those who continue to do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the spirit [6] is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful flesh with its passions and desires. Footnotes Galatians 5:11 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female. Galatians 5:12 Using sarcasm, Paul sharply implies that if the Judaizers were so interested in circumcision, castration might be even better for them. See what Jesus said about false teachers in Matthew 18:6. Galatians 5:14 Leviticus 19:18 Galatians 5:16 In this section, the spirit refers to the new nature in contrast with the sinful flesh. Galatians 5:21 A few witnesses to the text omit murders. Galatians 5:22 Or Spirit The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0922db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 22 Galatians 4:8 – 5:1 Galatians 4 Paul's Concern for the Gentiles 8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, why are you turning back again to the basic principles that are weak and miserable? Do you want to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You carefully observe days, months, seasons, and years. 11 I am fearful about you, that somehow my labor for you was wasted. 12 I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I also became like you. You did me no harm. 13 You know that, because of a weakness of the flesh, I preached the gospel to you the first time. 14 And you did not despise or disdain the test my flesh gave you. Instead, you welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 So where is this blessed attitude of yours now? Yes, I can say for a fact that, if it were possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are eager to win you over, but not in a good way. Rather, they want to alienate you, so that you will be eager for them. 18 But it is always a good thing to have someone eager in a good way—not just when I am present with you. 19 My children, I am suffering birth pains for you again until Christ is formed in you. 20 I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, because I am perplexed about you. An Illustration: Hagar and Sarah 21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you really listening to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman, and one by the free woman. 23 However, the son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through a promise. 24 These things can be used as an illustration; namely, the women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children into slavery. This is Hagar. 25 You see, [1] this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and she corresponds to present-day Jerusalem, because Jerusalem is in slavery along with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free. She is our mother. 27 For it is written: Rejoice, barren woman who does not give birth. Break forth and shout for joy, woman who does not suffer birth pains, because the barren woman has more children than does the woman who has a husband. [2] 28 Now you, [3] brothers, like Isaac, are children of the promise. 29 But just as back then the one who was born according to the flesh persecuted the one who was born according to the Spirit, so this is also the case now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the slave woman and her son, because the son of the slave woman will certainly not receive the inheritance with the son of the free woman.” [4] 31 For this same reason, brothers, we are not children of a slave woman, but of the free woman. Christ Set Us Free Galatians 5 1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not allow anyone to put the yoke of slavery on you again. Footnotes Galatians 4:25 Some witnesses to the text omit You see. Galatians 4:27 Isaiah 54:1 Galatians 4:28 Some witnesses to the text read we. Galatians 4:30 Genesis 21:10 The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0921db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 21 Galatians 3:19 – 4:7 Galatians 3 The Law as Chaperone 19 Then what about the law? It was added for the purpose of revealing transgressions, until the Seed [1] to whom the promise referred had come. It was transmitted through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not needed for one party, but God is one. 21 Then is the law against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given that could give life, certainly righteousness would have been derived from the law. 22 But Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ would be given to those who believe. 23 But before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. 24 So the law was our chaperone [2] until Christ, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a chaperone. [3] Sons of God Through Faith 26 In fact, you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 Indeed, as many of you as were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. 28 There is not Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one and the same in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants [4] and heirs according to the promise. God Sent His Son Galatians 4 1 What I am saying is this: As long as the heir is a young child, he is no different from a slave. Although he is owner of everything, 2 he is still under guardians and managers until the day set by his father. 3 So also, when we were younger children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son to be born of a woman, so that he would be born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those under the law, so that we would be adopted as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts to shout, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son. And if you are a son, then you are also an heir of God through Christ. [5] Footnotes Galatians 3:19 Or Descendant; Genesis 12:7 Galatians 3:24 The Greek term for chaperone referred to a man who was to supervise, discipline, and watch out for a boy. Galatians 3:25 Or custodian Galatians 3:29 Or seed Galatians 4:7 Some witnesses to the text read an heir through God. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0920db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 20 Galatians 3:1-18 Galatians 3 Believers Are Abraham's Children 1 O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I just want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? [1] 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now trying to reach the goal by the flesh? 4 Did you experience so many things for nothing, if it were indeed for nothing? 5 So then, does the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the law? Or does he do it by your believing what you hear— 6 in the same way as Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness”? [2] 7 Understand, then, that those who believe are the children of Abraham. 8 Foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, Scripture proclaimed the gospel in advance to Abraham, saying, “In you, all nations will be blessed.” [3] 9 So then, those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. The Difference Between Law and Gospel 10 In fact, those who rely on the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the book of the law.” [4] 11 Clearly no one is declared righteous before God by the law, because “The righteous will live by faith.” [5] 12 The law does not say “by faith.” Instead it says, “The one who does these things will live by them.” [6] 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. As it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” [7] 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that we would receive the promised Spirit through faith. The Promise Came First 15 Brothers, I am speaking in human terms. When someone has established a last will and testament, no one nullifies it or adds to it. 16 The promises God spoke referred to Abraham and to his seed. It doesn't say, “And to seeds,” as if it were referring to many, but, as referring to one, “And to your seed,” [8] who is Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: The law, which came into being 430 years after the covenant established earlier by God in Christ, [9] does not annul that covenant, with the result that it invalidates the promise. 18 In fact, if the inheritance is by the law, it is no longer by the promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham by a promise. Footnotes Galatians 3:2 Or by the message that creates faith? Galatians 3:6 Genesis 15:6 Galatians 3:8 Genesis 12:3; 18:18 Galatians 3:10 Deuteronomy 27:26 Galatians 3:11 Habakkuk 2:4 Galatians 3:12 Leviticus 18:5 Galatians 3:13 Deuteronomy 21:23 Galatians 3:16 Or descendant. The literal seed is retained in the translation to help readers trace the line of the promised Savior from Eve through Abraham and David to Jesus, the promised Seed of the Woman. Genesis 12:7 Galatians 3:17 Some witnesses to the text omit in Christ. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0919db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 19 Galatians 2 Paul's Fellowship With Those in Jerusalem 1 Then, after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, also taking Titus with me. 2 I went up in keeping with a revelation, and I laid before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately before those who were considered important, in order to make sure that I was not running—or had not run—in vain. 3 But Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, even though he is Greek. 4 This was an issue because of the false brothers, who slipped in under false pretenses to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. Their goal was to make us slaves. 5 We refused to give in to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would continue with you. 6 But as for those who were considered to be important (what sort of people they once were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality), indeed, those who were considered to be important added nothing to my gospel. 7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter was entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised. 8 For God, who worked effectively in Peter to serve as an apostle to the circumcised, also worked effectively in me to serve as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 And because James, Cephas, and John, who were considered to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship. They agreed that we were to go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 The only thing they asked was that we remember the poor, the very thing that I was also eager to do. Paul Opposed Cephas (Peter) 11 But when Cephas [1] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly wrong. 12 For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when those people came, he drew back and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision group. 13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not acting according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of all of them, “If you, a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, why do you compel the Gentiles to live like the Jews?” Justified Through Faith! 15 “We are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners. 16 We know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. So we also believed in Christ Jesus that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because no one [2] will be justified by the works of the law. 17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were also found to be sinners, then is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 “In fact, if I build up again those things that I destroyed, I bring on myself the judgment of being a lawbreaker. 19 Indeed, through the law I died to the law that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I am now living in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not regard the grace of God as nothing. As a matter of fact, if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!” Footnotes Galatians 2:11 Some witnesses to the text read Peter. (“Witnesses to the text” mentioned in footnotes may include Greek manuscripts, lectionaries, translations, and quotations in the church fathers.) Galatians 2:16 Literally flesh The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0918db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 18 Galatians 1 Greeting 1 Paul, an apostle—not from men, nor through a man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all of the brothers [1] who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 He gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father— 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Not Another Gospel 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ, for a different gospel, 7 which is really not another gospel at all. There are, however, some who are trying to disturb you by perverting the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven would preach any gospel other than the one we preached to you—a curse on him! 9 As we have said before, so I now say again: If anyone preaches to you any gospel other than the one you received—a curse on him! 10 Am I now seeking the favor of people or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to gain the approval of people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Jesus Gave Paul the Gospel 11 But I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 Certainly you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God to an extraordinary degree and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my own people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 However, God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me, so that I would preach him among the Gentiles. At that time, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 and I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me. Instead I went away into Arabia, and then I returned again to Damascus. 18 Next, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to meet Cephas [2] and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles, except James, the Lord's brother. 20 (Now about the things I am writing to you—look, I assure you in the presence of God that I am not lying.) 21 Then I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was still personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They heard only: “The one who was once persecuting us is now preaching the faith that he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they were praising God for what happened to me. Footnotes Galatians 1:2 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female. Galatians 1:18 Cephas is the Aramaic name for Peter. Both Cephas and Peter mean rock. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0917db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 17 Joshua 24 The Meeting at Shechem 1 Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, and he summoned the elders of Israel, its heads, its judges, and its officers, and they presented themselves before God. 2 Then Joshua told all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, has said.” God's Message From ancient times your ancestors, including Terah, who was the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River, and they served other gods. 3 But I took your father Abraham from across the River, and I caused him to walk through the whole land of Canaan. I multiplied his seed, [1] and I gave Isaac to him, 4 and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I gave Esau the hill country of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his sons went down to Egypt. 5 Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted Egypt with the plagues I sent there. Afterward I brought you out. 6 I brought your fathers out from Egypt, and you came to the sea. With chariots and charioteers the Egyptians pursued your fathers to the Red Sea. 7 They cried out to the Lord, and he set darkness between you and the Egyptians, and he brought the sea upon them so that it covered them. Your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. Then you lived in the wilderness for many days. [2] 8 I brought you to the land of the Amorites who lived east of the Jordan, and they fought against you. But I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their land after I had destroyed them before you. 9 Then Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, prepared to fight against Israel. He summoned Balaam son of Beor to curse you, 10 but I was not willing to listen to Balaam. So he blessed you time after time. In this way I rescued you from his power. 11 Then you crossed over the Jordan and came to Jericho. The citizens of Jericho and the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites fought against you, but I gave them into your hand. 12 I sent the hornet before you, and it drove them out before you, as it drove out the two kings of the Amorites. It was not by your sword and not by your bow! 13 So I have given you a land for which you did not labor. I gave you cities that you did not build, but you have been living in them. I gave you vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant, but you are eating from them. Joshua's Admonition 14 Joshua said, “Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly and faithfully. Remove the gods that your fathers served in the region across the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if you see no benefit in serving the Lord, [3] then choose for yourselves today whomever you will serve—whether the gods that your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household—we will serve the Lord!” 16 The people responded by saying, “Far be it from us [4] to forsake the Lord in order to serve other gods! 17 For the Lord our God, he is the one who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, where we were slaves. He is the one who performed these great signs right before our eyes and protected us on the whole journey that we made and among all the peoples through whom we passed. 18 The Lord drove out of our presence all the peoples and the Amorites who were living in the land. We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God!” 19 But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, because he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. [5] He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. 20 If you forsake the Lord and you serve foreign gods, then he will turn and cause disaster for you, and he will put an end to you after he has done good for you.” 21 But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will most certainly serve the Lord!” 22 So Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord for yourselves in order to serve him.” The people said, “We are witnesses!” 23 Joshua said, “Now, therefore, remove the foreign gods that are among you, and turn your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel.” 24 The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God, and we will listen to his voice.” 25 That day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and he affirmed for them a statute and ordinance there at Shechem. 26 Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was at the holy place of the Lord. 27 Joshua said to all the people, “See, this stone will be a witness among us and against us, because it has heard all the words that the Lord spoke with us. So it will be a witness among you and against you, so that you do not act deceptively against your God.” 28 Then Joshua dismissed the people, each one to his own inheritance. The End of an Era 29 After these events Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of one hundred ten years. 30 They buried him in the territory of his inheritance, in Timnath Serah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Ga'ash. 31 Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and who had experienced every deed that the Lord had done for Israel. 32 The bones of Joseph, which the descendants of Israel had brought up from Egypt, were buried in Shechem in the portion of the field that Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for one hundred pieces of silver, [6] and they [7] became a heritage for the sons of Joseph. 33 Eleazar son of Aaron died, and they buried him on the hill that belonged to his son Phinehas, which had been given to him in the hill country of Ephraim. Footnotes Joshua 24:3 Or his descendants. Retention of the literal term seed highlights the connection with the Messianic promises to Eve and to Abraham all the way down to Christ. Joshua 24:7 The many days here was about forty years. Joshua 24:15 Literally if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord Joshua 24:16 Or may we be cursed. The Hebrew expression refers to something that is profane and has the tone of a curse. Joshua 24:19 Or he is a God who demands exclusive loyalty Joshua 24:32 Literally one hundred qesitahs. The qesitah is an archaic monetary unit of unknown weight and value. Joshua 24:32 Or it The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0916db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 16 Joshua 23 A Warning and a Promise 1 After many days, [1] when the Lord had given Israel rest from all its enemies all around, when Joshua had grown old and advanced in years, 2 Joshua summoned all Israel—its elders, its heads, its judges, and its officers, and he said to them: I have grown old and advanced in years. 3 You yourselves have seen everything that the Lord your God has done for you against all these nations. Yes, the Lord your God was fighting for you! 4 See now, I have allotted to your tribes an inheritance from these nations that remain unconquered, as well as from the nations that I have destroyed. It extends from the Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 The Lord your God himself will push them away from you and drive them out of your presence, ⎣until they perish. He will send wild animals among them until he completely destroys them and their kings from your presence⎦ [2] and you will take possession of their land, just as the Lord your God promised you. 6 You must be very resolute in carrying out all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses by not turning from it to the right or to the left, 7 by not intermingling with these nations that remain with you. Do not ever call on or swear by the names of their gods. Never serve them and never bow down to them. 8 But hold fast to the Lord your God, just as you have been doing to this day. 9 The Lord has driven out great and powerful nations from among you. As for you, no one has stood up against you to this day. 10 One of you would put a thousand to flight because the Lord your God himself was fighting for you, just as he promised you. 11 Therefore, for your own sakes be very careful to love the Lord your God. 12 But if you do turn away and keep close company with the remnant of these nations that remain with you, and if you intermarry with them and intermingle with them and they with you, 13 then know for certain that the Lord your God will not continue to drive out these nations from among you, but they will become a trap and a snare for you, a whip for your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from your good land that the Lord your God has given you. 14 See now, I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and with all your soul that not one promise out of all the good promises that the Lord your God promised you has failed. All of them have come true for you. Not one promise from him has failed. [3] 15 But just as every good promise that the Lord your God promised to you has come true for you, likewise the Lord will cause every promise of disaster to come true for you until he has destroyed you from this good land that the Lord your God has given you. 16 If you transgress the covenant of the Lord your God that he commanded you, and you go and serve other gods, and you bow down to them, then the anger of the Lord will burn against you, and you will perish quickly from the good land that he has given you. Footnotes Joshua 23:1 The many days amounted to about seven years. Joshua 23:5 The words in the half-brackets are not in the Hebrew text, but they are in the Greek Old Testament. The words missing from the Hebrew text lie between two occurrences of your presence. Joshua 23:14 Literally fallen The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0903db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 03 Joshua 2 The Spies and Jericho 1 Now Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two men from Shittim to be spies. He said, “Go and look over the land and Jericho.” So they set out and came to the house of a woman who was a prostitute. Her name was Rahab. They settled in to spend the night there. 2 It was reported to the king of Jericho: “Some Israelite men came here tonight to spy on the land.” 3 So the king of Jericho sent messengers to Rahab. They said, “Bring out the men who came to you, the ones who came to your house, because they have come to spy on the whole land.” 4 Now the woman had taken the two men and had hidden both of them. So she said, “Yes, the men did come to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 When the gate was about to be shut at dark, the men left. I do not know where the men went. Go after them quickly so you can overtake them.” 6 But she actually had taken them up to the roof and had concealed them among the stalks of flax that she had spread out on the roof. 7 The men of Jericho then went to pursue them along the route to the Jordan that led to the fords. The city gate was closed just after the pursuers had gone out to pursue the spies. 8 But before the men lay down, Rahab came up to them on the roof. 9 She said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land. Because of you, terror has fallen upon us, and all the inhabitants of the land are melting in fear before you. 10 Indeed, we have heard that the Lord dried up the waters of the Red Sea in front of you when you came out of Egypt, and we heard what you did to the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan—to Sihon and to Og. We heard that you devoted them to destruction. 11 We heard, and our hearts melted, and no one's courage could hold up anymore against you, because the Lord your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below. 12 So now, please swear to me by the Lord that since I have shown kindness to you, you in turn will show kindness to my father's house. Give me a trustworthy sign 13 that you will preserve the lives of my father and mother and my brothers and sisters and everyone who belongs to them, and that you will spare our lives.” 14 The men said to her, “If you do not reveal what we are doing, our lives are pledged for your lives, even to the point of death. Then when the Lord gives us the land, we will show mercy and faithfulness to you.” 15 She let them down through the window with a rope, since her house was built into the city wall, and she was living inside the wall. 16 She said to them, “To the hill country! Get moving, so the pursuers do not catch up with you. Hide there for three days until the pursuers return, and then you can go on your way.” 17 The men said to her, “When we come into the land, we will be free from this oath that you made us swear 18 unless you tie this bright red cord in the window through which you let us down, and you gather your father and mother, your brothers, and your father's entire household into your house. 19 If any one of them goes outside the doors of your house, his blood will be on his own head, and we will be free of guilt. Anyone who is with you in the house, his blood will be on our heads if a hand is laid on him. 20 If you reveal what we are doing, we will be free from the oath that you made us swear.” 21 She said, “It will be done just as you have said!” Then she sent them out, and they went away. She tied the bright red cord in the window. 22 After they left, they went up into the hill country and stayed there for three days, until the pursuers had returned. The pursuers had searched for them all along the route, but they found nothing. 23 So then the two men set out to return. After they had come down from the hill country, they crossed the river and came to Joshua son of Nun. They reported to him everything that had happened to them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The Lord has without doubt given the entire land into our hands. What's more, all the inhabitants of the land are melting in fear before us.” The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0902db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 02 Joshua 1 Preparing to Enter the Land 1 This is what happened after the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord. The Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, the attendant of Moses, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. So prepare to cross the Jordan River that lies in front of you. You and all this people, prepare to go into the land that I am about to give to the people of Israel. 3 I have given you every place where the sole of your foot has stepped, just as I promised Moses. 4 From the Wilderness [1] and from Lebanon to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the land of the Hittites—as far as the Mediterranean Sea, [2] where the sun sets, this will be your territory. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. I will not abandon you, and I will not forsake you. 6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will divide this land among these people, this land which I swore to their fathers that I would give to this people. 7 Just be strong and very courageous. Be careful to act according to the entire Law which my servant Moses commanded for you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may succeed wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law must never depart from your mouth, and you are to meditate on it day and night, so that you will act faithfully according to everything written in it, because then you will prosper in everything you do, and you will succeed. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified and do not be overwhelmed, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 10 So Joshua gave this order to the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the camp and give this order to the people: ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, because within three days you will be crossing over this Jordan to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving to you as a possession.'” 12 To the Reubenites and the Gadites and to half of the tribe of Manasseh Joshua said, 13 “Remember the command that Moses, the servant of the Lord, gave you when he said, ‘The Lord your God is granting you rest, and he has given you this land.' 14 Your wives, your children, and your cattle will stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but you yourselves, all of your strong warriors in their military units, are to cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers 15 until the Lord gives rest to them as he has to you and they too take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land allotted to you so that you may fully possess the land that Moses, the servant of the Lord, gave to you in the area east of the Jordan, toward the sunrise.” 16 Then they answered Joshua, “Everything that you have commanded us we will do. We will go to any place you send us. 17 Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, we will likewise obey you. May the Lord your God be with you, just as he was with Moses. 18 Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey whatever you command him will be put to death. Just be strong and courageous!” Footnotes Joshua 1:4 Or desert. This refers to the wilderness south of Israel in the Sinai Peninsula. Joshua 1:4 Hebrew Great Sea The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0901db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – September 01 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:17 2 Thessalonians 2 Chosen for Salvation 13 But we are always obligated to thank God for you, brothers, loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation by the sanctifying work of the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 For this reason he also called you through our gospel so that you would obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold on to the teachings that were passed along to you, either by word of mouth or by a letter from us. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and establish you in every good work and word. Pray for Us 2 Thessalonians 3 1 Finally, brothers, pray for us so that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be glorified just as it was among you. 2 Pray also that we may be rescued from evil and wicked people. For not everyone has faith. 3 Still, the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and protect you from the Evil One. 4 We also have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we are telling you. 5 May the Lord continue to direct your hearts to God's love and Christ's patient endurance. Warnings Against Idleness 6 We instruct you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to avoid every brother who is walking idly and not in accordance with the teaching that you received from us. 7 In fact, you yourselves know how necessary it is for you to imitate us, because we were not idle among you. 8 We never ate anyone's bread without paying for it. Instead, with labor and hardship we worked night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 This was not because we lacked authority, but to provide an example for you to imitate. 10 In fact, when we were with you, this was our command to you: If anyone does not want to work, he should not eat. 11 Indeed, we hear that some among you are idle, not busy working, but being busybodies. 12 In the Lord Jesus Christ, we command and urge these people to work quietly and eat their own bread. 13 But you, brothers, do not grow weary of doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take note of him so that you do not associate with him, in order that he may be put to shame. 15 Yet do not consider him an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Benediction 16 May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all. 17 This greeting is written by me, Paul, with my own hand. This is a distinguishing sign of how I write in every letter. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0831db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 31 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 2 Thessalonians 2 The Man of Sin 1 Now, about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together with him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken from your composure or disturbed by a spirit, a message, or a letter thought to be from us, which says that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way, because that day will not come until the falling away comes first, and the man of sin [1] is revealed—the son of destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above everyone who is called God or every object of worship, so that he sits in the temple of God, displaying himself as God. 5 Do you not remember that, while I was still with you, I kept telling you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 In fact, the mystery of this lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who is now holding him back moves out of the way. 8 Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will consume with [2] the breath of his mouth and destroy when he appears in splendor at his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan, with every kind of miracle, that is, with false signs and wonders, 10 and with every kind of unrighteousness that deceives those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 And because of this, God continues to send them a strong delusion, so that they believe the lie, 12 in order that all those may be condemned who refused to believe the truth but instead delighted in unrighteousness. Footnotes 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Some witnesses to the text read lawlessness. (“Witnesses to the text” mentioned in footnotes may include Greek manuscripts, lectionaries, translations, and quotations in the church fathers.) 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Some witnesses to the text read slay by. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0830db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 30 2 Thessalonians 1 Greeting 1 Paul, Silas, [1] and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Judgment at Christ's Coming 3 We are always obligated to thank God for you, brothers, [2] as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love that each and every one of you has for one another is increasing. 4 So we ourselves boast about you in God's churches in regard to your patient endurance and faith in all your persecutions and in the trials that you are enduring. 5 This is evidence of God's righteous verdict that resulted in your being counted worthy of God's kingdom, for which you also suffer. 6 Certainly, it is right for God to repay trouble to those who trouble you, 7 and to give relief to you, who are troubled along with us. When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his powerful angels, 8 he will exercise vengeance in flaming fire on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 Such people will receive a just penalty: eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from his glorious strength, 10 on that day when he comes to be glorified among his saints, and to be marveled at among all those who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 For this reason, we are always praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of your calling and use his power to fulfill every good desire and work of your faith, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you and you in him, in keeping with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ. Footnotes 2 Thessalonians 1:1 Silvanus in Greek 2 Thessalonians 1:3 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0829db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 29 1 Thessalonians 5 Instruction Concerning the Signs of the End Times 1 Concerning the times and dates, brothers, there is no need to write to you, 2 for you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will suddenly come on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will certainly not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in the dark so that this day takes you by surprise like a thief, 5 for you are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep like everyone else, but rather let us remain alert and sober. 7 To be sure, those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 You see, God did not appoint us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are also doing. Final Exhortations and Greetings 12 Brothers, we ask you to take note of those who work hard among you, who exercise leadership over you in the Lord, and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love, on account of their work. Live at peace with each other. 14 We also encourage you, brothers, to admonish those who are idle. Encourage those who are discouraged, help those who are weak, and be patient with everyone. 15 See to it that no one repays evil with evil, but instead, always strive to do good to each other and to everyone else. 16 Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 But [1] test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Keep away from every kind [2] of evil. 23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath to the Lord to read this letter to all the holy [3] brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Footnotes 1 Thessalonians 5:21 A few witnesses to the text omit But. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Or appearance 1 Thessalonians 5:27 A few witnesses to the text omit holy. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0828db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 28 1 Thessalonians 4 Instruction Concerning Sexual Propriety 1 Therefore, beyond this, brothers, just as you received instruction from us about how you are to walk [1] so as to please God (as indeed you are doing), we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that you do so even more. 2 To be sure, you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 Indeed, this is God's will: that you be sanctified, namely, that you keep yourselves away from sexual immorality. 4 He wants each of you to learn to obtain a wife [2] for yourself [3] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in lustful passion like the heathen, who do not know God. 6 No one is to overstep and take advantage of his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, just as we said previously and solemnly testified to it. 7 For God did not call us for uncleanness, but in sanctification. 8 Consequently, whoever rejects this is not rejecting a man, but the God who gives you his Holy Spirit. Instruction Concerning Brotherly Love and Labor 9 Concerning brotherly love, there is no need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God, with the result that you love one another. 10 In fact, you are doing so toward all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers, to do this even more, 11 and to make it your ambition to live a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, just as we instructed you. 12 Do this so that you are conducting yourselves decently toward outsiders and are not lacking anything. Instruction Concerning the Resurrection of the Dead at Christ's Second Coming 13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, [4] so that you do not grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope. 14 Indeed, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then in the same way we also believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15 In fact, we tell you this by the word of the Lord: We who are alive and left until the coming of the Lord will certainly not go on ahead of those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, encourage one another with these words. Footnotes 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Or conduct yourselves 1 Thessalonians 4:4 Literally vessel 1 Thessalonians 4:4 Or each one of you to learn to control your own body 1 Thessalonians 4:13 A few witnesses to the text read are falling asleep. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0827db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 27 1 Thessalonians 3 Timothy's Mission and Good Report 1 So, when we could not stand it any longer, we thought it best to remain behind in Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and coworker for God in the gospel of Christ. [1] We sent him to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one will be shaken by these trials, for you know well that we are destined for this. 4 In fact, even when we were with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to suffer, and it happened just that way, as you know. 5 This is why, when I could not stand it any longer, I sent to find out about your faith, because I was afraid that somehow the Tempter had tempted you and our labor might have been for nothing. 6 But now, Timothy has returned to us from you and has told us the good news about your faith and love. He also told us that you always have fond memories of us and long to see us, just as much as we also long to see you. 7 Because of this, brothers, in all our distress and affliction, we have been encouraged about you through your faith. 8 For now we really live, if you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 Indeed, how can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have before God on account of you? 10 Night and day we are praying earnestly to see you in person and to supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 May God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord increase your love and make it overflow for each other and for all people, just as ours does for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts as blameless in holiness before our God and Father, when our Lord Jesus comes with all his saints. [2] Footnotes 1 Thessalonians 3:2 Some witnesses to the text read our brother, God's servant, and our coworker in the gospel of Christ. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Or holy ones, referring to the holy angels The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0826db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 26 1 Thessalonians 2 Paul Defends His Ministry Among the Thessalonians 1 Indeed, brothers, you yourselves know that our visit to you was not a waste of time. 2 Even though we had suffered previously and were treated shamefully in Philippi (as you know), we were bold in our God to speak the gospel of God to you in the face of great opposition. 3 For our appeal does not come from error or impure motives, or by way of deceit. 4 Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts. 5 Indeed, as you know, we never at any time used flattering speech, nor did we act with greed as a motive. God is our witness. 6 Also, we did not seek the praise of people (neither yours nor anyone else's), 7 even though we could have been a burden as Christ's apostles. On the contrary, we were gentle [1] among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 We yearned for you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 Surely, brothers, you remember our labor and hardship! We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you, while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devout, righteous, and blameless we were toward you who believe. 11 In the same way, you know that we treated each of you as a father deals with his own children: 12 encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who is calling you into his kingdom and glory. 13 There is also another reason we give thanks to God unceasingly, namely, when you received God's word, which you heard from us, you did not receive it as the word of men but as the word of God (as it really is), which is now at work in you who believe. 14 Yes, brothers, you became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus, because you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and who severely persecuted us. They are not pleasing to God and are hostile to all people. 16 By hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved, they are always filling up the full measure of their sins. And the wrath has come upon them completely. [2] Paul's Desire to See the Thessalonians 17 As for us, brothers, after we were separated from you like orphans for just a short time (in person, not in our heart), it was with great desire that we made every effort to see you again in person. 18 For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, wanted this, not just once, but twice), but Satan hindered us. 19 Indeed, who is our hope or joy or crown about which we boast before our Lord Jesus when he returns? Is it not you? 20 Yes, you are our glory and our joy. Footnotes 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Some witnesses to the text read infants. This would change the translation to: we could have been a burden as Christ's apostles, but we were infants among you. Like a nursing mother taking care of her own children, 8 we yearned. . . 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or has come upon them at last The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0825db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 25 1 Thessalonians 1 Greeting 1 Paul, Silas, [1] and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians, which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [2] Thanksgiving for the Faith of the Thessalonians 2 We always give thanks to God for all of you as we make mention of you in our prayers, 3 because we constantly remember before God our Father your work produced by faith, your labor produced by love, and your patient endurance produced by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 Dear brothers, [3] loved by God, we know that God has chosen you, 5 because our gospel did not come to you with mere words, but with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction. You yourselves know very well what kind of people we proved to be for your sake, while we were with you. 6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you welcomed the word during a time of great affliction with the joy from the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. [4] 8 Indeed, the word of the Lord has resounded from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith in God has become known. As a result, we do not need to say anything, 9 because they themselves inform us about what kind of reception we received from you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. 10 They also report how you patiently wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, the one who is going to rescue us from the coming wrath. Footnotes 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Silvanus in Greek 1 Thessalonians 1:1 A few witnesses to the text omit from God. . . Jesus Christ. (“Witnesses to the text” mentioned in footnotes may include Greek manuscripts, lectionaries, translations, and quotations in the church fathers.) 1 Thessalonians 1:4 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female. 1 Thessalonians 1:7 Macedonia and Achaia were the two provinces comprising Greece. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0824db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 24 Psalm 28 – 29 Psalm 28 My Rock Heading By David. Protect Me From the Wicked 1 O Lord, I keep calling to you. My Rock, do not be deaf to me. If you remain silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit. 2 Hear the sound of my plea for mercy when I cry out to you, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary. 3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those evildoers. They speak peace to their neighbors but hide evil in their hearts. Punish the Wicked 4 Give to them what they have done to others. According to their evil actions, according to the deeds of their hands, punish them. Repay to them what they deserve. 5 Because they do not recognize the works of the Lord or the deeds of his hands, he will tear them down and not build them up. Then I Will Praise You 6 Blessed be the Lord, because he has heard the sound of my plea for mercy. 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield. In him my heart trusts, and I am helped. My heart also celebrates. With my song I will give thanks to him. 8 The Lord is their strength. He is a stronghold of salvation for his anointed king. 9 Save your people, and bless the people that belong to you. Shepherd them, and carry them forever. Psalm 29 The God of Glory Thunders Heading A psalm by David. The God of Glory Thunders 1 Ascribe to the Lord, you sons of God, [1] Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name. Bow down to the Lord in the splendor of holiness. 3 The voice of the Lord is heard over the waters. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders above the mighty waters. 4 The voice of the Lord thunders in power. The voice of the Lord thunders in majesty. 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars. The Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Mount Lebanon skip like a calf. Sirion [2] skips like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord slashes with flashes of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness. The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord destroys the oaks [3] and strips the forests bare. So in his temple they all say, “Glory!” 10 The Lord is seated over the flood. The Lord is seated as King forever. 11 The Lord gives strength to his people. The Lord blesses his people with peace. Footnotes Psalm 29:1 In this verse the Hebrew word translated God is elim rather than the usual elohim. Elim could also be translated mighty ones or heavenly beings. It seems to refer to the angels. Psalm 29:6 Sirion and Mount Lebanon are names for Mount Hermon. Psalm 29:9 Or makes the deer give birth. The Hebrew text provides vowels for the word as if it were the word for deer, rather than the word for oaks. Shattering oaks seems to fit the context and the parallelism better than makes the deer give birth. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0823db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 23 Psalm 27 Psalm 27 The Stronghold of My Life Heading By David. Safe in God's Stronghold 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers advance against me to eat my flesh, when my foes and my enemies come against me, it is they who will stumble and fall. 3 If an army lines up against me, my heart will not fear. If war rises against me, even then I will keep trusting. Happy in God's Temple 4 One thing I ask from the Lord. This is what I seek: that I live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,     to gaze on the beauty of the Lord,     and to seek him in his temple. [1] 5 Yes, he will hide me in his shelter on the day of trouble. He will hide me in his tent. He will set me high on a rock. 6 Then my head will be lifted up above the enemies who surround me. I will offer sacrifices at his tent with a joyful shout. I will sing and make music to the Lord. Confident in Prayer 7 Hear me, O Lord. With my voice I call. Be merciful to me and answer me. 8 When you say, “Seek my face,” my heart says to you,     “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” 9 Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God who saves me. 10 If my father and my mother abandoned me,     the Lord would take me in. Walking in God's Path 11 Lord, teach me your way, and lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not give me up to the desire of my foes, because false witnesses rise up against me, and so do those who breathe out violence. At Home in God's Land 13 Unless I was confident to see the goodness of the Lord     in the land of the living— [2] 14 Wait for the Lord. Be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord! Footnotes Psalm 27:4 The Hebrew word hekal, usually translated temple, means big house. It can refer to a palace or a temple. It can apply to the tent sanctuaries built by Moses and David and to the temple building constructed by Solomon. Psalm 27:13 As it stands, the Hebrew text is an incomplete sentence which calls for a conclusion such as “I would have lost hope.” As the text stands, the construction breaks off and jumps to a positive affirmation. Some Hebrew manuscripts omit the initial word unless and have a positive statement: I am confident that I will . . . The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0822db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 22 Psalm 26 Psalm 26 Vindicate Me, O Lord Heading By David. Affirmation of Innocence and Plea for Judgment 1 Judge me favorably, O Lord, because I have walked in my integrity. In the Lord I have trusted. I have not wavered. 2 Test me, O Lord, and examine me. Refine my thoughts and my emotions, 3 for your mercy is in front of my eyes, and I keep walking in your truth. Separation From Evil 4 I do not sit with deceivers. I do not associate with hypocrites. 5 I hate the company of evildoers. I do not sit with the wicked. Affirmation of Innocence and Love for God 6 I wash my hands from sin, so I can march around your altar, O Lord, 7     to shout thanks to you     and to proclaim all your wonderful deeds. 8 Lord, I love the house where you reside, the place where your glory dwells. Separation From Evil 9 Do not snatch my soul away along with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 who grasp wicked schemes in their hands, whose right hands are full of bribes. Affirmation of Innocence and Prayer for Redemption 11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity. Redeem me and be merciful to me. 12 My feet stand on level ground. In the assemblies I will bless the Lord. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0821db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 21 Psalm 25 Psalm 25 Teach Me Your Ways Heading By David. A Prayer for Protection 1 To you, O Lord, I will lift up my soul. 2 In you I have trusted, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame. Do not let my enemies triumph over me. 3 All who hope in you will never be put to shame, but those who are treacherous for no reason will be put to shame. A Prayer for Forgiveness 4 Make known to me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths. 5 Make me walk in your truth and teach me, because you are the God who saves me. In you I hope all day long. 6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and your mercy, for they are from eternity. [1] 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. According to your mercy remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. 8 Good and upright is the Lord. Therefore, he instructs sinners in the right way. 9 He directs the humble to what is just, and he teaches the humble his way. 10 All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth     for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For the sake of your name, O Lord, you forgive my guilt, although it is great. A Prayer for a Godly Life 12 Who, then, is the man who fears the Lord? The Lord will instruct him in the way he chooses. 13 That man will enjoy a good life, and his descendants will possess the land. 14 The guidance [2] of the Lord is with those who fear him. His covenant will give them knowledge. A Second Prayer for Protection 15 My eyes are always on the Lord, because he frees my feet from the net. 16 Turn toward me and be gracious to me, because I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The distress of my heart increases. [3] Bring me out of my anguish. 18 See my affliction and my trouble, and take away all my sins. 19 See my enemies— how they have increased, and how violently they hate me! 20 Guard my life and rescue me. Do not let me be put to shame, for I have taken refuge in you. 21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,     because I wait for you. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress! Footnotes Psalm 25:6 Or from of old Psalm 25:14 The Hebrew word used here implies the kind of advice given by a close friend and confidant. Psalm 25:17 Or, following an alternate reading of the Hebrew, relieve the distress of my heart The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

#top .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-decf69baa0d7626367721f44357a615e{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-decf69baa0d7626367721f44357a615e .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-decf69baa0d7626367721f44357a615e .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; } Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 14Psalm 18:1-30 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – August 14 Psalm 18:1-30 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0814db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Psalm 18 Psalm 18 Unfailing Kindness to David And to His Descendant Forever (2 Samuel 22) Heading For the choir director. By David, the servant of the Lord, who spoke the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the grasp of all his enemies, even from the grasp of Saul. Praise to the Rock of Salvation 1 Then he said: I love you, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rocky cliff, my stronghold, and my deliverer. My God is my rock. I take refuge in him. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my high fortress. 3 I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Deliverance From Death 4 The ropes of death entangled me. Floodwaters of destruction [1] rolled over me. 5 The ropes of the grave wrapped around me. The traps of death threatened me. 6 In my distress I called to the Lord. To my God I cried out. He heard my voice from his temple. My cry came before him. It reached his ears. The Greatness of the Deliverance 7 Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains [2] trembled. They shook because the Lord was angry. 8 Smoke rose from his nostrils, and fire from his mouth devoured. Coals were set on fire by it. 9 Then he tore open the heavens and came down. A dark cloud was under his feet. 10 He rode upon a cherub, [3] and he flew. He soared on the wings of the wind. 11 He made the darkness around him his hiding place. Dark rain clouds [4] surrounded him like a canopy. 12 Emerging from the brightness in front of him     his clouds passed by with hail and coals of fire. 13 Then the Lord thundered in the heavens. The Most High raised his voice with hail and coals of fire. [5] 14 Then he shot his arrows and scattered the enemy. He shot great lightning bolts and routed them. 15 Then the sources of water [6] were revealed, and the foundations of the world were uncovered     by your rebuke, O Lord,     by the breath of wind from your nostrils. 16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me. He drew me out of deep waters. 17 Because they were too strong for me, he rescued me from my powerful enemy, from those who hate me. 18 They confronted me on the day of my disaster, but the Lord supported me. 19 Then he brought me out into a wide-open space. He rescued me because he delighted in me. David's Uprightness as a Basis for God's Judgment 20 The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness. According to the cleanness of my hands he has repaid me, 21 for I have kept the ways of the Lord. I have not done evil and departed from my God. 22 So all his just decrees remain before me, and I have not turned his statutes away from me. 23 I have been blameless with him. I have kept myself from guilt. 24 The Lord has repaid me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. God's Uprightness as a Basis for His Judgment 25 To the merciful you reveal yourself as merciful. To the blameless person you reveal yourself as blameless. 26 To the pure you reveal yourself as pure, but to the crooked you reveal yourself as crafty. 27 For you save humble people, but you bring low the eyes of the arrogant. 28 Yes, you light my lamp, O Lord. My God turns my darkness to light. 29 For with you I can charge against a battalion, and with my God I can jump over a wall. God Equips David for Victory 30 This God—his way is blameless. The speech of the Lord is pure. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Footnotes Psalm 18:4 Hebrew floodwaters of belial. Belial means worthless or unrestrained. It later became a name for Satan. Psalm 18:7 See 2 Samuel 22:8, which reads foundations of the heavens. Psalm 18:10 The cherubim are the powerful angels who serve as God's honor guard. Psalm 18:11 Literally darkness of waters, clouds of a cloudy sky Psalm 18:13 The Greek text does not include hail and coals of fire in this verse. It may be an accidental repetition from the preceding verse. The parallel in 2 Samuel 22:14 does not have this repetition. Psalm 18:15 Sources of the sea is the reading in the parallel text in 2 Samuel 22:16. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-aocsdx-89cb4ca21532423cf697fc393b6fcee0{ height:10px; } The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-4vzadh-3f04b370105df1fd314a2a9d83e55b26{ height:50px; } Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

#top .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-49dced36807bed8610be33c243707434{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-49dced36807bed8610be33c243707434 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-49dced36807bed8610be33c243707434 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; } Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 13Psalm 17 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – August 13 Psalm 17 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0813db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Psalm 17 My Righteous Plea Heading A prayer by David. David's Righteousness 1 Hear my righteous plea, O Lord. Pay attention to my outcry. Turn your ear to my prayer, which is not offered by deceitful lips. 2 May a just verdict for me come from you. May your eyes observe the things that are right. 3 You have tested my heart. You have visited me at night. You have refined me; you have found nothing wrong. I resolved that my mouth will not overstep its bounds. 4 As for the deeds of people:     by the words from your lips     I have kept myself from the ways of the violent. 5 Keep my footsteps on your paths. My steps have not slipped. God's Love 6 Indeed, I call to you because you will answer me, O God. Turn your ear toward me. Hear what I say. 7 Perform wonders through your mercy. By your right hand save those who seek refuge     from those who rise up against them. 8 Guard me like the pupil of your eye. [1] In the shadow of your wings hide me 9     from the wicked who try to destroy me,     from those enemies of my life who surround me. The Enemies' Ruthlessness 10 Their hearts are calloused. [2] Their mouths speak arrogantly. 11 Now they surround our steps. They watch us to throw us to the ground. 12 He is like a lion that is eager to tear, like a young lion crouching in its hiding place. 13 Rise, O Lord. Confront him. Bring him down. Save my life from the wicked by your sword. 14 Save me from such men by your hand, O Lord, from men of this world, whose reward is in this life. Closing Confidence 14b But you fill the stomachs of those whom you treasure. [3] Their children are satisfied, and they leave their wealth to their children. 15 Indeed, in righteousness I will view your face. When I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. Footnotes Psalm 17:8 Traditionally the apple of your eye Psalm 17:10 Literally they close their fat Psalm 17:14 Many translations join verse 14b with the first part of verse 14, understanding it as an observation about the worldly prosperity of the ungodly. They translate with your treasure you fill their stomachs. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-aocsdx-89cb4ca21532423cf697fc393b6fcee0{ height:10px; } The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-4vzadh-3f04b370105df1fd314a2a9d83e55b26{ height:50px; } Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

#top .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-7d5d33606d2e11d32139429f299b471f{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-7d5d33606d2e11d32139429f299b471f .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-7d5d33606d2e11d32139429f299b471f .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; } Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 12Psalm 15 – 16 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – August 12 Psalm 15 – 16 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0812db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Psalm 15 Who May Dwell in Your Sanctuary? Heading A psalm by David. The Question: Who May Dwell in Your Sanctuary? 1 Lord, who may be a guest in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain? The Answer: The One Who Does What Is Righteous 2 One who walks with integrity, who does what is righteous, and who speaks the truth in his heart. 3 He has no slander on his tongue. He does not harm his friend, and he does not defame his neighbor. 4 He despises everyone whom God rejects, but he honors those who fear the Lord. When he promises something,     he does not break his word     even though it costs him a lot. 5 He does not lend his money to get interest, [1] and he does not accept a bribe against the innocent. One who does these things will never be toppled. Psalm 16 You Will Not Abandon Me to the Grave Heading A miktam [2] by David. You Are My Lord 1 Guard me, O God, for I take refuge in you. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord. I have no good apart from you.” [3] 3 The holy ones who are in the land are glorious. All my delight is in them. 4 Those who chase after another god will increase their sorrows. I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood. I will not take up their names on my lips. You Will Not Abandon Me to the Grave 5 Lord, you are the cup that has been given to me. You have secured an allotment for me. 6 The property lines chosen for me fall in pleasant places. Yes, a delightful inheritance is mine. 7 I will bless the Lord, who guides me. Even at night my heart [4] instructs me. 8 I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being [5] rejoices. Even my flesh will dwell securely 10     because you will not abandon my life to the grave.     You will not let your favored one [6] see decay. 11 You have made known to me the path of life,     fullness of joy in your presence,     pleasures at your right hand forever. Footnotes Psalm 15:5 Or perhaps excessive interest Psalm 16:1 The meaning of miktam is uncertain. It may mean a golden psalm or a choice piece or a psalm inscribed on a tablet. Psalm 16:2 The Hebrew of verses 2–4 is difficult and may be understood in more than one way. Psalm 16:7 Literally kidneys. In Hebrew the word kidneys has some of the same connotations that heart does in English. Psalm 16:9 Literally my glory. A few manuscripts read liver, which in Hebrew idiom parallels heart as a center of emotion. Psalm 16:10 The Hebrew word hasid refers to a person who receives favor or distributes mercy. Here it refers to Christ, but it is not capitalized because it does not become one of his messianic titles. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-aocsdx-89cb4ca21532423cf697fc393b6fcee0{ height:10px; } The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-4vzadh-3f04b370105df1fd314a2a9d83e55b26{ height:50px; } Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0811db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 11 Psalm 13 – 14 Psalm 13 How Long, O Lord? Heading For the choir director. A psalm by David. Anguished Questions 1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I experience worries in my soul, sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy tower over me? An Urgent Prayer 3 Look at me. Answer me, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes     so I do not sleep in death, 4     so my enemy does not say, “I have overcome him,”     so my foes do not rejoice when I fall. A Solid Answer 5 But I trust in your mercy. My heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord     because he has accomplished his purpose for me. Psalm 14 The Fool (Psalm 53) Heading For the choir director. By David. A Description of the Fool 1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt. They do disgusting things. There is no one who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on all the children of Adam     to see if there is anyone who understands, anyone who seeks God. 3 Every one of them has turned away. Altogether they have become rotten. There is no one who does good. There is not even one. The Final Fate of the Fool 4 Don't any of these evildoers understand, those who devour my people as if they were eating bread? They do not call on the Lord. 5 There they are! They are terrified     because God is present in the circle of the righteous. 6 You try to put the plans of the poor to shame, but the Lord is their refuge. Closing Prayer 7 Who will provide salvation for Israel from Zion? [1] When the Lord restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! Footnotes Psalm 14:7 Or Oh that salvation for Israel would come from Zion! The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0810db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 10 Hosea 13 – 14 Repentance or Disaster? Hosea 13 1 When Ephraim spoke, people would tremble. He was highly honored in Israel,     but he became guilty through worshipping Baal, so he died. 2 Now they sin more and more.     They make cast images for themselves,     idols skillfully made from their silver,     all of them the work of craftsmen.     It is said about them, “The ones who sacrifice are humans who kiss calves!” [1] 3 Therefore they will be like morning mist,     and like early dew that passes away,     like chaff that is blown away from the threshing floor,     and like smoke from a chimney. 4 But I have been the Lord your God since you left the land of Egypt.     You must not acknowledge any god except me.     There is no Savior except me. 5 I took care of you in the wilderness,     in a land burned by drought. 6 When they had pasture, they were satisfied.     When they were satisfied, their hearts became arrogant.     That is why they have forgotten me. 7 So I will be like a lion to them.     Like a leopard, I will lurk along the path. 8 I will come upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs.     I will tear the cover off their hearts.     Then I will devour them like a lioness.     The wild animals will rip them apart. 9 This is what has destroyed you, Israel:     the fact that you are against me, against your helper. [2] 10 So where is your king, so that he may save you in all your cities,     and your judges, whom you requested, saying, “Give me a king and officials”? 11 I gave you a king in my anger,     and I took him away in my wrath. 12 The guilt of Ephraim is wrapped up.     His sin is stored up. 13 Labor pains will come for him,     but he is not a wise son,     for when the time arrives,     he is not ready to be born. 14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave! [3]     I will redeem them from death!     Death, where are your plagues?     Grave, where is your destruction?     Compassion will be hidden from my eyes. 15 Although he flourishes as a son among brothers, [4]     an east wind will come.     The breath [5] of the Lord is coming up from the wilderness.     His spring will become dry.     His fountain will be dried up.     His treasury will be plundered of every precious article. 16 Samaria will be found guilty,     because she rebelled against her God.     The people will fall by the sword.     Their little children will be dashed to the ground,     and their pregnant women will be ripped open. [6] Return to the Lord! Hosea 14 1 Israel, return to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your guilt. 2 Take words with you [7] and return to the Lord.     Say to him, “Forgive all our guilt,     and receive us graciously,     and let us present the fruit of our lips as bulls. [8] 3 Assyria cannot save us.     We will not ride on horses.     We will no longer call the work of our hands our gods!     For in you the fatherless child finds compassion.” 4 I will cure them of their unfaithfulness.     I will love them freely,     for my anger has turned away from them. 5 I will be refreshing like dew to Israel.     It will blossom like a lily.     It will take root like a cedar of Lebanon. 6 Its young shoots will sprout.     Its beauty will be like an olive tree.     Its fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. 7 Those who live in Israel's shade will once again grow grain.     They will blossom like a grape vine.     Its fame will be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 Ephraim, how much more do I have to put up with from idols?     I am the one who has answered, and I look after him.     I am like a fresh fir tree.     Your fruit comes from me. 9 Who is wise? Let him understand these things.     Who is discerning? Let him know them.     For the ways of the Lord are right,     and the righteous walk in them,     but the rebellious stumble in them. Footnotes Hosea 13:2 Or they offer human sacrifice and kiss calves. The line is difficult. Hosea 13:9 Or it has destroyed you, Israel, because it is from me, from your helper Hosea 13:14 Hebrew sheol Hosea 13:15 Or among the reeds. The translation above is a literal rendering of the Hebrew. Hosea 13:15 Or wind Hosea 13:16 English verse 13:16 is verse 14:1 in Hebrew. In chapter 14 the subsequent Hebrew verse numbers are one higher than the English numbers. Hosea 14:2 Or prepare a speech or take back your words Hosea 14:2 The text and meaning of this line are uncertain. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0809db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 09 Hosea 11 – 12 God's Love for Israel Hosea 11 1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more I called to them,     the more they went away from me. [1]     They kept sacrificing to the Baals     and burning incense to idols. 3 Yet I was the one who taught Ephraim to walk.     I took them in my arms, [2]     but they did not realize that it was I who healed them. 4 I drew them with cords suitable for a man, [3] with ropes of love.     For them I became like someone who lifts a yoke off their neck,     and I bent down to feed them. 5 They will not [4] return into the land of Egypt.     Instead, an Assyrian will be their king,     because they refused to repent. 6 The sword will slash against their cities.     It will destroy the bars of their gates,     and it will devour them because of their plans. 7 My people are determined to turn away from me.     Though they call him the Most High, he certainly will not exalt them. 8 How can I give you up, Ephraim?     How can I hand you over, Israel?     How can I make you like Admah?     How can I treat you like Zeboiim? [5]     My heart is changed inside me.     All my compassion is stirred up. 9 I will not carry out my burning anger.     I will not destroy Ephraim again,     because I am God, and not man, the Holy One among you.     I will not enter a city. [6] 10 They will follow the Lord.     He will roar like a lion.     Yes, he will roar, and his children will come trembling from the west. 11 They will come trembling like a bird from Egypt,     and like a dove from the land of Assyria.     I will settle them in their houses, declares the Lord. Israel Must Repent 12 Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood,     and the house of Israel with deceit.     Judah still strays from [7] God,     even from the Holy One, who is faithful. [8] Hosea 12 1 Ephraim feeds on wind and chases the east wind all day.     He multiplies lies and violence.     They make a treaty with Assyria,     and olive oil is carried to Egypt. 2 The Lord has a case against Judah.     He will deal with Jacob according to his ways.     According to his deeds he will repay him. 3 In the womb Jacob grasped his brother by the heel,     and when he was a grown man, he struggled with God. 4 He wrestled with the Angel and prevailed.     He wept and sought his favor.     He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with him, [9] 5 namely, with the Lord, the God of Armies.     The Lord is the name by which he is to be remembered! 6 So return to your God.     Observe mercy and justice,     and wait for your God continually. 7 A merchant has fraudulent scales in his hand.     He loves to defraud others. 8 Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich.     I have secured wealth for myself.     Among all my possessions no one will find anything that makes me guilty of sin.” 9 But I have been the Lord your God from the time you left the land of Egypt.     I will make you dwell in tents again,     as in the days of the appointed festival. [10] 10 I have spoken to the prophets.     I have given numerous visions.     I taught meaningful lessons through the prophets. 11 Since Gilead is wicked,     it is certain that they are worthless.     In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls.     Yes, their altars are like piles of stones in the furrows of a field. 12 Jacob fled to the territory of Aram.     Israel worked as a servant to get a wife,     and for a wife, he took care of sheep. 13 By a prophet, the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt,     and by a prophet he took care of Israel. 14 Ephraim has provoked bitter anger.     Therefore his Lord will leave him bloodied by his guilt     and bring his disgrace back on him. Footnotes Hosea 11:2 A variant reading is the more they called them, the more they went away from them. Hosea 11:3 The text of the pronouns in this verse is uncertain. The translation follows the Greek Old Testament. Hosea 11:4 Literally cords of mankind. The words translated man and love have homonyms meaning leather, so there may be a play on words here. Hosea 11:5 Not is missing from some manuscripts. Hosea 11:8 Admah and Zeboiim were daughter cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Hosea 11:9 Or come in wrath. The Hebrew is difficult. Hosea 11:12 Literally wanders with. Translations disagree whether the term is negative or positive. Hosea 11:12 English verse 11:12 is verse 12:1 in Hebrew. In chapter 12 the subsequent Hebrew verse numbers are one higher than the English numbers. Hosea 12:4 Variant us Hosea 12:9 The Festival of Shelters in the autumn The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0808db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 08 Hosea 9 – 10 Days of Retribution Are Near Hosea 9 1 Do not rejoice, Israel, with excessive celebration like the nations, because you act promiscuously against your God.     You love the wages you can earn as a prostitute at every threshing floor for grain. 2 The threshing floor and winepress will not feed them,     and the new wine will fail for them. 3 They will not remain in the Lord's land.     Ephraim will return to Egypt,     and they will eat unclean food in Assyria. 4 They will not pour out drink offerings of wine to the Lord.     Their sacrifices will not be pleasing to him.     For them, their bread will become like the bread eaten by mourners.     Everyone who eats it will be unclean.     This bread will only serve their own appetite.     It will not enter the House of the Lord. 5 What will you do on the day of the appointed festivals     and on the feast days of the Lord? 6 Know this! Even if they flee from destruction,     Egypt will gather them up.     Memphis will bury them.     Thistles will overgrow their silver treasures.     Thorns will grow inside their tents. 7 The days of reckoning have come.     The days of retribution have come.     Israel should know this! Israel Rejects the Prophets     The prophet is treated like a fool,     and the man of the Spirit is called crazy,     because your guilt is enormous,     and because your hostility is so great. 8 A prophet is to be a watchman over Ephraim for my God,     but a fowler's snare is laid for him on all of Ephraim's paths,     and he encounters hostility in the house of his God. [1] 9 They have become extremely corrupt,     as they were in the days of Gibeah.     God will remember their guilt.     He will punish them for their sins. Fertility Worship Brings No Fertility 10 I regarded Israel like grapes found in the wilderness.     I regarded your forefathers like the first ripe fruit on a fig tree in its first season,     but they went to Baal Peor, and they devoted themselves to a shameful thing,     and they became as disgusting as the thing they loved. 11 Ephraim's glory will fly away like a bird—     no birth, no pregnancy, no conception! 12 Even if they bring up their children,     I will deprive them of each one.     Yes, woe to them when I depart from them! 13 I have seen Ephraim planted in a pleasant place like Tyre,     but Ephraim will bring its children out to the executioner. 14 Give to them, Lord—but what will you give?     Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts. 15 Because of all their evil in Gilgal,     I hated them there.     Because of their evil deeds,     I will drive them out of my house!     I will love them no more.     All their officials are rebels. 16 Ephraim has been struck down.     Their root has dried up.     They will bear no fruit.     Even if they give birth,     I will put their precious offspring to death. 17 My God will reject them, because they have not obeyed him.     They will be wanderers among the nations. Hosea 10 1 Israel was a spreading [2] vine. He produced fruit for himself.     The more fruit he produced, the more altars he made.     The richer the land became, the richer he made his sacred memorial stones. 2 Their hearts are insincere, [3]     so now they will suffer for their guilt.     The Lord will break down their altars     and destroy their sacred memorial stones. Kings Cannot Save You 3 Certainly now they will say, “We have no king     because we did not fear the Lord,     but what could such a king do for us anyway?” 4 They speak empty words.     With empty oaths, they make agreements.     That is why disputes sprout like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field. 5 The inhabitants of Samaria will be terrified because of the calf [4] of Beth Aven.     Yes, its people will mourn over it,     and its idolatrous priests will cry out over it,     over its lost glory, because it has gone into exile. 6 It will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the Great King. [5]     Ephraim will be gripped with shame,     and Israel will be ashamed of its own idol. [6] 7 Samaria, like her king, will be carried off     like a twig on the surface of the water. 8 The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will become unusable.     Thorns and thistles will grow on their altars.     They will say to the mountains, “Cover us!”     and to the hills, “Fall on us!” Learn the Lesson of Gibeah 9 Israel, you have sinned ever since the days of Gibeah,     where the evildoers took their stand.     The war against the evildoers caught up with them at Gibeah, did it not? 10 When I see fit, I will discipline them. [7]     Peoples will be gathered against them         to bind them for their double guilt. [8] 11 Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh.     I will put a yoke on her beautiful neck. [9]     I will harness Ephraim.     Judah will plow.     Jacob will break up the ground. 12 Sow righteousness for yourselves,     and reap mercy.     Break up your fallow ground.     It is time to seek the Lord,     until he comes and rains righteousness on you. 13 You have plowed wickedness.     You have reaped injustice.     You have eaten the fruit of your lies,     because you trusted in your own way,     in the large number of your strong warriors. 14 Therefore the roar of battle will rise against your people,     and all your fortresses will be destroyed,     as Shalman [10] devastated Beth Arbel on the day of battle.     Mothers were dashed to the ground with their children. 15 This is what will be done to you, Bethel,     because of your great wickedness.     At dawn the king of Israel will be completely destroyed. Footnotes Hosea 9:8 This verse is difficult. Hosea 10:1 The Hebrew word may have a negative connotation like invasive. Hosea 10:2 Or divided Hosea 10:5 Variant calves Hosea 10:6 The text of the last word of the line is uncertain. Hosea 10:6 Or plan. The meaning of the last word is uncertain. Hosea 10:10 The text of the line is uncertain. Hosea 10:10 Or two crimes. The text of the line is uncertain. Hosea 10:11 The text of the line is uncertain. Hosea 10:14 The king of Assyria The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0807db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 07 Hosea 5:15 – 8:14 Hosea 5 15 I will go. I will return to my place     until they admit their guilt and seek my face.     In their distress they will earnestly seek me. Israel's Need to Return to the Lord 15 Come, let us return to the Lord. For he has torn us to pieces,     but he will heal us.     He has struck us,     but he will bandage our wounds. 2 After two days he will revive us.     On the third day he will raise us up,     so that we may live in his presence. 3 Let us acknowledge the Lord.     Let us pursue knowledge of the Lord.     As surely as the sun rises,     the Lord will appear.     He will come to us like a heavy rain,     like the spring rain that waters the earth. God's Grief Over Israel's Impenitence 4 What am I going to do with you, Ephraim?     What am I going to do with you, Judah?     For your faithfulness [1] is like a morning mist,     like early dew that disappears. 5 That is why I cut them to pieces by means of the prophets.     I killed them with the words of my mouth.     The judgments against you go forth like the light. 6 For I desire mercy, [2] and not sacrifice,     and the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings. 7 Like Adam, [3] they have broken the covenant.     They acted treacherously against me there. 8 Gilead is a city of evildoers,     stained with bloody footprints. 9 As gangs of robbers wait to ambush a man,     so do bands of priests.     They commit murder on the road to Shechem.     They have committed shameful crimes. 10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing.     Ephraim practices sexual immorality there.     Israel defiles itself. 11 Judah, also for you, a harvest has been appointed,     when I restore the fortunes of my people. [4] Israel's Corruption 7 Whenever I want to heal Israel, the guilt of Ephraim is uncovered,     and the evil deeds of Samaria are exposed,     because they deal dishonestly.     Thieves come inside,     and bandits raid outside. 2 In their hearts Ephraim does not realize that I remember all their wickedness.     Now their deeds are all around them.     They are in front of my face. 3 The people of Ephraim make the king glad with their wickedness.     They make their officials happy with their lies. 4 They are all adulterers,     burning like an oven.     The baker does not need to stoke the fire     from the time the dough is kneaded until it is leavened. 5 On the day [5] of our [6] king, the officials became sick from the intoxicating wine.     He reaches out his hand to the blasphemers. 6 Indeed, their hearts are like an oven.     They approach him, while plotting against him.     Their anger sleeps all night,     but in the morning it burns like a blazing fire. 7 They are all hot as an oven.     They devour their rulers.     All their kings have fallen.     Not one of them calls on me. 8 Ephraim mixes itself with the nations.     Ephraim is a flatbread not turned over. 9 Strangers have devoured his strength,     but he does not realize it.     There are gray hairs on his head,     but he does not realize it. 10 The arrogance of Israel testifies against him,     yet they have not returned to the Lord their God,     and they have not sought him, despite all this. Israel's Instability 11 Ephraim is like a gullible dove, without sense.     They call to Egypt.     Then they appeal to Assyria. 12 When they go out, I will spread my net over them.     I will bring them down like birds from the sky.     I will discipline them, on the basis of the report about their assembly. [7] 13 Woe to them,     because they have strayed from me!     Destruction comes upon them,     because they have rebelled against me!     I want to redeem them,     but they speak lies against me. 14 They do not cry out to me with their hearts,     but they howl on their beds.     They gather together [8] for grain and new wine.     They turn away from me. 15 Though I trained and strengthened their arms,     they plot evil against me. 16 They return, but not upward. [9]     They are like an unreliable bow.     Their officials will fall by the sword because of their angry tongues.     Because of this, they will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt. The Lord's Anger Burns Against Israel 8 Raise a ram's horn to your lips! A vulture is circling over [10] the Lord's house,     because they have broken my covenant     and rebelled against my law. 2 Israel cries out to me,     “My God, we acknowledge [11] you!” 3 But, in fact, Israel has rejected what is good.     An enemy will pursue him. 4 They set up kings, but not with my approval.     They installed officials, but I did not choose [12] them.     From their silver and their gold they made idols for themselves,     so they will be cut off. 5 I reject [13] your calf idol, Samaria!     My anger burns against these people!     How long will they be incapable of innocence? 6 That thing sitting there is from Israel!     A craftsman made it, so it is not God.     Certainly that calf of Samaria will be smashed to pieces! 7 Because they sow the wind,     they will reap the whirlwind.     The standing grain forms no heads,     so it will yield no flour.     Even if it would yield flour, foreigners would swallow it up. 8 Israel is swallowed up.     Now among the nations they are like a pot no one wants. 9 For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey all by itself.     Ephraim has hired lovers. 10 Even though they hire lovers among the nations,     I will now gather them together.     They will begin to suffer in a little while,     because of oppression by a king with many officials. 11 Ephraim has multiplied his altars for sin offerings,     but for him they became altars for sinning. 12 Though I wrote many teachings from my law for them,     they regarded them as strange. 13 They offer sacrifices to me just to get the meat. [14]     They sacrifice flesh and eat it,     but the Lord is not pleased with them.     Now he will remember their guilt     and punish their sins.     They will return to Egypt. 14 Israel has forgotten its Maker and built palaces. [15]     Judah has multiplied its fortified cities,     but I will send fire on its cities,     which will devour its citadels. Footnotes Hosea 6:4 Or mercy Hosea 6:6 Or faithfulness Hosea 6:7 Or at Adam. We are aware of no act of covenant breaking at the city of Adam. Hosea 6:11 Or though I would rather restore my people from captivity. Some translations join this line with verse 7:1. Hosea 7:5 The birthday or the coronation day Hosea 7:5 The Targum reads their. Hosea 7:12 Or I will discipline them when I hear them flocking together. The meaning of the line is uncertain. Hosea 7:14 Or they cut themselves, a reference to heathen religious practices Hosea 7:16 Or not for the better. The translation above is literal. Many translations suggest the emendations return to the Most High or turn to Baal. Hosea 8:1 Or an eagle is about to swoop down on Hosea 8:2 Or know Hosea 8:4 Literally know Hosea 8:5 The Hebrew text reads he rejects. Ancient versions read reject! Sudden shifts of person are not unusual in Hosea. Hosea 8:13 The meaning of this line is uncertain. Hosea 8:14 Or temples The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0806db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 06 Hosea 4:1 – 5:14 The Lord's Charges Against Israel and Its Priests Hosea 4 1 Hear the word of the Lord, you people of Israel,     because the Lord has charges to make against the inhabitants of the land,     because there is no truth,     there is no mercy,     and there is no knowledge of God in the land. 2 There is cursing, lying, murder, theft, and adultery.     They break out in violence, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. 3 Therefore the land mourns, [1]     and everyone who dwells in it wastes away     along with the wild animals and the birds in the sky.     Even the fish of the sea have been removed. 4 Yet no one should bring charges.     No one should accuse,     because your people are like those who dispute with a priest. [2] 5 You will stumble by day,     and the prophet will also stumble with you by night.     I will also destroy your mother. 6 My people have been destroyed because of lack of knowledge.     Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you     from serving as a priest for me.     Because you have forgotten the law of your God,     I also will forget your children. 7 The more they increased, the more they sinned against me.     I changed their glory into shame. [3] 8 They feed on the sin of my people.     They set their desire on things that make them guilty. 9 So it will be the same for people as for priests.     I will punish them for their ways.     I will repay them for their deeds. 10 They will eat, but not be satisfied.     They will engage in sexual immorality, but not increase.     This will take place because they have abandoned the Lord to devote themselves to 11 sexual sin. [4]     Wine and new wine take away their understanding. [5] 12 My people consult their wooden idol,     and their fortunetellers wand gives them information,     because a promiscuous spirit has led them astray,     and they behave like a whore instead of following their God. 13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops.     They burn incense on the hills, and under oaks, poplars, and terebinths,     because their shade is pleasant.     That is why your daughters commit fornication, [6]     and your brides commit adultery. 14 I will not punish your daughters when they commit fornication,     or your brides when they commit adultery,     because the men consort with prostitutes     and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes.     So the people without understanding will come to ruin. 15 Though you, Israel, practice sexual immorality,     Judah should not follow your guilty way.     Do not go to Gilgal.     Do not go up to Beth Aven.     Do not swear, “As surely as the Lord lives.” 16 For Israel has become as stubborn as a heifer.     How can the Lord feed them like a lamb in a meadow? 17 Ephraim is joined to idols.     Let him go his own way! 18 Their alcoholic drinks are used up,     but they keep practicing sexual immorality anyway.     Their rulers, who should be their shields, instead love shame. 19 The wings of the wind will sweep them away,     and they will be put to shame because of their sacrifices. Judgment on Israel's Priests and Kings Hosea 5 1 Hear this, you priests! Pay attention, house of Israel!     Listen, O house of the king!     For this judgment applies to you,     because you were a trap at Mizpah     and a net spread out on Mount Tabor. 2 The rebels sink deeper into slaughter,     but I will discipline all of them. 3 I know Ephraim,     and Israel is not hidden from me.     Now, Ephraim, you still practice sexual immorality.     Israel is defiled. 4 Their deeds do not allow them to return to their God.     For a spirit of prostitution lies within them,     and they do not know the Lord. 5 The arrogance of Israel testifies against them.     Israel and Ephraim will stumble over their guilt.     Judah also will stumble with them. 6 They will go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord,     but they will not find him.     He has withdrawn from them. 7 They acted treacherously against the Lord.     They even gave birth to illegitimate children.     Now the new moon will devour them along with their allotted land. 8 Blow the ram's horn in Gibeah     and the trumpet in Ramah!     Raise a battle cry at Beth Aven: “Lead the way, Benjamin!” 9 Ephraim will become desolate ruins on the day it is punished. [7]     What I have made known among the tribes of Israel will certainly happen. 10 The officials of Judah are like people who move a boundary stone.     I will pour out my wrath on them like water. 11 Ephraim is oppressed,     crushed in judgment,     because he was determined to pursue worthless idols. [8] 12 I am like a moth to Ephraim,     and like decay to the house of Judah. 13 When Ephraim saw his sickness,     and Judah saw his wound,     Ephraim went to Assyria     and sent to the Great King for help,     but he is not able to heal you,     and he will not cure your wound, 14 because I will be like a lion to Ephraim     and like a young lion to the house of Judah.     Yes, I will tear him to pieces and go away.     I will carry them off, and there will be no one who can rescue them. Footnotes Hosea 4:3 Or dries up Hosea 4:4 The verse is difficult. The translation follows the Hebrew and Greek texts. Translations that render the third line my contention is with you, O priest emend the text to obtain this rendering. The point of the verse seems to be that it is useless to bring charges against these people, because they would not accept the judgment even of a priest. Hosea 4:7 A Hebrew variant is they changed my glory for something shameful. Hosea 4:11 Or prostitution Hosea 4:11 The proper dividing point between verses 10 and 11 is uncertain. Though the words sexual sin are in verse 11 in the Hebrew text, these words belong with verse 10. Hosea 4:13 The same Hebrew word elsewhere translated sexual immorality or prostitution is used here in reference to unmarried girls, so it is translated fornication. Hosea 5:9 Or rebuked Hosea 5:11 The translation follows some ancient versions. The Hebrew reads human commands. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0805db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 05 Hosea 3 The Prophet's Reconciliation With His Wife: A Picture of the Lord's Love 1 The Lord said to me, “Go again. Show love to a woman who is loved by another man, a woman who keeps committing adultery. Show love just as the Lord loves the people of Israel, even though they keep turning to other gods and loving the raisin cakes.” [1] 2 So I bought her for myself for fifteen pieces of silver and nine bushels [2] of barley. 3 I said to her, “You will stay with me for many days. You must not be promiscuous. [3] You must not be with any other man, and I will also be for you.” 4 So the people of Israel will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred memorial stones, and without the special vest [4] or family idols. [5] 5 Afterward the people of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days. Footnotes Hosea 3:1 Raisin cakes were sometimes shaped into images of the goddess Asherah. Hosea 3:2 A homer and a lethek, that is, six bushels plus three bushels Hosea 3:3 Or engage in prostitution Hosea 3:4 Hebrew ephod Hosea 3:4 Hebrew teraphim The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.