Podcasts about Lament

In this episode of Encouraging Prayer, James Banks and Robby Dilmore, discuss the beauty of lament. 

Old Testament: Ezekiel 32–33 Ezekiel 32–33 (Listen) A Lament over Pharaoh and Egypt 32 In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, raise a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him:   “You consider yourself a lion of the nations,    but you are like a dragon in the seas;  you burst forth in your rivers,    trouble the waters with your feet,    and foul their rivers.3   Thus says the Lord GOD:    I will throw my net over you    with a host of many peoples,    and they will haul you up in my dragnet.4   And I will cast you on the ground;    on the open field I will fling you,  and will cause all the birds of the heavens to settle on you,    and I will gorge the beasts of the whole earth with you.5   I will strew your flesh upon the mountains    and fill the valleys with your carcass.16   I will drench the land even to the mountains    with your flowing blood,    and the ravines will be full of you.7   When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens    and make their stars dark;  I will cover the sun with a cloud,    and the moon shall not give its light.8   All the bright lights of heaven    will I make dark over you,    and put darkness on your land,      declares the Lord GOD. 9 “I will trouble the hearts of many peoples, when I bring your destruction among the nations, into the countries that you have not known. 10 I will make many peoples appalled at you, and the hair of their kings shall bristle with horror because of you, when I brandish my sword before them. They shall tremble every moment, every one for his own life, on the day of your downfall. 11 “For thus says the Lord GOD: The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you. 12 I will cause your multitude to fall by the swords of mighty ones, all of them most ruthless of nations.   “They shall bring to ruin the pride of Egypt,    and all its multitude2 shall perish.13   I will destroy all its beasts    from beside many waters;  and no foot of man shall trouble them anymore,    nor shall the hoofs of beasts trouble them.14   Then I will make their waters clear,    and cause their rivers to run like oil,      declares the Lord GOD.15   When I make the land of Egypt desolate,    and when the land is desolate of all that fills it,  when I strike down all who dwell in it,    then they will know that I am the LORD. 16 This is a lamentation that shall be chanted; the daughters of the nations shall chant it; over Egypt, and over all her multitude, shall they chant it, declares the Lord GOD.” 17 In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month,3 on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 18 “Son of man, wail over the multitude of Egypt, and send them down, her and the daughters of majestic nations, to the world below, to those who have gone down to the pit: 19   ‘Whom do you surpass in beauty?    Go down and be laid to rest with the uncircumcised.' 20 They shall fall amid those who are slain by the sword. Egypt4 is delivered to the sword; drag her away, and all her multitudes. 21 The mighty chiefs shall speak of them, with their helpers, out of the midst of Sheol: ‘They have come down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.' 22 “Assyria is there, and all her company, its graves all around it, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, 23 whose graves are set in the uttermost parts of the pit; and her company is all around her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who spread terror in the land of the living. 24 “Elam is there, and all her multitude around her grave; all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who went down uncircumcised into the world below, who spread their terror in the land of the living; and they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit. 25 They have made her a bed among the slain with all her multitude, her graves all around it, all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword; for terror of them was spread in the land of the living, and they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit; they are placed among the slain. 26 “Meshech-Tubal is there, and all her multitude, her graves all around it, all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword; for they spread their terror in the land of the living. 27 And they do not lie with the mighty, the fallen from among the uncircumcised, who went down to Sheol with their weapons of war, whose swords were laid under their heads, and whose iniquities are upon their bones; for the terror of the mighty men was in the land of the living. 28 But as for you, you shall be broken and lie among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. 29 “Edom is there, her kings and all her princes, who for all their might are laid with those who are killed by the sword; they lie with the uncircumcised, with those who go down to the pit. 30 “The princes of the north are there, all of them, and all the Sidonians, who have gone down in shame with the slain, for all the terror that they caused by their might; they lie uncircumcised with those who are slain by the sword, and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit. 31 “When Pharaoh sees them, he will be comforted for all his multitude, Pharaoh and all his army, slain by the sword, declares the Lord GOD. 32 For I spread terror in the land of the living; and he shall be laid to rest among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword, Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel Is Israel's Watchman 33 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, 3 and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand. 7 “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. Why Will You Die, Israel? 10 “And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?' 11 Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? 12 “And you, son of man, say to your people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him when he transgresses, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall by it when he turns from his wickedness, and the righteous shall not be able to live by his righteousness5 when he sins. 13 Though I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, yet if he trusts in his righteousness and does injustice, none of his righteous deeds shall be remembered, but in his injustice that he has done he shall die. 14 Again, though I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,' yet if he turns from his sin and does what is just and right, 15 if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life, not doing injustice, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 16 None of the sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he shall surely live. 17 “Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just,' when it is their own way that is not just. 18 When the righteous turns from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it. 19 And when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he shall live by this. 20 Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.' O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways.” Jerusalem Struck Down 21 In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month, on the fifth day of the month, a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and said, “The city has been struck down.” 22 Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me the evening before the fugitive came; and he had opened my mouth by the time the man came to me in the morning, so my mouth was opened, and I was no longer mute. 23 The word of the LORD came to me: 24 “Son of man, the inhabitants of these waste places in the land of Israel keep saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he got possession of the land; but we are many; the land is surely given us to possess.' 25 Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: You eat flesh with the blood and lift up your eyes to your idols and shed blood; shall you then possess the land? 26 You rely on the sword, you commit abominations, and each of you defiles his neighbor's wife; shall you then possess the land? 27 Say this to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: As I live, surely those who are in the waste places shall fall by the sword, and whoever is in the open field I will give to the beasts to be devoured, and those who are in strongholds and in caves shall die by pestilence. 28 And I will make the land a desolation and a waste, and her proud might shall come to an end, and the mountains of Israel shall be so desolate that none will pass through. 29 Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have made the land a desolation and a waste because of all their abominations that they have committed. 30 “As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, say to one another, each to his brother, ‘Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.' 31 And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. 32 And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays6 well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. 33 When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” Footnotes [1] 32:5 Hebrew your height [2] 32:12 Or wealth [3] 32:17 Hebrew lacks in the twelfth month [4] 32:20 Hebrew She [5] 33:12 Hebrew by it [6] 33:32 Hebrew like the singing of lustful songs with a beautiful voice and one who plays (ESV) New Testament: John 1:19–51 John 1:19–51 (Listen) The Testimony of John the Baptist 19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight1 the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. Behold, the Lamb of God 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son2 of God.” Jesus Calls the First Disciples 35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.3 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus4 was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter5). Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you,6 you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Footnotes [1] 1:23 Or crying out, ‘In the wilderness make straight [2] 1:34 Some manuscripts the Chosen One [3] 1:39 That is, about 4 p.m. [4] 1:40 Greek him [5] 1:42 Cephas and Peter are from the word for rock in Aramaic and Greek, respectively [6] 1:51 The Greek for you is plural; twice in this verse (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 121 Psalm 121 (Listen) My Help Comes from the Lord A Song of Ascents. 121   I lift up my eyes to the hills.    From where does my help come?2   My help comes from the LORD,    who made heaven and earth. 3   He will not let your foot be moved;    he who keeps you will not slumber.4   Behold, he who keeps Israel    will neither slumber nor sleep. 5   The LORD is your keeper;    the LORD is your shade on your right hand.6   The sun shall not strike you by day,    nor the moon by night. 7   The LORD will keep you from all evil;    he will keep your life.8   The LORD will keep    your going out and your coming in    from this time forth and forevermore. (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 28:25–26 Proverbs 28:25–26 (Listen) 25   A greedy man stirs up strife,    but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.26   Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,    but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. (ESV)

Jennifer Pedraza, representante a la Cámara, lamentó que el proyecto de la reforma a la salud haya avanzado en el CongresoThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4987527/advertisement

Old Testament: Ezekiel 32–33 Ezekiel 32–33 (Listen) A Lament over Pharaoh and Egypt 32 In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, raise a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him:   “You consider yourself a lion of the nations,    but you are like a dragon in the seas;  you burst forth in your rivers,    trouble the waters with your feet,    and foul their rivers.3   Thus says the Lord GOD:    I will throw my net over you    with a host of many peoples,    and they will haul you up in my dragnet.4   And I will cast you on the ground;    on the open field I will fling you,  and will cause all the birds of the heavens to settle on you,    and I will gorge the beasts of the whole earth with you.5   I will strew your flesh upon the mountains    and fill the valleys with your carcass.16   I will drench the land even to the mountains    with your flowing blood,    and the ravines will be full of you.7   When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens    and make their stars dark;  I will cover the sun with a cloud,    and the moon shall not give its light.8   All the bright lights of heaven    will I make dark over you,    and put darkness on your land,      declares the Lord GOD. 9 “I will trouble the hearts of many peoples, when I bring your destruction among the nations, into the countries that you have not known. 10 I will make many peoples appalled at you, and the hair of their kings shall bristle with horror because of you, when I brandish my sword before them. They shall tremble every moment, every one for his own life, on the day of your downfall. 11 “For thus says the Lord GOD: The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you. 12 I will cause your multitude to fall by the swords of mighty ones, all of them most ruthless of nations.   “They shall bring to ruin the pride of Egypt,    and all its multitude2 shall perish.13   I will destroy all its beasts    from beside many waters;  and no foot of man shall trouble them anymore,    nor shall the hoofs of beasts trouble them.14   Then I will make their waters clear,    and cause their rivers to run like oil,      declares the Lord GOD.15   When I make the land of Egypt desolate,    and when the land is desolate of all that fills it,  when I strike down all who dwell in it,    then they will know that I am the LORD. 16 This is a lamentation that shall be chanted; the daughters of the nations shall chant it; over Egypt, and over all her multitude, shall they chant it, declares the Lord GOD.” 17 In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month,3 on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 18 “Son of man, wail over the multitude of Egypt, and send them down, her and the daughters of majestic nations, to the world below, to those who have gone down to the pit: 19   ‘Whom do you surpass in beauty?    Go down and be laid to rest with the uncircumcised.' 20 They shall fall amid those who are slain by the sword. Egypt4 is delivered to the sword; drag her away, and all her multitudes. 21 The mighty chiefs shall speak of them, with their helpers, out of the midst of Sheol: ‘They have come down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.' 22 “Assyria is there, and all her company, its graves all around it, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, 23 whose graves are set in the uttermost parts of the pit; and her company is all around her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who spread terror in the land of the living. 24 “Elam is there, and all her multitude around her grave; all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who went down uncircumcised into the world below, who spread their terror in the land of the living; and they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit. 25 They have made her a bed among the slain with all her multitude, her graves all around it, all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword; for terror of them was spread in the land of the living, and they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit; they are placed among the slain. 26 “Meshech-Tubal is there, and all her multitude, her graves all around it, all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword; for they spread their terror in the land of the living. 27 And they do not lie with the mighty, the fallen from among the uncircumcised, who went down to Sheol with their weapons of war, whose swords were laid under their heads, and whose iniquities are upon their bones; for the terror of the mighty men was in the land of the living. 28 But as for you, you shall be broken and lie among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. 29 “Edom is there, her kings and all her princes, who for all their might are laid with those who are killed by the sword; they lie with the uncircumcised, with those who go down to the pit. 30 “The princes of the north are there, all of them, and all the Sidonians, who have gone down in shame with the slain, for all the terror that they caused by their might; they lie uncircumcised with those who are slain by the sword, and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit. 31 “When Pharaoh sees them, he will be comforted for all his multitude, Pharaoh and all his army, slain by the sword, declares the Lord GOD. 32 For I spread terror in the land of the living; and he shall be laid to rest among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword, Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel Is Israel's Watchman 33 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, 3 and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand. 7 “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. Why Will You Die, Israel? 10 “And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?' 11 Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? 12 “And you, son of man, say to your people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him when he transgresses, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall by it when he turns from his wickedness, and the righteous shall not be able to live by his righteousness5 when he sins. 13 Though I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, yet if he trusts in his righteousness and does injustice, none of his righteous deeds shall be remembered, but in his injustice that he has done he shall die. 14 Again, though I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,' yet if he turns from his sin and does what is just and right, 15 if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life, not doing injustice, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 16 None of the sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he shall surely live. 17 “Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just,' when it is their own way that is not just. 18 When the righteous turns from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it. 19 And when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he shall live by this. 20 Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.' O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways.” Jerusalem Struck Down 21 In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month, on the fifth day of the month, a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and said, “The city has been struck down.” 22 Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me the evening before the fugitive came; and he had opened my mouth by the time the man came to me in the morning, so my mouth was opened, and I was no longer mute. 23 The word of the LORD came to me: 24 “Son of man, the inhabitants of these waste places in the land of Israel keep saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he got possession of the land; but we are many; the land is surely given us to possess.' 25 Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: You eat flesh with the blood and lift up your eyes to your idols and shed blood; shall you then possess the land? 26 You rely on the sword, you commit abominations, and each of you defiles his neighbor's wife; shall you then possess the land? 27 Say this to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: As I live, surely those who are in the waste places shall fall by the sword, and whoever is in the open field I will give to the beasts to be devoured, and those who are in strongholds and in caves shall die by pestilence. 28 And I will make the land a desolation and a waste, and her proud might shall come to an end, and the mountains of Israel shall be so desolate that none will pass through. 29 Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have made the land a desolation and a waste because of all their abominations that they have committed. 30 “As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, say to one another, each to his brother, ‘Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.' 31 And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. 32 And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays6 well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. 33 When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” Footnotes [1] 32:5 Hebrew your height [2] 32:12 Or wealth [3] 32:17 Hebrew lacks in the twelfth month [4] 32:20 Hebrew She [5] 33:12 Hebrew by it [6] 33:32 Hebrew like the singing of lustful songs with a beautiful voice and one who plays (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 121 Psalm 121 (Listen) My Help Comes from the Lord A Song of Ascents. 121   I lift up my eyes to the hills.    From where does my help come?2   My help comes from the LORD,    who made heaven and earth. 3   He will not let your foot be moved;    he who keeps you will not slumber.4   Behold, he who keeps Israel    will neither slumber nor sleep. 5   The LORD is your keeper;    the LORD is your shade on your right hand.6   The sun shall not strike you by day,    nor the moon by night. 7   The LORD will keep you from all evil;    he will keep your life.8   The LORD will keep    your going out and your coming in    from this time forth and forevermore. (ESV) New Testament: 1 Timothy 1–3 1 Timothy 1–3 (Listen) Greeting 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Warning Against False Teachers 3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship1 from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. 8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers,2 liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound3 doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners 12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.4 Amen. 18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. Pray for All People 2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man5 Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. Qualifications for Overseers 3 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer6 must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,7 sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. Qualifications for Deacons 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,8 not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise9 must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. The Mystery of Godliness 14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:   He10 was manifested in the flesh,    vindicated11 by the Spirit,12      seen by angels,  proclaimed among the nations,    believed on in the world,      taken up in glory. Footnotes [1] 1:4 Or good order [2] 1:10 That is, those who take someone captive in order to sell him into slavery [3] 1:10 Or healthy [4] 1:17 Greek to the ages of ages [5] 2:5 men and man render the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and 4 [6] 3:2 Or bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1 [7] 3:2 Or a man of one woman; also verse 12 [8] 3:8 Or devious in speech [9] 3:11 Or Wives likewise, or Women likewise [10] 3:16 Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which [11] 3:16 Or justified [12] 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit (ESV)

Old Testament: Ezekiel 29–31 Ezekiel 29–31 (Listen) Prophecy Against Egypt 29 In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and against all Egypt; 3 speak, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD:   “Behold, I am against you,    Pharaoh king of Egypt,  the great dragon that lies    in the midst of his streams,  that says, ‘My Nile is my own;    I made it for myself.'4   I will put hooks in your jaws,    and make the fish of your streams stick to your scales;  and I will draw you up out of the midst of your streams,    with all the fish of your streams    that stick to your scales.5   And I will cast you out into the wilderness,    you and all the fish of your streams;  you shall fall on the open field,    and not be brought together or gathered.  To the beasts of the earth and to the birds of the heavens    I give you as food. 6 Then all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD. “Because you1 have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel, 7 when they grasped you with the hand, you broke and tore all their shoulders; and when they leaned on you, you broke and made all their loins to shake.2 8 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will bring a sword upon you, and will cut off from you man and beast, 9 and the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am the LORD. “Because you3 said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it,' 10 therefore, behold, I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush. 11 No foot of man shall pass through it, and no foot of beast shall pass through it; it shall be uninhabited forty years. 12 And I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of desolated countries, and her cities shall be a desolation forty years among cities that are laid waste. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries. 13 “For thus says the Lord GOD: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples among whom they were scattered, 14 and I will restore the fortunes of Egypt and bring them back to the land of Pathros, the land of their origin, and there they shall be a lowly kingdom. 15 It shall be the most lowly of the kingdoms, and never again exalt itself above the nations. And I will make them so small that they will never again rule over the nations. 16 And it shall never again be the reliance of the house of Israel, recalling their iniquity, when they turn to them for aid. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.” 17 In the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 18 “Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his army labor hard against Tyre. Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was rubbed bare, yet neither he nor his army got anything from Tyre to pay for the labor that he had performed against her. 19 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall carry off its wealth4 and despoil it and plunder it; and it shall be the wages for his army. 20 I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment for which he labored, because they worked for me, declares the Lord GOD. 21 “On that day I will cause a horn to spring up for the house of Israel, and I will open your lips among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” A Lament for Egypt 30 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD:   “Wail, ‘Alas for the day!'3     For the day is near,    the day of the LORD is near;  it will be a day of clouds,    a time of doom for5 the nations.4   A sword shall come upon Egypt,    and anguish shall be in Cush,  when the slain fall in Egypt,    and her wealth6 is carried away,    and her foundations are torn down. 5 Cush, and Put, and Lud, and all Arabia, and Libya,7 and the people of the land that is in league,8 shall fall with them by the sword. 6   “Thus says the LORD:  Those who support Egypt shall fall,    and her proud might shall come down;  from Migdol to Syene    they shall fall within her by the sword,  declares the Lord GOD.7   And they shall be desolated in the midst of desolated countries,    and their cities shall be in the midst of cities that are laid waste.8   Then they will know that I am the LORD,    when I have set fire to Egypt,    and all her helpers are broken. 9 “On that day messengers shall go out from me in ships to terrify the unsuspecting people of Cush, and anguish shall come upon them on the day of Egypt's doom;9 for, behold, it comes! 10 “Thus says the Lord GOD:   “I will put an end to the wealth of Egypt,    by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.11   He and his people with him, the most ruthless of nations,    shall be brought in to destroy the land,  and they shall draw their swords against Egypt    and fill the land with the slain.12   And I will dry up the Nile    and will sell the land into the hand of evildoers;  I will bring desolation upon the land and everything in it,    by the hand of foreigners;  I am the LORD; I have spoken. 13 “Thus says the Lord GOD:   “I will destroy the idols    and put an end to the images in Memphis;  there shall no longer be a prince from the land of Egypt;    so I will put fear in the land of Egypt.14   I will make Pathros a desolation    and will set fire to Zoan    and will execute judgments on Thebes.15   And I will pour out my wrath on Pelusium,    the stronghold of Egypt,    and cut off the multitude10 of Thebes.16   And I will set fire to Egypt;    Pelusium shall be in great agony;  Thebes shall be breached,    and Memphis shall face enemies11 by day.17   The young men of On and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword,    and the women12 shall go into captivity.18   At Tehaphnehes the day shall be dark,    when I break there the yoke bars of Egypt,  and her proud might shall come to an end in her;    she shall be covered by a cloud,    and her daughters shall go into captivity.19   Thus I will execute judgments on Egypt.    Then they will know that I am the LORD.” Egypt Shall Fall to Babylon 20 In the eleventh year, in the first month, on the seventh day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 21 “Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and behold, it has not been bound up, to heal it by binding it with a bandage, so that it may become strong to wield the sword. 22 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt and will break his arms, both the strong arm and the one that was broken, and I will make the sword fall from his hand. 23 I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them through the countries. 24 And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put my sword in his hand, but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan before him like a man mortally wounded. 25 I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh shall fall. Then they shall know that I am the LORD, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he stretches it out against the land of Egypt. 26 And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” Pharaoh to Be Slain 31 In the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude:   “Whom are you like in your greatness?3     Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon,  with beautiful branches and forest shade,    and of towering height,    its top among the clouds.134   The waters nourished it;    the deep made it grow tall,  making its rivers flow    around the place of its planting,  sending forth its streams    to all the trees of the field.5   So it towered high    above all the trees of the field;  its boughs grew large    and its branches long    from abundant water in its shoots.6   All the birds of the heavens    made their nests in its boughs;  under its branches all the beasts of the field    gave birth to their young,  and under its shadow    lived all great nations.7   It was beautiful in its greatness,    in the length of its branches;  for its roots went down    to abundant waters.8   The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it,    nor the fir trees equal its boughs;  neither were the plane trees    like its branches;  no tree in the garden of God    was its equal in beauty.9   I made it beautiful    in the mass of its branches,  and all the trees of Eden envied it,    that were in the garden of God. 10 “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because it14 towered high and set its top among the clouds,15 and its heart was proud of its height, 11 I will give it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations. He shall surely deal with it as its wickedness deserves. I have cast it out. 12 Foreigners, the most ruthless of nations, have cut it down and left it. On the mountains and in all the valleys its branches have fallen, and its boughs have been broken in all the ravines of the land, and all the peoples of the earth have gone away from its shadow and left it. 13 On its fallen trunk dwell all the birds of the heavens, and on its branches are all the beasts of the field. 14 All this is in order that no trees by the waters may grow to towering height or set their tops among the clouds,16 and that no trees that drink water may reach up to them in height. For they are all given over to death, to the world below, among the children of man,17 with those who go down to the pit. 15 “Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day the cedar18 went down to Sheol I caused mourning; I closed the deep over it, and restrained its rivers, and many waters were stopped. I clothed Lebanon in gloom for it, and all the trees of the field fainted because of it. 16 I made the nations quake at the sound of its fall, when I cast it down to Sheol with those who go down to the pit. And all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, were comforted in the world below. 17 They also went down to Sheol with it, to those who are slain by the sword; yes, those who were its arm, who lived under its shadow among the nations. 18 “Whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? You shall be brought down with the trees of Eden to the world below. You shall lie among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. “This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord GOD.” Footnotes [1] 29:6 Hebrew they [2] 29:7 Syriac (compare Psalm 69:23); Hebrew to stand [3] 29:9 Hebrew he [4] 29:19 Or multitude [5] 30:3 Hebrew lacks doom for [6] 30:4 Or multitude; also verse 10 [7] 30:5 With Septuagint; Hebrew Cub [8] 30:5 Hebrew and the sons of the land of the covenant [9] 30:9 Hebrew the day of Egypt [10] 30:15 Or wealth [11] 30:16 Or distress [12] 30:17 Or the cities; Hebrew they [13] 31:3 Or its top went through the thick boughs [14] 31:10 Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew you [15] 31:10 Or its top through the thick boughs [16] 31:14 Or their tops through the thick boughs [17] 31:14 Or of Adam [18] 31:15 Hebrew it (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 120 Psalm 120 (Listen) Deliver Me, O Lord A Song of Ascents. 120   In my distress I called to the LORD,    and he answered me.2   Deliver me, O LORD,    from lying lips,    from a deceitful tongue. 3   What shall be given to you,    and what more shall be done to you,    you deceitful tongue?4   A warrior's sharp arrows,    with glowing coals of the broom tree! 5   Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,    that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!6   Too long have I had my dwelling    among those who hate peace.7   I am for peace,    but when I speak, they are for war! (ESV) New Testament: 2 Thessalonians 2–3 2 Thessalonians 2–3 (Listen) The Man of Lawlessness 2 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,1 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness2 is revealed, the son of destruction,3 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Stand Firm 13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits4 to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. Pray for Us 3 Finally, brothers,5 pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,6 as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.7 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. Warning Against Idleness 6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.8 13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. Benediction 16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in eve

Old Testament: Ezekiel 29–31 Ezekiel 29–31 (Listen) Prophecy Against Egypt 29 In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and against all Egypt; 3 speak, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD:   “Behold, I am against you,    Pharaoh king of Egypt,  the great dragon that lies    in the midst of his streams,  that says, ‘My Nile is my own;    I made it for myself.'4   I will put hooks in your jaws,    and make the fish of your streams stick to your scales;  and I will draw you up out of the midst of your streams,    with all the fish of your streams    that stick to your scales.5   And I will cast you out into the wilderness,    you and all the fish of your streams;  you shall fall on the open field,    and not be brought together or gathered.  To the beasts of the earth and to the birds of the heavens    I give you as food. 6 Then all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD. “Because you1 have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel, 7 when they grasped you with the hand, you broke and tore all their shoulders; and when they leaned on you, you broke and made all their loins to shake.2 8 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will bring a sword upon you, and will cut off from you man and beast, 9 and the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am the LORD. “Because you3 said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it,' 10 therefore, behold, I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush. 11 No foot of man shall pass through it, and no foot of beast shall pass through it; it shall be uninhabited forty years. 12 And I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of desolated countries, and her cities shall be a desolation forty years among cities that are laid waste. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries. 13 “For thus says the Lord GOD: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples among whom they were scattered, 14 and I will restore the fortunes of Egypt and bring them back to the land of Pathros, the land of their origin, and there they shall be a lowly kingdom. 15 It shall be the most lowly of the kingdoms, and never again exalt itself above the nations. And I will make them so small that they will never again rule over the nations. 16 And it shall never again be the reliance of the house of Israel, recalling their iniquity, when they turn to them for aid. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.” 17 In the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 18 “Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his army labor hard against Tyre. Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was rubbed bare, yet neither he nor his army got anything from Tyre to pay for the labor that he had performed against her. 19 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall carry off its wealth4 and despoil it and plunder it; and it shall be the wages for his army. 20 I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment for which he labored, because they worked for me, declares the Lord GOD. 21 “On that day I will cause a horn to spring up for the house of Israel, and I will open your lips among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” A Lament for Egypt 30 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD:   “Wail, ‘Alas for the day!'3     For the day is near,    the day of the LORD is near;  it will be a day of clouds,    a time of doom for5 the nations.4   A sword shall come upon Egypt,    and anguish shall be in Cush,  when the slain fall in Egypt,    and her wealth6 is carried away,    and her foundations are torn down. 5 Cush, and Put, and Lud, and all Arabia, and Libya,7 and the people of the land that is in league,8 shall fall with them by the sword. 6   “Thus says the LORD:  Those who support Egypt shall fall,    and her proud might shall come down;  from Migdol to Syene    they shall fall within her by the sword,  declares the Lord GOD.7   And they shall be desolated in the midst of desolated countries,    and their cities shall be in the midst of cities that are laid waste.8   Then they will know that I am the LORD,    when I have set fire to Egypt,    and all her helpers are broken. 9 “On that day messengers shall go out from me in ships to terrify the unsuspecting people of Cush, and anguish shall come upon them on the day of Egypt's doom;9 for, behold, it comes! 10 “Thus says the Lord GOD:   “I will put an end to the wealth of Egypt,    by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.11   He and his people with him, the most ruthless of nations,    shall be brought in to destroy the land,  and they shall draw their swords against Egypt    and fill the land with the slain.12   And I will dry up the Nile    and will sell the land into the hand of evildoers;  I will bring desolation upon the land and everything in it,    by the hand of foreigners;  I am the LORD; I have spoken. 13 “Thus says the Lord GOD:   “I will destroy the idols    and put an end to the images in Memphis;  there shall no longer be a prince from the land of Egypt;    so I will put fear in the land of Egypt.14   I will make Pathros a desolation    and will set fire to Zoan    and will execute judgments on Thebes.15   And I will pour out my wrath on Pelusium,    the stronghold of Egypt,    and cut off the multitude10 of Thebes.16   And I will set fire to Egypt;    Pelusium shall be in great agony;  Thebes shall be breached,    and Memphis shall face enemies11 by day.17   The young men of On and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword,    and the women12 shall go into captivity.18   At Tehaphnehes the day shall be dark,    when I break there the yoke bars of Egypt,  and her proud might shall come to an end in her;    she shall be covered by a cloud,    and her daughters shall go into captivity.19   Thus I will execute judgments on Egypt.    Then they will know that I am the LORD.” Egypt Shall Fall to Babylon 20 In the eleventh year, in the first month, on the seventh day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 21 “Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and behold, it has not been bound up, to heal it by binding it with a bandage, so that it may become strong to wield the sword. 22 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt and will break his arms, both the strong arm and the one that was broken, and I will make the sword fall from his hand. 23 I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them through the countries. 24 And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put my sword in his hand, but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan before him like a man mortally wounded. 25 I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh shall fall. Then they shall know that I am the LORD, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he stretches it out against the land of Egypt. 26 And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” Pharaoh to Be Slain 31 In the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude:   “Whom are you like in your greatness?3     Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon,  with beautiful branches and forest shade,    and of towering height,    its top among the clouds.134   The waters nourished it;    the deep made it grow tall,  making its rivers flow    around the place of its planting,  sending forth its streams    to all the trees of the field.5   So it towered high    above all the trees of the field;  its boughs grew large    and its branches long    from abundant water in its shoots.6   All the birds of the heavens    made their nests in its boughs;  under its branches all the beasts of the field    gave birth to their young,  and under its shadow    lived all great nations.7   It was beautiful in its greatness,    in the length of its branches;  for its roots went down    to abundant waters.8   The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it,    nor the fir trees equal its boughs;  neither were the plane trees    like its branches;  no tree in the garden of God    was its equal in beauty.9   I made it beautiful    in the mass of its branches,  and all the trees of Eden envied it,    that were in the garden of God. 10 “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because it14 towered high and set its top among the clouds,15 and its heart was proud of its height, 11 I will give it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations. He shall surely deal with it as its wickedness deserves. I have cast it out. 12 Foreigners, the most ruthless of nations, have cut it down and left it. On the mountains and in all the valleys its branches have fallen, and its boughs have been broken in all the ravines of the land, and all the peoples of the earth have gone away from its shadow and left it. 13 On its fallen trunk dwell all the birds of the heavens, and on its branches are all the beasts of the field. 14 All this is in order that no trees by the waters may grow to towering height or set their tops among the clouds,16 and that no trees that drink water may reach up to them in height. For they are all given over to death, to the world below, among the children of man,17 with those who go down to the pit. 15 “Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day the cedar18 went down to Sheol I caused mourning; I closed the deep over it, and restrained its rivers, and many waters were stopped. I clothed Lebanon in gloom for it, and all the trees of the field fainted because of it. 16 I made the nations quake at the sound of its fall, when I cast it down to Sheol with those who go down to the pit. And all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, were comforted in the world below. 17 They also went down to Sheol with it, to those who are slain by the sword; yes, those who were its arm, who lived under its shadow among the nations. 18 “Whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? You shall be brought down with the trees of Eden to the world below. You shall lie among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. “This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord GOD.” Footnotes [1] 29:6 Hebrew they [2] 29:7 Syriac (compare Psalm 69:23); Hebrew to stand [3] 29:9 Hebrew he [4] 29:19 Or multitude [5] 30:3 Hebrew lacks doom for [6] 30:4 Or multitude; also verse 10 [7] 30:5 With Septuagint; Hebrew Cub [8] 30:5 Hebrew and the sons of the land of the covenant [9] 30:9 Hebrew the day of Egypt [10] 30:15 Or wealth [11] 30:16 Or distress [12] 30:17 Or the cities; Hebrew they [13] 31:3 Or its top went through the thick boughs [14] 31:10 Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew you [15] 31:10 Or its top through the thick boughs [16] 31:14 Or their tops through the thick boughs [17] 31:14 Or of Adam [18] 31:15 Hebrew it (ESV) New Testament: John 1:1–18 John 1:1–18 (Listen) The Word Became Flesh 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,1 and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own,2 and his own people3 did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son4 from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.5 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God,6 who is at the Father's side,7 he has made him known. Footnotes [1] 1:4 Or was not any thing made. That which has been made was life in him [2] 1:11 Greek to his own things; that is, to his own domain, or to his own people [3] 1:11 People is implied in Greek [4] 1:14 Or only One, or unique One [5] 1:16 Or grace in place of grace [6] 1:18 Or the only One, who is God; some manuscripts the only Son [7] 1:18 Greek in the bosom of the Father (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 120 Psalm 120 (Listen) Deliver Me, O Lord A Song of Ascents. 120   In my distress I called to the LORD,    and he answered me.2   Deliver me, O LORD,    from lying lips,    from a deceitful tongue. 3   What shall be given to you,    and what more shall be done to you,    you deceitful tongue?4   A warrior's sharp arrows,    with glowing coals of the broom tree! 5   Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,    that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!6   Too long have I had my dwelling    among those who hate peace.7   I am for peace,    but when I speak, they are for war! (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 28:23–24 Proverbs 28:23–24 (Listen) 23   Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor    than he who flatters with his tongue.24   Whoever robs his father or his mother    and says, “That is no transgression,”    is a companion to a man who destroys. (ESV)

Hi friends! So glad to be back with you today for another devotional podcast episode. I'm honored to be in your ear buds as I talk with you today about what's been on my heart lately. We all have this deep desire to BELONG. To be known. And we can't escape it. It's how we were created. We were created to be intimately known by the One who made us. By our creator God. But, when that need to BELONG….To feel apart….To feel known for who we were made to be isn't met, we can get ourselves into deep waters. That's when insecurity rises like the tide. That's when we make decisions we wouldn't normally. When we seek acceptance and approval from the world around us. When we want to be liked. To fit. To be “normal.”We've all felt loss, grief, fear, and despair. And we've all cried out, “How long, Lord?” from the dept of our pain. When we're feeling gutted by sorrow, that feels like it will never end, what do we do. We lament. We express our grief, sorrow, or regret. Lament is a stepping stone. It's a step on the path toward healing and wholeness. I don't think we can fully heal without LAMENT. Just don't let your feelings stop. They've got to keep on moving. You've got to at some point move from your sorrow to worship. God is looking after you. And he's looking after me. Jesus sees your ocean of tears. And He is asking you to trust Him with your tears. What begins as a problem, must eventually end as a praise. Ask for the Lord's help. Call out to him. He will answer you. Share all of your messy emotions with Him. He's big enough. He can keep track of all your sorrows. Main topics from the show: The power of lamentMoving from sorrow to worship Surrendering control Taking big risks Trusting God is working in the unseen places Leah Genesis 29-35Desire to belongLINKS FROM THE SHOWFREE Guide! 4 Keys to a Positive Birth Your Best Birth Course Code: PODCASTHealth Benefits of Kangen Water Get 50% OFF your first year of FLODESKTeeth Tamer from EarthlyCHOOSENATURAL to enjoy a 10% discount on your 1ST Earthly order. Returning customers: use code COMEBACK to receive 10% off your order. Connect with Alise InstagramAlright friend. If you're a fan of the show and you'd like to show your support here's what you can do:You can SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts! You can leave a REVIEW on iTunes. These reviews really help others find the show!You can go find me on Instagram @PERFECTLYWONDERFULLYMADE and send me a DM. I would love to hear from you! You can always send me an email or message me on social media! I'd love to hear what you're thinking about the show! alise@alisemarsh.comShare the love! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show! Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you're listening!

Page One, produced and hosted by author Holly Lynn Payne, celebrates the craft that goes into writing the first sentence, first paragraph and first page of your favorite books. The first page is often the most rewritten page of any book because it has to work so hard to do so much—hook the reader. We interview master storytellers on the struggles and stories behind the first page of their books.About the guest author:Kate Christensen is the author of seven novels, including The Last Cruise, The Astral, Trouble, The Epicure's Lament, Jeremy Thrane, In the Drink and The Great Man, which won the 2008 PEN/Faulkner Award for fiction. Christensen was one of only five women in 30 years at the time who had ever received this prestigious award. She has also published two food-centric memoirs, Blue Plate Special and How to Cook a Moose, which won the 2016 Maine Literary Award for Memoir. She teaches fiction at the Iowa Writers' Workshop and has taught numerous workshops in both memoir and fiction at various residencies and MFA programs throughout the United States, in addition to publishing many essays, reviews, and stories. She has recently finished the first book of her debut YA trilogy with her co-writer, Eliza Wolfe, for Disney Books and also finished her first detective book, published under a pseudonym for HarperCollins. When she's not in Iowa teaching, she lives in Taos, New Mexico with her screenwriter husband and two dogs and is currently at work on a new novel. You can follow her on Instagram @kate.christensen100. About the host:Holly Lynn Payne is an award-winning novelist and writing coach, and the former CEO and founder of Booxby, a startup built to help authors succeed. She is an internationally published author of four historical fiction novels. Her debut, The Virgin's Knot, was a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers book. She recently finished her first YA crossover novel inspired by her nephew with Down syndrome. She lives in Marin County with her daughter and enjoys mountain biking, surfing and hiking with her dog. To learn more about her books and private writing coaching services, please visit hollylynnpayne.com or find her at Instagram and Twitter @hollylynnpayne.Hear past episodes.To get updates and writing tips from master storytellers, follow me onFacebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Instagram.Until then, be well and keep reading!In service,Holly

In this playlist we are reading through the Psalms! ——— ***Disciple Dojo swag and gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2 ***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate ***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup's Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable ------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Old Testament: Ezekiel 27–28 Ezekiel 27–28 (Listen) A Lament for Tyre 27 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Now you, son of man, raise a lamentation over Tyre, 3 and say to Tyre, who dwells at the entrances to the sea, merchant of the peoples to many coastlands, thus says the Lord GOD:   “O Tyre, you have said,    ‘I am perfect in beauty.'4   Your borders are in the heart of the seas;    your builders made perfect your beauty.5   They made all your planks    of fir trees from Senir;  they took a cedar from Lebanon    to make a mast for you.6   Of oaks of Bashan    they made your oars;  they made your deck of pines    from the coasts of Cyprus,    inlaid with ivory.7   Of fine embroidered linen from Egypt    was your sail,    serving as your banner;  blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah    was your awning.8   The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad    were your rowers;  your skilled men, O Tyre, were in you;    they were your pilots.9   The elders of Gebal and her skilled men were in you,    caulking your seams;  all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in you    to barter for your wares. 10 “Persia and Lud and Put were in your army as your men of war. They hung the shield and helmet in you; they gave you splendor. 11 Men of Arvad and Helech were on your walls all around, and men of Gamad were in your towers. They hung their shields on your walls all around; they made perfect your beauty. 12 “Tarshish did business with you because of your great wealth of every kind; silver, iron, tin, and lead they exchanged for your wares. 13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech traded with you; they exchanged human beings and vessels of bronze for your merchandise. 14 From Beth-togarmah they exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your wares. 15 The men of Dedan1 traded with you. Many coastlands were your own special markets; they brought you in payment ivory tusks and ebony. 16 Syria did business with you because of your abundant goods; they exchanged for your wares emeralds, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and ruby. 17 Judah and the land of Israel traded with you; they exchanged for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, meal,2 honey, oil, and balm. 18 Damascus did business with you for your abundant goods, because of your great wealth of every kind; wine of Helbon and wool of Sahar 19 and casks of wine3 from Uzal they exchanged for your wares; wrought iron, cassia, and calamus were bartered for your merchandise. 20 Dedan traded with you in saddlecloths for riding. 21 Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your favored dealers in lambs, rams, and goats; in these they did business with you. 22 The traders of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; they exchanged for your wares the best of all kinds of spices and all precious stones and gold. 23 Haran, Canneh, Eden, traders of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad traded with you. 24 In your market these traded with you in choice garments, in clothes of blue and embroidered work, and in carpets of colored material, bound with cords and made secure. 25 The ships of Tarshish traveled for you with your merchandise. So you were filled and heavily laden in the heart of the seas. 26   “Your rowers have brought you out    into the high seas.  The east wind has wrecked you    in the heart of the seas.27   Your riches, your wares, your merchandise,    your mariners and your pilots,  your caulkers, your dealers in merchandise,    and all your men of war who are in you,  with all your crew    that is in your midst,  sink into the heart of the seas    on the day of your fall.28   At the sound of the cry of your pilots    the countryside shakes,29   and down from their ships    come all who handle the oar.  The mariners and all the pilots of the sea    stand on the land30   and shout aloud over you    and cry out bitterly.  They cast dust on their heads    and wallow in ashes;31   they make themselves bald for you    and put sackcloth on their waist,  and they weep over you in bitterness of soul,    with bitter mourning.32   In their wailing they raise a lamentation for you    and lament over you:  ‘Who is like Tyre,    like one destroyed in the midst of the sea?33   When your wares came from the seas,    you satisfied many peoples;  with your abundant wealth and merchandise    you enriched the kings of the earth.34   Now you are wrecked by the seas,    in the depths of the waters;  your merchandise and all your crew in your midst    have sunk with you.35   All the inhabitants of the coastlands    are appalled at you,  and the hair of their kings bristles with horror;    their faces are convulsed.36   The merchants among the peoples hiss at you;    you have come to a dreadful end    and shall be no more forever.'” Prophecy Against the Prince of Tyre 28 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord GOD:   “Because your heart is proud,    and you have said, ‘I am a god,  I sit in the seat of the gods,    in the heart of the seas,'  yet you are but a man, and no god,    though you make your heart like the heart of a god—3   you are indeed wiser than Daniel;    no secret is hidden from you;4   by your wisdom and your understanding    you have made wealth for yourself,  and have gathered gold and silver    into your treasuries;5   by your great wisdom in your trade    you have increased your wealth,    and your heart has become proud in your wealth—6   therefore thus says the Lord GOD:  Because you make your heart    like the heart of a god,7   therefore, behold, I will bring foreigners upon you,    the most ruthless of the nations;  and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom    and defile your splendor.8   They shall thrust you down into the pit,    and you shall die the death of the slain    in the heart of the seas.9   Will you still say, ‘I am a god,'    in the presence of those who kill you,  though you are but a man, and no god,    in the hands of those who slay you?10   You shall die the death of the uncircumcised    by the hand of foreigners;    for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD.” A Lament over the King of Tyre 11 Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me: 12 “Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord GOD:   “You were the signet of perfection,4    full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.13   You were in Eden, the garden of God;    every precious stone was your covering,  sardius, topaz, and diamond,    beryl, onyx, and jasper,  sapphire,5 emerald, and carbuncle;    and crafted in gold were your settings    and your engravings.6  On the day that you were created    they were prepared.14   You were an anointed guardian cherub.    I placed you;7 you were on the holy mountain of God;    in the midst of the stones of fire you walked.15   You were blameless in your ways    from the day you were created,    till unrighteousness was found in you.16   In the abundance of your trade    you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned;  so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God,    and I destroyed you,8 O guardian cherub,    from the midst of the stones of fire.17   Your heart was proud because of your beauty;    you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.  I cast you to the ground;    I exposed you before kings,    to feast their eyes on you.18   By the multitude of your iniquities,    in the unrighteousness of your trade    you profaned your sanctuaries;  so I brought fire out from your midst;    it consumed you,  and I turned you to ashes on the earth    in the sight of all who saw you.19   All who know you among the peoples    are appalled at you;  you have come to a dreadful end    and shall be no more forever.” Prophecy Against Sidon 20 The word of the LORD came to me: 21 “Son of man, set your face toward Sidon, and prophesy against her 22 and say, Thus says the Lord GOD:   “Behold, I am against you, O Sidon,    and I will manifest my glory in your midst.  And they shall know that I am the LORD    when I execute judgments in her    and manifest my holiness in her;23   for I will send pestilence into her,    and blood into her streets;  and the slain shall fall in her midst,    by the sword that is against her on every side.  Then they will know that I am the LORD. 24 “And for the house of Israel there shall be no more a brier to prick or a thorn to hurt them among all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD. Israel Gathered in Security 25 “Thus says the Lord GOD: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely, when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.” Footnotes [1] 27:15 Hebrew; Septuagint Rhodes [2] 27:17 The meaning of the Hebrew word is unknown [3] 27:19 Probable reading; Hebrew wool of Sahar19and Dan and Javan [4] 28:12 The meaning of the Hebrew phrase is uncertain [5] 28:13 Or lapis lazuli [6] 28:13 The meaning of the Hebrew phrase is uncertain [7] 28:14 The meaning of the Hebrew phrase is uncertain [8] 28:16 Or banished you (ESV) New Testament: Revelation 22:6–21 Revelation 22:6–21 (Listen) Jesus Is Coming 6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” 7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes,1 so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.2 Amen. Footnotes [1] 22:14 Some manuscripts do his commandments [2] 22:21 Some manuscripts all the saints (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 119:169–176 Psalm 119:169–176 (Listen) Taw 169   Let my cry come before you, O LORD;    give me understanding according to your word!170   Let my plea come before you;    deliver me according to your word.171   My lips will pour forth praise,    for you teach me your statutes.172   My tongue will sing of your word,    for all your commandments are right.173   Let your hand be ready to help me,    for I have chosen your precepts.174   I long for your salvation, O LORD,    and your law is my delight.175   Let my soul live and praise you,    and let your rules help me.176   I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,    for I do not forget your commandments. (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 28:21–22 Proverbs 28:21–22 (Listen) 21   To show partiality is not good,    but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.22   A stingy man1 hastens after wealth    and does not know that poverty will come upon him. Footnotes [1] 28:22 Hebrew A man whose eye is evil (ESV)

With family: 1 Chronicles 26–27; 2 Peter 1 1 Chronicles 26–27 (Listen) Divisions of the Gatekeepers 26 As for the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. 2 And Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, 3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh. 4 And Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth, for God blessed him. 6 Also to his son Shemaiah were sons born who were rulers in their fathers' houses, for they were men of great ability. 7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose brothers were able men, Elihu and Semachiah. 8 All these were of the sons of Obed-edom with their sons and brothers, able men qualified for the service; sixty-two of Obed-edom. 9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, able men, eighteen. 10 And Hosah, of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him chief), 11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen. 12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their chief men, had duties, just as their brothers did, ministering in the house of the LORD. 13 And they cast lots by fathers' houses, small and great alike, for their gates. 14 The lot for the east fell to Shelemiah. They cast lots also for his son Zechariah, a shrewd counselor, and his lot came out for the north. 15 Obed-edom's came out for the south, and to his sons was allotted the gatehouse. 16 For Shuppim and Hosah it came out for the west, at the gate of Shallecheth on the road that goes up. Watch corresponded to watch. 17 On the east there were six each day,1 on the north four each day, on the south four each day, as well as two and two at the gatehouse. 18 And for the colonnade2 on the west there were four at the road and two at the colonnade. 19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the Korahites and the sons of Merari. Treasurers and Other Officials 20 And of the Levites, Ahijah had charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated gifts. 21 The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers' houses belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli.3 22 The sons of Jehieli, Zetham, and Joel his brother, were in charge of the treasuries of the house of the LORD. 23 Of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites—24 and Shebuel the son of Gershom, son of Moses, was chief officer in charge of the treasuries. 25 His brothers: from Eliezer were his son Rehabiah, and his son Jeshaiah, and his son Joram, and his son Zichri, and his son Shelomoth. 26 This Shelomoth and his brothers were in charge of all the treasuries of the dedicated gifts that David the king and the heads of the fathers' houses and the officers of the thousands and the hundreds and the commanders of the army had dedicated. 27 From spoil won in battles they dedicated gifts for the maintenance of the house of the LORD. 28 Also all that Samuel the seer and Saul the son of Kish and Abner the son of Ner and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated—all dedicated gifts were in the care of Shelomoth4 and his brothers. 29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were appointed to external duties for Israel, as officers and judges. 30 Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brothers, 1,700 men of ability, had the oversight of Israel westward of the Jordan for all the work of the LORD and for the service of the king. 31 Of the Hebronites, Jerijah was chief of the Hebronites of whatever genealogy or fathers' houses. (In the fortieth year of David's reign search was made and men of great ability among them were found at Jazer in Gilead.) 32 King David appointed him and his brothers, 2,700 men of ability, heads of fathers' houses, to have the oversight of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of the Manassites for everything pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king. Military Divisions 27 This is the number of the people of Israel, the heads of fathers' houses, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters concerning the divisions that came and went, month after month throughout the year, each division numbering 24,000: 2 Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division in the first month; in his division were 24,000. 3 He was a descendant of Perez and was chief of all the commanders. He served for the first month. 4 Dodai the Ahohite5 was in charge of the division of the second month; in his division were 24,000. 5 The third commander, for the third month, was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the chief priest; in his division were 24,000. 6 This is the Benaiah who was a mighty man of the thirty and in command of the thirty; Ammizabad his son was in charge of his division.6 7 Asahel the brother of Joab was fourth, for the fourth month, and his son Zebadiah after him; in his division were 24,000. 8 The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhuth the Izrahite; in his division were 24,000. 9 Sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira, the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his division were 24,000. 10 Seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, of the sons of Ephraim; in his division were 24,000. 11 Eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites; in his division were 24,000. 12 Ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer of Anathoth, a Benjaminite; in his division were 24,000. 13 Tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai of Netophah, of the Zerahites; in his division were 24,000. 14 Eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah of Pirathon, of the sons of Ephraim; in his division were 24,000. 15 Twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; in his division were 24,000. Leaders of Tribes 16 Over the tribes of Israel, for the Reubenites, Eliezer the son of Zichri was chief officer; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah; 17 for Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; for Aaron, Zadok; 18 for Judah, Elihu, one of David's brothers; for Issachar, Omri the son of Michael; 19 for Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; for Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel; 20 for the Ephraimites, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah; 21 for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; for Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner; 22 for Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel. 23 David did not count those below twenty years of age, for the LORD had promised to make Israel as many as the stars of heaven. 24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to count, but did not finish. Yet wrath came upon Israel for this, and the number was not entered in the chronicles of King David. 25 Over the king's treasuries was Azmaveth the son of Adiel; and over the treasuries in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; 26 and over those who did the work of the field for tilling the soil was Ezri the son of Chelub; 27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. 28 Over the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah was Baal-hanan the Gederite; and over the stores of oil was Joash. 29 Over the herds that pastured in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite; over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai. 30 Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. 31 All these were stewards of King David's property. 32 Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe. He and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni attended the king's sons. 33 Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend. 34 Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king's army. Footnotes [1] 26:17 Septuagint; Hebrew six Levites [2] 26:18 Or court; Hebrew parbar (meaning unknown); twice in this verse [3] 26:21 The Hebrew of verse 21 is uncertain [4] 26:28 Hebrew Shelomith [5] 27:4 Septuagint; Hebrew Ahohite and his division and Mikloth the chief officer [6] 27:6 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew was his division (ESV) 2 Peter 1 (Listen) Greeting 1 Simeon1 Peter, a servant2 and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Confirm Your Calling and Election 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to3 his own glory and excellence,4 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,5 and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities6 are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers,7 be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body,8 to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son,9 with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Footnotes [1] 1:1 Some manuscripts Simon [2] 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface [3] 1:3 Or by [4] 1:3 Or virtue [5] 1:5 Or excellence; twice in this verse [6] 1:8 Greek these things; also verses 9, 10, 12 [7] 1:10 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters [8] 1:13 Greek tent; also verse 14 [9] 1:17 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved (ESV) In private: Micah 4; Luke 13 Micah 4 (Listen) The Mountain of the Lord 4   It shall come to pass in the latter days    that the mountain of the house of the LORD  shall be established as the highest of the mountains,    and it shall be lifted up above the hills;  and peoples shall flow to it,2     and many nations shall come, and say:  “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,    to the house of the God of Jacob,  that he may teach us his ways    and that we may walk in his paths.”  For out of Zion shall go forth the law,1    and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.3   He shall judge between many peoples,    and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away;  and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,    and their spears into pruning hooks;  nation shall not lift up sword against nation,    neither shall they learn war anymore;4   but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree,    and no one shall make them afraid,    for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.5   For all the peoples walk    each in the name of its god,  but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God    forever and ever. The Lord Shall Rescue Zion 6   In that day, declares the LORD,    I will assemble the lame  and gather those who have been driven away    and those whom I have afflicted;7   and the lame I will make the remnant,    and those who were cast off, a strong nation;  and the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion    from this time forth and forevermore. 8   And you, O tower of the flock,    hill of the daughter of Zion,  to you shall it come,    the former dominion shall come,    kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem. 9   Now why do you cry aloud?    Is there no king in you?  Has your counselor perished,    that pain seized you like a woman in labor?10   Writhe and groan,2 O daughter of Zion,    like a woman in labor,  for now you shall go out from the city    and dwell in the open country;    you shall go to Babylon.  There you shall be rescued;    there the LORD will redeem you    from the hand of your enemies. 11   Now many nations    are assembled against you,  saying, “Let her be defiled,    and let our eyes gaze upon Zion.”12   But they do not know    the thoughts of the LORD;  they do not understand his plan,    that he has gathered them as sheaves to the threshing floor.13   Arise and thresh,    O daughter of Zion,  for I will make your horn iron,    and I will make your hoofs bronze;  you shall beat in pieces many peoples;    and shall devote3 their gain to the LORD,    their wealth to the Lord of the whole earth. Footnotes [1] 4:2 Or teaching [2] 4:10 Or push [3] 4:13 Hebrew devote to destruction (ESV) Luke 13 (Listen) Repent or Perish 13 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree 6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?' 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'” A Woman with a Disabling Spirit 10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” 13 And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” 17 As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. The Mustard Seed and the Leaven 18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” 20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” The Narrow Door 22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.' 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!' 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Lament over Jerusalem 31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.' 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'” (ESV)

Old Testament: Ezekiel 27–28 Ezekiel 27–28 (Listen) A Lament for Tyre 27 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Now you, son of man, raise a lamentation over Tyre, 3 and say to Tyre, who dwells at the entrances to the sea, merchant of the peoples to many coastlands, thus says the Lord GOD:   “O Tyre, you have said,    ‘I am perfect in beauty.'4   Your borders are in the heart of the seas;    your builders made perfect your beauty.5   They made all your planks    of fir trees from Senir;  they took a cedar from Lebanon    to make a mast for you.6   Of oaks of Bashan    they made your oars;  they made your deck of pines    from the coasts of Cyprus,    inlaid with ivory.7   Of fine embroidered linen from Egypt    was your sail,    serving as your banner;  blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah    was your awning.8   The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad    were your rowers;  your skilled men, O Tyre, were in you;    they were your pilots.9   The elders of Gebal and her skilled men were in you,    caulking your seams;  all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in you    to barter for your wares. 10 “Persia and Lud and Put were in your army as your men of war. They hung the shield and helmet in you; they gave you splendor. 11 Men of Arvad and Helech were on your walls all around, and men of Gamad were in your towers. They hung their shields on your walls all around; they made perfect your beauty. 12 “Tarshish did business with you because of your great wealth of every kind; silver, iron, tin, and lead they exchanged for your wares. 13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech traded with you; they exchanged human beings and vessels of bronze for your merchandise. 14 From Beth-togarmah they exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your wares. 15 The men of Dedan1 traded with you. Many coastlands were your own special markets; they brought you in payment ivory tusks and ebony. 16 Syria did business with you because of your abundant goods; they exchanged for your wares emeralds, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and ruby. 17 Judah and the land of Israel traded with you; they exchanged for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, meal,2 honey, oil, and balm. 18 Damascus did business with you for your abundant goods, because of your great wealth of every kind; wine of Helbon and wool of Sahar 19 and casks of wine3 from Uzal they exchanged for your wares; wrought iron, cassia, and calamus were bartered for your merchandise. 20 Dedan traded with you in saddlecloths for riding. 21 Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your favored dealers in lambs, rams, and goats; in these they did business with you. 22 The traders of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; they exchanged for your wares the best of all kinds of spices and all precious stones and gold. 23 Haran, Canneh, Eden, traders of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad traded with you. 24 In your market these traded with you in choice garments, in clothes of blue and embroidered work, and in carpets of colored material, bound with cords and made secure. 25 The ships of Tarshish traveled for you with your merchandise. So you were filled and heavily laden in the heart of the seas. 26   “Your rowers have brought you out    into the high seas.  The east wind has wrecked you    in the heart of the seas.27   Your riches, your wares, your merchandise,    your mariners and your pilots,  your caulkers, your dealers in merchandise,    and all your men of war who are in you,  with all your crew    that is in your midst,  sink into the heart of the seas    on the day of your fall.28   At the sound of the cry of your pilots    the countryside shakes,29   and down from their ships    come all who handle the oar.  The mariners and all the pilots of the sea    stand on the land30   and shout aloud over you    and cry out bitterly.  They cast dust on their heads    and wallow in ashes;31   they make themselves bald for you    and put sackcloth on their waist,  and they weep over you in bitterness of soul,    with bitter mourning.32   In their wailing they raise a lamentation for you    and lament over you:  ‘Who is like Tyre,    like one destroyed in the midst of the sea?33   When your wares came from the seas,    you satisfied many peoples;  with your abundant wealth and merchandise    you enriched the kings of the earth.34   Now you are wrecked by the seas,    in the depths of the waters;  your merchandise and all your crew in your midst    have sunk with you.35   All the inhabitants of the coastlands    are appalled at you,  and the hair of their kings bristles with horror;    their faces are convulsed.36   The merchants among the peoples hiss at you;    you have come to a dreadful end    and shall be no more forever.'” Prophecy Against the Prince of Tyre 28 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord GOD:   “Because your heart is proud,    and you have said, ‘I am a god,  I sit in the seat of the gods,    in the heart of the seas,'  yet you are but a man, and no god,    though you make your heart like the heart of a god—3   you are indeed wiser than Daniel;    no secret is hidden from you;4   by your wisdom and your understanding    you have made wealth for yourself,  and have gathered gold and silver    into your treasuries;5   by your great wisdom in your trade    you have increased your wealth,    and your heart has become proud in your wealth—6   therefore thus says the Lord GOD:  Because you make your heart    like the heart of a god,7   therefore, behold, I will bring foreigners upon you,    the most ruthless of the nations;  and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom    and defile your splendor.8   They shall thrust you down into the pit,    and you shall die the death of the slain    in the heart of the seas.9   Will you still say, ‘I am a god,'    in the presence of those who kill you,  though you are but a man, and no god,    in the hands of those who slay you?10   You shall die the death of the uncircumcised    by the hand of foreigners;    for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD.” A Lament over the King of Tyre 11 Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me: 12 “Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord GOD:   “You were the signet of perfection,4    full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.13   You were in Eden, the garden of God;    every precious stone was your covering,  sardius, topaz, and diamond,    beryl, onyx, and jasper,  sapphire,5 emerald, and carbuncle;    and crafted in gold were your settings    and your engravings.6  On the day that you were created    they were prepared.14   You were an anointed guardian cherub.    I placed you;7 you were on the holy mountain of God;    in the midst of the stones of fire you walked.15   You were blameless in your ways    from the day you were created,    till unrighteousness was found in you.16   In the abundance of your trade    you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned;  so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God,    and I destroyed you,8 O guardian cherub,    from the midst of the stones of fire.17   Your heart was proud because of your beauty;    you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.  I cast you to the ground;    I exposed you before kings,    to feast their eyes on you.18   By the multitude of your iniquities,    in the unrighteousness of your trade    you profaned your sanctuaries;  so I brought fire out from your midst;    it consumed you,  and I turned you to ashes on the earth    in the sight of all who saw you.19   All who know you among the peoples    are appalled at you;  you have come to a dreadful end    and shall be no more forever.” Prophecy Against Sidon 20 The word of the LORD came to me: 21 “Son of man, set your face toward Sidon, and prophesy against her 22 and say, Thus says the Lord GOD:   “Behold, I am against you, O Sidon,    and I will manifest my glory in your midst.  And they shall know that I am the LORD    when I execute judgments in her    and manifest my holiness in her;23   for I will send pestilence into her,    and blood into her streets;  and the slain shall fall in her midst,    by the sword that is against her on every side.  Then they will know that I am the LORD. 24 “And for the house of Israel there shall be no more a brier to prick or a thorn to hurt them among all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD. Israel Gathered in Security 25 “Thus says the Lord GOD: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely, when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.” Footnotes [1] 27:15 Hebrew; Septuagint Rhodes [2] 27:17 The meaning of the Hebrew word is unknown [3] 27:19 Probable reading; Hebrew wool of Sahar19and Dan and Javan [4] 28:12 The meaning of the Hebrew phrase is uncertain [5] 28:13 Or lapis lazuli [6] 28:13 The meaning of the Hebrew phrase is uncertain [7] 28:14 The meaning of the Hebrew phrase is uncertain [8] 28:16 Or banished you (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 119:169–176 Psalm 119:169–176 (Listen) Taw 169   Let my cry come before you, O LORD;    give me understanding according to your word!170   Let my plea come before you;    deliver me according to your word.171   My lips will pour forth praise,    for you teach me your statutes.172   My tongue will sing of your word,    for all your commandments are right.173   Let your hand be ready to help me,    for I have chosen your precepts.174   I long for your salvation, O LORD,    and your law is my delight.175   Let my soul live and praise you,    and let your rules help me.176   I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,    for I do not forget your commandments. (ESV) New Testament: 2 Thessalonians 1 2 Thessalonians 1 (Listen) Greeting 1 Paul, Silvanus, 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. Thanksgiving 3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers,1 as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. The Judgment at Christ's Coming 5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from2 the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Footnotes [1] 1:3 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters [2] 1:9 Or destruction that comes from (ESV)

Join Stasi as she unpacks the book of Ruth, highlighting Naomi as well as the treasured characteristic of God's hesed. Stories like Naomi's help us be honest with God about our own lament. Even in our deepest suffering, we are always seen, loved, and held, and our faithful God promises that He will never turn His face away. In fact, we can trust that even when we don't see or understand, our God is always working on our behalf. He invites us to trust Him and to rest in His loyal love for us no matter how our story seems to be unfolding. Jesus is the great Hero of every story, including our own, and we can trust that our story has a very good ending.…..SHOW NOTES:…..VERSES: Ruth 1:13 (NIV) — “…It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord's hand has turned against me!”Ruth 1:8 (NIV) — Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. Ruth 1:16 (NIV) — But Ruth replied, “Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) — …because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”Romans 8:28 (NIV) — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.…..OTHER RESOURCES:Finding God in the Margins: The Book of Ruth by Carolyn Custis James  https://amzn.to/44JKKf5…..Don't Miss Out on the Next Episode – Subscribe for FreeSubscribe using your favorite podcast app:Spotify Podcasts – https://spoti.fi/42SsOipApple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42E0oZ1 Google Podcasts – http://wahe.art/3M81kxLAmazon Music & Audible – https://amzn.to/3M9u6hJ

Sabrina Chan - Hope, Lament, and Faithfulness // This is the fourth session of a series we're hosting on the theme of Christian Hope. You can find video and audio of all sessions at christpresrva.com/the-hope-talks

If God created the world good and promises to restore its goodness, it is appropriate for us to mourn good's absence. Teacher - Scott Kenworthy  

- My article, "Who is the Man of Lawlessness?" at: https://www.padreperegrino.org/2023/10/who-is-the-man-of-lawlessness/ - My article, "On Eternal Rome" at: https://www.padreperegrino.org/2016/06/saints-peter-and-paul/ - Catholic Arena on Hallow App's new-hire at: https://www.catholicarena.com/latest/tuamliamneesonhallow211123

Associate Pastor Chris Dericks takes us through grieving and how is beautiful and honoring in The Art of The Lament.

On Wednesday, April 20th, 2022, 67-year-old Stephen Reid was supposed to play in his weekly tennis match in Concord, New Hampshire but never showed up. When he and his wife, 66-year-old Djeswende Reid, stopped answering calls and texts, their family became worried. No one had heard from the couple in two days. After a massive manhunt through the nearby hiking trails by their home, a gruesome discovery was soon made, but not before police ran into a suspicious man living in the woods. A man they would eventually deem the “Mountain Dew Man.”  Written by Michael Dunphy Jr., Executive Produced by Michael Ojibway.    Support Our Sponsors:  Feral Fern: Visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/theferalfernco to shop unique, handcrafted art and use code “INVISIBLE20” for 20% off your order!  Rocket Money: Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way by going to https://www.rocketmoney.com/invisible  Warby Parker: Try 5 pairs of glasses at home for free at https://warbyparker.com/choir   Storyworth: Go to https://www.storyworth.com/invisible to save $10 on your first purchase! HoneyLove: Get Up to 60% OFF @honeylove by going to https://www.honeylove.com/CHOIR!  #honeylovepod   Visit Invisible Choir on the web:  Patreon - Invisible Choir Premium:  https://www.patreon.com/InvisibleChoir  Website:  https://www.invisiblechoir.com/  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/InvisibleChoirPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisiblechoir/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/InvisibleChoir   Written/Audio Sources:  Logan Clegg trial: Prosecution rests in Concord murder case  Finding The Reids' Bodies: Concord Retired Couple Murder Trial, Day 2 Remembering Stephen Reid and Djeswende Pasgo Reid Homeless man arrested on suspicion for string of burglaries Man accused of burglarizing local store, possessing stolen firearm charged | Crime Courts | hjnews.com  Court rejects bail for ‘person of interest' in couple death Here's what you need to know about the Ring Neighbors app - Reviewed Logan Clegg trial: Jurors reach verdict Logan Clegg murder trial video: Former manager of Clegg testifies  Granite State - Wikipedia R&L Archery Concord cop testifies Logan Clegg asked ‘What's really going on?' after arrest on Utah charges | Manchester Ink Link  NH v. Logan Clegg: Hiker Trail Murder Trial | Court TV Conviction of Logan Clegg for the 2022 Murders of Stephen and Djeswende Reid in Concord, New Hampshire | News Releases | NH Department of Justice Logan Clegg timeline: New Hampshire couple killed, get case facts  Who is Logan Clegg? New details of Concord shooting deaths  Defense attorney claims 'wrong man' on trial in slayings of New Hampshire couple - ABC News The secret life of alleged double murderer Logan Clegg: a loner with a temper, guns — and a taste for travel In Memory of Randy Clegg: Obituary  Friends remember Spokane man fatally stabbed | 106.1 KISS FM Logan Clegg Affidavit - DocumentCloud Arrest Warrant Affidavit - Clegg July Trial Date Set for Logan Clegg Accused in Concord Homicides of Retired Couple - InDepthNH.orgInDepthNH.org  BulkSupplements.com Affidavit: Stephen Reid's cellphone led police to shooting site | Manchester Ink Link Logan Clegg trial: Judge allows sketch, ballistics evidence  Preliminary hearing set for man arrested for string of burglaries Person of interest in killing arrested as a fugitive | AP News Clegg indicted on falsifying physical evidence charge in deaths of the Reids Logan Clegg trial: Jury selection complete Concord judge rules evidence can be used in Logan Clegg double-homicide case Here's what we know about Logan Clegg, the man accused of killing a NH couple in April Affidavit: Stephen Reid's cellphone led police to shooting site | Manchester Ink Link  For family of Steve and Wendy Reid, grief, loss and a shattered sense of safety Obituary | Stephen & Djeswende Reid of Concord, New Hampshire | Waters Funeral Home Search Grid At Concord Homicide Scene Shows Sprawling Clues | Concord, NH Patch Logan Clegg timeline: New Hampshire couple killed, get case facts Update: Steve and Wendy Reid recalled for their love and warmth – ‘They were just a nice couple' | New Hampshire Public Radio Spokane police request search warrant in random stabbing case | krem.com Friends remember Spokane man fatally stabbed | News | khq.com. Update: Following the trail of evidence in Concord double-homicide A person of interest in homicide of New Hampshire couple arrested at South Burlington library Police: Logan Clegg, suspect in NH couple's death, lived in woods for months - CBS Boston Extradition and Arraignment of Logan Clegg | News Releases | NH Department of Justice Concord shootings: Logan Clegg arraigned in Vermont Logan Clegg murder case: Motions hearing concludes Judge rules on evidence motions in Logan Clegg case Clegg attorneys question police evidence at hearing | Manchester Ink Link Logan Clegg trial delayed until October 2023 Valley News - Logan Clegg trial postponed to October Logan Clegg wins appeal for bail hearing in civil court Concord police receive nearly 230 tips on double homicide  Here's what we know about Logan Clegg, the man accused of killing a NH couple in April  Logan Clegg Arrest August 2020  NH officials discuss couple found shot to death in woods Police investigate shooting deaths of New Hampshire couple Body camera video shows arrest of Logan Clegg in Salt Lake City, Utah NH Police Looking for Stephen and Djeswende Reid, Missing Since Sunday Family of Concord couple killed speaks out Video: Body camera shows Vermont arrest of Logan Clegg, suspect in killing of Concord couple Full video: Logan Clegg arraigned in Vermont in separate case Person connected to Spokane stabbing arrested in east coast | krem.com  Logan Clegg arrested, charged in homicides of Concord couple; remains held in Vermont  Raw court video: Logan Clegg appears for motions hearing (Part 1) Raw court video: Logan Clegg appears for motions hearing (Part 2) Raw court video: Logan Clegg appears for motions hearing (Part 3) WATCH LIVE:  Mountain Dew Hiker Murder Trial — NH v. Logan Clegg — Day One Logan Clegg trial begins Logan Clegg murder trial video: FBI forensic chemist examiner testifies Body camera video shows arrest of Logan Clegg in Salt Lake City, Utah NH Police Looking for Stephen and Djeswende Reid, Missing Since Sunday Family of Concord couple killed speaks out Video: Body camera shows Vermont arrest of Logan Clegg, suspect in killing of Concord couple Logan Clegg Arrest August 2020 Police investigate shooting deaths of New Hampshire couple Friends remember Steve and Wendy Reid   Music & Sound Effect Sources Opening Track: “Unsolved Issues” by Magnus Ludvigsson Closing Track: Lalana's Lament” by Sam Barsh   Music & Sound Effect Sources All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound ® and SoundStripe ®.  Individual sources are available via request at info@invisiblechoir.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Old Testament: Ezekiel 19–20 Ezekiel 19–20 (Listen) A Lament for the Princes of Israel 19 And you, take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel, 2 and say:   What was your mother? A lioness!    Among lions she crouched;  in the midst of young lions    she reared her cubs.3   And she brought up one of her cubs;    he became a young lion,  and he learned to catch prey;    he devoured men.4   The nations heard about him;    he was caught in their pit,  and they brought him with hooks    to the land of Egypt.5   When she saw that she waited in vain,    that her hope was lost,  she took another of her cubs    and made him a young lion.6   He prowled among the lions;    he became a young lion,  and he learned to catch prey;    he devoured men,7   and seized1 their widows.    He laid waste their cities,  and the land was appalled and all who were in it    at the sound of his roaring.8   Then the nations set against him    from provinces on every side;  they spread their net over him;    he was taken in their pit.9   With hooks they put him in a cage2    and brought him to the king of Babylon;    they brought him into custody,  that his voice should no more be heard    on the mountains of Israel. 10   Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard3    planted by the water,  fruitful and full of branches    by reason of abundant water.11   Its strong stems became    rulers' scepters;  it towered aloft    among the thick boughs;4  it was seen in its height    with the mass of its branches.12   But the vine was plucked up in fury,    cast down to the ground;  the east wind dried up its fruit;    they were stripped off and withered.  As for its strong stem,    fire consumed it.13   Now it is planted in the wilderness,    in a dry and thirsty land.14   And fire has gone out from the stem of its shoots,    has consumed its fruit,  so that there remains in it no strong stem,    no scepter for ruling. This is a lamentation and has become a lamentation. Israel's Continuing Rebellion 20 In the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me. 2 And the word of the LORD came to me: 3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD, Is it to inquire of me that you come? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you. 4 Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Let them know the abominations of their fathers, 5 and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day when I chose Israel, I swore5 to the offspring of the house of Jacob, making myself known to them in the land of Egypt; I swore to them, saying, I am the LORD your God. 6 On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands. 7 And I said to them, ‘Cast away the detestable things your eyes feast on, every one of you, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.' 8 But they rebelled against me and were not willing to listen to me. None of them cast away the detestable things their eyes feasted on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. “Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. 9 But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt. 10 So I led them out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness. 11 I gave them my statutes and made known to them my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live. 12 Moreover, I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them. 13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not walk in my statutes but rejected my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live; and my Sabbaths they greatly profaned. “Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them in the wilderness, to make a full end of them. 14 But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out. 15 Moreover, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands, 16 because they rejected my rules and did not walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols. 17 Nevertheless, my eye spared them, and I did not destroy them or make a full end of them in the wilderness. 18 “And I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor keep their rules, nor defile yourselves with their idols. 19 I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and be careful to obey my rules, 20 and keep my Sabbaths holy that they may be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.' 21 But the children rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes and were not careful to obey my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live; they profaned my Sabbaths. “Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them in the wilderness. 22 But I withheld my hand and acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out. 23 Moreover, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the countries, 24 because they had not obeyed my rules, but had rejected my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were set on their fathers' idols. 25 Moreover, I gave them statutes that were not good and rules by which they could not have life, 26 and I defiled them through their very gifts in their offering up all their firstborn, that I might devastate them. I did it that they might know that I am the LORD. 27 “Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: In this also your fathers blasphemed me, by dealing treacherously with me. 28 For when I had brought them into the land that I swore to give them, then wherever they saw any high hill or any leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices and there they presented the provocation of their offering; there they sent up their pleasing aromas, and there they poured out their drink offerings. 29 (I said to them, ‘What is the high place to which you go?' So its name is called Bamah6 to this day.) 30 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Will you defile yourselves after the manner of your fathers and go whoring after their detestable things? 31 When you present your gifts and offer up your children in fire,7 you defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you. 32 “What is in your mind shall never happen—the thought, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the tribes of the countries, and worship wood and stone.' The Lord Will Restore Israel 33 “As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out I will be king over you. 34 I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out. 35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face. 36 As I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, declares the Lord GOD. 37 I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. 38 I will purge out the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against me. I will bring them out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 39 “As for you, O house of Israel, thus says the Lord GOD: Go serve every one of you his idols, now and hereafter, if you will not listen to me; but my holy name you shall no more profane with your gifts and your idols. 40 “For on my holy mountain, the mountain height of Israel, declares the Lord GOD, there all the house of Israel, all of them, shall serve me in the land. There I will accept them, and there I will require your contributions and the choicest of your gifts, with all your sacred offerings. 41 As a pleasing aroma I will accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered. And I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations. 42 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the country that I swore to give to your fathers. 43 And there you shall remember your ways and all your deeds with which you have defiled yourselves, and you shall loathe yourselves for all the evils that you have committed. 44 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD.” 45 8 And the word of the LORD came to me: 46 “Son of man, set your face toward the southland;9 preach against the south, and prophesy against the forest land in the Negeb. 47 Say to the forest of the Negeb, Hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you and every dry tree. The blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from south to north shall be scorched by it. 48 All flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it; it shall not be quenched.” 49 Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! They are saying of me, ‘Is he not a maker of parables?'” Footnotes [1] 19:7 Hebrew knew [2] 19:9 Or in a wooden collar [3] 19:10 Some Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts in your blood [4] 19:11 Or the clouds [5] 20:5 Hebrew I lifted my hand; twice in this verse; also verses 6, 15, 23, 28, 42 [6] 20:29 Bamah means high place [7] 20:31 Hebrew and make your children pass through the fire [8] 20:45 Ch 21:1 in Hebrew [9] 20:46 Or toward Teman (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 119:137–144 Psalm 119:137–144 (Listen) Tsadhe 137   Righteous are you, O LORD,    and right are your rules.138   You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness    and in all faithfulness.139   My zeal consumes me,    because my foes forget your words.140   Your promise is well tried,    and your servant loves it.141   I am small and despised,    yet I do not forget your precepts.142   Your righteousness is righteous forever,    and your law is true.143   Trouble and anguish have found me out,    but your commandments are my delight.144   Your testimonies are righteous forever;    give me understanding that I may live. (ESV) New Testament: Colossians 1–2 Colossians 1–2 (Listen) Greeting 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers1 in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. Thanksgiving and Prayer 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.2 He is a faithful minister of Christ on your3 behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks4 to the Father, who has qualified you5 to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The Preeminence of Christ 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by6 him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation7 under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. Paul's Ministry to the Church 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Alive in Christ 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits8 of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities9 and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.10 Let No One Disqualify You 16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions,11 puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. 20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Footnotes [1] 1:2 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters [2] 1:7 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word sundoulos, see Preface [3] 1:7 Some manuscripts our [4] 1:12 Or patience, with joy giving thanks [5] 1:12 Some manuscripts us [6] 1:16 That is, by means of; or in [7] 1:23 Or to every creature [8] 2:8 Or elementary principles; also verse 20 [9] 2:15 Probably demonic rulers and authorities [10] 2:15 Or in it (that is, the cross) [11] 2:18 Or about the things he has seen (ESV)

Old Testament: Ezekiel 19–20 Ezekiel 19–20 (Listen) A Lament for the Princes of Israel 19 And you, take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel, 2 and say:   What was your mother? A lioness!    Among lions she crouched;  in the midst of young lions    she reared her cubs.3   And she brought up one of her cubs;    he became a young lion,  and he learned to catch prey;    he devoured men.4   The nations heard about him;    he was caught in their pit,  and they brought him with hooks    to the land of Egypt.5   When she saw that she waited in vain,    that her hope was lost,  she took another of her cubs    and made him a young lion.6   He prowled among the lions;    he became a young lion,  and he learned to catch prey;    he devoured men,7   and seized1 their widows.    He laid waste their cities,  and the land was appalled and all who were in it    at the sound of his roaring.8   Then the nations set against him    from provinces on every side;  they spread their net over him;    he was taken in their pit.9   With hooks they put him in a cage2    and brought him to the king of Babylon;    they brought him into custody,  that his voice should no more be heard    on the mountains of Israel. 10   Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard3    planted by the water,  fruitful and full of branches    by reason of abundant water.11   Its strong stems became    rulers' scepters;  it towered aloft    among the thick boughs;4  it was seen in its height    with the mass of its branches.12   But the vine was plucked up in fury,    cast down to the ground;  the east wind dried up its fruit;    they were stripped off and withered.  As for its strong stem,    fire consumed it.13   Now it is planted in the wilderness,    in a dry and thirsty land.14   And fire has gone out from the stem of its shoots,    has consumed its fruit,  so that there remains in it no strong stem,    no scepter for ruling. This is a lamentation and has become a lamentation. Israel's Continuing Rebellion 20 In the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me. 2 And the word of the LORD came to me: 3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD, Is it to inquire of me that you come? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you. 4 Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Let them know the abominations of their fathers, 5 and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day when I chose Israel, I swore5 to the offspring of the house of Jacob, making myself known to them in the land of Egypt; I swore to them, saying, I am the LORD your God. 6 On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands. 7 And I said to them, ‘Cast away the detestable things your eyes feast on, every one of you, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.' 8 But they rebelled against me and were not willing to listen to me. None of them cast away the detestable things their eyes feasted on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. “Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. 9 But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt. 10 So I led them out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness. 11 I gave them my statutes and made known to them my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live. 12 Moreover, I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them. 13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not walk in my statutes but rejected my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live; and my Sabbaths they greatly profaned. “Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them in the wilderness, to make a full end of them. 14 But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out. 15 Moreover, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands, 16 because they rejected my rules and did not walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols. 17 Nevertheless, my eye spared them, and I did not destroy them or make a full end of them in the wilderness. 18 “And I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor keep their rules, nor defile yourselves with their idols. 19 I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and be careful to obey my rules, 20 and keep my Sabbaths holy that they may be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.' 21 But the children rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes and were not careful to obey my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live; they profaned my Sabbaths. “Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them in the wilderness. 22 But I withheld my hand and acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out. 23 Moreover, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the countries, 24 because they had not obeyed my rules, but had rejected my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were set on their fathers' idols. 25 Moreover, I gave them statutes that were not good and rules by which they could not have life, 26 and I defiled them through their very gifts in their offering up all their firstborn, that I might devastate them. I did it that they might know that I am the LORD. 27 “Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: In this also your fathers blasphemed me, by dealing treacherously with me. 28 For when I had brought them into the land that I swore to give them, then wherever they saw any high hill or any leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices and there they presented the provocation of their offering; there they sent up their pleasing aromas, and there they poured out their drink offerings. 29 (I said to them, ‘What is the high place to which you go?' So its name is called Bamah6 to this day.) 30 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Will you defile yourselves after the manner of your fathers and go whoring after their detestable things? 31 When you present your gifts and offer up your children in fire,7 you defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you. 32 “What is in your mind shall never happen—the thought, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the tribes of the countries, and worship wood and stone.' The Lord Will Restore Israel 33 “As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out I will be king over you. 34 I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out. 35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face. 36 As I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, declares the Lord GOD. 37 I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. 38 I will purge out the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against me. I will bring them out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 39 “As for you, O house of Israel, thus says the Lord GOD: Go serve every one of you his idols, now and hereafter, if you will not listen to me; but my holy name you shall no more profane with your gifts and your idols. 40 “For on my holy mountain, the mountain height of Israel, declares the Lord GOD, there all the house of Israel, all of them, shall serve me in the land. There I will accept them, and there I will require your contributions and the choicest of your gifts, with all your sacred offerings. 41 As a pleasing aroma I will accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered. And I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations. 42 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the country that I swore to give to your fathers. 43 And there you shall remember your ways and all your deeds with which you have defiled yourselves, and you shall loathe yourselves for all the evils that you have committed. 44 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD.” 45 8 And the word of the LORD came to me: 46 “Son of man, set your face toward the southland;9 preach against the south, and prophesy against the forest land in the Negeb. 47 Say to the forest of the Negeb, Hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you and every dry tree. The blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from south to north shall be scorched by it. 48 All flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it; it shall not be quenched.” 49 Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! They are saying of me, ‘Is he not a maker of parables?'” Footnotes [1] 19:7 Hebrew knew [2] 19:9 Or in a wooden collar [3] 19:10 Some Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts in your blood [4] 19:11 Or the clouds [5] 20:5 Hebrew I lifted my hand; twice in this verse; also verses 6, 15, 23, 28, 42 [6] 20:29 Bamah means high place [7] 20:31 Hebrew and make your children pass through the fire [8] 20:45 Ch 21:1 in Hebrew [9] 20:46 Or toward Teman (ESV) New Testament: Revelation 18 Revelation 18 (Listen) The Fall of Babylon 18 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. 2 And he called out with a mighty voice,   “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!    She has become a dwelling place for demons,  a haunt for every unclean spirit,    a haunt for every unclean bird,    a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.3   For all nations have drunk1    the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality,  and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her,    and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.” 4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,   “Come out of her, my people,    lest you take part in her sins,  lest you share in her plagues;5   for her sins are heaped high as heaven,    and God has remembered her iniquities.6   Pay her back as she herself has paid back others,    and repay her double for her deeds;    mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed.7   As she glorified herself and lived in luxury,    so give her a like measure of torment and mourning,  since in her heart she says,    ‘I sit as a queen,  I am no widow,    and mourning I shall never see.'8   For this reason her plagues will come in a single day,    death and mourning and famine,  and she will be burned up with fire;    for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.” 9 And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. 10 They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say,   “Alas! Alas! You great city,    you mighty city, Babylon!  For in a single hour your judgment has come.” 11 And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore, 12 cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble, 13 cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls.2 14   “The fruit for which your soul longed    has gone from you,  and all your delicacies and your splendors    are lost to you,    never to be found again!” 15 The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud, 16   “Alas, alas, for the great city    that was clothed in fine linen,      in purple and scarlet,    adorned with gold,      with jewels, and with pearls!17   For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.” And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off 18 and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning,   “What city was like the great city?” 19 And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out,   “Alas, alas, for the great city    where all who had ships at sea    grew rich by her wealth!  For in a single hour she has been laid waste.20   Rejoice over her, O heaven,    and you saints and apostles and prophets,  for God has given judgment for you against her!” 21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying,   “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence,    and will be found no more;22   and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters,    will be heard in you no more,  and a craftsman of any craft    will be found in you no more,  and the sound of the mill    will be heard in you no more,23   and the light of a lamp    will shine in you no more,  and the voice of bridegroom and bride    will be heard in you no more,  for your merchants were the great ones of the earth,    and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.24   And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints,    and of all who have been slain on earth.” Footnotes [1] 18:3 Some manuscripts fallen by [2] 18:13 Or and slaves, and human lives (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 119:137–144 Psalm 119:137–144 (Listen) Tsadhe 137   Righteous are you, O LORD,    and right are your rules.138   You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness    and in all faithfulness.139   My zeal consumes me,    because my foes forget your words.140   Your promise is well tried,    and your servant loves it.141   I am small and despised,    yet I do not forget your precepts.142   Your righteousness is righteous forever,    and your law is true.143   Trouble and anguish have found me out,    but your commandments are my delight.144   Your testimonies are righteous forever;    give me understanding that I may live. (ESV) Proverb: Proverbs 28:14 Proverbs 28:14 (Listen) 14   Blessed is the one who fears the LORD1 always,    but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Footnotes [1] 28:14 Hebrew lacks the Lord (ESV)

Morning: Ezekiel 32–33 Ezekiel 32–33 (Listen) A Lament over Pharaoh and Egypt 32 In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, raise a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him:   “You consider yourself a lion of the nations,    but you are like a dragon in the seas;  you burst forth in your rivers,    trouble the waters with your feet,    and foul their rivers.3   Thus says the Lord GOD:    I will throw my net over you    with a host of many peoples,    and they will haul you up in my dragnet.4   And I will cast you on the ground;    on the open field I will fling you,  and will cause all the birds of the heavens to settle on you,    and I will gorge the beasts of the whole earth with you.5   I will strew your flesh upon the mountains    and fill the valleys with your carcass.16   I will drench the land even to the mountains    with your flowing blood,    and the ravines will be full of you.7   When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens    and make their stars dark;  I will cover the sun with a cloud,    and the moon shall not give its light.8   All the bright lights of heaven    will I make dark over you,    and put darkness on your land,      declares the Lord GOD. 9 “I will trouble the hearts of many peoples, when I bring your destruction among the nations, into the countries that you have not known. 10 I will make many peoples appalled at you, and the hair of their kings shall bristle with horror because of you, when I brandish my sword before them. They shall tremble every moment, every one for his own life, on the day of your downfall. 11 “For thus says the Lord GOD: The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you. 12 I will cause your multitude to fall by the swords of mighty ones, all of them most ruthless of nations.   “They shall bring to ruin the pride of Egypt,    and all its multitude2 shall perish.13   I will destroy all its beasts    from beside many waters;  and no foot of man shall trouble them anymore,    nor shall the hoofs of beasts trouble them.14   Then I will make their waters clear,    and cause their rivers to run like oil,      declares the Lord GOD.15   When I make the land of Egypt desolate,    and when the land is desolate of all that fills it,  when I strike down all who dwell in it,    then they will know that I am the LORD. 16 This is a lamentation that shall be chanted; the daughters of the nations shall chant it; over Egypt, and over all her multitude, shall they chant it, declares the Lord GOD.” 17 In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month,3 on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 18 “Son of man, wail over the multitude of Egypt, and send them down, her and the daughters of majestic nations, to the world below, to those who have gone down to the pit: 19   ‘Whom do you surpass in beauty?    Go down and be laid to rest with the uncircumcised.' 20 They shall fall amid those who are slain by the sword. Egypt4 is delivered to the sword; drag her away, and all her multitudes. 21 The mighty chiefs shall speak of them, with their helpers, out of the midst of Sheol: ‘They have come down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.' 22 “Assyria is there, and all her company, its graves all around it, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, 23 whose graves are set in the uttermost parts of the pit; and her company is all around her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who spread terror in the land of the living. 24 “Elam is there, and all her multitude around her grave; all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who went down uncircumcised into the world below, who spread their terror in the land of the living; and they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit. 25 They have made her a bed among the slain with all her multitude, her graves all around it, all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword; for terror of them was spread in the land of the living, and they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit; they are placed among the slain. 26 “Meshech-Tubal is there, and all her multitude, her graves all around it, all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword; for they spread their terror in the land of the living. 27 And they do not lie with the mighty, the fallen from among the uncircumcised, who went down to Sheol with their weapons of war, whose swords were laid under their heads, and whose iniquities are upon their bones; for the terror of the mighty men was in the land of the living. 28 But as for you, you shall be broken and lie among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. 29 “Edom is there, her kings and all her princes, who for all their might are laid with those who are killed by the sword; they lie with the uncircumcised, with those who go down to the pit. 30 “The princes of the north are there, all of them, and all the Sidonians, who have gone down in shame with the slain, for all the terror that they caused by their might; they lie uncircumcised with those who are slain by the sword, and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit. 31 “When Pharaoh sees them, he will be comforted for all his multitude, Pharaoh and all his army, slain by the sword, declares the Lord GOD. 32 For I spread terror in the land of the living; and he shall be laid to rest among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword, Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel Is Israel's Watchman 33 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, 3 and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand. 7 “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. Why Will You Die, Israel? 10 “And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?' 11 Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? 12 “And you, son of man, say to your people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him when he transgresses, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall by it when he turns from his wickedness, and the righteous shall not be able to live by his righteousness5 when he sins. 13 Though I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, yet if he trusts in his righteousness and does injustice, none of his righteous deeds shall be remembered, but in his injustice that he has done he shall die. 14 Again, though I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,' yet if he turns from his sin and does what is just and right, 15 if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life, not doing injustice, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 16 None of the sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he shall surely live. 17 “Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just,' when it is their own way that is not just. 18 When the righteous turns from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it. 19 And when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he shall live by this. 20 Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.' O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways.” Jerusalem Struck Down 21 In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month, on the fifth day of the month, a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and said, “The city has been struck down.” 22 Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me the evening before the fugitive came; and he had opened my mouth by the time the man came to me in the morning, so my mouth was opened, and I was no longer mute. 23 The word of the LORD came to me: 24 “Son of man, the inhabitants of these waste places in the land of Israel keep saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he got possession of the land; but we are many; the land is surely given us to possess.' 25 Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: You eat flesh with the blood and lift up your eyes to your idols and shed blood; shall you then possess the land? 26 You rely on the sword, you commit abominations, and each of you defiles his neighbor's wife; shall you then possess the land? 27 Say this to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: As I live, surely those who are in the waste places shall fall by the sword, and whoever is in the open field I will give to the beasts to be devoured, and those who are in strongholds and in caves shall die by pestilence. 28 And I will make the land a desolation and a waste, and her proud might shall come to an end, and the mountains of Israel shall be so desolate that none will pass through. 29 Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have made the land a desolation and a waste because of all their abominations that they have committed. 30 “As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, say to one another, each to his brother, ‘Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.' 31 And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. 32 And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays6 well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. 33 When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” Footnotes [1] 32:5 Hebrew your height [2] 32:12 Or wealth [3] 32:17 Hebrew lacks in the twelfth month [4] 32:20 Hebrew She [5] 33:12 Hebrew by it [6] 33:32 Hebrew like the singing of lustful songs with a beautiful voice and one who plays (ESV) Evening: 1 Peter 1 1 Peter 1 (Listen) Greeting 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Born Again to a Living Hope 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time1 the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. Called to Be Holy 13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,2 and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for   “All flesh is like grass    and all its glory like the flower of grass.  The grass withers,    and the flower falls,25   but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. Footnotes [1] 1:11 Or what time or circumstances [2] 1:13 Greek girding up the loins of your mind (ESV)

On this episode of Happy Hour, the Hamilton Bros. talk about the unnerving state of the world and how we all seem to share an emotional response. This episode is sponsored by Bill Gates's newest addition to his mega-corporation, Gates Bars!Follow us on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/happyhourwiththehamiltonbrosTikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMdbwMWV1/Twitter: https://twitter.com/hamiltonbrospodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/HappyHourHamBros/Our email: hamiltonhour@hotmail.comTheme song by Austin AcYd. For inquiries: austinacyd@outlook.comStay true, stay real, and stay righteous. 

Morning: Ezekiel 29–31 Ezekiel 29–31 (Listen) Prophecy Against Egypt 29 In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and against all Egypt; 3 speak, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD:   “Behold, I am against you,    Pharaoh king of Egypt,  the great dragon that lies    in the midst of his streams,  that says, ‘My Nile is my own;    I made it for myself.'4   I will put hooks in your jaws,    and make the fish of your streams stick to your scales;  and I will draw you up out of the midst of your streams,    with all the fish of your streams    that stick to your scales.5   And I will cast you out into the wilderness,    you and all the fish of your streams;  you shall fall on the open field,    and not be brought together or gathered.  To the beasts of the earth and to the birds of the heavens    I give you as food. 6 Then all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD. “Because you1 have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel, 7 when they grasped you with the hand, you broke and tore all their shoulders; and when they leaned on you, you broke and made all their loins to shake.2 8 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will bring a sword upon you, and will cut off from you man and beast, 9 and the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am the LORD. “Because you3 said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it,' 10 therefore, behold, I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush. 11 No foot of man shall pass through it, and no foot of beast shall pass through it; it shall be uninhabited forty years. 12 And I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of desolated countries, and her cities shall be a desolation forty years among cities that are laid waste. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries. 13 “For thus says the Lord GOD: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples among whom they were scattered, 14 and I will restore the fortunes of Egypt and bring them back to the land of Pathros, the land of their origin, and there they shall be a lowly kingdom. 15 It shall be the most lowly of the kingdoms, and never again exalt itself above the nations. And I will make them so small that they will never again rule over the nations. 16 And it shall never again be the reliance of the house of Israel, recalling their iniquity, when they turn to them for aid. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.” 17 In the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 18 “Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his army labor hard against Tyre. Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was rubbed bare, yet neither he nor his army got anything from Tyre to pay for the labor that he had performed against her. 19 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall carry off its wealth4 and despoil it and plunder it; and it shall be the wages for his army. 20 I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment for which he labored, because they worked for me, declares the Lord GOD. 21 “On that day I will cause a horn to spring up for the house of Israel, and I will open your lips among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” A Lament for Egypt 30 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD:   “Wail, ‘Alas for the day!'3     For the day is near,    the day of the LORD is near;  it will be a day of clouds,    a time of doom for5 the nations.4   A sword shall come upon Egypt,    and anguish shall be in Cush,  when the slain fall in Egypt,    and her wealth6 is carried away,    and her foundations are torn down. 5 Cush, and Put, and Lud, and all Arabia, and Libya,7 and the people of the land that is in league,8 shall fall with them by the sword. 6   “Thus says the LORD:  Those who support Egypt shall fall,    and her proud might shall come down;  from Migdol to Syene    they shall fall within her by the sword,  declares the Lord GOD.7   And they shall be desolated in the midst of desolated countries,    and their cities shall be in the midst of cities that are laid waste.8   Then they will know that I am the LORD,    when I have set fire to Egypt,    and all her helpers are broken. 9 “On that day messengers shall go out from me in ships to terrify the unsuspecting people of Cush, and anguish shall come upon them on the day of Egypt's doom;9 for, behold, it comes! 10 “Thus says the Lord GOD:   “I will put an end to the wealth of Egypt,    by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.11   He and his people with him, the most ruthless of nations,    shall be brought in to destroy the land,  and they shall draw their swords against Egypt    and fill the land with the slain.12   And I will dry up the Nile    and will sell the land into the hand of evildoers;  I will bring desolation upon the land and everything in it,    by the hand of foreigners;  I am the LORD; I have spoken. 13 “Thus says the Lord GOD:   “I will destroy the idols    and put an end to the images in Memphis;  there shall no longer be a prince from the land of Egypt;    so I will put fear in the land of Egypt.14   I will make Pathros a desolation    and will set fire to Zoan    and will execute judgments on Thebes.15   And I will pour out my wrath on Pelusium,    the stronghold of Egypt,    and cut off the multitude10 of Thebes.16   And I will set fire to Egypt;    Pelusium shall be in great agony;  Thebes shall be breached,    and Memphis shall face enemies11 by day.17   The young men of On and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword,    and the women12 shall go into captivity.18   At Tehaphnehes the day shall be dark,    when I break there the yoke bars of Egypt,  and her proud might shall come to an end in her;    she shall be covered by a cloud,    and her daughters shall go into captivity.19   Thus I will execute judgments on Egypt.    Then they will know that I am the LORD.” Egypt Shall Fall to Babylon 20 In the eleventh year, in the first month, on the seventh day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 21 “Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and behold, it has not been bound up, to heal it by binding it with a bandage, so that it may become strong to wield the sword. 22 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt and will break his arms, both the strong arm and the one that was broken, and I will make the sword fall from his hand. 23 I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them through the countries. 24 And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put my sword in his hand, but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan before him like a man mortally wounded. 25 I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh shall fall. Then they shall know that I am the LORD, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he stretches it out against the land of Egypt. 26 And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” Pharaoh to Be Slain 31 In the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude:   “Whom are you like in your greatness?3     Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon,  with beautiful branches and forest shade,    and of towering height,    its top among the clouds.134   The waters nourished it;    the deep made it grow tall,  making its rivers flow    around the place of its planting,  sending forth its streams    to all the trees of the field.5   So it towered high    above all the trees of the field;  its boughs grew large    and its branches long    from abundant water in its shoots.6   All the birds of the heavens    made their nests in its boughs;  under its branches all the beasts of the field    gave birth to their young,  and under its shadow    lived all great nations.7   It was beautiful in its greatness,    in the length of its branches;  for its roots went down    to abundant waters.8   The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it,    nor the fir trees equal its boughs;  neither were the plane trees    like its branches;  no tree in the garden of God    was its equal in beauty.9   I made it beautiful    in the mass of its branches,  and all the trees of Eden envied it,    that were in the garden of God. 10 “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because it14 towered high and set its top among the clouds,15 and its heart was proud of its height, 11 I will give it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations. He shall surely deal with it as its wickedness deserves. I have cast it out. 12 Foreigners, the most ruthless of nations, have cut it down and left it. On the mountains and in all the valleys its branches have fallen, and its boughs have been broken in all the ravines of the land, and all the peoples of the earth have gone away from its shadow and left it. 13 On its fallen trunk dwell all the birds of the heavens, and on its branches are all the beasts of the field. 14 All this is in order that no trees by the waters may grow to towering height or set their tops among the clouds,16 and that no trees that drink water may reach up to them in height. For they are all given over to death, to the world below, among the children of man,17 with those who go down to the pit. 15 “Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day the cedar18 went down to Sheol I caused mourning; I closed the deep over it, and restrained its rivers, and many waters were stopped. I clothed Lebanon in gloom for it, and all the trees of the field fainted because of it. 16 I made the nations quake at the sound of its fall, when I cast it down to Sheol with those who go down to the pit. And all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, were comforted in the world below. 17 They also went down to Sheol with it, to those who are slain by the sword; yes, those who were its arm, who lived under its shadow among the nations. 18 “Whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? You shall be brought down with the trees of Eden to the world below. You shall lie among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. “This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord GOD.” Footnotes [1] 29:6 Hebrew they [2] 29:7 Syriac (compare Psalm 69:23); Hebrew to stand [3] 29:9 Hebrew he [4] 29:19 Or multitude [5] 30:3 Hebrew lacks doom for [6] 30:4 Or multitude; also verse 10 [7] 30:5 With Septuagint; Hebrew Cub [8] 30:5 Hebrew and the sons of the land of the covenant [9] 30:9 Hebrew the day of Egypt [10] 30:15 Or wealth [11] 30:16 Or distress [12] 30:17 Or the cities; Hebrew they [13] 31:3 Or its top went through the thick boughs [14] 31:10 Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew you [15] 31:10 Or its top through the thick boughs [16] 31:14 Or their tops through the thick boughs [17] 31:14 Or of Adam [18] 31:15 Hebrew it (ESV) Evening: James 5 James 5 (Listen) Warning to the Rich 5 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. 4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you. Patience in Suffering 7 Be patient, therefore, brothers,1 until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. The Prayer of Faith 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.2 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. 19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. Footnotes [1] 5:7 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 10, 12, 19 [2] 5:16 Or The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power (ESV)

Ezekiel - The Soul Who Sins Shall Die, Lament for the Princes of Israel, 2 Timothy - Godlessness in the Last Days, All Scripture is Breathed out by God

Academia de los nocturnos 3x11 Los hospitales antiguos a menudo están envueltos en una atmósfera cargada de historia y experiencias pasadas, y en ocasiones estos lugares albergan fenómenos paranormales. Se cuentan historias de sombras que se deslizan por los pasillos desiertos, murmullos inquietantes que resuenan en salas vacías y luces inexplicables que parpadean en habitaciones abandonadas. Estas historias alimentan la fascinación por lo desconocido y dan a los hospitales antiguos una reputación misteriosa que trasciende su función original de cuidado de la salud. En el programa de esta noche escucharemos testimonios de enfermeras que han vivido experiencias extrañas durante el desempeño de su trabajo. Orbes luminosos que entran en habitaciones de pacientes que fallecen poco después, la figura de una monja que pasea por el jardín, una niña con trenzas que juega a los pies de la cama de los enfermos... Pero antes, en nuestro primer viaje de la noche, pondremos rumbo a Escocia, hasta el castillo de Fyvie. Allí conoceremos, de la mano de Álvaro Anula, las leyendas de fantasmas que se cuentan sobre este enclave de leyenda... Y terminaremos el programa de esta semana con Juanca Romero, en Nueva Orleans, cuna del jazz, para conocer sus famosos desfiles funerarios al ritmo de la música. Otra interesantísima entrega de Planeta Funerario. No olvidéis que estamos sorteando un ejemplar de “Aenigma Montserratus”, de nuestro compañero Raúl. Sed bienvenidos y bienvenidas. Podcast Academia de los Nocturnos Dirige: Félix Friaza Presentan: Félix Friaza y Raúl Sacrest Colaboran: Álvaro Anula y Juanca Romero Locución: Laura Cárdenas y Patricia Alonso Edición y diseño: Paco Cárdenas Si te gusta nuestro programa, suscríbete en Ivoox, comenta y dale a Me gusta a nuestros programas, tu respaldo nos motiva a seguir adelante y a mejorar. Y si los compartes, nos ayudarás a que lleguen a más personas. - Suscríbete a nuestro podcast aquí: https://go.ivoox.com/sq/1523888 - Añádenos a Whatsapp: (+34) 644 848 546 - Nuestro correo: academianocturnos@gmail.com - Síguenos en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcademiaDeLosNocturnos - Y en Twitter: @adelosnocturnos - Las opiniones expresadas por los invitados son de su exclusiva responsabilidad y no necesariamente representan la opinión de la dirección del programa. Créditos de las músicas: -Sintonía: Scarborough Fair – Nox Arcana - “Helena's Lament” by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): - http://uppbeat.io/t/spinnin-tape/no-joyce License code: JUYLRAH7OVALM3LC - https://uppbeat.io/t/weary-pines/birth License code: GBN0YWDAIIVSDGYT -https://uppbeat.io/t/kevin-macleod/gathering-darkness License code: INTUOYECDPVBGQJL -https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/sinking-feeling License code: F0MZ5NZMGTPYM2RK

(This and the next episode are part of a special Thanksgiving Double Feature Rewind of past episodes that are good to revisit in the ups and downs of a holiday)What if the Psalms aren't just old religious poetry, but guideposts for our everyday struggles and wounds? What if the Psalms are a pathway into the presence of God through the all too human emotions of joy, sadness, and even anger?Join Geoff and Cyd Holsclaw