The Temple Musicians

25 David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jedu′thun, who should prophesy with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals. The list of those who did the work and of their duties was: ² Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethani′ah, and Ashare′lah, sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. ³ Of Jedu′thun, the sons of Jedu′thun: Gedali′ah, Zeri, Jesha′iah, Shim′e-i,^[a] Hashabi′ah, and Mattithi′ah, six, under the direction of their father Jedu′thun, who prophesied with the lyre in thanksgiving and praise to the Lord. ⁴ Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukki′ah, Mattani′ah, Uz′ziel, Shebu′el, and Jer′imoth, Hanani′ah, Hana′ni, Eli′athah, Giddal′ti, and Romam′ti-e′zer, Joshbekash′ah, Mallo′thi, Hothir, Maha′zi-oth. ⁵ All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer, according to the promise of God to exalt him; for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. ⁶ They were all under the direction of their father in the music in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jedu′thun, and Heman were under the order of the king. ⁷ The number of them along with their brethren, who were trained in singing to the Lord, all who were skilful, was two hundred and eighty-eight. ⁸ And they cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil alike.

⁹ The first lot fell for Asaph to Joseph; the second to Gedali′ah, to him and his brethren and his sons, twelve; ¹⁰ the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ¹¹ the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ¹² the fifth to Nethani′ah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ¹³ the sixth to Bukki′ah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ¹⁴ the seventh to Jeshare′lah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ¹⁵ the eighth to Jesha′iah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ¹⁶ the ninth to Mattani′ah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ¹⁷ the tenth to Shim′e-i, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ¹⁸ the eleventh to Az′arel, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ¹⁹ the twelfth to Hashabi′ah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ²⁰ to the thirteenth, Shu′ba-el, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ²¹ to the fourteenth, Mattithi′ah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ²² to the fifteenth, to Jer′emoth, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ²³ to the sixteenth, to Hanani′ah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ²⁴ to the seventeenth, to Joshbekash′ah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ²⁵ to the eighteenth, to Hana′ni, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ²⁶ to the nineteenth, to Mallo′thi, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ²⁷ to the twentieth, to Eli′athah, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ²⁸ to the twenty-first, to Hothir, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ²⁹ to the twenty-second, to Giddal′ti, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ³⁰ to the twenty-third, to Maha′zi-oth, his sons and his brethren, twelve; ³¹ to the twenty-fourth, to Romam′ti-e′zer, his sons and his brethren, twelve.

The Gatekeepers

26 As for the divisons of the gatekeepers: of the Kor′ahites, Meshelemi′ah the son of Kor′e, of the sons of Asaph. ² And Meshelemi′ah had sons: Zechari′ah the first-born, Jedi′a-el the second, Zebadi′ah the third, Jath′ni-el the fourth, ³ Elam the fifth, Jeho-ha′nan the sixth, Eli-e-ho-e′nai the seventh. ⁴ And O′bed-e′dom had sons: Shemai′ah the first-born, Jeho′zabad the second, Jo′ah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethan′el the fifth, ⁵ Am′mi-el the sixth, Is′sachar the seventh, Pe-ul′lethai the eighth; for God blessed him. ⁶ Also to his son Shemai′ah were sons born who were rulers in their fathers’ houses, for they were men of great ability. ⁷ The sons of Shemai′ah: Othni, Reph′a-el, Obed, and Elza′bad, whose brethren were able men, Eli′hu and Semachi′ah. ⁸ All these were of the sons of O′bed-e′dom with their sons and brethren, able men qualified for the service; sixty-two of O′bed-e′dom. ⁹ And Meshelemi′ah had sons and brethren, able men, eighteen. ¹⁰ And Hosah, of the sons of Merar′i, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the first-born, his father made him chief), ¹¹ Hilki′ah the second, Tebali′ah the third, Zechari′ah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.

¹² These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their chief men, had duties, just as their brethren 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 Shelemi′ah. They cast lots also for his son Zechari′ah, a shrewd counselor, and his lot came out for the north. ¹⁵ O′bed-e′dom’s came out for the south, and to his sons was allotted the storehouse. ¹⁶ For Shuppim and Hosah it came out for the west, at the gate of Shal′lecheth on the road that goes up. Watch corresponded to watch. ¹⁷ On the east there were six each day,^[b] on the north four each day, on the south four each day, as well as two and two at the storehouse; ¹⁸ and for the parbar^[c] on the west there were four at the road and two at the parbar. ¹⁹ These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the Kor′ahites and the sons of Merar′i.

The Treasurers, Officers, and Judges

²⁰ And of the Levites, Ahi′jah 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: Jehi′eli.^[d]

²² The sons of Jehi′eli, Zetham and Jo′el his brother, were in charge of the treasuries of the house of the Lord. ²³ Of the Am′ramites, the Iz′harites, the He′bronites, and the Uz′zielites— ²⁴ and Sheb′uel the son of Gershom, son of Moses, was chief officer in charge of the treasuries. ²⁵ His brethren: from Elie′zer were his son Rehabi′ah, and his son Jesha′iah, and his son Joram, and his son Zichri, and his son Shelo′moth. ²⁶ This Shelo′moth and his brethren were in charge of all the treasuries of the dedicated gifts which 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 Jo′ab the son of Zeru′iah had dedicated—all dedicated gifts were in the care of Shelo′moth^[e] and his brethren.

²⁹ Of the Iz′harites, Chenani′ah and his sons were appointed to outside duties for Israel, as officers and judges. ³⁰ Of the He′bronites, Hashabi′ah and his brethren, one thousand seven hundred 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 He′bronites, Jeri′jah was chief of the He′bronites 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 brethren, two thousand seven hundred men of ability, heads of fathers’ houses, to have the oversight of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Manas′sites for everything pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.

The Military Divisions

27 This is the list 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 twenty-four thousand:

² Jasho′beam the son of Zab′di-el was in charge of the first division in the first month; in his division were twenty-four thousand. ³ He was a descendant of Perez, and was chief of all the commanders of the army for the first month. ⁴ Dodai the Aho′hite^[f] was in charge of the division of the second month; in his division were twenty-four thousand. ⁵ The third commander, for the third month, was Bena′iah, the son of Jehoi′ada the priest, as chief; in his division were twenty-four thousand. ⁶ This is the Bena′iah who was a mighty man of the thirty and in command of the thirty; Ammiz′abad his son was in charge of his division.^{[g] 7} As′ahel the brother of Jo′ab was fourth, for the fourth month, and his son Zebadi′ah after him; in his division were twenty-four thousand. ⁸ The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhuth, the Iz′rahite; in his division were twenty-four thousand. ⁹ Sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira, the son of Ikkesh the Teko′ite; in his division were twenty-four thousand. ¹⁰ Seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pel′onite, of the sons of E′phraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand. ¹¹ Eighth, for the eighth month, was Sib′becai the Hu′shathite, of the Ze′rahites; in his division were twenty-four thousand. ¹² Ninth, for the ninth month, was Abi-e′zer of An′athoth, a Benjaminite; in his division were twenty-four thousand. ¹³ Tenth, for the tenth month, was Ma′harai of Neto′phah, of the Ze′rahites; in his division were twenty-four thousand. ¹⁴ Eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Bena′iah of Pir′athon, of the sons of E′phraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand. ¹⁵ Twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netoph′athite, of Oth′niel; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

Leaders of Tribes

¹⁶ Over the tribes of Israel, for the Reubenites Elie′zer the son of Zichri was chief officer; for the Simeonites, Shephati′ah the son of Ma′acah; ¹⁷ for Levi, Hashabi′ah the son of Kemu′el; for Aaron, Zadok; ¹⁸ for Judah, Eli′hu, one of David’s brothers; for Is′sachar, Omri the son of Michael; ¹⁹ for Zeb′ulun, Ishma′iah the son of Obadi′ah; for Naph′tali, Jer′emoth the son of Az′riel; ²⁰ for the E′phraimites, Hoshe′a the son of Azazi′ah; for the half-tribe of Manas′seh, Jo′el the son of Peda′iah; ²¹ for the half-tribe of Manas′seh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechari′ah; for Benjamin, Ja-a′siel the son of Abner; ²² for Dan, Az′arel the son of Jero′ham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel. ²³ David did not number those below twenty years of age, for the Lord had promised to make Israel as many as the stars of heaven. ²⁴ Jo′ab the son of Zeru′iah began to number, but did not finish; yet wrath came upon Israel for this, and the number was not entered in the chronicles of King David.

Other Civic Officials

²⁵ Over the king’s treasuries was Az′maveth the son of Ad′i-el; and over the treasuries in the country, in the cities, in the villages and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzzi′ah; 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 Shim′e-i the Ra′mathite; and over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. ²⁸ Over the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephe′lah was Ba′al-ha′nan the Gede′rite; and over the stores of oil was Jo′ash. ²⁹ Over the herds that pastured in Sharon was Shitrai the Sha′ronite; over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai. ³⁰ Over the camels was Obil the Ish′maelite; and over the she-asses was Jehde′iah the Meron′othite. 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 Jehi′el the son of Hach′moni attended the king’s sons. ³³ Ahith′ophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. ³⁴ Ahith′ophel was succeeded by Jehoi′ada the son of Bena′iah, and Abi′athar. Jo′ab was commander of the king’s army.

3 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? ² Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews are entrusted with the oracles of God. ³ What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? ⁴ By no means! Let God be true though every man be false, as it is written,

⁵ But if our wickedness serves to show the justice of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) ⁶ By no means! For then how could God judge the world? ⁷ But if through my falsehood God’s truthfulness abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? ⁸ And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

None Is Righteous

⁹ What then? Are we Jews any better off?^[a] No, not at all; for I^[b] have already charged that all men, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin, ¹⁰ as it is written:

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. ²⁰ For no human being will be justified in his sight by works of the law, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Righteousness through Faith

²¹ But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, ²² the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; ²³ since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; ²⁶ it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus.

²⁷ Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On the principle of works? No, but on the principle of faith.^{[c] 28} For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law. ²⁹ Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, ³⁰ since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of their faith and the uncircumcised through their faith. ³¹ Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.