The Command to Leave Sinai

33 The Lord said to Moses, “Depart; go up from here, you (A)and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To (B)your offspring I will give it.’ I will send an (C)angel before you, (D)and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. (E)Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; (F)but I will not go up among you, (G)lest I consume you on the way, for you are a (H)stiff-necked people.”

When the people heard this disastrous word, they (I)mourned, and (J)no one put on his ornaments. For the Lord had said to Moses, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘You are a (K)stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would (L)consume you. So now (M)take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do with you.’” Therefore the people of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onward.

The Tent of Meeting

Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and (N)he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who (O)sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp. Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and (P)each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. When Moses entered the tent, the (Q)pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord[a] would speak with Moses. 10 And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. 11 Thus (R)the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his (S)assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 33:9 Hebrew he

33 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath(A) to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’(B) I will send an angel(C) before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.(D) Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey.(E) But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked(F) people and I might destroy(G) you on the way.”

When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn(H) and no one put on any ornaments. For the Lord had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people.(I) If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy(J) you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’” So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb.(K)

The Tent of Meeting

Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.”(L) Anyone inquiring(M) of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents,(N) watching Moses until he entered the tent. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud(O) would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke(P) with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent.(Q) 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face,(R) as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua(S) son of Nun did not leave the tent.

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28 When the news came to Joab—for Joab (A)had supported Adonijah although (B)he had not supported Absalom—Joab fled to the tent of the Lord and caught hold of the (C)horns of the altar. 29 And when it was told King Solomon, “Joab has fled to the tent of the Lord, and behold, he is beside the altar,” Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down.” 30 So Benaiah came to the tent of the Lord and said to him, “The king commands, ‘Come out.’” But he said, “No, I will die here.” Then Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, “Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.” 31 The king replied to him, (D)“Do as he has said, strike him down and bury him, (E)and thus take away from me and from my father's house the guilt for the blood that Joab shed without cause. 32 The Lord will (F)bring back his bloody deeds on his own head, because, without the knowledge of my father David, he attacked and killed with the sword two men (G)more righteous and better than himself, (H)Abner the son of Ner, commander of the army of Israel, and (I)Amasa the son of Jether, commander of the army of Judah. 33 (J)So shall their blood come back on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants forever. But for David and for his descendants and for his house and for his throne there shall be peace from the Lord forevermore.” 34 Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up and struck him down and put him to death. And he was buried in his own house in the wilderness. 35 (K)The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the army in place of Joab, and the king put (L)Zadok the priest (M)in the place of Abiathar.

36 Then the king sent and summoned (N)Shimei and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there to any place whatever. 37 For on the day you go out and cross (O)the brook Kidron, know for certain that you shall die. (P)Your blood shall be on your own head.” 38 And Shimei said to the king, “What you say is good; as my lord the king has said, so will your servant do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days.

39 But it happened at the end of three years that two of Shimei's servants ran away to (Q)Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. And when it was told Shimei, “Behold, your servants are in Gath,” 40 Shimei arose and saddled a donkey and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants. Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath. 41 And when Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and returned, 42 the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the Lord and solemnly warn you, saying, ‘Know for certain that on the day you go out and go to any place whatever, you shall die’? And you said to me, ‘What you say is good; I will obey.’ 43 Why then have you not kept your oath to the Lord and the commandment with which I commanded you?” 44 The king also said to Shimei, “You know in your own heart (R)all the harm that you did to David my father. So the Lord will (S)bring back your harm on your own head. 45 But King Solomon shall be blessed, (T)and the throne of David shall be established before the Lord forever.” 46 Then the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him down, and he died.

(U)So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

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28 When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah though not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the Lord and took hold of the horns(A) of the altar. 29 King Solomon was told that Joab had fled to the tent of the Lord and was beside the altar.(B) Then Solomon ordered Benaiah(C) son of Jehoiada, “Go, strike him down!”

30 So Benaiah entered the tent(D) of the Lord and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!(E)’”

But he answered, “No, I will die here.”

Benaiah reported to the king, “This is how Joab answered me.”

31 Then the king commanded Benaiah, “Do as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so clear me and my whole family of the guilt of the innocent blood(F) that Joab shed. 32 The Lord will repay(G) him for the blood he shed,(H) because without my father David knowing it he attacked two men and killed them with the sword. Both of them—Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa(I) son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army—were better(J) men and more upright than he. 33 May the guilt of their blood rest on the head of Joab and his descendants forever. But on David and his descendants, his house and his throne, may there be the Lord’s peace forever.”

34 So Benaiah(K) son of Jehoiada went up and struck down Joab(L) and killed him, and he was buried at his home out in the country. 35 The king put Benaiah(M) son of Jehoiada over the army in Joab’s position and replaced Abiathar with Zadok(N) the priest.

36 Then the king sent for Shimei(O) and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. 37 The day you leave and cross the Kidron Valley,(P) you can be sure you will die; your blood will be on your own head.”(Q)

38 Shimei answered the king, “What you say is good. Your servant will do as my lord the king has said.” And Shimei stayed in Jerusalem for a long time.

39 But three years later, two of Shimei’s slaves ran off to Achish(R) son of Maakah, king of Gath, and Shimei was told, “Your slaves are in Gath.” 40 At this, he saddled his donkey and went to Achish at Gath in search of his slaves. So Shimei went away and brought the slaves back from Gath.

41 When Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned, 42 the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the Lord and warn(S) you, ‘On the day you leave to go anywhere else, you can be sure you will die’? At that time you said to me, ‘What you say is good. I will obey.’ 43 Why then did you not keep your oath to the Lord and obey the command I gave you?”

44 The king also said to Shimei, “You know in your heart all the wrong(T) you did to my father David. Now the Lord will repay you for your wrongdoing. 45 But King Solomon will be blessed, and David’s throne will remain secure(U) before the Lord forever.”

46 Then the king gave the order to Benaiah(V) son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei(W) down and he died.

The kingdom was now established(X) in Solomon’s hands.

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Warning Against Going to Egypt

42 Then (A)all the commanders of the forces, and (B)Johanan the son of Kareah and Jezaniah the son of (C)Hoshaiah, and all the people (D)from the least to the greatest, came near and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Let (E)our plea for mercy come before you, and (F)pray to the Lord your God for us, for all (G)this remnant—(H)because we are left with but a few, as your eyes see us— that (I)the Lord your God may show us the way we should go, and the thing that we should do.” Jeremiah the prophet said to them, “I have heard you. Behold, I will pray to the Lord your God according to your request, and (J)whatever the Lord answers you I will tell you. (K)I will keep nothing back from you.” Then they said to Jeremiah, (L)“May the Lord be a true and (M)faithful witness against us (N)if we do not act according to all the word (O)with which the Lord your God sends you to us. Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, (P)that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.”

(Q)At the end of ten days the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. Then he summoned (R)Johanan the son of Kareah and (S)all the commanders of the forces who were with him, and all the people (T)from the least to the greatest, and said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, (U)to whom you sent me to present your plea for mercy before him:

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42 Then all the army officers, including Johanan(A) son of Kareah and Jezaniah[a] son of Hoshaiah,(B) and all the people from the least to the greatest(C) approached Jeremiah the prophet and said to him, “Please hear our petition and pray(D) to the Lord your God for this entire remnant.(E) For as you now see, though we were once many, now only a few(F) are left. Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.”(G)

“I have heard you,” replied Jeremiah the prophet. “I will certainly pray(H) to the Lord your God as you have requested; I will tell(I) you everything the Lord says and will keep nothing back from you.”(J)

Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the Lord be a true(K) and faithful(L) witness(M) against us if we do not act in accordance with everything the Lord your God sends you to tell us. Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well(N) with us, for we will obey(O) the Lord our God.”

Ten days later the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. So he called together Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers(P) who were with him and all the people from the least to the greatest.(Q) He said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition,(R) says:(S)

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 42:1 Hebrew; Septuagint (see also 43:2) Azariah

How Awesome Are Your Deeds

To the choirmaster. A Song. A Psalm.

66 (A)Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
    sing the glory of his name;
    (B)give to him glorious praise!
Say to God, (C)“How awesome are your deeds!
    So great is your power that your enemies (D)come cringing to you.
(E)All the earth worships you
    and sings praises to you;
    they sing praises to your name.” Selah

(F)Come and see what God has done:
    (G)he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
He (H)turned the sea into dry land;
    they (I)passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in him,
    who rules by his might forever,
whose (J)eyes keep watch on the nations—
    let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah

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Psalm 66

For the director of music. A song. A psalm.

Shout for joy to God, all the earth!(A)
    Sing the glory of his name;(B)
    make his praise glorious.(C)
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!(D)
    So great is your power
    that your enemies cringe(E) before you.
All the earth bows down(F) to you;
    they sing praise(G) to you,
    they sing the praises of your name.”[a]

Come and see what God has done,
    his awesome deeds(H) for mankind!
He turned the sea into dry land,(I)
    they passed through(J) the waters on foot—
    come, let us rejoice(K) in him.
He rules forever(L) by his power,
    his eyes watch(M) the nations—
    let not the rebellious(N) rise up against him.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 66:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 7 and 15.

The Coming of the Son of Man

24 “But in those days, after (A)that tribulation, (B)the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and (C)the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see (D)the Son of Man coming in clouds (E)with great power and glory. 27 And then (F)he will send out the angels and (G)gather (H)his elect from (I)the four winds, from (J)the ends of the earth (K)to the ends of heaven.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, (L)at the very gates. 30 (M)Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 (N)Heaven and earth will pass away, but (O)my words will not pass away.

No One Knows That Day or Hour

32 “But concerning that day or that hour, (P)no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, (Q)nor the Son, (R)but only the Father. 33 (S)Be on guard, (T)keep awake.[a] For you do not know when the time will come. 34 (U)It is like a man (V)going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants[b] in charge, (W)each with his work, and commands (X)the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 (Y)Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, (Z)in the evening, or (AA)at midnight, or (AB)when the rooster crows,[c] or (AC)in the morning— 36 lest (AD)he come suddenly and (AE)find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: (AF)Stay awake.”

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 13:33 Some manuscripts add and pray
  2. Mark 13:34 Or bondservants
  3. Mark 13:35 That is, the third watch of the night, between midnight and 3 a.m.

24 “But in those days, following that distress,

“‘the sun will be darkened,
    and the moon will not give its light;
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
    and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[a](A)

26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds(B) with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.(C)

28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it[b] is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation(D) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.(E) 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.(F)

The Day and Hour Unknown

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.(G) 33 Be on guard! Be alert[c]!(H) You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants(I) in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”(J)

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 13:25 Isaiah 13:10; 34:4
  2. Mark 13:29 Or he
  3. Mark 13:33 Some manuscripts alert and pray

Marks of the True Christian

(A)Let love be genuine. (B)Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 (C)Love one another with brotherly affection. (D)Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, (E)be fervent in spirit,[a] (F)serve the Lord. 12 (G)Rejoice in hope, (H)be patient in tribulation, (I)be constant in prayer. 13 (J)Contribute to the needs of the saints and (K)seek to show hospitality.

14 (L)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 (M)Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 (N)Live in harmony with one another. (O)Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[b] (P)Never be wise in your own sight. 17 (Q)Repay no one evil for evil, but (R)give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, (S)live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, (T)never avenge yourselves, but leave it[c] to the wrath of God, for it is written, (U)“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, (V)“if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:11 Or fervent in the Spirit
  2. Romans 12:16 Or give yourselves to humble tasks
  3. Romans 12:19 Greek give place

Love in Action

Love must be sincere.(A) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.(B) 10 Be devoted to one another in love.(C) Honor one another above yourselves.(D) 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,(E) serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope,(F) patient in affliction,(G) faithful in prayer.(H) 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.(I) Practice hospitality.(J)

14 Bless those who persecute you;(K) bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.(L) 16 Live in harmony with one another.(M) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.(N)

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.(O) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.(P) 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.(Q) 19 Do not take revenge,(R) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[b](S) says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[c](T)

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
  2. Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
  3. Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22