So justice is far from us,
    and righteousness does not reach us.
We look for light, but all is darkness;(A)
    for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
10 Like the blind(B) we grope along the wall,
    feeling our way like people without eyes.
At midday we stumble(C) as if it were twilight;
    among the strong, we are like the dead.(D)
11 We all growl like bears;
    we moan mournfully like doves.(E)
We look for justice, but find none;
    for deliverance, but it is far away.

12 For our offenses(F) are many in your sight,
    and our sins testify(G) against us.
Our offenses are ever with us,
    and we acknowledge our iniquities:(H)
13 rebellion(I) and treachery against the Lord,
    turning our backs(J) on our God,
inciting revolt and oppression,(K)
    uttering lies(L) our hearts have conceived.
14 So justice(M) is driven back,
    and righteousness(N) stands at a distance;
truth(O) has stumbled in the streets,
    honesty cannot enter.
15 Truth(P) is nowhere to be found,
    and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.

The Lord looked and was displeased
    that there was no justice.(Q)
16 He saw that there was no one,(R)
    he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;(S)
so his own arm achieved salvation(T) for him,
    and his own righteousness(U) sustained him.
17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate,(V)
    and the helmet(W) of salvation on his head;
he put on the garments(X) of vengeance(Y)
    and wrapped himself in zeal(Z) as in a cloak.
18 According to what they have done,
    so will he repay(AA)
wrath to his enemies
    and retribution to his foes;
    he will repay the islands(AB) their due.
19 From the west,(AC) people will fear the name of the Lord,
    and from the rising of the sun,(AD) they will revere his glory.(AE)
For he will come like a pent-up flood
    that the breath(AF) of the Lord drives along.[a]

20 “The Redeemer(AG) will come to Zion,(AH)
    to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,”(AI)
declares the Lord.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 59:19 Or When enemies come in like a flood, / the Spirit of the Lord will put them to flight

Psalm 13[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

How long,(A) Lord? Will you forget me(B) forever?
    How long will you hide your face(C) from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts(D)
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?(E)

Look on me(F) and answer,(G) Lord my God.
    Give light to my eyes,(H) or I will sleep in death,(I)
and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,(J)
    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.(K)

But I trust in your unfailing love;(L)
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.(M)
I will sing(N) the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 13:1 In Hebrew texts 13:1-6 is numbered 13:2-6.

Warning Against Falling Away(A)

11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths(B) of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!(C) 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,(D) is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature,(E) who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.(F)

Therefore let us move beyond(G) the elementary teachings(H) about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a](I) and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites,[b](J) the laying on of hands,(K) the resurrection of the dead,(L) and eternal judgment. And God permitting,(M) we will do so.

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened,(N) who have tasted the heavenly gift,(O) who have shared in the Holy Spirit,(P) who have tasted the goodness(Q) of the word of God(R) and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen[c] away, to be brought back to repentance.(S) To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God(T) all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed.(U) In the end it will be burned.

Even though we speak like this, dear friends,(V) we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.(W) 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope(X) for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate(Y) those who through faith and patience(Z) inherit what has been promised.(AA)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 6:1 Or from useless rituals
  2. Hebrews 6:2 Or about baptisms
  3. Hebrews 6:6 Or age, if they fall

Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight(A)

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth,(B) he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David,(C) have mercy on me!”

48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi,(D) I want to see.”

52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.”(E) Immediately he received his sight and followed(F) Jesus along the road.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends