Malachi 3-4
New Living Translation
The Coming Day of Judgment
3 “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
2 “But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. 3 He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. 4 Then once more the Lord will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.
5 “At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
A Call to Repentance
6 “I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. 7 Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’
8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!
“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’
“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease.[a] Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 12 “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
13 “You have said terrible things about me,” says the Lord.
“But you say, ‘What do you mean? What have we said against you?’
14 “You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins? 15 From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.’”
The Lord’s Promise of Mercy
16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.
17 “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. 18 Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
The Coming Day of Judgment
4 [b]The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.
2 “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.[c] And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. 3 On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
4 “Remember to obey the Law of Moses, my servant—all the decrees and regulations that I gave him on Mount Sinai[d] for all Israel.
5 “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. 6 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
Malachi 3-4
New American Standard Bible
The Purifier
3 “(A)Behold, I am sending (B)My [a]messenger, and he will (C)clear a way before Me. And the Lord, whom you are seeking, will suddenly come to His temple; [b]and the [c](D)messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of armies. 2 “But who can (E)endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a (F)refiner’s fire, and like launderer’s soap. 3 And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will (G)purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may (H)present to the Lord [d]offerings in righteousness. 4 Then the [e]offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be (I)pleasing to the Lord as in the (J)days of old, and as in former years.
5 “Then I will come near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the (K)sorcerers, the (L)adulterers, against those who (M)swear falsely, those who [f]oppress the (N)wage earner in his wages or the (O)widow or the [g]orphan, and those who turn away the (P)stranger from justice and do not [h]fear Me,” says the Lord of armies. 6 “For [i]I, the Lord, (Q)do not change; therefore you, the sons of Jacob, have not come to an end.
7 “From the (R)days of your fathers you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. (S)Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of armies. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’
You Have Robbed God
8 “Would anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In (T)tithes and [j]offerings. 9 You are (U)cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the entire nation of you! 10 (V)Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and put Me to the test now in this,” says the Lord of armies, “if I do not (W)open for you the windows of heaven and (X)pour out for you a blessing until [k](Y)it overflows. 11 Then I will rebuke the (Z)devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruit of your ground; nor will the vine in the field prove fruitless to you,” says the Lord of armies. 12 “(AA)All the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a (AB)delightful land,” says the Lord of armies.
13 “Your words have been [l]arrogant against Me,” says the Lord. “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is (AC)pointless to serve God; and what (AD)benefit is it for us that we have done what He required, and that we have walked in mourning before the Lord of armies? 15 So now we (AE)call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up, but they also put God to the test and (AF)escape punishment.’”
The Book of Remembrance
16 Then those who [m]feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord (AG)listened attentively and heard it, and a (AH)book of remembrance was written before Him for those who [n]fear the Lord and esteem His name. 17 “And they will be (AI)Mine,” says the Lord of armies, “on the (AJ)day that I [o]prepare My (AK)own possession, and I will have compassion for them just as a man (AL)has compassion for his own son who serves him.” 18 So you will again (AM)distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.
Final Admonition
4 “[p]For behold, the day is coming, (AN)burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be (AO)chaff; and the day that is coming will (AP)set them ablaze,” says the Lord of armies, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branches. 2 But for you who [q]fear My name, the (AQ)sun of righteousness will rise with (AR)healing in its wings; and you will go forth and (AS)frolic like calves from the stall. 3 And you will (AT)crush the wicked underfoot, for they will be (AU)ashes under the soles of your feet (AV)on the day [r]that I am preparing,” says the Lord of armies.
4 “(AW)Remember the Law of Moses My servant, the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.
5 “Behold, I am going to send you (AX)Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will (AY)turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and (AZ)strike the land with complete destruction.”
Footnotes
- Malachi 3:1 Or angel
- Malachi 3:1 Or that is, the
- Malachi 3:1 Or angel
- Malachi 3:3 Or grain offerings
- Malachi 3:4 Or grain offering
- Malachi 3:5 Or exploit
- Malachi 3:5 Or fatherless
- Malachi 3:5 Or revere
- Malachi 3:6 Or I am the Lord; I do not
- Malachi 3:8 Or contributions
- Malachi 3:10 Or there is not room enough
- Malachi 3:13 Lit strong
- Malachi 3:16 Or revere(d)
- Malachi 3:16 Or revere(d)
- Malachi 3:17 Lit make
- Malachi 4:1 Ch 3:19 in Heb
- Malachi 4:2 Or revere
- Malachi 4:3 Or when I act
Psalm 148
New Living Translation
Psalm 148
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens!
Praise him from the skies!
2 Praise him, all his angels!
Praise him, all the armies of heaven!
3 Praise him, sun and moon!
Praise him, all you twinkling stars!
4 Praise him, skies above!
Praise him, vapors high above the clouds!
5 Let every created thing give praise to the Lord,
for he issued his command, and they came into being.
6 He set them in place forever and ever.
His decree will never be revoked.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you creatures of the ocean depths,
8 fire and hail, snow and clouds,[a]
wind and weather that obey him,
9 mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all livestock,
small scurrying animals and birds,
11 kings of the earth and all people,
rulers and judges of the earth,
12 young men and young women,
old men and children.
13 Let them all praise the name of the Lord.
For his name is very great;
his glory towers over the earth and heaven!
14 He has made his people strong,
honoring his faithful ones—
the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!
Footnotes
- 148:8 Or mist, or smoke.
Psalm 148
New American Standard Bible
The Whole Creation Invoked to Praise the Lord.
148 [a]Praise [b]the Lord!
Praise the Lord (A)from the heavens;
Praise Him (B)in the heights!
2 Praise Him, (C)all His angels;
Praise Him, (D)all His heavenly armies!
3 Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all stars of light!
4 Praise Him, [c](E)highest heavens,
And the (F)waters that are above the heavens!
5 They are to praise the name of the Lord,
For (G)He commanded and they were created.
6 He has also (H)established them forever and ever;
He has made a (I)decree, and it will not pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
(J)Sea monsters, and all the ocean (K)depths;
8 (L)Fire and hail, (M)snow and (N)clouds;
(O)Stormy wind, (P)fulfilling His word;
9 (Q)Mountains and all hills;
Fruit (R)trees and all cedars;
10 (S)Animals and all cattle;
(T)Crawling things and winged fowl;
11 (U)Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Rulers and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and virgins;
Old men and children.
13 They are to praise the name of the Lord,
For His (V)name alone is exalted;
His (W)majesty is above earth and heaven.
14 And He has (X)lifted up a horn for His people,
(Y)Praise for all His godly ones,
For the sons of Israel, a people (Z)near to Him.
[d]Praise [e]the Lord!
Footnotes
- Psalm 148:1 Or Hallelujah!
- Psalm 148:1 Heb Yah
- Psalm 148:4 Lit heavens of heavens
- Psalm 148:14 Or Hallelujah!
- Psalm 148:14 Heb Yah
Acts 5
New Living Translation
Ananias and Sapphira
5 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. 6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”
“Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”
9 And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”
10 Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.
The Apostles Heal Many
12 The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. 14 Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil[a] spirits, and they were all healed.
The Apostles Meet Opposition
17 The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, 20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”
21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.
When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council[b]—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial. 22 But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, 23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”
24 When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end. 25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”
26 The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. 27 Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. 28 “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”
29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross.[c] 31 Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. 32 We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, the high council was furious and decided to kill them. 34 But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be sent outside the council chamber for a while. 35 Then he said to his colleagues, “Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men! 36 Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing. 37 After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered.
38 “So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”
40 The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.
41 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.[d] 42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”
Acts 5
New American Standard Bible
Fate of Ananias and Sapphira
5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and (A)kept back some of the [a]proceeds for himself, with his wife’s [b]full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he (B)laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has (C)Satan filled your heart to lie (D)to the Holy Spirit and to (E)keep back some of the [c]proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not [d]under your control? Why is it that you have [e]conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but (F)to God.” 5 And as he heard these words, Ananias (G)collapsed and [f]died; and (H)great fear came over all who heard about it. 6 The young men got up and (I)covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
7 Now an interval of about three hours elapsed, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land (J)for [g]this price?” And she said, “Yes, for [h]that price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to (K)put (L)the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10 And immediately she (M)collapsed at his feet and [i]died; and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And (N)great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard about these things.
12 [j]At the hands of the apostles many [k](O)signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all [l]together in (P)Solomon’s [m]portico. 13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, (Q)the people held them in high esteem. 14 And increasingly (R)believers in the Lord, large numbers of men and women, were being (S)added to their number, 15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by (T)at least his shadow might fall on any of them. 16 The [n]people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together as well, bringing people who were sick [o]or tormented with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.
Imprisonment and Release
17 But the high priest stood up, along with all his associates (that is (U)the sect of (V)the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18 They laid hands on the apostles and (W)put them in a public prison. 19 But during the night (X)an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and leading them out, he said, 20 “Go, stand and [p]speak to the people in the temple area [q](Y)the whole message of this Life.” 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple area (Z)about daybreak and began to teach.
Now when (AA)the high priest and his associates came, they called (AB)the [r]Council together, that is, all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison for them to be brought. 22 But (AC)the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported, 23 saying, “We found the prison locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 Now when (AD)the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what [s]would come of this. 25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple area and teaching the people!” 26 Then (AE)the captain went along with (AF)the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for (AG)they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).
27 When they had brought them, they had them stand [t]before (AH)the Council. The high priest interrogated them, 28 saying, “We gave you (AI)strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and [u]yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and (AJ)intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “(AK)We must obey God rather than men. 30 (AL)The God of our fathers (AM)raised up Jesus, whom you (AN)put to death by hanging Him on [v](AO)a cross. 31 (AP)He is the one whom God exalted [w]to His right hand as a [x](AQ)Prince and a (AR)Savior, to grant (AS)repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are (AT)witnesses [y]of these things; and (AU)so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Gamaliel’s Counsel
33 But when they heard this, they became (AV)infuriated and nearly decided to execute them. 34 But a Pharisee named (AW)Gamaliel, a (AX)teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in (AY)the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful as to what you are about to do with these men. 36 For, some time ago Theudas appeared, (AZ)claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined him. [z]But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee appeared in the days of (BA)the census and drew away some people after him; he also perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38 And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, for if the source of this plan or [aa]movement (BB)is men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if the source is God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found (BC)fighting against God.”
40 They followed his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they (BD)flogged them and ordered them not to [ab]speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the [ac](BE)Council, (BF)rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame (BG)for His name. 42 (BH)And every day, in the temple and [ad]from house to house, they did not stop teaching and (BI)preaching the good news of Jesus as the [ae]Christ.
Footnotes
- Acts 5:2 Lit price
- Acts 5:2 Or collusion
- Acts 5:3 Lit price
- Acts 5:4 Or in your authority
- Acts 5:4 Lit placed
- Acts 5:5 Lit expired
- Acts 5:8 Lit so much
- Acts 5:8 Lit so much
- Acts 5:10 Lit expired
- Acts 5:12 Lit Through
- Acts 5:12 I.e., confirming miracles
- Acts 5:12 Or of one mind
- Acts 5:12 Or colonnade
- Acts 5:16 Lit multitude
- Acts 5:16 Lit and
- Acts 5:20 Or continue to speak
- Acts 5:20 Lit all the words
- Acts 5:21 Or Sanhedrin
- Acts 5:24 Lit this would become
- Acts 5:27 Lit among
- Acts 5:28 Lit behold
- Acts 5:30 Lit wood; see Deut 21:23
- Acts 5:31 Or by
- Acts 5:31 Or Leader
- Acts 5:32 One early ms adds in Him
- Acts 5:36 Lit Who was killed
- Acts 5:38 Lit work
- Acts 5:40 Lit be speaking
- Acts 5:41 Or Sanhedrin
- Acts 5:42 Or in the various private homes
- Acts 5:42 I.e., Messiah
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
