21 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 22 “Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers' houses and by their clans. 23 (A)From thirty years old up to fifty years old, you shall list them, all who can (B)come to do duty, to do service in the tent of meeting. 24 This is the service of the clans of the Gershonites, in serving and bearing burdens: 25 (C)they shall carry (D)the curtains of the tabernacle and the tent of meeting with (E)its covering and the covering of goatskin that is on top of it and the screen for the entrance of the tent of meeting 26 and the hangings of the court and the screen for the entrance of the gate of the court that is around the tabernacle and the altar, and their cords and all the equipment for their service. And they shall do all that needs to be done with regard to them. 27 All the service of the sons of the Gershonites shall be at the command of Aaron and his sons, in all that they are to carry and in all that they have to do. And you shall assign to their charge all that they are to carry. 28 This is the service of the clans of the sons of the Gershonites in the tent of meeting, and their guard duty is to be (F)under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

29 “As for the sons of Merari, you shall list them by their clans and their fathers' houses. 30 (G)From thirty years old up to fifty years old, you shall list them, everyone who can come on duty, to do the service of the tent of meeting. 31 And (H)this is what they are charged to carry, as the whole of their service in the tent of meeting: the frames of the tabernacle, with its bars, pillars, and bases, 32 and the pillars around the court with their bases, pegs, and cords, with all their equipment and all their accessories. And you shall (I)list by name the objects that they are required to carry. 33 This is the service of the clans of the sons of Merari, the whole of their service in the tent of meeting, (J)under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.”

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The Gershonites

21 The Lord said to Moses, 22 “Take a census also of the Gershonites by their families and clans. 23 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age(A) who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.

24 “This is the service of the Gershonite clans in their carrying and their other work: 25 They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle,(B) that is, the tent of meeting,(C) its covering(D) and its outer covering of durable leather, the curtains for the entrance to the tent of meeting, 26 the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,(E) the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard,(F) the ropes and all the equipment(G) used in the service of the tent. The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things. 27 All their service, whether carrying or doing other work, is to be done under the direction of Aaron and his sons.(H) You shall assign to them as their responsibility(I) all they are to carry. 28 This is the service of the Gershonite clans(J) at the tent of meeting. Their duties are to be under the direction of Ithamar(K) son of Aaron, the priest.

The Merarites

29 “Count(L) the Merarites by their clans and families.(M) 30 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting. 31 As part of all their service at the tent, they are to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases,(N) 32 as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes,(O) all their equipment and everything related to their use. Assign to each man the specific things he is to carry. 33 This is the service of the Merarite clans as they work at the tent of meeting under the direction of Ithamar(P) son of Aaron, the priest.”

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Descendants of Judah

(A)The sons of Judah: (B)Perez, Hezron, (C)Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. (D)Reaiah the son of Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the (E)Zorathites. These were the sons[a] of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi, and (F)Penuel fathered (G)Gedor, and Ezer fathered Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of (H)Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem. (I)Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah; Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. The sons of Helah: Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. Koz fathered Anub, Zobebah, and the clans of Aharhel, the son of Harum. Jabez was (J)more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”[b] 10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm[c] so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. 11 Chelub, the brother of Shuhah, fathered Mehir, who fathered Eshton. 12 Eshton fathered Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah, the father of Ir-nahash. These are the men of Recah. 13 The sons of (K)Kenaz: (L)Othniel and Seraiah; and the sons of Othniel: Hathath and Meonothai.[d] 14 Meonothai fathered Ophrah; and Seraiah fathered Joab, the father of Ge-harashim,[e] so-called because they were craftsmen. 15 The sons of (M)Caleb the son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam; and the son[f] of Elah: Kenaz. 16 The sons of Jehallelel: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel. 17 The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. These are the sons of Bithiah, the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered married;[g] and she conceived and bore[h] Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah, the father of Eshtemoa. 18 And his Judahite wife bore (N)Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. 19 The sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and Eshtemoa the Maacathite. 20 The sons of Shimon: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. The sons of Ishi: Zoheth and Ben-zoheth. 21 The sons of (O)Shelah the son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the clans of the house of linen workers at Beth-ashbea; 22 and Jokim, and the men of Cozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who ruled in Moab and returned to Lehem[i] (now the records[j] are ancient). 23 These were the potters who were inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah. They lived there in the king's service.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 4:3 Septuagint (compare Vulgate); Hebrew father
  2. 1 Chronicles 4:9 Jabez sounds like the Hebrew for pain
  3. 1 Chronicles 4:10 Or evil
  4. 1 Chronicles 4:13 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew lacks Meonothai
  5. 1 Chronicles 4:14 Ge-harashim means valley of craftsmen
  6. 1 Chronicles 4:15 Hebrew sons
  7. 1 Chronicles 4:17 The clause These are… married is transposed from verse 18
  8. 1 Chronicles 4:17 Hebrew lacks and bore
  9. 1 Chronicles 4:22 Vulgate (compare Septuagint); Hebrew and Jashubi-lahem
  10. 1 Chronicles 4:22 Or matters

Other Clans of Judah

The descendants of Judah:(A)

Perez, Hezron,(B) Karmi, Hur and Shobal.

Reaiah son of Shobal was the father of Jahath, and Jahath the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites.

These were the sons[a] of Etam:

Jezreel, Ishma and Idbash. Their sister was named Hazzelelponi. Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah.

These were the descendants of Hur,(C) the firstborn of Ephrathah and father[b] of Bethlehem.(D)

Ashhur(E) the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.

Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni and Haahashtari. These were the descendants of Naarah.

The sons of Helah:

Zereth, Zohar, Ethnan, and Koz, who was the father of Anub and Hazzobebah and of the clans of Aharhel son of Harum.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez,[c] saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

11 Kelub, Shuhah’s brother, was the father of Mehir, who was the father of Eshton. 12 Eshton was the father of Beth Rapha, Paseah and Tehinnah the father of Ir Nahash.[d] These were the men of Rekah.

13 The sons of Kenaz:

Othniel(F) and Seraiah.

The sons of Othniel:

Hathath and Meonothai.[e] 14 Meonothai was the father of Ophrah.

Seraiah was the father of Joab,

the father of Ge Harashim.[f] It was called this because its people were skilled workers.

15 The sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh:

Iru, Elah and Naam.

The son of Elah:

Kenaz.

16 The sons of Jehallelel:

Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria and Asarel.

17 The sons of Ezrah:

Jether, Mered, Epher and Jalon. One of Mered’s wives gave birth to Miriam,(G) Shammai and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa. 18 (His wife from the tribe of Judah gave birth to Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soko, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.(H)) These were the children of Pharaoh’s daughter Bithiah, whom Mered had married.

19 The sons of Hodiah’s wife, the sister of Naham:

the father of Keilah(I) the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maakathite.(J)

20 The sons of Shimon:

Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-Hanan and Tilon.

The descendants of Ishi:

Zoheth and Ben-Zoheth.

21 The sons of Shelah(K) son of Judah:

Er the father of Lekah, Laadah the father of Mareshah and the clans of the linen workers at Beth Ashbea, 22 Jokim, the men of Kozeba, and Joash and Saraph, who ruled in Moab and Jashubi Lehem. (These records are from ancient times.) 23 They were the potters who lived at Netaim and Gederah; they stayed there and worked for the king.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 4:3 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Vulgate); Hebrew father
  2. 1 Chronicles 4:4 Father may mean civic leader or military leader; also in verses 12, 14, 17, 18 and possibly elsewhere.
  3. 1 Chronicles 4:9 Jabez sounds like the Hebrew for pain.
  4. 1 Chronicles 4:12 Or of the city of Nahash
  5. 1 Chronicles 4:13 Some Septuagint manuscripts and Vulgate; Hebrew does not have and Meonothai.
  6. 1 Chronicles 4:14 Ge Harashim means valley of skilled workers.

17 (A)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 (B)“Son of man, (C)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: (D)Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; (E)and he shall carry off its wealth[a] (F)and despoil it and plunder it; and it shall be the wages for his army. 20 (G)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 (H)I will cause a horn to spring up for the house of Israel, and (I)I will open your lips among them. (J)Then they will know that I am the Lord.”

A Lament for Egypt

30 The word of the Lord came to me: (K)“Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord God:

(L)“Wail, ‘Alas for the day!’
    (M)For the day is near,
    (N)the day of the Lord is near;
it will be (O)a day of clouds,
    a time of doom for[b] the nations.
(P)A sword shall come upon Egypt,
    (Q)and anguish shall be in (R)Cush,
when the slain fall in Egypt,
    and (S)her wealth[c] is carried away,
    and (T)her foundations are torn down.

(U)Cush, and (V)Put, and Lud, and (W)all Arabia, and Libya,[d] and the people of the land that is in league,[e] shall fall with them by the sword.

“Thus says the Lord:
(X)Those who support Egypt shall fall,
    and (Y)her proud might shall come down;
(Z)from Migdol to Syene
    they shall fall within her by the sword,
declares the Lord God.
(AA)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.
(AB)Then they will know that I am the Lord,
    when (AC)I have set fire to Egypt,
    and (AD)all her helpers are broken.

“On that day (AE)messengers shall go out from me in ships to terrify the unsuspecting (AF)people of Cush, and (AG)anguish shall come upon them on the day of Egypt's doom;[f] for, behold, it comes!

10 “Thus says the Lord God:

(AH)“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, (AI)the most ruthless of nations,
    shall be brought in to destroy the land,
(AJ)and they shall draw their swords against Egypt
    and fill the land with the slain.
12 And (AK)I will (AL)dry up the Nile
    and will sell the land into the hand of (AM)evildoers;
(AN)I will bring desolation upon the land and everything in it,
    by the hand of (AO)foreigners;
(AP)I am the Lord; I have spoken.

13 “Thus says the Lord God:

(AQ)“I will destroy the idols
    and put an end to the images in (AR)Memphis;
(AS)there shall no longer be a prince from the land of Egypt;
    so (AT)I will put fear in the land of Egypt.
14 I will make (AU)Pathros a desolation
    and will set fire to (AV)Zoan
    (AW)and will execute judgments on (AX)Thebes.
15 And I will pour out my wrath on Pelusium,
    the stronghold of Egypt,
    and cut off the multitude[g] of Thebes.
16 And I will set fire to Egypt;
    Pelusium shall be in great agony;
Thebes shall be breached,
    and (AY)Memphis shall face enemies[h] by day.
17 The young men of On and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword,
    and the women[i] shall go into captivity.
18 At (AZ)Tehaphnehes (BA)the day shall be dark,
    when I break there the yoke bars of Egypt,
and (BB)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 (BC)I will execute judgments on Egypt.
    (BD)Then they will know that I am the Lord.”

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 29:19 Or multitude
  2. Ezekiel 30:3 Hebrew lacks doom for
  3. Ezekiel 30:4 Or multitude; also verse 10
  4. Ezekiel 30:5 With Septuagint; Hebrew Cub
  5. Ezekiel 30:5 Hebrew and the sons of the land of the covenant
  6. Ezekiel 30:9 Hebrew the day of Egypt
  7. Ezekiel 30:15 Or wealth
  8. Ezekiel 30:16 Or distress
  9. Ezekiel 30:17 Or the cities; Hebrew they

Nebuchadnezzar’s Reward

17 In the twenty-seventh year, in the first month on the first day, the word of the Lord came to me:(A) 18 “Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar(B) king of Babylon drove his army in a hard campaign against Tyre; every head was rubbed bare(C) and every shoulder made raw.(D) Yet he and his army got no reward from the campaign he led against Tyre. 19 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to give Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king(E) of Babylon, and he will carry off its wealth. He will loot and plunder(F) the land as pay for his army.(G) 20 I have given him Egypt(H) as a reward for his efforts because he and his army did it for me, declares the Sovereign Lord.(I)

21 “On that day I will make a horn[a](J) grow for the Israelites, and I will open your mouth(K) among them. Then they will know that I am the Lord.(L)

A Lament Over Egypt

30 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘Wail(M) and say,
    “Alas for that day!”
For the day is near,(N)
    the day of the Lord(O) is near—
a day of clouds,
    a time of doom for the nations.
A sword will come against Egypt,(P)
    and anguish will come upon Cush.[b](Q)
When the slain fall in Egypt,
    her wealth will be carried away
    and her foundations torn down.(R)

Cush and Libya,(S) Lydia and all Arabia,(T) Kub and the people(U) of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt.(V)

“‘This is what the Lord says:

“‘The allies of Egypt will fall
    and her proud strength will fail.
From Migdol to Aswan(W)
    they will fall by the sword within her,
declares the Sovereign Lord.
“‘They will be desolate
    among desolate lands,
and their cities will lie
    among ruined cities.(X)
Then they will know that I am the Lord,
    when I set fire(Y) to Egypt
    and all her helpers are crushed.(Z)

“‘On that day messengers will go out from me in ships to frighten Cush(AA) out of her complacency. Anguish(AB) will take hold of them on the day of Egypt’s doom, for it is sure to come.(AC)

10 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt
    by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar(AD) king of Babylon.(AE)
11 He and his army—the most ruthless of nations(AF)
    will be brought in to destroy the land.
They will draw their swords against Egypt
    and fill the land with the slain.(AG)
12 I will dry up(AH) the waters of the Nile(AI)
    and sell the land to an evil nation;
by the hand of foreigners
    I will lay waste(AJ) the land and everything in it.

I the Lord have spoken.

13 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘I will destroy the idols(AK)
    and put an end to the images in Memphis.(AL)
No longer will there be a prince in Egypt,(AM)
    and I will spread fear throughout the land.
14 I will lay(AN) waste Upper Egypt,
    set fire to Zoan(AO)
    and inflict punishment on Thebes.(AP)
15 I will pour out my wrath on Pelusium,
    the stronghold of Egypt,
    and wipe out the hordes of Thebes.
16 I will set fire(AQ) to Egypt;
    Pelusium will writhe in agony.
Thebes will be taken by storm;
    Memphis(AR) will be in constant distress.
17 The young men of Heliopolis(AS) and Bubastis
    will fall by the sword,
    and the cities themselves will go into captivity.
18 Dark will be the day at Tahpanhes(AT)
    when I break the yoke of Egypt;(AU)
    there her proud strength will come to an end.
She will be covered with clouds,
    and her villages will go into captivity.(AV)
19 So I will inflict punishment(AW) on Egypt,
    and they will know that I am the Lord.’”

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 29:21 Horn here symbolizes strength.
  2. Ezekiel 30:4 That is, the upper Nile region; also in verses 5 and 9

Zayin

49 Remember (A)your word to your servant,
    in which you have made me (B)hope.
50 This is (C)my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise (D)gives me life.
51 (E)The insolent utterly deride me,
    but I do not (F)turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old,
    I take comfort, O Lord.
53 (G)Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
    who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
    in the house of my (H)sojourning.
55 I (I)remember your name in the night, O Lord,
    and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
    that (J)I have kept your precepts.

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ז Zayin

49 Remember your word(A) to your servant,
    for you have given me hope.(B)
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
    Your promise preserves my life.(C)
51 The arrogant mock me(D) unmercifully,
    but I do not turn(E) from your law.
52 I remember,(F) Lord, your ancient laws,
    and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me(G) because of the wicked,
    who have forsaken your law.(H)
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song(I)
    wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember(J) your name,
    that I may keep your law.(K)
56 This has been my practice:
    I obey your precepts.(L)

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The Parable of the Prodigal Son

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me (A)the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided (B)his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in (C)reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[a] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he (D)was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But (E)when he (F)came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, (G)I have sinned against (H)heaven and before you. 19 (I)I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and (J)ran and (K)embraced him and (L)kissed him.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 15:15 Greek joined himself to

The Parable of the Lost Son

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.(A) 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’(B) So he divided his property(C) between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth(D) in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.(E) 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned(F) against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.(G)

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Final Warning and Benediction

11 See with what large letters I am writing to you (A)with my own hand. 12 (B)It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh (C)who would force you to be circumcised, and only (D)in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast (E)except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which[a] the world (F)has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For (G)neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but (H)a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, (I)peace and mercy be upon them, and upon (J)the Israel of God.

17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

18 (K)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be (L)with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 6:14 Or through whom

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!(A)

12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh(B) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.(C) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted(D) for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,(E) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.(F) 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,(G) through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.(H) 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;(I) what counts is the new creation.(J) 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God.

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks(K) of Jesus.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ(L) be with your spirit,(M) brothers and sisters. Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 6:14 Or whom
  2. Galatians 6:16 Or rule and to