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Proverbs 23:29-35
New Living Translation
Proverbs 23:29-35
New Living Translation
29 Who has anguish? Who has sorrow?
Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining?
Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns,
trying out new drinks.
31 Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is,
how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.
32 For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake;
it stings like a viper.
33 You will see hallucinations,
and you will say crazy things.
34 You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea,
clinging to a swaying mast.
35 And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it.
I didn’t even know it when they beat me up.
When will I wake up
so I can look for another drink?”
Proverbs 23:29-35
New International Version
Proverbs 23:29-35
New International Version
Saying 19
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 Those who linger over wine,(A)
who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly!
32 In the end it bites like a snake
and poisons like a viper.
33 Your eyes will see strange sights,
and your mind will imagine confusing things.
34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,
lying on top of the rigging.
35 “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!
They beat me, but I don’t feel it!
When will I wake up
so I can find another drink?”(B)
Psalm 67
New Living Translation
Psalm 67
New Living Translation
Psalm 67
For the choir director: A song. A psalm, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.
1 May God be merciful and bless us.
May his face smile with favor on us. Interlude
2 May your ways be known throughout the earth,
your saving power among people everywhere.
3 May the nations praise you, O God.
Yes, may all the nations praise you.
4 Let the whole world sing for joy,
because you govern the nations with justice
and guide the people of the whole world. Interlude
5 May the nations praise you, O God.
Yes, may all the nations praise you.
6 Then the earth will yield its harvests,
and God, our God, will richly bless us.
7 Yes, God will bless us,
and people all over the world will fear him.
Psalm 67
New International Version
Psalm 67
New International Version
Psalm 67[a]
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.
1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—[b](A)
2 so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation(B) among all nations.(C)
Footnotes
- Psalm 67:1 In Hebrew texts 67:1-7 is numbered 67:2-8.
- Psalm 67:1 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.
Ephesians 2
New Living Translation
Ephesians 2
New Living Translation
Made Alive with Christ
2 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Oneness and Peace in Christ
11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.
17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
A Temple for the Lord
19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2:2 Greek obeying the commander of the power of the air.
Ephesians 2
New International Version
Ephesians 2
New International Version
Made Alive in Christ
2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,(A) 2 in which you used to live(B) when you followed the ways of this world(C) and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,(D) the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.(E) 3 All of us also lived among them at one time,(F) gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a](G) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us,(H) God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions(I)—it is by grace you have been saved.(J) 6 And God raised us up with Christ(K) and seated us with him(L) in the heavenly realms(M) in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,(N) expressed in his kindness(O) to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace(P) you have been saved,(Q) through faith(R)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works,(S) so that no one can boast.(T) 10 For we are God’s handiwork,(U) created(V) in Christ Jesus to do good works,(W) which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly(X) you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)(Y)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners(Z) to the covenants of the promise,(AA) without hope(AB) and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once(AC) were far away have been brought near(AD) by the blood of Christ.(AE)
14 For he himself is our peace,(AF) who has made the two groups one(AG) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh(AH) the law with its commands and regulations.(AI) His purpose was to create in himself one(AJ) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,(AK) by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace(AL) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.(AM) 18 For through him we both have access(AN) to the Father(AO) by one Spirit.(AP)
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,(AQ) but fellow citizens(AR) with God’s people and also members of his household,(AS) 20 built(AT) on the foundation(AU) of the apostles and prophets,(AV) with Christ Jesus himself(AW) as the chief cornerstone.(AX) 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple(AY) in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.(AZ)
Footnotes
- Ephesians 2:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.
Isaiah 41:17-43:13
New Living Translation
Isaiah 41:17-43:13
New Living Translation
17 “When the poor and needy search for water and there is none,
and their tongues are parched from thirst,
then I, the Lord, will answer them.
I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them.
18 I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus.
I will give them fountains of water in the valleys.
I will fill the desert with pools of water.
Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground.
19 I will plant trees in the barren desert—
cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, cypress, fir, and pine.
20 I am doing this so all who see this miracle
will understand what it means—
that it is the Lord who has done this,
the Holy One of Israel who created it.
21 “Present the case for your idols,”
says the Lord.
“Let them show what they can do,”
says the King of Israel.[a]
22 “Let them try to tell us what happened long ago
so that we may consider the evidence.
Or let them tell us what the future holds,
so we can know what’s going to happen.
23 Yes, tell us what will occur in the days ahead.
Then we will know you are gods.
In fact, do anything—good or bad!
Do something that will amaze and frighten us.
24 But no! You are less than nothing and can do nothing at all.
Those who choose you pollute themselves.
25 “But I have stirred up a leader who will approach from the north.
From the east he will call on my name.
I will give him victory over kings and princes.
He will trample them as a potter treads on clay.
26 “Who told you from the beginning
that this would happen?
Who predicted this,
making you admit that he was right?
No one said a word!
27 I was the first to tell Zion,
‘Look! Help is on the way!’[b]
I will send Jerusalem a messenger with good news.
28 Not one of your idols told you this.
Not one gave any answer when I asked.
29 See, they are all foolish, worthless things.
All your idols are as empty as the wind.
The Lord’s Chosen Servant
42 “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen.
He is my chosen one, who pleases me.
I have put my Spirit upon him.
He will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout
or raise his voice in public.
3 He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.
4 He will not falter or lose heart
until justice prevails throughout the earth.
Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.[c]”
5 God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out.
He created the earth and everything in it.
He gives breath to everyone,
life to everyone who walks the earth.
And it is he who says,
6 “I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness.
I will take you by the hand and guard you,
and I will give you to my people, Israel,
as a symbol of my covenant with them.
And you will be a light to guide the nations.
7 You will open the eyes of the blind.
You will free the captives from prison,
releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.
8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to anyone else,
nor share my praise with carved idols.
9 Everything I prophesied has come true,
and now I will prophesy again.
I will tell you the future before it happens.”
A Song of Praise to the Lord
10 Sing a new song to the Lord!
Sing his praises from the ends of the earth!
Sing, all you who sail the seas,
all you who live in distant coastlands.
11 Join in the chorus, you desert towns;
let the villages of Kedar rejoice!
Let the people of Sela sing for joy;
shout praises from the mountaintops!
12 Let the whole world glorify the Lord;
let it sing his praise.
13 The Lord will march forth like a mighty hero;
he will come out like a warrior, full of fury.
He will shout his battle cry
and crush all his enemies.
14 He will say, “I have long been silent;
yes, I have restrained myself.
But now, like a woman in labor,
I will cry and groan and pant.
15 I will level the mountains and hills
and blight all their greenery.
I will turn the rivers into dry land
and will dry up all the pools.
16 I will lead blind Israel down a new path,
guiding them along an unfamiliar way.
I will brighten the darkness before them
and smooth out the road ahead of them.
Yes, I will indeed do these things;
I will not forsake them.
17 But those who trust in idols,
who say, ‘You are our gods,’
will be turned away in shame.
Israel’s Failure to Listen and See
18 “Listen, you who are deaf!
Look and see, you blind!
19 Who is as blind as my own people, my servant?
Who is as deaf as my messenger?
Who is as blind as my chosen people,
the servant of the Lord?
20 You see and recognize what is right
but refuse to act on it.
You hear with your ears,
but you don’t really listen.”
21 Because he is righteous,
the Lord has exalted his glorious law.
22 But his own people have been robbed and plundered,
enslaved, imprisoned, and trapped.
They are fair game for anyone
and have no one to protect them,
no one to take them back home.
23 Who will hear these lessons from the past
and see the ruin that awaits you in the future?
24 Who allowed Israel to be robbed and hurt?
It was the Lord, against whom we sinned,
for the people would not walk in his path,
nor would they obey his law.
25 Therefore, he poured out his fury on them
and destroyed them in battle.
They were enveloped in flames,
but they still refused to understand.
They were consumed by fire,
but they did not learn their lesson.
The Savior of Israel
43 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
I gave Ethiopia[d] and Seba in your place.
4 Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.
5 “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
I will gather you and your children from east and west.
6 I will say to the north and south,
‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel
from the distant corners of the earth.
7 Bring all who claim me as their God,
for I have made them for my glory.
It was I who created them.’”
8 Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
9 Gather the nations together!
Assemble the peoples of the world!
Which of their idols has ever foretold such things?
Which can predict what will happen tomorrow?
Where are the witnesses of such predictions?
Who can verify that they spoke the truth?
10 “But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.
“You are my servant.
You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,
and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God—
there never has been, and there never will be.
11 I, yes I, am the Lord,
and there is no other Savior.
12 First I predicted your rescue,
then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world.
No foreign god has ever done this.
You are witnesses that I am the only God,”
says the Lord.
13 “From eternity to eternity I am God.
No one can snatch anyone out of my hand.
No one can undo what I have done.”
Isaiah 41:17-43:13
New International Version
Isaiah 41:17-43:13
New International Version
17 “The poor and needy search for water,(A)
but there is none;
their tongues are parched with thirst.(B)
But I the Lord will answer(C) them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake(D) them.
18 I will make rivers flow(E) on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert(F) into pools of water,(G)
and the parched ground into springs.(H)
19 I will put in the desert(I)
the cedar and the acacia,(J) the myrtle and the olive.
I will set junipers(K) in the wasteland,
the fir and the cypress(L) together,(M)
20 so that people may see and know,(N)
may consider and understand,(O)
that the hand(P) of the Lord has done this,
that the Holy One(Q) of Israel has created(R) it.
21 “Present your case,(S)” says the Lord.
“Set forth your arguments,” says Jacob’s King.(T)
22 “Tell us, you idols,
what is going to happen.(U)
Tell us what the former things(V) were,
so that we may consider them
and know their final outcome.
Or declare to us the things to come,(W)
23 tell us what the future holds,
so we may know(X) that you are gods.
Do something, whether good or bad,(Y)
so that we will be dismayed(Z) and filled with fear.
24 But you are less than nothing(AA)
and your works are utterly worthless;(AB)
whoever chooses you is detestable.(AC)
25 “I have stirred(AD) up one from the north,(AE) and he comes—
one from the rising sun who calls on my name.
He treads(AF) on rulers as if they were mortar,
as if he were a potter treading the clay.
26 Who told of this from the beginning,(AG) so we could know,
or beforehand, so we could say, ‘He was right’?
No one told of this,
no one foretold(AH) it,
no one heard any words(AI) from you.
27 I was the first to tell(AJ) Zion, ‘Look, here they are!’
I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good news.(AK)
28 I look but there is no one(AL)—
no one among the gods to give counsel,(AM)
no one to give answer(AN) when I ask them.
29 See, they are all false!
Their deeds amount to nothing;(AO)
their images(AP) are but wind(AQ) and confusion.
The Servant of the Lord
42 “Here is my servant,(AR) whom I uphold,
my chosen one(AS) in whom I delight;(AT)
I will put my Spirit(AU) on him,
and he will bring justice(AV) to the nations.(AW)
2 He will not shout or cry out,(AX)
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed(AY) he will not break,(AZ)
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.(BA)
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;(BB)
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice(BC) on earth.
In his teaching(BD) the islands(BE) will put their hope.”(BF)
5 This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens,(BG) who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth(BH) with all that springs from it,(BI)
who gives breath(BJ) to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the Lord, have called(BK) you in righteousness;(BL)
I will take hold of your hand.(BM)
I will keep(BN) you and will make you
to be a covenant(BO) for the people
and a light(BP) for the Gentiles,(BQ)
7 to open eyes that are blind,(BR)
to free(BS) captives from prison(BT)
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.(BU)
8 “I am the Lord;(BV) that is my name!(BW)
I will not yield my glory to another(BX)
or my praise to idols.(BY)
9 See, the former things(BZ) have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce(CA) them to you.”
Song of Praise to the Lord
10 Sing(CB) to the Lord a new song,(CC)
his praise(CD) from the ends of the earth,(CE)
you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,(CF)
you islands,(CG) and all who live in them.
11 Let the wilderness(CH) and its towns raise their voices;
let the settlements where Kedar(CI) lives rejoice.
Let the people of Sela(CJ) sing for joy;
let them shout from the mountaintops.(CK)
12 Let them give glory(CL) to the Lord
and proclaim his praise(CM) in the islands.(CN)
13 The Lord will march out like a champion,(CO)
like a warrior(CP) he will stir up his zeal;(CQ)
with a shout(CR) he will raise the battle cry
and will triumph over his enemies.(CS)
14 “For a long time I have kept silent,(CT)
I have been quiet and held myself back.(CU)
But now, like a woman in childbirth,
I cry out, I gasp and pant.(CV)
15 I will lay waste(CW) the mountains(CX) and hills
and dry up all their vegetation;
I will turn rivers into islands
and dry up(CY) the pools.
16 I will lead(CZ) the blind(DA) by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light(DB) before them
and make the rough places smooth.(DC)
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake(DD) them.
17 But those who trust in idols,
who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’(DE)
will be turned back in utter shame.(DF)
Israel Blind and Deaf
18 “Hear, you deaf;(DG)
look, you blind, and see!
19 Who is blind(DH) but my servant,(DI)
and deaf like the messenger(DJ) I send?
Who is blind like the one in covenant(DK) with me,
blind like the servant of the Lord?
20 You have seen many things, but you pay no attention;
your ears are open, but you do not listen.”(DL)
21 It pleased the Lord
for the sake(DM) of his righteousness
to make his law(DN) great and glorious.
22 But this is a people plundered(DO) and looted,
all of them trapped in pits(DP)
or hidden away in prisons.(DQ)
They have become plunder,
with no one to rescue them;(DR)
they have been made loot,
with no one to say, “Send them back.”
23 Which of you will listen to this
or pay close attention(DS) in time to come?
24 Who handed Jacob over to become loot,
and Israel to the plunderers?(DT)
Was it not the Lord,(DU)
against whom we have sinned?
For they would not follow(DV) his ways;
they did not obey his law.(DW)
25 So he poured out on them his burning anger,(DX)
the violence of war.
It enveloped them in flames,(DY) yet they did not understand;(DZ)
it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart.(EA)
Israel’s Only Savior
43 But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created(EB) you, Jacob,
he who formed(EC) you, Israel:(ED)
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed(EE) you;
I have summoned you by name;(EF) you are mine.(EG)
2 When you pass through the waters,(EH)
I will be with you;(EI)
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,(EJ)
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.(EK)
3 For I am the Lord your God,(EL)
the Holy One(EM) of Israel, your Savior;(EN)
I give Egypt(EO) for your ransom,
Cush[a](EP) and Seba(EQ) in your stead.(ER)
4 Since you are precious and honored(ES) in my sight,
and because I love(ET) you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid,(EU) for I am with you;(EV)
I will bring your children(EW) from the east
and gather(EX) you from the west.(EY)
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south,(EZ) ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters(FA) from the ends of the earth(FB)—
7 everyone who is called by my name,(FC)
whom I created(FD) for my glory,(FE)
whom I formed and made.(FF)”
8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,(FG)
who have ears but are deaf.(FH)
9 All the nations gather together(FI)
and the peoples assemble.
Which of their gods foretold(FJ) this
and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”
10 “You are my witnesses,(FK)” declares the Lord,
“and my servant(FL) whom I have chosen,
so that you may know(FM) and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god(FN) was formed,
nor will there be one after me.(FO)
11 I, even I, am the Lord,(FP)
and apart from me there is no savior.(FQ)
12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god(FR) among you.
You are my witnesses,(FS)” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
13 Yes, and from ancient days(FT) I am he.(FU)
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?”(FV)
Footnotes
- Isaiah 43:3 That is, the upper Nile region
New Living Translation (NLT)
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 International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.