Jeremiah 21

New International Version

God Rejects Zedekiah’s Request

21 The word came to Jeremiah from the Lord when King Zedekiah^(A) sent to him Pashhur^(B) son of Malkijah and the priest Zephaniah^(C) son of Maaseiah. They said: ²“Inquire^(D) now of the Lord for us because Nebuchadnezzar^[a]^(E) king of Babylon^(F) is attacking us. Perhaps the Lord will perform wonders^(G) for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us.”

³But Jeremiah answered them, “Tell Zedekiah, ⁴‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn^(H) against you the weapons of war that are in your hands, which you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Babylonians^[b] who are outside the wall besieging^(I) you. And I will gather them inside this city. ⁵I myself will fight^(J) against you with an outstretched hand^(K) and a mighty arm^(L) in furious anger and in great wrath. ⁶I will strike^(M) down those who live in this city—both man and beast—and they will die of a terrible plague.^(N) ⁷After that, declares the Lord, I will give Zedekiah^(O) king of Judah, his officials and the people in this city who survive the plague,^(P) sword and famine, into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon^(Q) and to their enemies^(R) who want to kill them.^(S) He will put them to the sword;^(T) he will show them no mercy or pity or compassion.’^(U)

⁸“Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life^(V) and the way of death. ⁹Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague.^(W) But whoever goes out and surrenders^(X) to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives.^(Y) ¹⁰I have determined to do this city harm^(Z) and not good, declares the Lord. It will be given into the hands^(AA) of the king of Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.’^(AB)

¹¹“Moreover, say to the royal house^(AC) of Judah, ‘Hear the word of the Lord. ¹²This is what the Lord says to you, house of David:

“‘Administer justice^(AD) every morning;
    rescue from the hand of the oppressor^(AE)
    the one who has been robbed,
or my wrath will break out and burn like fire^(AF)
    because of the evil^(AG) you have done—
    burn with no one to quench^(AH) it.
¹³I am against^(AI) you, Jerusalem,
    you who live above this valley^(AJ)
    on the rocky plateau, declares the Lord—
you who say, “Who can come against us?
    Who can enter our refuge?”^(AK)
¹⁴I will punish you as your deeds^(AL) deserve,
    declares the Lord.
I will kindle a fire^(AM) in your forests^(AN)
    that will consume everything around you.’”

Footnotes

Jeremiah 21:2 Hebrew Nebuchadrezzar, of which Nebuchadnezzar is a variant; here and often in Jeremiah and Ezekiel
Jeremiah 21:4 Or Chaldeans; also in verse 9

Jeremiah 24

New International Version

Two Baskets of Figs

24 After Jehoiachin^[a]^(A) son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and the officials, the skilled workers and the artisans of Judah were carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Lord showed me two baskets of figs^(B) placed in front of the temple of the Lord. ²One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early;^(C) the other basket had very bad^(D) figs, so bad they could not be eaten.

³Then the Lord asked me, “What do you see,^(E) Jeremiah?”

“Figs,” I answered. “The good ones are very good, but the bad ones are so bad they cannot be eaten.”

⁴Then the word of the Lord came to me: ⁵“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent^(F) away from this place to the land of the Babylonians.^[b] ⁶My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back^(G) to this land. I will build^(H) them up and not tear them down; I will plant^(I) them and not uproot them. ⁷I will give them a heart to know^(J) me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people,^(K) and I will be their God, for they will return^(L) to me with all their heart.^(M)

⁸“‘But like the bad^(N) figs, which are so bad they cannot be eaten,’ says the Lord, ‘so will I deal with Zedekiah^(O) king of Judah, his officials^(P) and the survivors^(Q) from Jerusalem, whether they remain in this land or live in Egypt.^(R) ⁹I will make them abhorrent^(S) and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a reproach and a byword,^(T) a curse^[c]^(U) and an object of ridicule, wherever I banish^(V) them. ¹⁰I will send the sword,^(W) famine^(X) and plague^(Y) against them until they are destroyed from the land I gave to them and their ancestors.^(Z)’”

Footnotes

Jeremiah 24:1 Hebrew Jeconiah, a variant of Jehoiachin
Jeremiah 24:5 Or Chaldeans
Jeremiah 24:9 That is, their names will be used in cursing (see 29:22); or, others will see that they are cursed.

Jeremiah 27

New International Version

Judah to Serve Nebuchadnezzar

27 Early in the reign of Zedekiah^[a]^(A) son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ²This is what the Lord said to me: “Make a yoke^(B) out of straps and crossbars and put it on your neck. ³Then send^(C) word to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon,^(D) Tyre and Sidon^(E) through the envoys who have come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah. ⁴Give them a message for their masters and say, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Tell this to your masters: ⁵With my great power and outstretched arm^(F) I made^(G) the earth and its people and the animals^(H) that are on it, and I give^(I) it to anyone I please. ⁶Now I will give all your countries into the hands of my servant^(J) Nebuchadnezzar^(K) king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him.^(L) ⁷All nations will serve^(M) him and his son and his grandson until the time^(N) for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate^(O) him.

⁸“‘“If, however, any nation or kingdom will not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon or bow its neck under his yoke, I will punish^(P) that nation with the sword,^(Q) famine^(R) and plague,^(S) declares the Lord, until I destroy it by his hand. ⁹So do not listen to your prophets,^(T) your diviners,^(U) your interpreters of dreams,^(V) your mediums^(W) or your sorcerers^(X) who tell you, ‘You will not serve^(Y) the king of Babylon.’ ¹⁰They prophesy lies^(Z) to you that will only serve to remove^(AA) you far from your lands; I will banish you and you will perish. ¹¹But if any nation will bow its neck under the yoke^(AB) of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will let that nation remain in its own land to till it and to live^(AC) there, declares the Lord.”’”

¹²I gave the same message to Zedekiah king of Judah. I said, “Bow your neck under the yoke^(AD) of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and you will live.^(AE) ¹³Why will you and your people die^(AF) by the sword, famine and plague^(AG) with which the Lord has threatened any nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? ¹⁴Do not listen^(AH) to the words of the prophets^(AI) who say to you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying lies^(AJ) to you. ¹⁵‘I have not sent^(AK) them,’ declares the Lord. ‘They are prophesying lies in my name.^(AL) Therefore, I will banish you and you will perish,^(AM) both you and the prophets who prophesy to you.’”

¹⁶Then I said to the priests and all these people, “This is what the Lord says: Do not listen to the prophets who say, ‘Very soon now the articles^(AN) from the Lord’s house will be brought back from Babylon.’ They are prophesying lies to you. ¹⁷Do not listen^(AO) to them. Serve the king of Babylon, and you will live.^(AP) Why should this city become a ruin? ¹⁸If they are prophets and have the word of the Lord, let them plead^(AQ) with the Lord Almighty that the articles remaining in the house of the Lord and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem not be taken to Babylon. ¹⁹For this is what the Lord Almighty says about the pillars, the bronze Sea,^(AR) the movable stands and the other articles^(AS) that are left in this city, ²⁰which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take away when he carried^(AT) Jehoiachin^[b]^(AU) son of Jehoiakim king of Judah into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, along with all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem— ²¹yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says about the things that are left in the house of the Lord and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem: ²²‘They will be taken^(AV) to Babylon and there they will remain until the day^(AW) I come for them,’ declares the Lord. ‘Then I will bring^(AX) them back and restore them to this place.’”

Footnotes

Jeremiah 27:1 A few Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac (see also 27:3,12 and 28:1); most Hebrew manuscripts Jehoiakim (Most Septuagint manuscripts do not have this verse.)
Jeremiah 27:20 Hebrew Jeconiah, a variant of Jehoiachin

Hebrews 1

New International Version

God’s Final Word: His Son

1 In the past God spoke^(A) to our ancestors through the prophets^(B) at many times and in various ways,^(C) ²but in these last days^(D) he has spoken to us by his Son,^(E) whom he appointed heir^(F) of all things, and through whom^(G) also he made the universe.^(H) ³The Son is the radiance of God’s glory^(I) and the exact representation of his being,^(J) sustaining all things^(K) by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,^(L) he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.^(M) ⁴So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.^(N)

The Son Superior to Angels

⁵For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father”^[a]?^(O)

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son”^[b]?^(P)

⁶And again, when God brings his firstborn^(Q) into the world,^(R) he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”^[c]^(S)

⁷In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
and his servants flames of fire.”^[d]^(T)

⁸But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;^(U)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
⁹You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions^(V)
    by anointing you with the oil^(W) of joy.”^[e]^(X)

¹⁰He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.^(Y)
¹¹They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.^(Z)
¹²You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,^(AA)
    and your years will never end.”^[f]^(AB)

¹³To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand^(AC)
until I make your enemies
a footstool^(AD) for your feet”^[g]?^(AE)

¹⁴Are not all angels ministering spirits^(AF) sent to serve those who will inherit^(AG) salvation?^(AH)

Footnotes

Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7
Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27
Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1

Psalm 67

New International Version

Psalm 67^[a]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.

¹May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—^[b]^(A)
²so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation^(B) among all nations.^(C)

³May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.^(D)
⁴May the nations be glad and sing for joy,^(E)
    for you rule the peoples with equity^(F)
    and guide the nations of the earth.^(G)
⁵May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.

⁶The land yields its harvest;^(H)
God, our God, blesses us.^(I)
⁷May God bless us still,
so that all the ends of the earth^(J) will fear him.^(K)

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.

Psalm 118

New International Version

Psalm 118

¹Give thanks to the Lord,^(A) for he is good;^(B)
his love endures forever.^(C)

²Let Israel say:^(D)
    “His love endures forever.”^(E)
³Let the house of Aaron say:^(F)
    “His love endures forever.”
⁴Let those who fear the Lord^(G) say:
    “His love endures forever.”

⁵When hard pressed,^(H) I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.^(I)
⁶The Lord is with me;^(J) I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?^(K)
⁷The Lord is with me; he is my helper.^(L)
    I look in triumph on my enemies.^(M)

⁸It is better to take refuge in the Lord^(N)
    than to trust in humans.^(O)
⁹It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.^(P)
¹⁰All the nations surrounded me,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.^(Q)
¹¹They surrounded me^(R) on every side,^(S)
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹²They swarmed around me like bees,^(T)
    but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;^(U)
    in the name of the Lord I cut them down.^(V)
¹³I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the Lord helped me.^(W)
¹⁴The Lord is my strength^(X) and my defense^[a];
    he has become my salvation.^(Y)

¹⁵Shouts of joy^(Z) and victory
    resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand^(AA) has done mighty things!^(AB)
¹⁶    The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
    the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
¹⁷I will not die^(AC) but live,
    and will proclaim^(AD) what the Lord has done.
¹⁸The Lord has chastened^(AE) me severely,
    but he has not given me over to death.^(AF)
¹⁹Open for me the gates^(AG) of the righteous;
    I will enter^(AH) and give thanks to the Lord.
²⁰This is the gate of the Lord^(AI)
    through which the righteous may enter.^(AJ)
²¹I will give you thanks, for you answered me;^(AK)
    you have become my salvation.^(AL)

²²The stone^(AM) the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;^(AN)
²³the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous^(AO) in our eyes.
²⁴The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.^(AP)

²⁵Lord, save us!^(AQ)
Lord, grant us success!

²⁶Blessed is he who comes^(AR) in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.^[b]^(AS)
²⁷The Lord is God,^(AT)
    and he has made his light shine^(AU) on us.
With boughs in hand,^(AV) join in the festal procession
    up^[c] to the horns of the altar.^(AW)

²⁸You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God,^(AX) and I will exalt^(AY) you.

²⁹Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Footnotes

Psalm 118:14 Or song
Psalm 118:26 The Hebrew is plural.
Psalm 118:27 Or Bind the festal sacrifice with ropes / and take it

Jeremiah 21

New International Version

God Rejects Zedekiah’s Request

Footnotes

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Jeremiah 24

New International Version

Two Baskets of Figs

Footnotes

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Jeremiah 27

New International Version

Judah to Serve Nebuchadnezzar

Footnotes

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Hebrews 1

New International Version

God’s Final Word: His Son

The Son Superior to Angels

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Psalm 67

New International Version

Psalm 67^[a]

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Psalm 118

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