The Divisions of the Priests

24 The divisions of the descendants of Aaron were as follows: Aaron’s sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.(A) But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and they had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.(B) Together with Zadok(C) from the descendants of Eleazar and Ahimelech from the descendants of Ithamar, David divided them according to the assigned duties of their service. Since more leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than Ithamar’s, they were divided accordingly: sixteen heads of ancestral families[a] were from Eleazar’s descendants, and eight heads of ancestral families were from Ithamar’s. They(D) were assigned by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants.

The secretary, Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king and the officers, the priest Zadok, Ahimelech(E) son of Abiathar, and the heads of families of the priests and the Levites. One ancestral family[b] was taken for Eleazar, and then one for Ithamar.

The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,

the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,

the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,

10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,(F)

11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,

12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,

13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,

14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,

16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,

17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul,

18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.

19 These had their assigned duties for service when they entered the Lord’s temple, according to their regulations, which they received from their ancestor Aaron, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.

The Rest of the Levites

20 As for the rest of Levi’s sons:

from Amram’s sons: Shubael;

from Shubael’s sons: Jehdeiah.

21 From Rehabiah:

from Rehabiah’s sons: Isshiah was the first.

22 From the Izharites: Shelomoth;

from Shelomoth’s sons: Jahath.

23 Hebron’s[c](G) sons:

Jeriah the first, Amariah the second,

Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

24 From Uzziel’s sons: Micah;

from Micah’s sons: Shamir.

25 Micah’s brother: Isshiah;

from Isshiah’s sons: Zechariah.

26 Merari’s sons: Mahli and Mushi,

and from his sons, Jaaziah his son.[d]

27 Merari’s sons, by his son Jaaziah:[e]

Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.

28 From Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.

29 From Kish, from Kish’s sons: Jerahmeel.

30 Mushi’s sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.

Those were the descendants of the Levites according to their ancestral families.[f] 31 They also cast lots the same way as their relatives the descendants of Aaron did in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites—the family heads and their younger brothers alike.(H)

The Levitical Musicians

25 David and the officers of the army also set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman,(I) and Jeduthun, who were to prophesy(J) accompanied by lyres, harps, and cymbals.(K) This is the list of the men who performed their service:

From Asaph’s sons:

Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah, sons of Asaph, under Asaph’s authority, who prophesied under the authority of the king.

From Jeduthun:(L) Jeduthun’s sons:

Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei,[g] Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six—under the authority of their father Jeduthun, prophesying to the accompaniment of lyres, giving thanks and praise to the Lord.

From Heman: Heman’s sons:

Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. All these sons of Heman, the king’s seer,(M) were given by the promises of God to exalt him,[h] for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

All these men were under their own fathers’ authority for the music in the Lord’s temple, with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of God’s temple. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the king’s authority. They numbered 288 together with their relatives who were all trained and skillful in music for the Lord. They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil.(N)

The first lot for Asaph fell to Joseph, his sons, and his relatives—12[i]
to Gedaliah the second: him, his relatives, and his sons—12
10 the third to Zaccur, his sons, and his relatives—12
11 the fourth to Izri,[j] his sons, and his relatives—12
12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons, and his relatives—12
13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons, and his relatives—12
14 the seventh to Jesarelah, his sons, and his relatives—12
15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons, and his relatives—12
16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons, and his relatives—12
17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons, and his relatives—12
18 the eleventh to Azarel,[k] his sons, and his relatives—12
19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons, and his relatives—12
20 the thirteenth to Shubael, his sons, and his relatives—12
21 the fourteenth to Mattithiah, his sons, and his relatives—12
22 the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons, and his relatives—12
23 the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons, and his relatives—12
24 the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons, and his relatives—12
25 the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons, and his relatives—12
26 the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons, and his relatives—12
27 the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons, and his relatives—12
28 the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons, and his relatives—12
29 the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons, and his relatives—12
30 the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons, and his relatives—12
31 and the twenty-fourth to Romamti-ezer, his sons, and his relatives—12.

Footnotes

  1. 24:4 Lit house of fathers
  2. 24:6 Lit father’s house
  3. 24:23 Some Hb mss, some LXX mss; other Hb mss omit Hebron’s; 1Ch 23:19
  4. 24:26 Or Mushi; Jaaziah’s sons: Beno.
  5. 24:27 Or sons, Jaaziah: Beno,
  6. 24:30 Lit the house of their fathers
  7. 25:3 One Hb ms, LXX; other Hb mss omit Shimei
  8. 25:5 Lit by the words of God to lift a horn
  9. 25:9 LXX; MT lacks his sons, and his relatives—12
  10. 25:11 Variant of Zeri
  11. 25:18 Variant of Uzziel

About the Elders

I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness(A) to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed:(B) Shepherd God’s flock among you,(C) not overseeing[a] out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you;[b] not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd(D) appears, you will receive the unfading crown(E) of glory. In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with[c] humility toward one another, because

God resists the proud
but gives grace to the humble.[d](F)

Conclusion

Humble(G) yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand(H) of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.(I) Be sober-minded,(J) be alert.(K) Your adversary the devil(L) is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him,(M) firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

10 The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory(N) in Christ,[e] will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.[f] 11 To him be dominion[g] forever.[h] Amen.

12 Through Silvanus,[i](O) a faithful brother (as I consider him), I have written to you briefly in order to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! 13 She who is in Babylon,(P) chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.(Q) Peace(R) to all of you who are in Christ.[j]

Footnotes

  1. 5:2 Other mss omit overseeing
  2. 5:2 Other mss omit as God would have you
  3. 5:5 Or you tie around yourselves
  4. 5:5 Pr 3:34 LXX
  5. 5:10 Other mss read in Christ Jesus
  6. 5:10 Or to a small extent
  7. 5:11 Some mss read dominion and glory; other mss read glory and dominion
  8. 5:11 Other mss read forever and ever
  9. 5:12 Or Silas; Ac 15:22–32; 16:19–40; 17:1–16
  10. 5:14 Other mss read Christ Jesus. Amen.

Unjust Leaders Judged

Then I said, “Now listen,(A) leaders of Jacob,
you rulers of the house of Israel.
Aren’t you supposed to know what is just?(B)
You hate good and love evil.
You tear off people’s skin(C)
and strip their flesh from their bones.
You eat the flesh(D) of my people
after you strip their skin from them
and break their bones.
You chop them up(E)
like flesh for the cooking pot,
like meat in a cauldron.”
Then they will cry out(F) to the Lord,
but he will not answer them.
He will hide his face from them at that time(G)
because of the crimes they have committed.

False Prophets Judged

This is what the Lord says
concerning the prophets
who lead my people astray,(H)
who proclaim(I) peace
when they have food to sink their teeth into
but declare war against the one
who puts nothing in their mouths.
Therefore, it will be night(J) for you—
without visions;
it will grow dark for you—
without divination.(K)
The sun will set(L) on these prophets,
and the daylight will turn black over them.
Then the seers will be ashamed(M)
and the diviners disappointed.(N)
They will all cover their mouths[a](O)
because there will be no answer from God.(P)

As for me, however, I am filled with power(Q)
by the Spirit of the Lord,
with justice and courage,
to proclaim to Jacob his rebellion
and to Israel his sin.(R)

Zion’s Destruction

Listen to this, leaders of the house of Jacob,(S)
you rulers of the house of Israel,
who abhor justice(T)
and pervert everything that is right,
10 who build Zion with bloodshed(U)
and Jerusalem with injustice.
11 Her leaders issue rulings for a bribe,(V)
her priests teach for payment,(W)
and her prophets practice divination for silver.
Yet they lean on the Lord, saying,
“Isn’t the Lord(X) among us?
No disaster will overtake us.”
12 Therefore, because of you,
Zion will be plowed like a field,
Jerusalem will become ruins,(Y)
and the temple’s mountain(Z)
will be a high thicket.(AA)

Footnotes

  1. 3:7 Lit mustache

Beware of Religious Hypocrisy

12 Meanwhile, a crowd of many thousands came together, so that they were trampling(A) on one another. He began to say to his disciples first,(B) “Be on your guard(C) against the leaven[a](D) of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.(E) There is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered,(F) nothing hidden that won’t be made known.(G) Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in an ear in private rooms(H) will be proclaimed on the housetops.(I)

Fear God

“I say to you, my friends,(J) don’t fear(K) those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will show you the one to fear: Fear(L) him who has authority to throw people into hell(M) after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the one to fear! Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies?[b] Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight.(N) Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Acknowledging Christ

“And I say to you, anyone who acknowledges(O) me before others, the Son of Man(P) will also acknowledge him before the angels of God,(Q) but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.(R) 10 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,(S) but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit(T) will not be forgiven. 11 Whenever(U) they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities,(V) don’t worry(W) about how you should defend(X) yourselves or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.”(Y)

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher,(Z) tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 “Friend,”[c] he said to him, “who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard(AA) against all greed,(AB) because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”(AC)

16 Then he told them a parable:(AD) “A rich(AE) man’s land was very productive. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? 18 I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. 19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy;(AF) eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’(AG)

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool!(AH) This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’(AI)

21 “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure(AJ) for himself and is not rich toward God.”(AK)

The Cure for Anxiety

22 Then he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you,(AL) don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear.(AM) 23 For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens:(AN) They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them.(AO) Aren’t you worth much more than the birds? 25 Can any of you add one moment to his life span[d] by worrying?(AP) 26 If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon(AQ) in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 28 If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he do for you—you of little faith?(AR) 29 Don’t strive for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. 30 For the Gentile world eagerly seeks(AS) all these things, and your Father(AT) knows that you need them.

31 “But seek his kingdom,(AU) and these things will be provided for you.(AV) 32 Don’t be afraid,(AW) little flock,(AX) because your Father delights(AY) to give you the kingdom.(AZ) 33 Sell(BA) your possessions and give to the poor.(BB) Make money-bags(BC) for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure(BD) in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(BE)

Ready for the Master’s Return

35 “Be ready for service[e] and have your lamps lit.(BF) 36 You are to be like people waiting for their master(BG) to return from the wedding banquet(BH) so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.(BI) 37 Blessed will be those servants the master finds alert(BJ) when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will get ready,[f] have them recline at the table, then come and serve them.(BK) 38 If he comes in the middle of the night, or even near dawn,[g] and finds them alert, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming,(BL) he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also be ready,(BM) because the Son of Man(BN) is coming at an hour you do not expect.”(BO)

Rewards and Punishment

41 “Lord,” Peter asked, “are you telling this parable to us or to everyone?”

42 The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible manager(BP) his master will put in charge of his household servants to give them their allotted food(BQ) at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’(BR) and starts to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 that servant’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces[h] and assign him a place with the unfaithful.[i] 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will and didn’t prepare himself or do it[j] will be severely beaten.(BS) 48 But the one who did not know and did what deserved(BT) punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected.[k](BU)

Not Peace but Division

49 “I came(BV) to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already set ablaze! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo,(BW) and how it consumes(BX) me until it is finished!(BY) 51 Do you think that I came here to bring peace on the earth?(BZ) No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 From now on, five in one household will be divided: three against two, and two against three.

53 They will be divided, father against son,
son against father,
mother against daughter,
daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law,
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.[l](CA)

Interpreting the Time

54 He also said to the crowds,(CB) “When you see a cloud rising in the west, right away you say, ‘A storm is coming,’ and so it does.(CC) 55 And when the south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites!(CD) You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why don’t you know how to interpret this present time?(CE)

Settling Accounts

57 “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?(CF) 58 As you are going with your adversary(CG) to the ruler, make an effort to settle with him on the way. Then he won’t drag you before the judge,(CH) the judge hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff throw you into prison.(CI) 59 I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.”[m](CJ)

Footnotes

  1. 12:1 Or yeast
  2. 12:6 Lit two assaria; a small copper coin
  3. 12:14 Lit Man
  4. 12:25 Or add a cubit to his height
  5. 12:35 Lit “Let your loins be girded; an idiom for tying up loose outer clothing in preparation for action; Ex 12:11
  6. 12:37 Lit will gird himself
  7. 12:38 Lit even in the second or third watch
  8. 12:46 Lit him in two
  9. 12:46 Or unbelievers
  10. 12:47 Lit or do toward his will,
  11. 12:48 Or much
  12. 12:53 Mc 7:6
  13. 12:59 Gk lepton, the smallest and least valuable copper coin in use

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