19 For (A)though I am free from all, (B)I have made myself a servant to all, that I might (C)win more of them. 20 (D)To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To (E)those outside the law I became (F)as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but (G)under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 (H)To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. (I)I have become all things to all people, that (J)by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, (K)that I may share with them in its blessings.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives (L)the prize? So (M)run that you may obtain it. 25 Every (N)athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we (O)an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I (P)do not box as one (Q)beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and (R)keep it under control,[a] lest after preaching to others (S)I myself should be (T)disqualified.

Warning Against Idolatry

10 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers,[b] that our fathers were all under (U)the cloud, and all (V)passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and (W)all ate the same (X)spiritual food, and (Y)all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for (Z)they were overthrown[c] in the wilderness.

Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as (AA)they did. (AB)Do not be idolaters (AC)as some of them were; as it is written, (AD)“The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” (AE)We must not indulge in sexual immorality (AF)as some of them did, and (AG)twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ[d] to the test, (AH)as some of them did and (AI)were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, (AJ)as some of them did and (AK)were destroyed by (AL)the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but (AM)they were written down for our instruction, (AN)on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore (AO)let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. (AP)God is faithful, and (AQ)he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:27 Greek I pummel my body and make it a slave
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:1 Or brothers and sisters
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:5 Or were laid low
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Some manuscripts the Lord

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

19 Though I am free(A) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,(B) to win as many as possible.(C) 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.(D) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),(E) so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law(F) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),(G) so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.(H) I have become all things to all people(I) so that by all possible means I might save some.(J) 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The Need for Self-Discipline

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?(K) Run(L) in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown(M) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.(N) 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;(O) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.(P) 27 No, I strike a blow to my body(Q) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.(R)

Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant(S) of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud(T) and that they all passed through the sea.(U) They were all baptized into(V) Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food(W) and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock(X) that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.(Y)

Now these things occurred as examples(Z) to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters,(AA) as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[a](AB) We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.(AC) We should not test Christ,[b](AD) as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.(AE) 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did(AF)—and were killed(AG) by the destroying angel.(AH)

11 These things happened to them as examples(AI) and were written down as warnings for us,(AJ) on whom the culmination of the ages has come.(AK) 12 So, if you think you are standing firm,(AL) be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;(AM) he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear.(AN) But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Exodus 32:6
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Some manuscripts test the Lord
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.

22 “And you gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner. (A)So they took possession of the land of Sihon king of Heshbon (B)and the land of Og king of Bashan. 23 You multiplied their children (C)as the stars of heaven, and you brought them into the land that you had told their fathers to enter and possess. 24 (D)So the descendants went in and possessed the land, (E)and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would. 25 And they captured (F)fortified cities and (G)a rich land, and took possession of (H)houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled (I)and became fat and delighted themselves in (J)your great goodness.

26 (K)“Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you (L)and cast your law behind their back (M)and killed your prophets, who (N)had warned them in order to turn them back to you, (O)and they committed great blasphemies. 27 (P)Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. (Q)And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them (R)saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies. 28 (S)But after they had rest they did evil again before you, and you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them. Yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, (T)and many times you delivered them according to your mercies. 29 (U)And you warned them in order to turn them back to your law. Yet (V)they acted presumptuously and did not obey your commandments, but sinned against your rules, (W)which if a person does them, he shall live by them, (X)and they turned a stubborn shoulder (Y)and stiffened their neck and would not obey. 30 Many years (Z)you bore with them (AA)and warned them (AB)by your Spirit through your prophets. (AC)Yet they would not give ear. (AD)Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. 31 Nevertheless, (AE)in your great mercies (AF)you did not make an end of them or forsake them, (AG)for you are a gracious and merciful God.

32 “Now, therefore, our God, (AH)the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us, upon our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people, (AI)since the time of the kings of Assyria until this day. 33 (AJ)Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully (AK)and we have acted wickedly. 34 Our kings, our princes, our priests, and our fathers have not kept your law or paid attention to your commandments and your warnings that you gave them. 35 Even in their own kingdom, (AL)and amid your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and (AM)rich land that you set before them, (AN)they did not serve you or turn from their wicked works. 36 Behold, (AO)we are slaves this day; in the land that you gave to our fathers to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts, behold, we are slaves. 37 (AP)And its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They rule over our bodies and over our livestock as they please, and we are in great distress.

38 [a] “Because of all this (AQ)we make a firm covenant in writing; on (AR)the sealed document are the names of[b] our princes, our Levites, and our priests.

The People Who Sealed the Covenant

10 [c] (AS)“On the seals are the names of[d] Nehemiah (AT)the governor, (AU)the son of Hacaliah, Zedekiah, (AV)Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, (AW)Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah; these are the priests. And the Levites: (AX)Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of (AY)Henadad, Kadmiel; 10 and their brothers, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, 11 Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah, 12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, 13 Hodiah, Bani, Beninu. 14 The chiefs of the people: (AZ)Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, 15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, 16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, 17 Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, 18 Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, 19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai, 20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, 21 Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, 22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, 23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, 24 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, 25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, 26 Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, 27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah.

The Obligations of the Covenant

28 (BA)“The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, (BB)and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding, 29 join with their brothers, their nobles, (BC)and enter into a curse and an oath (BD)to walk in God's Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes. 30 (BE)We will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons. 31 (BF)And if the peoples of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the (BG)seventh year and the (BH)exaction of every debt.

32 “We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly (BI)a third part of a shekel[e] for the service of the house of our God: 33 (BJ)for the showbread, (BK)the regular grain offering, (BL)the regular burnt offering, the Sabbaths, the new moons, the appointed feasts, the holy things, and the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God. 34 (BM)We, the priests, the Levites, and the people, have likewise cast lots (BN)for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to our fathers' houses, at times appointed, year by year, to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, (BO)as it is written in the Law. 35 We obligate ourselves (BP)to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord; 36 also to bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God, the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, (BQ)as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks; 37 (BR)and to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, (BS)to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor. 38 And the priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive the tithes. And the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers of (BT)the storehouse. 39 For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi (BU)shall bring the contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the chambers, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, as well as the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. (BV)We will not neglect the house of our God.”

Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 9:38 Ch 10:1 in Hebrew
  2. Nehemiah 9:38 Hebrew lacks the names of
  3. Nehemiah 10:1 Ch 10:2 in Hebrew
  4. Nehemiah 10:1 Hebrew lacks the names of
  5. Nehemiah 10:32 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams

22 “You gave them kingdoms and nations, allotting to them even the remotest frontiers. They took over the country of Sihon[a](A) king of Heshbon and the country of Og king of Bashan.(B) 23 You made their children as numerous as the stars in the sky,(C) and you brought them into the land that you told their parents to enter and possess. 24 Their children went in and took possession of the land.(D) You subdued(E) before them the Canaanites, who lived in the land; you gave the Canaanites into their hands, along with their kings and the peoples of the land, to deal with them as they pleased. 25 They captured fortified cities and fertile land;(F) they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things,(G) wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished;(H) they reveled in your great goodness.(I)

26 “But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they turned their backs on your law.(J) They killed(K) your prophets,(L) who had warned them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies.(M) 27 So you delivered them into the hands of their enemies,(N) who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion(O) you gave them deliverers,(P) who rescued them from the hand of their enemies.

28 “But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight.(Q) Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion(R) you delivered them(S) time after time.

29 “You warned(T) them in order to turn them back to your law, but they became arrogant(U) and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, of which you said, ‘The person who obeys them will live by them.’(V) Stubbornly they turned their backs(W) on you, became stiff-necked(X) and refused to listen.(Y) 30 For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets.(Z) Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples.(AA) 31 But in your great mercy you did not put an end(AB) to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful(AC) God.

32 “Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty(AD) and awesome,(AE) who keeps his covenant of love,(AF) do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship(AG) that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today. 33 In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous;(AH) you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly.(AI) 34 Our kings,(AJ) our leaders, our priests and our ancestors(AK) did not follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the statutes you warned them to keep. 35 Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness(AL) to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you(AM) or turn from their evil ways.

36 “But see, we are slaves(AN) today, slaves in the land you gave our ancestors so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces. 37 Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.(AO)

The Agreement of the People

38 “In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement,(AP) putting it in writing,(AQ) and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.”[b]

10 [c]Those who sealed it were:

Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hakaliah.

Zedekiah, Seraiah,(AR) Azariah, Jeremiah,

Pashhur,(AS) Amariah, Malkijah,

Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluk,

Harim,(AT) Meremoth, Obadiah,

Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,

Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,

Maaziah, Bilgai and Shemaiah.

These were the priests.(AU)

The Levites:(AV)

Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel,

10 and their associates: Shebaniah,

Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,

11 Mika, Rehob, Hashabiah,

12 Zakkur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,

13 Hodiah, Bani and Beninu.

14 The leaders of the people:

Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani,

15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,

16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,(AW)

17 Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur,

18 Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,

19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,

20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,(AX)

21 Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,

22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,

23 Hoshea, Hananiah,(AY) Hasshub,

24 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,

25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,

26 Ahiah, Hanan, Anan,

27 Malluk, Harim and Baanah.

28 “The rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, temple servants(AZ) and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples(BA) for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand— 29 all these now join their fellow Israelites the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath(BB) to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord.

30 “We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.(BC)

31 “When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath,(BD) we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land(BE) and will cancel all debts.(BF)

32 “We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel[d] each year for the service of the house of our God: 33 for the bread set out on the table;(BG) for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; for the offerings on the Sabbaths, at the New Moon(BH) feasts and at the appointed festivals; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings[e] to make atonement for Israel; and for all the duties of the house of our God.(BI)

34 “We—the priests, the Levites and the people—have cast lots(BJ) to determine when each of our families is to bring to the house of our God at set times each year a contribution of wood(BK) to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the Law.

35 “We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits(BL) of our crops and of every fruit tree.(BM)

36 “As it is also written in the Law, we will bring the firstborn(BN) of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there.(BO)

37 “Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and olive oil.(BP) And we will bring a tithe(BQ) of our crops to the Levites,(BR) for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work.(BS) 38 A priest descended from Aaron is to accompany the Levites when they receive the tithes, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of the tithes(BT) up to the house of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury. 39 The people of Israel, including the Levites, are to bring their contributions of grain, new wine and olive oil to the storerooms, where the articles for the sanctuary and for the ministering priests, the gatekeepers and the musicians are also kept.

“We will not neglect the house of our God.”(BU)

Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 9:22 One Hebrew manuscript and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts Sihon, that is, the country of the
  2. Nehemiah 9:38 In Hebrew texts this verse (9:38) is numbered 10:1.
  3. Nehemiah 10:1 In Hebrew texts 10:1-39 is numbered 10:2-40.
  4. Nehemiah 10:32 That is, about 1/8 ounce or about 4 grams
  5. Nehemiah 10:33 Or purification offerings

Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

[a] Of David, when he (A)changed his behavior before (B)Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

34 I will bless the Lord (C)at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul (D)makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and (E)be glad.
Oh, (F)magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

I (G)sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are (H)radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
(I)This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
    and (J)saved him out of all his troubles.
(K)The angel of the Lord (L)encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Oh, (M)taste and see that (N)the Lord is good!
    (O)Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
    for those who fear him have no lack!
10 (P)The young lions suffer want and hunger;
    but those who (Q)seek the Lord lack no good thing.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 34:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet

Psalm 34[a][b]

Of David. When he pretended to be insane(A) before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

I will extol the Lord at all times;(B)
    his praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory(C) in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.(D)
Glorify the Lord(E) with me;
    let us exalt(F) his name together.

I sought the Lord,(G) and he answered me;
    he delivered(H) me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;(I)
    their faces are never covered with shame.(J)
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.(K)
The angel of the Lord(L) encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers(M) them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;(N)
    blessed is the one who takes refuge(O) in him.
Fear the Lord,(P) you his holy people,
    for those who fear him lack nothing.(Q)
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.(R)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 34:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
  2. Psalm 34:1 In Hebrew texts 34:1-22 is numbered 34:2-23.

13 (A)Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
    will himself call out and not be answered.

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13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
    will also cry out(A) and not be answered.(B)

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