Zimri Reigns in Israel

15 In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. Now the troops were encamped against (A)Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, 16 and the troops who were encamped heard it said, “Zimri has conspired, and he has killed the king.” Therefore all Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp. 17 So Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. 18 And when Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the king's house and burned the king's house over him with fire and died, 19 because of his sins that he committed, doing evil in the sight of the Lord, (B)walking in the way of Jeroboam, and for his sin which he committed, making Israel to sin. 20 Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and the conspiracy that he made, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

Omri Reigns in Israel

21 Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts. Half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri. 22 But the people who followed Omri overcame the people who followed Tibni the son of Ginath. So Tibni died, and Omri became king. 23 In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for twelve years; six years he reigned in Tirzah. 24 He bought the hill of (C)Samaria from Shemer for two talents[a] of silver, and he fortified the hill and called the name of the city that he built (D)Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.

25 (E)Omri did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did more evil (F)than all who were before him. 26 For (G)he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in the sins that he made Israel to sin, (H)provoking the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger by their idols. 27 Now the rest of the acts of Omri that he did, and the might that he showed, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 28 And Omri slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria, and Ahab his son reigned in his place.

Ahab Reigns in Israel

29 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. 30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, (I)more than all who were before him. 31 And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, (J)he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the (K)Sidonians, (L)and went and served Baal and worshiped him. 32 He erected an altar for Baal in (M)the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria. 33 And Ahab made an (N)Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger (O)than all the kings of Israel who were before him. 34 (P)In his days Hiel of Bethel built (Q)Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 16:24 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms

Zimri King of Israel

15 In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned in Tirzah seven days. The army was encamped near Gibbethon,(A) a Philistine town. 16 When the Israelites in the camp heard that Zimri had plotted against the king and murdered him, they proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that very day there in the camp. 17 Then Omri and all the Israelites with him withdrew from Gibbethon and laid siege to Tirzah. 18 When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the royal palace and set the palace on fire around him. So he died, 19 because of the sins he had committed, doing evil in the eyes of the Lord and following the ways of Jeroboam and committing the same sin Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit.

20 As for the other events of Zimri’s reign, and the rebellion he carried out, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?

Omri King of Israel

21 Then the people of Israel were split into two factions; half supported Tibni son of Ginath for king, and the other half supported Omri. 22 But Omri’s followers proved stronger than those of Tibni son of Ginath. So Tibni died and Omri became king.

23 In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned twelve years, six of them in Tirzah.(B) 24 He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents[a] of silver and built a city on the hill, calling it Samaria,(C) after Shemer, the name of the former owner of the hill.

25 But Omri did evil(D) in the eyes of the Lord and sinned more than all those before him. 26 He followed completely the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat, committing the same sin Jeroboam had caused(E) Israel to commit, so that they aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, by their worthless idols.(F)

27 As for the other events of Omri’s reign, what he did and the things he achieved, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel? 28 Omri rested with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria.(G) And Ahab his son succeeded him as king.

Ahab Becomes King of Israel

29 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. 30 Ahab son of Omri did more(H) evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him. 31 He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married(I) Jezebel daughter(J) of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal(K) and worship him. 32 He set up an altar(L) for Baal in the temple(M) of Baal that he built in Samaria. 33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole(N) and did more(O) to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.

34 In Ahab’s time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the Lord spoken by Joshua son of Nun.(P)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 16:24 That is, about 150 pounds or about 68 kilograms

20 Therefore, (A)we are ambassadors for Christ, (B)God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 (C)For our sake he made him to be sin (D)who knew no sin, so that in him we might become (E)the righteousness of God.

(F)Working together with him, then, (G)we appeal to you (H)not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says,

(I)“In a favorable time I listened to you,
    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, (J)now is the (K)favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We (L)put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but (M)as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: (N)by great endurance, (O)in afflictions, (P)hardships, calamities, (Q)beatings, imprisonments, (R)riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; (S)by purity, (T)knowledge, patience, kindness, (U)the Holy Spirit, (V)genuine love; by (W)truthful speech, and (X)the power of God; with (Y)the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, (Z)through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and (AA)yet well known; (AB)as dying, and behold, we live; (AC)as punished, and yet not killed; 10 (AD)as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; (AE)as poor, yet making many rich; (AF)as having nothing, (AG)yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you,[a] Corinthians; (AH)our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but (AI)you are restricted in your own affections. 13 (AJ)In return (I speak (AK)as to children) widen your hearts also.

The Temple of the Living God

14 (AL)Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For (AM)what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or (AN)what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 (AO)What accord has Christ with Belial?[b] Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For (AP)we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

(AQ)“I will make my dwelling among them and (AR)walk among them,
    and (AS)I will be their God,
    and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore (AT)go out from their midst,
    and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
    then I will welcome you,
18 (AU)and I will be a father to you,
    and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”

Since we have these promises, beloved, (AV)let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body[c] and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:11 Greek Our mouth is open to you
  2. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar
  3. 2 Corinthians 7:1 Greek flesh

20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,(A) as though God were making his appeal through us.(B) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.(C) 21 God made him who had no sin(D) to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(E)

As God’s co-workers(F) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.(G) For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[b](H)

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,(I) so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments(J) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;(K) in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit(L) and in sincere love;(M) in truthful speech(N) and in the power of God;(O) with weapons of righteousness(P) in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor,(Q) bad report(R) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;(S) known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,(T) and yet we live on;(U) beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;(V) poor, yet making many rich;(W) having nothing,(X) and yet possessing everything.(Y)

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.(Z) 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children(AA)—open wide your hearts(AB) also.

Warning Against Idolatry

14 Do not be yoked together(AC) with unbelievers.(AD) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?(AE) 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[c]?(AF) Or what does a believer(AG) have in common with an unbeliever?(AH) 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?(AI) For we are the temple(AJ) of the living God.(AK) As God has said:

“I will live with them
    and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.”[d](AL)

17 Therefore,

“Come out from them(AM)
    and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
    and I will receive you.”[e](AN)

18 And,

“I will be a Father to you,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,(AO)
says the Lord Almighty.”[f](AP)

Therefore, since we have these promises,(AQ) dear friends,(AR) let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness(AS) out of reverence for God.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or be a sin offering
  2. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8
  3. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar, a variant of Belial
  4. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27
  5. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41
  6. 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8

Elijah Predicts a Drought

17 Now Elijah the Tishbite, of (A)Tishbe[a] in Gilead, said to Ahab, (B)“As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, (C)before whom I stand, (D)there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” And the word of the Lord came to him: “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.

The Widow of Zarephath

Then the word of the Lord came to him, “Arise, go to (E)Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he arose and went to (F)Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there (G)gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 And she said, (H)“As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

Elijah Raises the Widow's Son

17 After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill. And his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. 18 And she said to Elijah, (I)“What have you against me, O (J)man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!” 19 And he said to her, “Give me your son.” And he took him from her arms and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed. 20 And he cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?” 21 (K)Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, let this child's life[b] come into him again.” 22 And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and (L)he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives.” 24 And the woman said to Elijah, (M)“Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.”

Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 17:1 Septuagint; Hebrew of the settlers
  2. 1 Kings 17:21 Or soul; also verse 22

Elijah Announces a Great Drought

17 Now Elijah(A) the Tishbite, from Tishbe[a] in Gilead,(B) said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain(C) in the next few years except at my word.”

Elijah Fed by Ravens

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide(D) in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens(E) to supply you with food there.”

So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning(F) and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.

Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath

Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him: “Go at once to Zarephath(G) in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow(H) there to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?”(I) 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil(J) in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain(K) on the land.’”

15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

17 Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. 18 She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin(L) and kill my son?”

19 “Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. 20 Then he cried(M) out to the Lord, “Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” 21 Then he stretched(N) himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!”

22 The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived. 23 Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother(O) and said, “Look, your son is alive!”

24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know(P) that you are a man of God(Q) and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”(R)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 17:1 Or Tishbite, of the settlers

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

(A)And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, “As for these things that you see, (B)the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And they asked him, “Teacher, (C)when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” And he said, (D)“See that you are not led astray. For (E)many will come in my name, saying, (F)‘I am he!’ and, (G)‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be (H)terrified, for these things (I)must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”

Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution

10 Then he said to them, (J)“Nation will rise against nation, and (K)kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great (L)earthquakes, and in various places (M)famines and pestilences. And there will be (N)terrors and great (O)signs from heaven. 12 But before all this (P)they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to (Q)the synagogues and (R)prisons, and you (S)will be brought before (T)kings and (U)governors for my name's sake. 13 (V)This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds (W)not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for (X)I will give you a mouth and (Y)wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or (Z)contradict. 16 You will be delivered up (AA)even by parents and brothers[a] and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 (AB)You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But (AC)not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your (AD)endurance you will gain your lives.

Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem

20 “But (AE)when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that (AF)its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are (AG)days of (AH)vengeance, to fulfill (AI)all that is written. 23 (AJ)Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and (AK)wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and (AL)be led captive among all nations, and (AM)Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, (AN)until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 “And (AO)there will be signs in sun and moon (AP)and stars, and on the earth (AQ)distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For (AR)the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see (AS)the Son of Man coming in a cloud (AT)with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and (AU)raise your heads, because (AV)your redemption is drawing near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see (AW)for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 (AX)Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 (AY)Heaven and earth will pass away, but (AZ)my words will not pass away.

Watch Yourselves

34 “But watch yourselves (BA)lest (BB)your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and (BC)cares of this life, and (BD)that day come upon you suddenly (BE)like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But (BF)stay awake at all times, (BG)praying that you may (BH)have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and (BI)to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 And (BJ)every day he was teaching in the temple, but (BK)at night he went out and lodged on (BL)the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning (BM)all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 21:16 Or parents and brothers and sisters

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times(A)(B)

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another;(C) every one of them will be thrown down.”

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.(D) When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.(E) 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.(F)

12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me.(G) 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.(H) 15 For I will give you(I) words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends,(J) and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me.(K) 18 But not a hair of your head will perish.(L) 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.(M)

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies,(N) you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.(O) 22 For this is the time of punishment(P) in fulfillment(Q) of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled(R) on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.(S) 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.(T) 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man(U) coming in a cloud(V) with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”(W)

29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God(X) is near.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation(Y) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.(Z)

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life,(AA) and that day will close on you suddenly(AB) like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray(AC) that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple,(AD) and each evening he went out(AE) to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives,(AF) 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.(AG)

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