War with the Ammonites

19 Some time later,^(A) King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son became king in his place. ² Then David said, “I’ll show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.”

So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. However, when David’s emissaries arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him, ³ the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun, “Just because David has sent men with condolences for you, do you really believe he’s showing respect for your father? Instead, haven’t his emissaries come in order to scout out, overthrow, and spy on the land?” ⁴ So Hanun took David’s emissaries, shaved them, cut their clothes in half at the hips, and sent them away.^(B)

⁵ It was reported to David about his men, so he sent messengers to meet them, since the men were deeply humiliated. The king said, “Stay in Jericho until your beards grow back; then return.”

⁶ When the Ammonites realized^(C) they had made themselves repulsive to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent thirty-eight tons^[a] of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah.^{(D) 7} They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah with his army, who came and camped near Medeba.^(E) The Ammonites also came together from their cities for the battle.

⁸ David heard about this and sent Joab and all the elite troops. ⁹ The Ammonites marched out and lined up in battle formation at the entrance of the city while the kings who had come were in the field by themselves. ¹⁰ When Joab saw that there was a battle line in front of him and another behind him, he chose some of Israel’s finest young men^[b](F) and lined up in formation to engage the Arameans. ¹¹ He placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai. They lined up in formation to engage the Ammonites.

¹² “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” Joab said, “then you’ll be my help. However, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I’ll help you. ¹³ Be strong! Let’s prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God.^(G) May the Lord’s will be done.”^[c]

¹⁴ Joab and the people with him approached the Arameans for battle, and they fled before him. ¹⁵ When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they likewise fled before Joab’s brother Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab went to Jerusalem.

¹⁶ When the Arameans realized that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers to summon the Arameans who were beyond the Euphrates River. They were led by Shophach, the commander of Hadadezer’s army.

¹⁷ When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan. He came up to the Arameans and lined up against them. When David lined up to engage them, they fought against him. ¹⁸ But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach, commander of the army. ¹⁹ When Hadadezer’s subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his subjects. After this, the Arameans were never willing to help the Ammonites again.

Capture of the City of Rabbah

20 In the spring^[d] when kings march out to war,^(H) Joab led the army and destroyed the Ammonites’ land. He came to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem.^(I) Joab attacked Rabbah and demolished it. ² Then David took the crown from the head of their king,^[e][f](J) and it was placed on David’s head. He found that the crown weighed seventy-five pounds^[g] of gold, and there was a precious stone in it. In addition, David took away a large quantity of plunder from the city. ³ He brought out the people who were in it and put them to work with saws,^[h] iron picks, and axes.^[i](K) David did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then he and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.

The Philistine Giants

⁴ After this,^(L) a war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, a descendant of the Rephaim,^[j](M) and the Philistines were subdued.

⁵ Once again there was a battle with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath of Gath. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam.^(N)

⁶ There was still another battle at Gath where there was a man of extraordinary stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He, too, was descended from the giant.^{[k] 7} When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of David’s brother Shimei killed him.

⁸ These were the descendants of the giant in Gath killed by David and his soldiers.

Greeting

1 Peter,^(A) an apostle of Jesus Christ:

To those chosen, living as exiles^(B) dispersed^(C) abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,^(D) chosen^{(E) 2} according to the foreknowledge^(F) of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,^(G) to be obedient^(H) and to be sprinkled with the blood^(I) of Jesus Christ.

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

A Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(J) Because of his great mercy^(K) he has given us new birth^(L) into a living hope^(M) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead^{(N) 4} and into an inheritance that is imperishable,^(O) undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven^(P) for you. ⁵ You are being guarded by God’s power^(Q) through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.^{(R) 6} You rejoice in this,^[a] even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials^{(S) 7} so that the proven character of your faith^(T)—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire^(U)—may result^(V) in praise, glory, and honor^(W) at the revelation of Jesus Christ.^{(X) 8} Though you have not seen^(Y) him, you love him;^(Z) though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice^(AA) with inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets,^(AB) who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated. ¹¹ They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ^(AC) within them was indicating when he testified in advance^(AD) to the sufferings of Christ^(AE) and the glories^(AF) that would follow.^{[b] 12} It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you^(AG) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven^(AH)—angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.

A Call to Holy Living

¹³ Therefore, with your minds ready for action,^(AI) be sober-minded^(AJ) and set your hope^(AK) completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation^(AL) of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children,^(AM) do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. ¹⁵ But as the one who called you^(AN) is holy,^(AO) you also are to be holy in all your conduct; ¹⁶ for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.^{[c](AP) 17} If you appeal to the Father who judges impartially^(AQ) according to each one’s work,^(AR) you are to conduct yourselves in reverence^(AS) during your time living as strangers. ¹⁸ For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life^(AT) inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold,^{(AU) 19} but with the precious blood of Christ,^(AV) like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.^{(AW) 20} He was foreknown^(AX) before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times^(AY) for you. ²¹ Through him you believe in God,^(AZ) who raised him from the dead^(BA) and gave him glory,^(BB) so that your faith and hope are in God.

²² Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth,^[d] so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other,^(BC) from a pure^[e] heart love one another constantly,^{[f](BD) 23} because you have been born again^(BE)—not of perishable seed^(BF) but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.^{(BG) 24} For

And this word is the gospel that was proclaimed to you.

Jonah’s Preaching

3 The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time:^{(A) 2} “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh^(B) and preach^(C) the message that I tell you.” ³ Jonah got up and went to Nineveh according to the Lord’s command.

Now Nineveh was an extremely great city,^[a](D) a three-day walk. ⁴ Jonah set out on the first day of his walk in the city and proclaimed,^(E) “In forty days Nineveh will be demolished!” ⁵ Then the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast^(F) and dressed in sackcloth—from the greatest of them to the least.

⁶ When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth,^(G) and sat in ashes. ⁷ Then he issued a decree^(H) in Nineveh:

By order of the king and his nobles: No person or animal, herd or flock, is to taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink water. ⁸ Furthermore, both people and animals must be covered with sackcloth, and everyone must call out earnestly to God.^(I) Each must turn from his evil ways^(J) and from his wrongdoing.^{[b] 9} Who knows?^(K) God may turn and relent; he may turn from his burning anger so that we will not perish.^(L)

¹⁰ God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways^(M)—so God relented from the disaster^(N) he had threatened them with. And he did not do it.

Many Women Support Christ’s Work

8 Afterward he was traveling from one town and village to another,^(A) preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God.^(B) The Twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses:^(C) Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out^(D) of her); ³ Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions.

The Parable of the Sower

⁴ As a large crowd was gathering, and people were coming to Jesus from every town, he said in a parable,^{(E) 5} “A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some seed fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the sky devoured it. ⁶ Other seed fell on the rock; when it grew up, it withered away, since it lacked moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns; the thorns grew up with it and choked it. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good ground; when it grew up, it produced fruit: a hundred times what was sown.”^(F) As he said this, he called out, “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.”^(G)

Why Jesus Used Parables

⁹ Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?” ^{(H) 10} So he said, “The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for you^(I) to know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that

The Parable of the Sower Explained

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable:^(K) The seed is the word of God.^{(L) 12} The seed along the path are those who have heard and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ And the seed on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and fall away in a time of testing.^{(M) 14} As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life,^(N) and produce no mature fruit. ¹⁵ But the seed in the good ground—these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring,^(O) produce fruit.

Using Your Light

¹⁶ “No one, after lighting a lamp,^(P) covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see its light.^{(Q) 17} For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and brought to light.^{(R) 18} Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; ^(S) and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

True Relationships

¹⁹ Then his mother and brothers^(T) came to him,^(U) but they could not meet with him because of the crowd. ²⁰ He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

²¹ But he replied to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear and do the word of God.”^(V)

Wind and Waves Obey Jesus

²² One day he and his disciples got into a boat,^(W) and he told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.”^(X) So they set out, ²³ and as they were sailing he fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger. ²⁴ They came and woke him up, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to die!”

Then he got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm.^{(Y) 25} He said to them, “Where is your faith?”

They were fearful and amazed, asking one another, “Who then is this?^(Z) He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey him!”

Demons Driven Out by Jesus

²⁶ Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,^[b](AA) which is opposite Galilee. ²⁷ When he got out on land, a demon-possessed man from the town met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes and did not stay in a house but in the tombs. ²⁸ When he saw Jesus, he cried out,^(AB) fell down before him, and said in a loud voice, “What do you have to do with me,^(AC) Jesus, Son of the Most High God?^(AD) I beg you, don’t torment me!” ²⁹ For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was guarded, bound by chains and shackles, he would snap the restraints and be driven by the demon into deserted places.

³⁰ “What is your name?” Jesus asked him.

“Legion,”^(AE) he said, because many demons had entered him. ³¹ And they begged him not to banish them to the abyss.^(AF)

³² A large herd of pigs was there, feeding on the hillside. The demons begged him to permit them to enter the pigs, and he gave them permission. ³³ The demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

³⁴ When the men who tended them saw what had happened, they ran off and reported it in the town and in the countryside. ³⁵ Then people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man the demons had departed from, sitting at Jesus’s feet,^(AG) dressed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. ³⁶ Meanwhile, the eyewitnesses reported to them how the demon-possessed man was delivered.^{(AH) 37} Then all the people of the Gerasene region^[c] asked him to leave them,^(AI) because they were gripped by great fear. So getting into the boat, he returned.

³⁸ The man from whom the demons had departed begged him earnestly to be with him. But he sent him away and said, ³⁹ “Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.” And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town how much Jesus had done for him.

A Girl Restored and a Woman Healed

⁴⁰ When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him,^(AJ) for they were all expecting him.^{(AK) 41} Just then, a man named Jairus came. He was a leader of the synagogue.^(AL) He fell down at Jesus’s feet and pleaded with him to come to his house, ⁴² because he had an only daughter^(AM) about twelve years old, and she was dying.

While he was going, the crowds were nearly crushing him.^{(AN) 43} A woman suffering from bleeding^(AO) for twelve years,^(AP) who had spent all she had on doctors^[d] and yet could not be healed by any, ⁴⁴ approached from behind and touched the end of his robe.^(AQ) Instantly her bleeding stopped.

⁴⁵ “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter^[e] said, “Master,^(AR) the crowds are hemming you in and pressing against you.”^[f]

⁴⁶ “Someone did touch me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from me.”^{(AS) 47} When the woman saw that she was discovered, she came trembling and fell down before him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched him and how she was instantly healed. ⁴⁸ “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has saved you.^[g] Go in peace.”^(AT)

⁴⁹ While he was still speaking,^(AU) someone came from the synagogue leader’s house and said, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t bother^(AV) the teacher^(AW) anymore.”

⁵⁰ When Jesus heard it, he answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be saved.”^{[h] 51} After he came to the house, he let no one enter with him except Peter, John, James,^(AX) and the child’s father and mother. ⁵² Everyone was crying^(AY) and mourning for her.^(AZ) But he said, “Stop crying, because she is not dead but asleep.”^(BA)

⁵³ They laughed at him, because they knew she was dead. ⁵⁴ So he^[i] took her by the hand^(BB) and called out, “Child, get up!”^{(BC) 55} Her spirit returned,^(BD) and she got up at once. Then he gave orders that she be given something to eat. ⁵⁶ Her parents were astounded, but he instructed them to tell no one what had happened.^(BE)