Israel’s King Joram

Joram son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria during the eighteenth year of Judah’s King Jehoshaphat and reigned 12 years.(A) He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, but not like his father and mother,(B) for he removed the sacred pillar of Baal his father had made. Nevertheless, Joram clung to the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.(C) He did not turn away from them.

Moab’s Rebellion against Israel

King Mesha of Moab(D) was a sheep breeder. He used to pay(E) the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams,(F) but when Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.(G) So King Joram marched out from Samaria at that time and mobilized all Israel. Then he sent a message to King Jehoshaphat(H) of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me.(I) Will you go with me to fight against Moab?”

Jehoshaphat said, “I will go. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”(J) Then he asked, “Which route should we take?”

Joram replied, “The route of the Wilderness of Edom.”

So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom(K) set out. After they had traveled their indirect route for seven days, they had no water for the army or their animals.

10 Then the king of Israel said, “Oh no, the Lord has summoned three kings, only to hand them over to Moab.”

11 But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of the Lord here? Let’s inquire of Yahweh through him.”(L)

One of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat,(M) who used to pour water on Elijah’s hands, is here.”

12 Jehoshaphat affirmed, “The Lord’s words are with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went to him.(N)

13 However, Elisha said to King Joram of Israel, “We have nothing in common. Go to the prophets of your father and your mother!”(O)

But the king of Israel replied, “No, because it is the Lord who has summoned these three kings to hand them over to Moab.”

14 Elisha responded, “As the Lord of Hosts lives,(P) I stand before Him. If I did not have respect for King Jehoshaphat of Judah,(Q) I would not look at you; I wouldn’t take notice of you. 15 Now, bring me a musician.”(R)

While the musician played,(S) the Lord’s hand(T) came on Elisha. 16 Then he said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Dig ditch after ditch in this wadi.’ 17 For the Lord says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the wadi will be filled with water,(U) and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’ 18 This is easy in the Lord’s sight.(V) He will also hand Moab over to you.(W) 19 Then you must attack every fortified city and every choice city. You must cut down every good tree and stop up every spring of water. You must ruin every good piece of land with stones.”

20 About the time for the grain offering(X) the next morning, water suddenly came from the direction of Edom and filled the land.

21 All Moab had heard that the kings(Y) had come up to fight against them. So all who could bear arms, from the youngest to the oldest, were summoned and took their stand at the border. 22 When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and the Moabites saw that the water across from them was red like blood.(Z) 23 “This is blood!” they exclaimed. “The kings(AA) have clashed swords and killed each other. So, to the spoil, Moab!”

24 However, when the Moabites came to Israel’s camp, the Israelites attacked them, and they fled from them. So Israel went into the land and struck down the Moabites. 25 They destroyed the cities, and each of them threw stones to cover every good piece of land. They stopped up every spring of water and cut down every good tree. In the end, only the buildings of Kir-hareseth(AB) were left. Then men with slings surrounded the city and attacked it.

26 When the king of Moab saw that the battle was too fierce for him, he took 700 swordsmen with him to try to break through to the king of Edom,(AC) but they could not do it. 27 So he took his firstborn son,(AD) who was to become king in his place, and offered him as a burnt offering on the city wall. Great wrath was on the Israelites, and they withdrew from him and returned to their land.

The Widow’s Oil Multiplied

One of the wives of the sons of the prophets(AE) cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, has died. You know that your servant feared the Lord.(AF) Now the creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves.”(AG)

Elisha asked her, “What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?”

She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”(AH)

Then he said, “Go and borrow empty containers from everyone—from all your neighbors. Do not get just a few.(AI) Then go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these containers. Set the full ones to one side.” So she left.

After she had shut the door behind her and her sons, they kept bringing her containers, and she kept pouring.(AJ) When they were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another container.”

But he replied, “There aren’t any more.” Then the oil stopped.

She went and told the man of God,(AK) and he said, “Go sell the oil and pay your debt; you and your sons can live on the rest.”(AL)

The Shunammite Woman’s Hospitality

One day Elisha went to Shunem.(AM) A prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to eat some food. So whenever he passed by, he stopped there to eat.(AN) Then she said to her husband, “I know that the one who often passes by here is a holy man of God, 10 so let’s make a small room upstairs and put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp there for him. Whenever he comes, he can stay there.”(AO)

The Shunammite Woman’s Son

11 One day he came there and stopped and went to the room upstairs to lie down. 12 He ordered his attendant Gehazi,(AP) “Call this Shunammite woman.” So he called her and she stood before him.

13 Then he said to Gehazi, “Say to her, ‘Look, you’ve gone to all this trouble for us. What can we do for you?(AQ) Can we speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’”

She answered, “I am living among my own people.”

14 So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?”

Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.”

15 “Call her,” Elisha said. So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16 Elisha said, “At this time next year you will have a son in your arms.”(AR)

Then she said, “No, my lord. Man of God, do not deceive your servant.”(AS)

17 The woman conceived and gave birth to a son at the same time the following year, as Elisha had promised her.

Moab Revolts

Joram[a](A) son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned twelve years. He did evil(B) in the eyes of the Lord, but not as his father(C) and mother had done. He got rid of the sacred stone(D) of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless he clung to the sins(E) of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.

Now Mesha king of Moab(F) raised sheep, and he had to pay the king of Israel a tribute of a hundred thousand lambs(G) and the wool of a hundred thousand rams. But after Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled(H) against the king of Israel. So at that time King Joram set out from Samaria and mobilized all Israel. He also sent this message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight(I) against Moab?”

“I will go with you,” he replied. “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”

“By what route shall we attack?” he asked.

“Through the Desert of Edom,” he answered.

So the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom.(J) After a roundabout march of seven days, the army had no more water for themselves or for the animals with them.

10 “What!” exclaimed the king of Israel. “Has the Lord called us three kings together only to deliver us into the hands of Moab?”

11 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire(K) of the Lord?”

An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha(L) son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.[b](M)

12 Jehoshaphat said, “The word(N) of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

13 Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Why do you want to involve me? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.”

“No,” the king of Israel answered, “because it was the Lord who called us three kings together to deliver us into the hands of Moab.”

14 Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you. 15 But now bring me a harpist.”(O)

While the harpist was playing, the hand(P) of the Lord came on Elisha 16 and he said, “This is what the Lord says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. 17 For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water,(Q) and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. 18 This is an easy(R) thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also deliver Moab into your hands. 19 You will overthrow every fortified city and every major town. You will cut down every good tree, stop up all the springs, and ruin every good field with stones.”

20 The next morning, about the time(S) for offering the sacrifice, there it was—water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water.(T)

21 Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come to fight against them; so every man, young and old, who could bear arms was called up and stationed on the border. 22 When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water. To the Moabites across the way, the water looked red—like blood. 23 “That’s blood!” they said. “Those kings must have fought and slaughtered each other. Now to the plunder, Moab!”

24 But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and fought them until they fled. And the Israelites invaded the land and slaughtered the Moabites. 25 They destroyed the towns, and each man threw a stone on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up all the springs and cut down every good tree. Only Kir Hareseth(U) was left with its stones in place, but men armed with slings surrounded it and attacked it.

26 When the king of Moab saw that the battle had gone against him, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom, but they failed. 27 Then he took his firstborn(V) son, who was to succeed him as king, and offered him as a sacrifice on the city wall. The fury against Israel was great; they withdrew and returned to their own land.

The Widow’s Olive Oil

The wife of a man from the company(W) of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor(X) is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”

Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”

“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”(Y)

Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”

She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”

But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

She went and told the man of God,(Z) and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

The Shunammite’s Son Restored to Life

One day Elisha went to Shunem.(AA) And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay(AB) there whenever he comes to us.”

11 One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. 12 He said to his servant Gehazi, “Call the Shunammite.”(AC) So he called her, and she stood before him. 13 Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’”

She replied, “I have a home among my own people.”

14 “What can be done for her?” Elisha asked.

Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.”

15 Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16 “About this time(AD) next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.”

“No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!”

17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

Notas al pie

  1. 2 Kings 3:1 Hebrew Jehoram, a variant of Joram; also in verse 6
  2. 2 Kings 3:11 That is, he was Elijah’s personal servant.

Mistaken for Gods in Lystra

In Lystra a man without strength in his feet, lame from birth,[a] and who had never walked, sat and heard Paul speaking. After observing him closely and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 Paul said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” And he jumped up and started to walk around.(A)

11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the form of men!”(B) 12 And they started to call Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the main speaker. 13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the town, brought oxen and garlands to the gates. He, with the crowds, intended to offer sacrifice.

14 The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their robes when they heard this and rushed into the crowd, shouting:(C) 15 “Men! Why are you doing these things? We are men also, with the same nature as you, and we are proclaiming good news to you, that you should turn from these worthless things(D) to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.(E)[b] 16 In past generations He allowed all the nations(F) to go their own way, 17 although He did not leave Himself without a witness,(G) since He did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons(H) and satisfying your[c] hearts with food and happiness.” 18 Even though they said these things, they barely stopped the crowds from sacrificing to them.

19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they had won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.(I) 20 After the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.(J)

Church Planting

21 After they had evangelized that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch,(K) 22 strengthening the[d] disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith(L) and by telling them, “It is necessary to pass through many troubles(M) on our way into the kingdom of God.”

23 When they had appointed elders(N) in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 After they spoke the message in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed back to Antioch where they had been entrusted to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.(O) 27 After they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported everything God had done with them(P) and that He had opened the door(Q) of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a considerable time[e] with the disciples.

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Notas al pie

  1. Acts 14:8 Lit from his mother’s womb
  2. Acts 14:15 Ex 20:11; Ps 146:6
  3. Acts 14:17 Other mss read our
  4. Acts 14:22 Lit the souls of the
  5. Acts 14:28 Or spent no little time

In Lystra and Derbe

In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth(A) and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed(B) 10 and called out, “Stand up on your feet!”(C) At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.(D)

11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”(E) 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.(F) 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes(G) and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human,(H) like you. We are bringing you good news,(I) telling you to turn from these worthless things(J) to the living God,(K) who made the heavens and the earth(L) and the sea and everything in them.(M) 16 In the past, he let(N) all nations go their own way.(O) 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony:(P) He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons;(Q) he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”(R) 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

19 Then some Jews(S) came from Antioch and Iconium(T) and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul(U) and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples(V) had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

The Return to Antioch in Syria

21 They preached the gospel(W) in that city and won a large number(X) of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium(Y) and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.(Z) “We must go through many hardships(AA) to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders[a](AB) for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting,(AC) committed them to the Lord,(AD) in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,(AE) 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch,(AF) where they had been committed to the grace of God(AG) for the work they had now completed.(AH) 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them(AI) and how he had opened a door(AJ) of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.(AK)

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Notas al pie

  1. Acts 14:23 Or Barnabas ordained elders; or Barnabas had elders elected

Psalm 140

Prayer for Rescue

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

Rescue me, Lord, from evil men.
Keep me safe from violent men(A)
who plan evil in their hearts.
They stir up wars all day long.(B)
They make their tongues
as sharp as a snake’s bite;
viper’s venom is under their lips.(C)Selah

Protect me, Lord,
from the clutches of the wicked.(D)
Keep me safe from violent men
who plan to make me stumble.[a](E)
The proud hide a trap with ropes for me;
they spread a net along the path
and set snares for me.(F)Selah

I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”
Listen, Lord, to my cry for help.(G)
Lord God, my strong Savior,
You shield my head on the day of battle.(H)
Lord, do not grant the desires of the wicked;
do not let them achieve their goals.
Otherwise, they will become proud.(I)Selah

When those who surround me rise up,[b]
may the trouble their lips cause overwhelm them.(J)
10 Let hot coals fall on them.
Let them be thrown into the fire,
into the abyss, never again to rise.(K)
11 Do not let a slanderer stay in the land.
Let evil relentlessly[c] hunt down a violent man.(L)

12 I[d] know that the Lord upholds
the just cause of the poor,
justice for the needy.(M)
13 Surely the righteous will praise Your name;
the upright will live in Your presence.(N)

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Notas al pie

  1. Psalm 140:4 Lit to trip up my steps
  2. Psalm 140:9 Lit Head of those who surround me
  3. Psalm 140:11 Hb obscure
  4. Psalm 140:12 Alt Hb tradition reads You

Psalm 140[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

Rescue me,(A) Lord, from evildoers;
    protect me from the violent,(B)
who devise evil plans(C) in their hearts
    and stir up war(D) every day.
They make their tongues as sharp as(E) a serpent’s;
    the poison of vipers(F) is on their lips.[b]

Keep me safe,(G) Lord, from the hands of the wicked;(H)
    protect me from the violent,
    who devise ways to trip my feet.
The arrogant have hidden a snare(I) for me;
    they have spread out the cords of their net(J)
    and have set traps(K) for me along my path.

I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”(L)
    Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.(M)
Sovereign Lord,(N) my strong deliverer,
    you shield my head in the day of battle.
Do not grant the wicked(O) their desires, Lord;
    do not let their plans succeed.

Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
    may the mischief of their lips engulf them.(P)
10 May burning coals fall on them;
    may they be thrown into the fire,(Q)
    into miry pits, never to rise.
11 May slanderers not be established in the land;
    may disaster hunt down the violent.(R)

12 I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor(S)
    and upholds the cause(T) of the needy.(U)
13 Surely the righteous will praise your name,(V)
    and the upright will live(W) in your presence.(X)

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Notas al pie

  1. Psalm 140:1 In Hebrew texts 140:1-13 is numbered 140:2-14.
  2. Psalm 140:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 8.

22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.(A)

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22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed(A) spirit dries up the bones.(B)

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