Review of Israel’s History

24 Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem(A) and summoned Israel’s elders, leaders, judges, and officers, and they presented themselves before God.(B) Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah,(C) the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. But I took your father Abraham from the region beyond the Euphrates River, led him throughout the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants.(D) I gave him Isaac,(E) and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau.(F) I gave the hill country of Seir to Esau as a possession,(G) but Jacob and his sons went down to Egypt.(H)

“‘Then I sent Moses and Aaron;(I) I plagued Egypt by what I did there and afterward I brought you out. When I brought your fathers out of Egypt and you reached the Red Sea,(J) the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen as far as the sea. Your fathers cried out to the Lord, so He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea over them, engulfing them. Your own eyes saw what I did to Egypt. After that, you lived in the wilderness a long time.

“‘Later, I brought you to the land of the Amorites who lived beyond the Jordan.(K) They fought against you, but I handed them over to you. You possessed their land, and I annihilated them before you. Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab,(L) set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you, 10 but I would not listen to Balaam. Instead, he repeatedly blessed you, and I delivered you from his hand.

11 “‘You then crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho.(M) The people of Jericho—as well as the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites—fought against you, but I handed them over to you. 12 I sent the hornet[a](N) ahead of you, and it drove out the two Amorite kings(O) before you. It was not by your sword or bow. 13 I gave you a land you did not labor for, and cities you did not build,(P) though you live in them; you are eating from vineyards and olive groves you did not plant.’

The Covenant Renewal

14 “Therefore, fear the Lord and worship Him in sincerity and truth.(Q) Get rid of the gods your fathers worshiped(R) beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and worship Yahweh. 15 But if it doesn’t please you to worship Yahweh, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living.(S) As for me and my family, we will worship Yahweh.”

16 The people replied, “We will certainly not abandon the Lord to worship other gods! 17 For the Lord our God brought us and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery,(T) and performed these great signs before our eyes. He also protected us all along the way we went and among all the peoples whose lands we traveled through. 18 The Lord drove out before us all the peoples, including the Amorites who lived in the land. We too will worship the Lord, because He is our God.”

19 But Joshua told the people, “You will not be able to worship Yahweh, because He is a holy God. He is a jealous God;(U) He will not remove your transgressions and sins.(V) 20 If you abandon the Lord and worship foreign gods, He will turn against you, harm you, and completely destroy(W) you, after He has been good to you.”

21 “No!” the people answered Joshua. “We will worship the Lord.”

22 Joshua then told the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you yourselves have chosen to worship Yahweh.”

“We are witnesses,” they said.

23 “Then get rid of the foreign gods that are among you and offer your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.”

24 So the people said to Joshua, “We will worship the Lord our God and obey Him.”

25 On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people at Shechem and established a statute and ordinance for them. 26 Joshua recorded these things in the book of the law of God;(X) he also took a large stone and set it up there under the oak next to the sanctuary of the Lord. 27 And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone—it will be a witness against us,(Y) for it has heard all the words the Lord said to us, and it will be a witness against you, so that you will not deny your God.” 28 Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.

Burial of Three Leaders

29 After these things, the Lord’s servant, Joshua son of Nun, died at the age of 110. 30 They buried him in his allotted territory at Timnath-serah, in the hill country of Ephraim(Z) north of Mount Gaash. 31 Israel worshiped Yahweh throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua(AA) and who had experienced all the works Yahweh had done for Israel.

32 Joseph’s bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt,(AB) were buried at Shechem in the parcel of land Jacob had purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for 100 qesitahs.[b](AC) It was an inheritance for Joseph’s descendants.

33 And Eleazar son of Aaron died, and they buried him at Gibeah,[c] which had been given to his son Phinehas(AD) in the hill country of Ephraim.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Joshua 24:12 Or sent terror
  2. Joshua 24:32 The value of this currency is unknown.
  3. Joshua 24:33 = the Hill

The Covenant Renewed at Shechem

24 Then Joshua assembled(A) all the tribes of Israel at Shechem.(B) He summoned(C) the elders,(D) leaders, judges and officials of Israel,(E) and they presented themselves before God.

Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor,(F) lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods.(G) But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan(H) and gave him many descendants.(I) I gave him Isaac,(J) and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau.(K) I assigned the hill country of Seir(L) to Esau, but Jacob and his family went down to Egypt.(M)

“‘Then I sent Moses and Aaron,(N) and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and I brought you out.(O) When I brought your people out of Egypt, you came to the sea,(P) and the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen[a](Q) as far as the Red Sea.[b](R) But they cried(S) to the Lord for help, and he put darkness(T) between you and the Egyptians; he brought the sea over them and covered them.(U) You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Egyptians.(V) Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time.(W)

“‘I brought you to the land of the Amorites(X) who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I gave them into your hands. I destroyed them from before you, and you took possession of their land.(Y) When Balak son of Zippor,(Z) the king of Moab, prepared to fight against Israel, he sent for Balaam son of Beor(AA) to put a curse on you.(AB) 10 But I would not listen to Balaam, so he blessed you(AC) again and again, and I delivered you out of his hand.

11 “‘Then you crossed the Jordan(AD) and came to Jericho.(AE) The citizens of Jericho fought against you, as did also the Amorites, Perizzites,(AF) Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites,(AG) but I gave them into your hands.(AH) 12 I sent the hornet(AI) ahead of you, which drove them out(AJ) before you—also the two Amorite kings. You did not do it with your own sword and bow.(AK) 13 So I gave you a land(AL) on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’(AM)

14 “Now fear the Lord(AN) and serve him with all faithfulness.(AO) Throw away the gods(AP) your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt,(AQ) and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites,(AR) in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household,(AS) we will serve the Lord.”(AT)

16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake(AU) the Lord to serve other gods! 17 It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery,(AV) and performed those great signs(AW) before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. 18 And the Lord drove out(AX) before us all the nations,(AY) including the Amorites, who lived in the land.(AZ) We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God.(BA)

19 Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God;(BB) he is a jealous God.(BC) He will not forgive(BD) your rebellion(BE) and your sins. 20 If you forsake the Lord(BF) and serve foreign gods, he will turn(BG) and bring disaster(BH) on you and make an end of you,(BI) after he has been good to you.”

21 But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the Lord.”

22 Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses(BJ) against yourselves that you have chosen(BK) to serve the Lord.”

“Yes, we are witnesses,(BL)” they replied.

23 “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods(BM) that are among you and yield your hearts(BN) to the Lord, the God of Israel.”

24 And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and obey him.”(BO)

25 On that day Joshua made a covenant(BP) for the people, and there at Shechem(BQ) he reaffirmed for them decrees and laws.(BR) 26 And Joshua recorded(BS) these things in the Book of the Law of God.(BT) Then he took a large stone(BU) and set it up there under the oak(BV) near the holy place of the Lord.

27 “See!” he said to all the people. “This stone(BW) will be a witness(BX) against us. It has heard all the words the Lord has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue(BY) to your God.”(BZ)

28 Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to their own inheritance.(CA)

Buried in the Promised Land(CB)

29 After these things, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died(CC) at the age of a hundred and ten.(CD) 30 And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Serah[c](CE) in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.(CF)

31 Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders(CG) who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel.

32 And Joseph’s bones,(CH) which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt,(CI) were buried at Shechem in the tract of land(CJ) that Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver[d] from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. This became the inheritance of Joseph’s descendants.

33 And Eleazar son of Aaron(CK) died and was buried at Gibeah,(CL) which had been allotted to his son Phinehas(CM) in the hill country(CN) of Ephraim.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Joshua 24:6 Or charioteers
  2. Joshua 24:6 Or the Sea of Reeds
  3. Joshua 24:30 Also known as Timnath Heres (see Judges 2:9)
  4. Joshua 24:32 Hebrew hundred kesitahs; a kesitah was a unit of money of unknown weight and value.

The Widow’s Gift

21 He(A) looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury.(B) He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins.[a](C) “I tell you the truth,” He said. “This poor widow has put in more than all of them.(D) For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

Destruction of the Temple Predicted

As(E) some were talking about the temple complex, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God,[b] He said, “These things that you see—the days will come(F) when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down!”(G)

Signs of the End of the Age

“Teacher,” they asked Him, “so when will these things be? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”(H)

Then He said, “Watch out that you are not deceived.(I) For many will come in My name,(J) saying, ‘I am He,’(K) and, ‘The time is near.’ Don’t follow them.(L) When you hear of wars and rebellions,[c] don’t be alarmed. Indeed, these things must take place first, but the end won’t come right away.”

10 Then He told them: “Nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.(M) 11 There will be violent earthquakes,(N) and famines and plagues(O) in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.(P) 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you(Q) and persecute(R) you. They will hand you over to the synagogues(S) and prisons,(T) and you will be brought before kings and governors(U) because of My name. 13 It will lead to an opportunity for you to witness.[d](V) 14 Therefore make up your minds[e] not to prepare your defense ahead of time,(W) 15 for I will give you such words[f](X) and a wisdom(Y) that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.(Z) 16 You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends.(AA) They will kill some of you. 17 You will be hated by everyone because of My name,(AB) 18 but not a hair of your head will be lost.(AC) 19 By your endurance gain[g] your lives.(AD)

The Destruction of Jerusalem

20 “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,(AE) then recognize that its desolation(AF) has come near. 21 Then those in Judea must flee(AG) to the mountains!(AH) Those inside the city[h] must leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it, 22 because these are days of vengeance(AI) to fulfill all the things that are written. 23 Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,(AJ) for there will be great distress in the land[i] and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword(AK) and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles[j](AL) until the times of the Gentiles(AM) are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 “Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars;(AN) and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring sea and waves.(AO) 26 People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the celestial powers will be shaken.(AP) 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud(AQ) with power and great glory.(AR) 28 But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near!”(AS)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Luke 21:2 Lit two lepta; the lepton was the smallest and least valuable Gk coin in use.
  2. Luke 21:5 Gifts given to the temple in fulfillment of vows to God
  3. Luke 21:9 Or insurrections, or revolutions
  4. Luke 21:13 Lit lead to a testimony for you
  5. Luke 21:14 Lit Therefore place (determine) in your hearts
  6. Luke 21:15 Lit you a mouth
  7. Luke 21:19 Other mss read endurance you will gain
  8. Luke 21:21 Lit inside her
  9. Luke 21:23 Or the earth
  10. Luke 21:24 Or nations

The Widow’s Offering(A)

21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.(B) He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”(C)

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times(D)(E)

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;(F) 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.(G) 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.(H) 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.(I)

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.(J) 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.(K) 15 For I will give you(L) 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,(M) and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me.(N) 18 But not a hair of your head will perish.(O) 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.(P)

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies,(Q) 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.(R) 22 For this is the time of punishment(S) in fulfillment(T) 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(U) 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.(V) 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.(W) 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man(X) coming in a cloud(Y) 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.”(Z)

Read full chapter

38 But You have spurned and rejected him;
You have become enraged with Your anointed.(A)
39 You have repudiated the covenant with Your servant;
You have completely dishonored his crown.[a](B)
40 You have broken down all his walls;
You have reduced his fortified cities to ruins.(C)
41 All who pass by plunder him;(D)
he has become an object of ridicule
to his neighbors.(E)
42 You have lifted high the right hand of his foes;
You have made all his enemies rejoice.(F)
43 You have also turned back his sharp sword
and have not let him stand in battle.(G)
44 You have made his splendor[b] cease
and have overturned his throne.(H)
45 You have shortened the days of his youth;
You have covered him with shame.(I)Selah

46 How long, Lord? Will You hide Yourself forever?
Will Your anger keep burning like fire?(J)
47 Remember how short my life is.
Have You created everyone for nothing?(K)
48 What man can live and never see death?
Who can save himself from the power of Sheol?(L)Selah
49 Lord, where are the former acts of Your faithful love
that You swore to David in Your faithfulness?(M)
50 Remember, Lord, the ridicule against Your servants—
in my heart I carry abuse from all the peoples—
51 how Your enemies have ridiculed, Lord,
how they have ridiculed every step of Your anointed.(N)

52 May the Lord be praised forever.
Amen and amen.(O)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 89:39 Lit have dishonored his crown to the ground
  2. Psalm 89:44 Hb obscure

38 But you have rejected,(A) you have spurned,
    you have been very angry with your anointed one.
39 You have renounced the covenant with your servant
    and have defiled his crown in the dust.(B)
40 You have broken through all his walls(C)
    and reduced his strongholds(D) to ruins.
41 All who pass by have plundered(E) him;
    he has become the scorn of his neighbors.(F)
42 You have exalted the right hand of his foes;
    you have made all his enemies rejoice.(G)
43 Indeed, you have turned back the edge of his sword
    and have not supported him in battle.(H)
44 You have put an end to his splendor
    and cast his throne to the ground.
45 You have cut short(I) the days of his youth;
    you have covered him with a mantle of shame.(J)

46 How long, Lord? Will you hide yourself forever?
    How long will your wrath burn like fire?(K)
47 Remember how fleeting is my life.(L)
    For what futility you have created all humanity!
48 Who can live and not see death,
    or who can escape the power of the grave?(M)
49 Lord, where is your former great love,
    which in your faithfulness you swore to David?
50 Remember, Lord, how your servant has[a] been mocked,(N)
    how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations,
51 the taunts with which your enemies, Lord, have mocked,
    with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.(O)

52 Praise be to the Lord forever!
Amen and Amen.(P)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 89:50 Or your servants have

20 The one who walks with the wise will become wise,
but a companion of fools will suffer harm.

21 Disaster pursues sinners,
but good rewards the righteous.(A)

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his[a] grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(B)

23 The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food,
but without justice, it is swept away.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:22 Or inheritance: his

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.(A)

21 Trouble pursues the sinner,(B)
    but the righteous(C) are rewarded with good things.(D)

22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(E)

23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

Read full chapter