After this it came about that he was in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. So the (A)governors of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “(B)Entice him, and see where his great strength lies and [a]how we can overpower him so that we may bind him to humble him. Then we will each give you 1,100 pieces of silver.” So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and [b]how you can be bound to humble you.” And Samson said to her, “If they bind me with seven fresh [c]animal tendons that have not been dried, then I will become weak and be like any other man.” Then the governors of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh [d]animal tendons that had not been dried, and she bound him with them. Now she had men prepared for an ambush in an inner room. And she said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But he tore the tendons to pieces just like a thread of flax is torn apart when it [e]comes too close to fire. So his strength was not discovered.

10 Then Delilah said to Samson, “Behold, you have toyed with me and told me lies; now please tell me [f]how you may be bound.” 11 Then He said to her, “If they bind me tightly with new ropes [g]which have not been used, then I will become weak and be like any other man.” 12 So Delilah took new ropes and bound him with them and said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” For the men in the ambush were waiting in the inner room. But he tore [h]the ropes from his arms like thread.

13 Then Delilah said to Samson, “Up to now you have toyed with me and told me lies; tell me [i]how you may be bound.” And he said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my [j]hair with the [k]web [l][and fasten it with the pin, then I will be weak like any other man.” 14 So while he slept, Delilah wove the seven locks of his [m]hair with the web]. And she fastened it with the pin and said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But he awoke from his sleep and pulled out the pin of the loom and the web.

Delilah Extracts His Secret

15 Then she said to him, “(C)How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have toyed with me these three times and have not told me where your great strength is.” 16 And it came about, when she pressed him daily with her words and urged him, that his soul was [n]annoyed to death. 17 So he told her all that was in his heart and said to her, “A razor has never come on my head, for I have been a (D)Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, then my strength will leave me and I will become weak and be like any other man.”

18 When Delilah saw that he had told her all that was in his heart, she sent word and called the governors of the Philistines, saying, “Come up once more, for he has told me all that is in his heart.” Then the governors of the Philistines came up to her and brought up the money in their hands. 19 And she made him sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to humble him, and his strength left him. 20 She said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that (E)the Lord had departed from him. 21 Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and restrained him with bronze chains, and he became a grinder in the prison. 22 However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it was shaved off.

23 Now the governors of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to (F)Dagon their god, and to celebrate, for they said,

“Our god has handed Samson our enemy over to us.”

24 When the people saw him, (G)they praised their god, for they said,

“Our god has handed our enemy over to us,
Even the destroyer of our country,
Who has killed many of us.”

25 It so happened when [o]they were in high spirits, that they said, “Call for Samson, that he may amuse us.” So they called for Samson from the prison, and he [p]entertained them. And they made him stand between the pillars. 26 Then Samson said to the boy who was holding his hand, “[q]Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, so that I may lean against them.” 27 Now the house was full of men and women, and all the governors of the Philistines were there. And about three thousand men and women were on the roof looking on while Samson was entertaining them.

Samson Is Avenged

28 (H)Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “Lord [r]God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once (I)take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and braced himself against them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left. 30 And Samson said, “Let [s]me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed outwards powerfully, so that the house fell on the governors and all the people who were in it. And the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed during his lifetime. 31 Then his brothers and all his father’s household came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. (J)So he had judged Israel for twenty years.

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Footnotes

  1. Judges 16:5 Lit by what
  2. Judges 16:6 Lit by what
  3. Judges 16:7 I.e., of a butchered animal, that shrink and hold when drying
  4. Judges 16:8 See note v 7
  5. Judges 16:9 Lit smells
  6. Judges 16:10 Lit by what
  7. Judges 16:11 Lit with which work has not been done
  8. Judges 16:12 Lit them
  9. Judges 16:13 Lit by what
  10. Judges 16:13 Lit head
  11. Judges 16:13 I.e., in weaving, the warp of a loom
  12. Judges 16:13 The passage in brackets is found in LXX but not in any Heb mss
  13. Judges 16:14 Lit head
  14. Judges 16:16 Lit impatient to the point of
  15. Judges 16:25 Lit their heart was pleasant
  16. Judges 16:25 Lit made sport before them
  17. Judges 16:26 Or Let go of me, and let me feel
  18. Judges 16:28 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord
  19. Judges 16:30 Lit my soul

Some time later, he fell in love(A) with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah.(B) The rulers of the Philistines(C) went to her and said, “See if you can lure(D) him into showing you the secret of his great strength(E) and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels[a] of silver.”(F)

So Delilah(G) said to Samson, “Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”

Samson answered her, “If anyone ties me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, I’ll become as weak as any other man.”

Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him with them. With men hidden in the room,(H) she called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!”(I) But he snapped the bowstrings as easily as a piece of string snaps when it comes close to a flame. So the secret of his strength was not discovered.

10 Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have made a fool of me;(J) you lied to me. Come now, tell me how you can be tied.”

11 He said, “If anyone ties me securely with new ropes(K) that have never been used, I’ll become as weak as any other man.”

12 So Delilah took new ropes and tied him with them. Then, with men hidden in the room, she called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!”(L) But he snapped the ropes off his arms as if they were threads.

13 Delilah then said to Samson, “All this time you have been making a fool of me and lying to me. Tell me how you can be tied.”

He replied, “If you weave the seven braids of my head into the fabric on the loom and tighten it with the pin, I’ll become as weak as any other man.” So while he was sleeping, Delilah took the seven braids of his head, wove them into the fabric 14 and[b] tightened it with the pin.

Again she called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!”(M) He awoke from his sleep and pulled up the pin and the loom, with the fabric.

15 Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’(N) when you won’t confide in me? This is the third time(O) you have made a fool of me and haven’t told me the secret of your great strength.(P) 16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it.

17 So he told her everything.(Q) “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite(R) dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.”

18 When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines(S), “Come back once more; he has told me everything.” So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands.(T) 19 After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him.[c] And his strength left him.(U)

20 Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!”(V)

He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.(W)

21 Then the Philistines(X) seized him, gouged out his eyes(Y) and took him down to Gaza.(Z) Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain(AA) in the prison. 22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

The Death of Samson

23 Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon(AB) their god and to celebrate, saying, “Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands.”

24 When the people saw him, they praised their god,(AC) saying,

“Our god has delivered our enemy
    into our hands,(AD)
the one who laid waste our land
    and multiplied our slain.”

25 While they were in high spirits,(AE) they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them.

When they stood him among the pillars, 26 Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.” 27 Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof(AF) were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. 28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord,(AG) “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge(AH) on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, 30 Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.

31 Then his brothers and his father’s whole family went down to get him. They brought him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah(AI) his father. He had led[d](AJ) Israel twenty years.(AK)

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Footnotes

  1. Judges 16:5 That is, about 28 pounds or about 13 kilograms
  2. Judges 16:14 Some Septuagint manuscripts; Hebrew replied, “I can if you weave the seven braids of my head into the fabric on the loom.” 14 So she
  3. Judges 16:19 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts and he began to weaken
  4. Judges 16:31 Traditionally judged

Ahab’s Third Campaign against Aram

22 Now [a]three years passed without war between Aram and Israel. (A)In the third year, (B)Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. Now the king of Israel said to his servants, “Are you aware that (C)Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, yet we are hesitant to take it out of the hand of the king of Aram?” So he said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go to battle with me at Ramoth-gilead?” And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “[b](D)Consider me yours, my people yours, and my horses yours!”

However, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please request the word of the Lord [c]first.” So (E)the king of Israel assembled the [d]prophets, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Should I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead or should I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will hand it over to the king.” But (F)Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of him?” And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, but I hate him, because he does not prophesy anything good regarding me, but only bad. He is Micaiah the son of Imlah.” But Jehoshaphat said, “May the king not say so.” Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah quickly.” 10 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting, each on his throne, dressed in their robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and (G)all the prophets were prophesying before them. 11 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made (H)horns of iron for himself and said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘(I)With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed!’” 12 All the prophets were prophesying this as well, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and succeed, for the Lord will hand it over to the king.”

Micaiah Predicts Defeat

13 Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold now, the words of the prophets are [e]unanimously favorable to the king. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” 14 But Micaiah said, “(J)As the Lord lives, whatever (K)the Lord says to me, I shall speak it.”

15 When he came to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, should we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or should we refrain?” And he said, “(L)Go up and succeed, for the Lord will hand it over to the king!” 16 Then the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear that you will tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?” 17 So he said,

“I saw all Israel
Scattered on the mountains,
(M)Like sheep that have no shepherd.
And the Lord said,
‘These people have no master.
Each of them is to return to his house in peace.’”

18 Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “(N)Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy anything good regarding me, but only bad?”

19 And Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the Lord. (O)I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and (P)all the [f]angels of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. 20 And the Lord said, ‘Who will [g]entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one spirit said this, while another said that. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, and said, ‘I will [h]entice him.’ 22 And the Lord said to him, ‘How?’ And he said, ‘I will go out and (Q)be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You shall [i]entice him, and you will also prevail. Go and do so.’ 23 Now then, behold, (R)the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours; and the Lord has declared disaster against you.”

24 Then (S)Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah approached and struck Micaiah on the cheek; and he said, “(T)How did the Spirit of the Lord pass from me to speak to you?” 25 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you are going to see how on that day when you (U)go from one inner room to [j]another trying to hide yourself.” 26 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son; 27 and say, ‘This is what the king says: “(V)Put this man in prison, and feed him enough bread and water to survive until I [k]return safely.”’” 28 But Micaiah said, “(W)If you actually return [l]safely, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “(X)Listen, all you people!”

Defeat and Death of Ahab

29 So (Y)the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up against Ramoth-gilead. 30 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “(Z)I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you put on your robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into the battle. 31 Now (AA)the king of Aram had commanded the thirty-two commanders of his chariots, saying, “Do not fight with the small or great, but only with the king of Israel.” 32 So when the commanders of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “Surely he is the king of Israel!” And they turned aside to fight against him, and Jehoshaphat cried out. 33 Then, when the commanders of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.

34 Now one man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel [m]in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn [n]around and take me out of the battle, (AB)for I am severely wounded.” 35 The battle [o]raged on that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot in front of the Arameans, and he died at evening, and the blood from the wound ran into the bottom of the chariot. 36 (AC)Then the word passed throughout the army close to sunset, saying, “Every man to his city, and every man to his [p]country!”

37 So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried the king in Samaria. 38 They washed out the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood (it was there that the prostitutes bathed themselves) (AD)in accordance with the word of the Lord which He had spoken.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 22:1 Lit they sat for three years
  2. 1 Kings 22:4 Lit As me as you, as my people...as my horses, as your horses, an ancient idiom
  3. 1 Kings 22:5 Lit today
  4. 1 Kings 22:6 I.e., official prophets who at that time were false
  5. 1 Kings 22:13 Lit of one mouth
  6. 1 Kings 22:19 Lit host
  7. 1 Kings 22:20 Or persuade
  8. 1 Kings 22:21 Or persuade
  9. 1 Kings 22:22 Or persuade
  10. 1 Kings 22:25 Lit inner room
  11. 1 Kings 22:27 Lit come in peace
  12. 1 Kings 22:28 Lit in peace
  13. 1 Kings 22:34 Lit between the scales and the scale armor
  14. 1 Kings 22:34 Lit your hand
  15. 1 Kings 22:35 Lit went up
  16. 1 Kings 22:36 Lit land

Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab(A)

22 For three years there was no war between Aram and Israel. But in the third year Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to see the king of Israel. The king of Israel had said to his officials, “Don’t you know that Ramoth Gilead(B) belongs to us and yet we are doing nothing to retake it from the king of Aram?”

So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight(C) against Ramoth Gilead?”

Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel(D) of the Lord.”

So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”

“Go,”(E) they answered, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”(F)

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet(G) of the Lord here whom we can inquire(H) of?”

The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate(I) him because he never prophesies anything good(J) about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”

“The king should not say such a thing,” Jehoshaphat replied.

So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.”

10 Dressed in their royal robes, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor(K) by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them. 11 Now Zedekiah(L) son of Kenaanah had made iron horns(M) and he declared, “This is what the Lord says: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.’”

12 All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. “Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious,” they said, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”

13 The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the other prophets without exception are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.”(N)

14 But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.”(O)

15 When he arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or not?”

“Attack and be victorious,” he answered, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”

16 The king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?”

17 Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered(P) on the hills like sheep without a shepherd,(Q) and the Lord said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’”

18 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?”

19 Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne(R) with all the multitudes(S) of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. 20 And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’

“One suggested this, and another that. 21 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’

22 “‘By what means?’ the Lord asked.

“‘I will go out and be a deceiving(T) spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said.

“‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’

23 “So now the Lord has put a deceiving(U) spirit in the mouths of all these prophets(V) of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster(W) for you.”

24 Then Zedekiah(X) son of Kenaanah went up and slapped(Y) Micaiah in the face. “Which way did the spirit from[a] the Lord go when he went from me to speak(Z) to you?” he asked.

25 Micaiah replied, “You will find out on the day you go to hide(AA) in an inner room.”

26 The king of Israel then ordered, “Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king’s son 27 and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison(AB) and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely.’”

28 Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, the Lord has not spoken(AC) through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!”

Ahab Killed at Ramoth Gilead(AD)

29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. 30 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will enter the battle in disguise,(AE) but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.

31 Now the king of Aram(AF) had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king(AG) of Israel.” 32 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, “Surely this is the king of Israel.” So they turned to attack him, but when Jehoshaphat cried out, 33 the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel and stopped pursuing him.

34 But someone drew his bow(AH) at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.” 35 All day long the battle raged, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died. 36 As the sun was setting, a cry spread through the army: “Every man to his town. Every man to his land!”(AI)

37 So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried him there. 38 They washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria (where the prostitutes bathed),[b] and the dogs(AJ) licked up his blood, as the word of the Lord had declared.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 22:24 Or Spirit of
  2. 1 Kings 22:38 Or Samaria and cleaned the weapons

Death and Resurrection Foretold

30 (A)And from there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. 31 For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, (B)The Son of Man is to be [a]handed over to men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” 32 But (C)they [b]did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.

33 (D)They came to Capernaum; and when He was in (E)the house, He began to question them: “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way (F)they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. 35 And sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, (G)If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And He took a child and placed him among them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 (H)Whoever [c]receives [d]one child like this in My name [e]receives Me; and whoever [f]receives Me does not [g]receive Me, but Him who sent Me.”

Dire Warnings

38 (I)John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and (J)we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. 40 (K)For the one who is not against us is [h]for us. 41 For (L)whoever gives you a cup of water to drink [i]because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.

42 (M)Whoever causes one of these [j]little ones who believe in Me to [k]sin, it is better for him if a heavy millstone is hung around his neck and he [l]is thrown into the sea. 43 And (N)if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed, than, having your two hands, to go into [m](O)hell, into the (P)unquenchable fire.[n] 45 And if your foot is causing you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life without a foot, than, having your two feet, to be thrown into [o](Q)hell.[p] 47 And (R)if your eye is causing you to sin, throw it away; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be thrown into [q](S)hell, 48 (T)where their worm does not die, and (U)the fire is not extinguished. 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good; but (V)if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you [r]make it salty again? (W)Have salt in yourselves, and (X)be at peace with one another.”

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 9:31 Or betrayed
  2. Mark 9:32 Lit were not knowing
  3. Mark 9:37 Or welcomes
  4. Mark 9:37 Lit one of such children
  5. Mark 9:37 Or welcomes
  6. Mark 9:37 Or welcomes
  7. Mark 9:37 Or welcome
  8. Mark 9:40 Or on our side
  9. Mark 9:41 Lit in a name that you are Christ’s
  10. Mark 9:42 Or lowly
  11. Mark 9:42 Or stumble
  12. Mark 9:42 Lit has been thrown (intensified)
  13. Mark 9:43 Gr Gehenna
  14. Mark 9:43 Late mss repeat v 48 here as v 44
  15. Mark 9:45 Gr Gehenna
  16. Mark 9:45 Late mss repeat v 48 here as v 46; cf. note 2 v 43
  17. Mark 9:47 Gr Gehenna
  18. Mark 9:50 Lit season it

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time(A)

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man(B) is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him,(C) and after three days(D) he will rise.”(E) 32 But they did not understand what he meant(F) and were afraid to ask him about it.

33 They came to Capernaum.(G) When he was in the house,(H) he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.(I)

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”(J)

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms,(K) he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”(L)

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us(M)

38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”(N)

39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.(O) 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.(P)

Causing to Stumble

42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble,(Q) it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.(R) 43 If your hand causes you to stumble,(S) cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell,(T) where the fire never goes out.(U) [44] [a] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble,(V) cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.(W) [46] [b] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble,(X) pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,(Y) 48 where

“‘the worms that eat them do not die,
    and the fire is not quenched.’[c](Z)

49 Everyone will be salted(AA) with fire.

50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?(AB) Have salt among yourselves,(AC) and be at peace with each other.”(AD)

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 9:44 Some manuscripts include here the words of verse 48.
  2. Mark 9:46 Some manuscripts include here the words of verse 48.
  3. Mark 9:48 Isaiah 66:24

Paul before Festus

25 Festus, then, after arriving in (A)the province, went up to Jerusalem from (B)Caesarea three days later. And the chief priests and the leading men of the Jews (C)brought charges against Paul, and they were pleading with [a]Festus, requesting a [b]concession against [c]Paul, that he might [d]have him brought to Jerusalem (at the same time, (D)setting an ambush to kill him on the way). Festus then (E)answered that Paul (F)was being kept in custody in (G)Caesarea, and that he himself was about to leave shortly. “Therefore,” he *said, “have the influential men among you [e]go there with me, and if there is anything wrong [f]about the man, have them bring charges against him.”

After Festus had spent no more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to (H)Caesarea, and on the next day he took his seat on (I)the tribunal and ordered that Paul be brought. After Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing (J)many, and serious, charges against him (K)which they could not prove, while Paul said in his own defense, “(L)I have not done anything wrong either against the Law of the Jews, or against the temple, or against Caesar.” But Festus, (M)wanting to do the Jews a favor, replied to Paul and said, “(N)Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and [g]stand trial before me on these charges?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s (O)tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know. 11 If, therefore, I am in the wrong and have committed something deserving death, I am not trying to avoid execution; but if there is nothing to the accusations which these men are bringing against me, no one can hand me over to them. I (P)appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then when Festus had conferred with [h]his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.”

13 Now when several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in (Q)Caesarea, paying their respects to Festus. 14 And while they were spending many days there, Festus presented Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There is a man who was (R)left as a prisoner by Felix; 15 and when I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews (S)brought charges against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I (T)replied to them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any person before (U)the accused meets his accusers face to face, and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges. 17 So after they had assembled here, I did not delay, but on the next day took my seat on (V)the tribunal and ordered that the man be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they did not begin bringing any charges [i]against him of crimes that I suspected, 19 but they simply had some (W)points of disagreement with him about their own [j](X)religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 And (Y)being at a loss how to investigate [k]such matters, I [l]asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these matters. 21 But when Paul (Z)appealed to be held in custody for [m]the Emperor’s decision, I ordered that he be kept in custody until I send him to Caesar.” 22 Then (AA)Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he *said, “you shall hear him.”

Paul before Agrippa

23 So, on the next day when (AB)Agrippa and (AC)Bernice came amid great pomp and entered the auditorium, [n]accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought before them. 24 And Festus *said, “King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen present with us, you see this man about whom (AD)all the people of the Jews appealed to me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that (AE)he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he had committed (AF)nothing deserving death; and since he himself (AG)appealed to [o]the Emperor, I decided to send him. 26 [p]Yet, I have nothing definite about him to write to my lord. Therefore, I have brought him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him as well.”

Footnotes

  1. Acts 25:2 Lit him
  2. Acts 25:3 Or favor
  3. Acts 25:3 Lit him
  4. Acts 25:3 Lit summon him to Jerusalem
  5. Acts 25:5 Lit go down
  6. Acts 25:5 Lit in
  7. Acts 25:9 Lit be judged
  8. Acts 25:12 A different group from that mentioned in Acts 4:15 and 24:20
  9. Acts 25:18 Lit in regard to him
  10. Acts 25:19 Or superstition
  11. Acts 25:20 Lit these
  12. Acts 25:20 Lit said
  13. Acts 25:21 Lit the Augustus’ (in this case Nero)
  14. Acts 25:23 Lit and with
  15. Acts 25:25 See note v 21
  16. Acts 25:26 Lit About whom I

Paul’s Trial Before Festus

25 Three days after arriving in the province, Festus(A) went up from Caesarea(B) to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul.(C) They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.(D) Festus answered, “Paul is being held(E) at Caesarea,(F) and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”

After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court(G) and ordered that Paul be brought before him.(H) When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him,(I) but they could not prove them.(J)

Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple(K) or against Caesar.”

Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor,(L) said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”(M)

10 Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews,(N) as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”(O)

12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Festus Consults King Agrippa

13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea(P) to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.(Q) 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him(R) and asked that he be condemned.

16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.(S) 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.(T) 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute(U) with him about their own religion(V) and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.(W) 21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”(X)

22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.”

He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”(Y)

Paul Before Agrippa(Z)

23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice(AA) came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community(AB) has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.(AC) 25 I found he had done nothing deserving of death,(AD) but because he made his appeal to the Emperor(AE) I decided to send him to Rome. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. 27 For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.”