Inheritance of Zelophehad’s Daughters^(A)

36 The family heads of the clan of Gilead^(B) son of Makir,^(C) the son of Manasseh, who were from the clans of the descendants of Joseph,^(D) came and spoke before Moses and the leaders,^(E) the heads of the Israelite families. ² They said, “When the Lord commanded my lord to give the land as an inheritance to the Israelites by lot,^(F) he ordered you to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad^(G) to his daughters. ³ Now suppose they marry men from other Israelite tribes; then their inheritance will be taken from our ancestral inheritance and added to that of the tribe they marry into. And so part of the inheritance allotted to us will be taken away. ⁴ When the Year of Jubilee^(H) for the Israelites comes, their inheritance will be added to that of the tribe into which they marry, and their property will be taken from the tribal inheritance of our ancestors.”

⁵ Then at the Lord’s command Moses gave this order to the Israelites: “What the tribe of the descendants of Joseph is saying is right. ⁶ This is what the Lord commands for Zelophehad’s daughters: They may marry anyone they please as long as they marry within their father’s tribal clan. ⁷ No inheritance^(I) in Israel is to pass from one tribe to another, for every Israelite shall keep the tribal inheritance of their ancestors. ⁸ Every daughter who inherits land in any Israelite tribe must marry someone in her father’s tribal clan,^(J) so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of their ancestors. ⁹ No inheritance may pass from one tribe to another, for each Israelite tribe is to keep the land it inherits.”

¹⁰ So Zelophehad’s daughters did as the Lord commanded Moses. ¹¹ Zelophehad’s daughters—Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milkah and Noah^(K)—married their cousins on their father’s side. ¹² They married within the clans of the descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in their father’s tribe and clan.^(L)

¹³ These are the commands and regulations the Lord gave through Moses^(M) to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.^(N)

Saved in Order to Do Good

3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities,^(A) to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,^{(B) 2} to slander no one,^(C) to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

³ At one time^(D) we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness^(E) and love of God our Savior^(F) appeared,^{(G) 5} he saved us,^(H) not because of righteous things we had done,^(I) but because of his mercy.^(J) He saved us through the washing^(K) of rebirth and renewal^(L) by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us^(M) generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace,^(N) we might become heirs^(O) having the hope^(P) of eternal life.^{(Q) 8} This is a trustworthy saying.^(R) And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.^(S) These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

⁹ But avoid^(T) foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels^(U) about the law,^(V) because these are unprofitable and useless.^{(W) 10} Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.^{(X) 11} You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Final Remarks

¹² As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus^(Y) to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.^{(Z) 13} Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos^(AA) on their way and see that they have everything they need. ¹⁴ Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good,^(AB) in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

¹⁵ Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.^(AC)

Grace be with you all.^(AD)

Psalm 122

A song of ascents. Of David.