33 He (A)turns rivers into a desert,
    springs of water into thirsty ground,
34 (B)a fruitful land into a salty waste,
    because of the evil of its inhabitants.
35 He (C)turns a desert into pools of water,
    (D)a parched land into springs of water.
36 And there he lets the hungry dwell,
    and they establish (E)a city to live in;
37 they sow fields and plant vineyards
    and get a fruitful yield.
38 (F)By his blessing they multiply greatly,
    and he does not let their livestock diminish.

39 When they are diminished and brought low
    through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
40 (G)he pours contempt on princes
    and (H)makes them wander (I)in trackless wastes;
41 but (J)he raises up the needy out of affliction
    and (K)makes their families like flocks.
42 (L)The upright see it and are glad,
    and (M)all wickedness shuts its mouth.

43 (N)Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
    let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

Read full chapter

33 He turned rivers into a desert,(A)
    flowing springs(B) into thirsty ground,
34 and fruitful land into a salt waste,(C)
    because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
35 He turned the desert into pools of water(D)
    and the parched ground into flowing springs;(E)
36 there he brought the hungry to live,
    and they founded a city where they could settle.
37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards(F)
    that yielded a fruitful harvest;
38 he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,(G)
    and he did not let their herds diminish.(H)

39 Then their numbers decreased,(I) and they were humbled(J)
    by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
40 he who pours contempt on nobles(K)
    made them wander in a trackless waste.(L)
41 But he lifted the needy(M) out of their affliction
    and increased their families like flocks.(N)
42 The upright see and rejoice,(O)
    but all the wicked shut their mouths.(P)

43 Let the one who is wise(Q) heed these things
    and ponder the loving deeds(R) of the Lord.

Read full chapter

With God We Shall Do Valiantly

A Song. A Psalm of David.

108 (A)My heart is steadfast, O God!
    I will sing and make melody with all my being![a]
Awake, O harp and lyre!
    I will awake the dawn!
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
    I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is great (B)above the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
    Let your glory be over all the earth!
(C)That your beloved ones may be delivered,
    give salvation by your right hand and answer me!

God has promised in his holiness:[b]
    “With exultation I will divide up Shechem
    and portion out the Valley of Succoth.
Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;
    Ephraim is my helmet,
    Judah my scepter.
Moab is my washbasin;
    upon Edom I cast my shoe;
    (D)over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

10 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
    Who will lead me to Edom?
11 Have you not rejected us, O God?
    You do not go out, O God, with our armies.
12 Oh grant us help against the foe,
    for vain is the salvation of man!
13 With God we shall do valiantly;
    it is he who will tread down our foes.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 108:1 Hebrew with my glory
  2. Psalm 108:7 Or sanctuary

Psalm 108[a](A)(B)

A song. A psalm of David.

My heart, O God, is steadfast;(C)
    I will sing(D) and make music with all my soul.
Awake, harp and lyre!(E)
    I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love,(F) higher than the heavens;
    your faithfulness(G) reaches to the skies.(H)
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;(I)
    let your glory be over all the earth.(J)

Save us and help us with your right hand,(K)
    that those you love may be delivered.
God has spoken(L) from his sanctuary:(M)
    “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem(N)
    and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.(O)
Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine;
    Ephraim is my helmet,
    Judah(P) is my scepter.
Moab(Q) is my washbasin,
    on Edom(R) I toss my sandal;
    over Philistia(S) I shout in triumph.”

10 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
    Who will lead me to Edom?
11 Is it not you, God, you who have rejected us
    and no longer go out with our armies?(T)
12 Give us aid against the enemy,
    for human help is worthless.(U)
13 With God we will gain the victory,
    and he will trample down(V) our enemies.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 108:1 In Hebrew texts 108:1-13 is numbered 108:2-14.

The Glory of the Lord Fills the Temple

43 Then he led me to (A)the gate, the gate facing east. And behold, (B)the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And (C)the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and (D)the earth shone with his glory. And (E)the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen (F)when he[a] came to destroy the city, and just like (G)the vision that I had seen (H)by the Chebar canal. And (I)I fell on my face. As (J)the glory of the Lord (K)entered the temple by the gate facing east, (L)the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into (M)the inner court; and behold, (N)the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

(O)While the man was standing beside me, (P)I heard one speaking to me out of the temple, and he said to me, (Q)“Son of man, this is (R)the place of my throne and (S)the place of the soles of my feet, (T)where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever. And the house of Israel shall no more (U)defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoring and by the dead bodies[b] of their kings at their high places,[c] by setting their threshold by my threshold and their doorposts beside my doorposts, with (V)only a wall between me and them. They have (W)defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed, so I have consumed them in my anger. Now let them put away their whoring and the dead bodies of their kings far from me, (X)and I will dwell in their midst forever.

10 “As for you, (Y)son of man, (Z)describe to the house of Israel the temple, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and they shall measure the plan. 11 And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, (AA)make known to them the design of the temple, its arrangement, (AB)its exits and its entrances, that is, its whole design; and make known to them as well all its statutes and its whole design and all its laws, and write it down (AC)in their sight, so that they may observe all its laws and all its statutes and carry them out. 12 This is the law of the temple: the whole territory on the top of (AD)the mountain (AE)all around shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the temple.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 43:3 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts when I
  2. Ezekiel 43:7 Or the monuments; also verse 9
  3. Ezekiel 43:7 Or at their deaths

God’s Glory Returns to the Temple

43 Then the man brought me to the gate facing east,(A) and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters,(B) and the land was radiant with his glory.(C) The vision I saw was like the vision I had seen when he[a] came to destroy the city and like the visions I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown. The glory(D) of the Lord entered the temple through the gate facing east.(E) Then the Spirit(F) lifted me up(G) and brought me into the inner court, and the glory(H) of the Lord filled the temple.(I)

While the man was standing beside me, I heard someone speaking to me from inside the temple. He said: “Son of man, this is the place of my throne(J) and the place for the soles of my feet. This is where I will live among the Israelites forever. The people of Israel will never again defile(K) my holy name—neither they nor their kings—by their prostitution and the funeral offerings[b] for their kings at their death.[c](L) When they placed their threshold next to my threshold and their doorposts beside my doorposts, with only a wall between me and them, they defiled my holy name by their detestable practices. So I destroyed them in my anger. Now let them put away from me their prostitution and the funeral offerings for their kings, and I will live among them forever.(M)

10 “Son of man, describe the temple to the people of Israel, that they may be ashamed(N) of their sins. Let them consider its perfection, 11 and if they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them the design of the temple—its arrangement, its exits and entrances—its whole design and all its regulations[d] and laws. Write these down before them so that they may be faithful to its design and follow all its regulations.(O)

12 “This is the law of the temple: All the surrounding area(P) on top of the mountain will be most holy.(Q) Such is the law of the temple.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 43:3 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts I
  2. Ezekiel 43:7 Or the memorial monuments; also in verse 9
  3. Ezekiel 43:7 Or their high places
  4. Ezekiel 43:11 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts regulations and its whole design

The Earthly Holy Place

Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and (A)an earthly place of holiness. For (B)a tent[a] was prepared, the first section, in which were (C)the lampstand and (D)the table and (E)the bread of the Presence.[b] It is called the Holy Place. Behind (F)the second curtain was a second section[c] called the Most Holy Place, having the golden (G)altar of incense and (H)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was (I)a golden urn holding the manna, and (J)Aaron's staff that budded, and (K)the tablets of the covenant. Above it were (L)the cherubim of glory overshadowing (M)the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

These preparations having thus been made, (N)the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, but into the second only (O)the high priest goes, and he but (P)once a year, and not without taking blood, (Q)which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that (R)the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age).[d] According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered (S)that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with (T)food and drink and (U)various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

Redemption Through the Blood of Christ

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest (V)of the good things that have come,[e] then through (W)the greater and more perfect tent ((X)not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he (Y)entered (Z)once for all into the holy places, not by means of (AA)the blood of goats and calves but (AB)by means of his own blood, (AC)thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if (AD)the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with (AE)the ashes of a heifer, sanctify[f] for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will (AF)the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit (AG)offered himself without blemish to God, (AH)purify our[g] conscience (AI)from dead works (AJ)to serve the living God.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:2 Or tabernacle; also verses 11, 21
  2. Hebrews 9:2 Greek the presentation of the loaves
  3. Hebrews 9:3 Greek tent; also verses 6, 8
  4. Hebrews 9:9 Or which is symbolic for the age then present
  5. Hebrews 9:11 Some manuscripts good things to come
  6. Hebrews 9:13 Or For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies
  7. Hebrews 9:14 Some manuscripts your

Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle

Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.(A) A tabernacle(B) was set up. In its first room were the lampstand(C) and the table(D) with its consecrated bread;(E) this was called the Holy Place.(F) Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,(G) which had the golden altar of incense(H) and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.(I) This ark contained the gold jar of manna,(J) Aaron’s staff that had budded,(K) and the stone tablets of the covenant.(L) Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory,(M) overshadowing the atonement cover.(N) But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly(O) into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered(P) the inner room,(Q) and that only once a year,(R) and never without blood,(S) which he offered for himself(T) and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.(U) The Holy Spirit was showing(V) by this that the way(W) into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration(X) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered(Y) were not able to clear the conscience(Z) of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food(AA) and drink(AB) and various ceremonial washings(AC)—external regulations(AD) applying until the time of the new order.

The Blood of Christ

11 But when Christ came as high priest(AE) of the good things that are now already here,[a](AF) he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle(AG) that is not made with human hands,(AH) that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves;(AI) but he entered the Most Holy Place(AJ) once for all(AK) by his own blood,(AL) thus obtaining[b] eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls(AM) and the ashes of a heifer(AN) sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit(AO) offered himself(AP) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences(AQ) from acts that lead to death,[c](AR) so that we may serve the living God!(AS)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:11 Some early manuscripts are to come
  2. Hebrews 9:12 Or blood, having obtained
  3. Hebrews 9:14 Or from useless rituals

Jesus and Beelzebul

14 (A)Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons (B)by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, (C)to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17 (D)But he, (E)knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, (F)by whom do (G)your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by (H)the finger of God that I cast out demons, then (I)the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 (J)but when one stronger than he attacks him and (K)overcomes him, he takes away his (L)armor in which he trusted and (M)divides his spoil. 23 (N)Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Read full chapter

Jesus and Beelzebul(A)(B)

14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed.(C) 15 But some of them said, “By Beelzebul,(D) the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.”(E) 16 Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.(F)

17 Jesus knew their thoughts(G) and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18 If Satan(H) is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God,(I) then the kingdom of God(J) has come upon you.

21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.

23 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.(K)

Read full chapter