Joy Comes with the Morning

A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of (A)the temple.

30 I will (B)extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
    and have not let my foes (C)rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I (D)cried to you for help,
    and you have (E)healed me.
O Lord, you have brought up my soul from (F)Sheol;
    you restored me to life from among those who (G)go down to the pit.[a]

Sing praises to the Lord, O you (H)his saints,
    and (I)give thanks to his holy name.[b]
(J)For his anger is but for a moment,
    and (K)his favor is for a lifetime.[c]
(L)Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but (M)joy comes with the morning.

As for me, I said in my (N)prosperity,
    “I shall never be (O)moved.”
By your favor, O Lord,
    you made my (P)mountain stand strong;
you (Q)hid your face;
    I was (R)dismayed.

To you, O Lord, I cry,
    and (S)to the Lord I plead for mercy:
“What profit is there in my death,[d]
    if I go down to the pit?[e]
Will (T)the dust praise you?
    Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10 (U)Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!
    O Lord, be my helper!”

11 You have turned for me my mourning into (V)dancing;
    you have loosed my sackcloth
    and clothed me with gladness,
12 that my (W)glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 30:3 Or to life, that I should not go down to the pit
  2. Psalm 30:4 Hebrew to the memorial of his holiness (see Exodus 3:15)
  3. Psalm 30:5 Or and in his favor is life
  4. Psalm 30:9 Hebrew in my blood
  5. Psalm 30:9 Or to corruption

Psalm 30[a]

A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple.[b] Of David.

I will exalt(A) you, Lord,
    for you lifted me out of the depths(B)
    and did not let my enemies gloat over me.(C)
Lord my God, I called to you for help,(D)
    and you healed me.(E)
You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;(F)
    you spared me from going down to the pit.(G)

Sing(H) the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;(I)
    praise his holy name.(J)
For his anger(K) lasts only a moment,(L)
    but his favor lasts a lifetime;(M)
weeping(N) may stay for the night,
    but rejoicing comes in the morning.(O)

When I felt secure, I said,
    “I will never be shaken.”(P)
Lord, when you favored me,
    you made my royal mountain[c] stand firm;
but when you hid your face,(Q)
    I was dismayed.

To you, Lord, I called;
    to the Lord I cried for mercy:
“What is gained if I am silenced,
    if I go down to the pit?(R)
Will the dust praise you?
    Will it proclaim your faithfulness?(S)
10 Hear,(T) Lord, and be merciful to me;(U)
    Lord, be my help.(V)

11 You turned my wailing(W) into dancing;(X)
    you removed my sackcloth(Y) and clothed me with joy,(Z)
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
    Lord my God, I will praise(AA) you forever.(AB)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 30:1 In Hebrew texts 30:1-12 is numbered 30:2-13.
  2. Psalm 30:1 Title: Or palace
  3. Psalm 30:7 That is, Mount Zion

Blessed Are the Forgiven

A Maskil[a] of David.

32 (A)Blessed is the one whose (B)transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord (C)counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit (D)there is no deceit.

For when I kept silent, my (E)bones wasted away
    through my (F)groaning all day long.
For day and night your (G)hand was heavy upon me;
    my strength was dried up[b] as by the heat of summer. Selah

I (H)acknowledged my sin to you,
    and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I (I)will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Therefore let everyone who is (J)godly
    offer prayer to you at a time when you (K)may be found;
surely in the rush of (L)great waters,
    they shall not reach him.
You are a (M)hiding place for me;
    you preserve me from (N)trouble;
    you surround me with (O)shouts of deliverance. Selah

I will (P)instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will (Q)counsel you with my eye upon you.
(R)Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
    which must be curbed with (S)bit and bridle,
    or it will not stay near you.

10 (T)Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
    but steadfast love surrounds the one who (U)trusts in the Lord.
11 (V)Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
    and (W)shout for joy, all you (X)upright in heart!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
  2. Psalm 32:4 Hebrew my vitality was changed

Psalm 32

Of David. A maskil.[a]

Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.(A)
Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them(B)
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.(C)

When I kept silent,(D)
    my bones wasted away(E)
    through my groaning(F) all day long.
For day and night
    your hand was heavy(G) on me;
my strength was sapped(H)
    as in the heat of summer.[b]

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.(I)
I said, “I will confess(J)
    my transgressions(K) to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.(L)

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;(M)
surely the rising(N) of the mighty waters(O)
    will not reach them.(P)
You are my hiding place;(Q)
    you will protect me from trouble(R)
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.(S)

I will instruct(T) you and teach you(U) in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on(V) you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle(W)
    or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,(X)
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts(Y) in him.

11 Rejoice in the Lord(Z) and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  2. Psalm 32:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 7.

The Idols of Babylon and the One True God

46 (A)Bel bows down; Nebo stoops;
    their idols are on beasts and livestock;
these things you carry are borne
    as burdens on weary beasts.
They stoop; they bow down together;
    they cannot save the burden,
    but (B)themselves go into captivity.

“Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
    all the remnant of the house of Israel,
(C)who have been borne by me from before your birth,
    carried from the womb;
(D)even to your old age I am he,
    and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
    I will carry and will save.

(E)“To whom will you liken me and make me equal,
    and compare me, that we may be alike?
(F)Those who lavish gold from the purse,
    and weigh out silver in the scales,
hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;
    (G)then they fall down and worship!
(H)They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it,
    they set it in its place, and it stands there;
    (I)it cannot move from its place.
If one cries to it, it does not answer
    or save him from his trouble.

“Remember this and stand firm,
    recall it to mind, (J)you transgressors,
    remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me,
10 (K)declaring the end from the beginning
    and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, (L)‘My counsel shall stand,
    and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
11 (M)calling a bird of prey from the east,
    the man of my counsel from a far country.
(N)I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
    I have purposed, and I will do it.

12 “Listen to me, you stubborn of heart,
    you who are far from righteousness:
13 (O)I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off,
    and my salvation will not delay;
(P)I will put salvation in Zion,
    for Israel my glory.”

Read full chapter

Gods of Babylon

46 Bel(A) bows down, Nebo stoops low;
    their idols(B) are borne by beasts of burden.[a]
The images that are carried(C) about are burdensome,
    a burden for the weary.
They stoop and bow down together;
    unable to rescue the burden,
    they themselves go off into captivity.(D)

“Listen(E) to me, you descendants of Jacob,
    all the remnant(F) of the people of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since your birth,(G)
    and have carried(H) since you were born.(I)
Even to your old age and gray hairs(J)
    I am he,(K) I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain(L) you and I will rescue you.

“With whom will you compare me or count me equal?
    To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?(M)
Some pour out gold from their bags
    and weigh out silver on the scales;
they hire a goldsmith(N) to make it into a god,
    and they bow down and worship it.(O)
They lift it to their shoulders and carry(P) it;
    they set it up in its place, and there it stands.
    From that spot it cannot move.(Q)
Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer;(R)
    it cannot save(S) them from their troubles.

“Remember(T) this, keep it in mind,
    take it to heart, you rebels.(U)
Remember the former things,(V) those of long ago;(W)
    I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me.(X)
10 I make known the end from the beginning,(Y)
    from ancient times,(Z) what is still to come.(AA)
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,(AB)
    and I will do all that I please.’
11 From the east I summon(AC) a bird of prey;(AD)
    from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that I will bring about;
    what I have planned,(AE) that I will do.(AF)
12 Listen(AG) to me, you stubborn-hearted,(AH)
    you who are now far from my righteousness.(AI)
13 I am bringing my righteousness(AJ) near,
    it is not far away;
    and my salvation(AK) will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion,(AL)
    my splendor(AM) to Israel.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 46:1 Or are but beasts and cattle

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, (A)be strong in the Lord and in (B)the strength of his might. 11 (C)Put on (D)the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against (E)the schemes of the devil. 12 For (F)we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against (G)the rulers, against the authorities, against (H)the cosmic powers over (I)this present darkness, against (J)the spiritual forces of evil (K)in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore (L)take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in (M)the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, (N)having fastened on the belt of truth, and (O)having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, (P)as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up (Q)the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all (R)the flaming darts of (S)the evil one; 17 and take (T)the helmet of salvation, and (U)the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying (V)at all times (W)in the Spirit, (X)with all prayer and supplication. To that end, (Y)keep alert with all perseverance, making (Z)supplication for all the saints, 19 and (AA)also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth (AB)boldly to proclaim (AC)the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I (AD)am an ambassador (AE)in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Final Greetings

21 (AF)So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, (AG)Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may (AH)encourage your hearts.

23 (AI)Peace be to the brothers,[a] and (AJ)love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who (AK)love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:23 Or brothers and sisters

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord(A) and in his mighty power.(B) 11 Put on the full armor of God,(C) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,(D) but against the rulers, against the authorities,(E) against the powers(F) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.(G) 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,(H) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,(I) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,(J) 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.(K) 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,(L) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(M) 17 Take the helmet of salvation(N) and the sword of the Spirit,(O) which is the word of God.(P)

18 And pray in the Spirit(Q) on all occasions(R) with all kinds of prayers and requests.(S) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying(T) for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me,(U) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly(V) make known the mystery(W) of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador(X) in chains.(Y) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

21 Tychicus,(Z) the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are,(AA) and that he may encourage you.(AB)

23 Peace(AC) to the brothers and sisters,[a] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
  2. Ephesians 6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Heals a Man with a Demon

(A)They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes.[a] And when Jesus[b] had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. (B)He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and (C)fell down before him. And (D)crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, (E)Son of (F)the Most High God? (G)I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is (H)Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.

14 The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed[c] man, the one who had had (I)the legion, sitting there, (J)clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16 And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. 17 And (K)they began to beg Jesus[d] to depart from their region. 18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and (L)tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in (M)the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Mark 5:1 Some manuscripts Gergesenes; some Gadarenes
  2. Mark 5:2 Greek he; also verse 9
  3. Mark 5:15 Greek daimonizomai (demonized); also verses 16, 18; elsewhere rendered oppressed by demons
  4. Mark 5:17 Greek him

Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man(A)(B)

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.[a] When Jesus got out of the boat,(C) a man with an impure spirit(D) came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me,(E) Jesus, Son of the Most High God?(F) In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“My name is Legion,”(G) he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion(H) of demons,(I) sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them(J) how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis[b](K) how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Mark 5:1 Some manuscripts Gadarenes; other manuscripts Gergesenes
  2. Mark 5:20 That is, the Ten Cities