False Prophets Ashamed

13 “On that day a (A)fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for (B)sin and for (C)defilement.

“And it will come about on that day,” declares the Lord of armies, “that I will (D)eliminate the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered; and I will also remove the (E)prophets and the (F)unclean spirit from the land. And if anyone still (G)prophesies, then his father and mother who gave birth to him will say to him, ‘You shall (H)not live, because you have spoken (I)falsely in the name of the Lord’; and his (J)father and mother who gave birth to him shall pierce him through when he prophesies. Also it will come about on that day that the prophets will each be (K)ashamed of his vision when he prophesies, and they will not put on a (L)hairy robe in order to deceive; but he will say, ‘I am (M)not a prophet; I am a cultivator of the ground, because a man [a]sold me as a slave in my youth.’ And someone will say to him, ‘What are these wounds (N)between your [b]arms?’ Then he will say, ‘Those with which I was wounded at the house of [c]my friends.’

“Awake, (O)sword, against My (P)Shepherd,
And against the Man, My (Q)Associate,”
Declares the Lord of armies.
(R)Strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered;
And I will (S)turn My hand [d]against the little ones.
And it will come about in all the land,”
Declares the Lord,
“That (T)two parts in it will be cut off and perish;
But the third will be left in it.
And I will bring the third part through the (U)fire,
Refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will (V)call on My name,
And I will (W)answer them;
I will say, ‘They are (X)My people,’
And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”

Footnotes

  1. Zechariah 13:5 Lit caused another to buy me
  2. Zechariah 13:6 Lit hands
  3. Zechariah 13:6 Lit those who love me
  4. Zechariah 13:7 Or upon

Cleansing From Sin

13 “On that day a fountain(A) will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse(B) them from sin and impurity.

“On that day, I will banish the names of the idols(C) from the land, and they will be remembered no more,”(D) declares the Lord Almighty. “I will remove both the prophets(E) and the spirit of impurity from the land. And if anyone still prophesies, their father and mother, to whom they were born, will say to them, ‘You must die, because you have told lies(F) in the Lord’s name.’ Then their own parents will stab the one who prophesies.(G)

“On that day every prophet will be ashamed(H) of their prophetic vision. They will not put on a prophet’s garment(I) of hair(J) in order to deceive.(K) Each will say, ‘I am not a prophet. I am a farmer; the land has been my livelihood since my youth.[a](L) If someone asks, ‘What are these wounds on your body[b]?’ they will answer, ‘The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.’

The Shepherd Struck, the Sheep Scattered

“Awake, sword,(M) against my shepherd,(N)
    against the man who is close to me!”
    declares the Lord Almighty.
“Strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered,(O)
    and I will turn my hand against the little ones.
In the whole land,” declares the Lord,
    “two-thirds will be struck down and perish;
    yet one-third will be left in it.(P)
This third I will put into the fire;(Q)
    I will refine them like silver(R)
    and test them like gold.(S)
They will call(T) on my name(U)
    and I will answer(V) them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’(W)
    and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.(X)’”

Footnotes

  1. Zechariah 13:5 Or farmer; a man sold me in my youth
  2. Zechariah 13:6 Or wounds between your hands

Abandonment of Faith

But (A)the Spirit explicitly says that (B)in later times some will [a]fall away from the faith, paying attention to (C)deceitful spirits and (D)teachings of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars (E)seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, who (F)forbid marriage and advocate (G)abstaining from foods which (H)God has created to be (I)gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For (J)everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is (K)received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of (L)the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

In pointing out these things to (M)the brothers and sisters, you will be a good (N)servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the (O)good doctrine which you (P)have been following. But [b]stay away from (Q)worthless (R)stories that are typical of old women. Rather, [c]discipline yourself for the purpose of (S)godliness; for (T)bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but (U)godliness is beneficial for all things, since it (V)holds promise for the (W)present life and also for the life to come. (X)It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set (Y)our hope on (Z)the living God, who is (AA)the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.

11 [d](AB)Prescribe and teach these things. 12 (AC)Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, (AD)love, faith, and purity, show yourself (AE)an example [e]of those who believe. 13 (AF)Until I come, give your attention to the public [f](AG)reading, to exhortation, and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of (AH)prophecy with (AI)the laying on of hands by the [g](AJ)council of elders. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 (AK)Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will (AL)save both yourself and those who hear you.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 4:1 I.e., apostatize
  2. 1 Timothy 4:7 Or reject
  3. 1 Timothy 4:7 Or train
  4. 1 Timothy 4:11 Or Keep commanding and teaching
  5. 1 Timothy 4:12 Or to
  6. 1 Timothy 4:13 I.e., of Scripture in the church service
  7. 1 Timothy 4:14 Or board of elders

The Spirit(A) clearly says that in later times(B) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits(C) and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.(D) They forbid people to marry(E) and order them to abstain from certain foods,(F) which God created(G) to be received with thanksgiving(H) by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good,(I) and nothing is to be rejected(J) if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God(K) and prayer.

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith(L) and of the good teaching that you have followed.(M) Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;(N) rather, train yourself to be godly.(O) For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,(P) holding promise for both the present life(Q) and the life to come.(R) This is a trustworthy saying(S) that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,(T) who is the Savior of all people,(U) and especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things.(V) 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you(W) because you are young, but set an example(X) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith(Y) and in purity. 13 Until I come,(Z) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,(AA) to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy(AB) when the body of elders(AC) laid their hands on you.(AD)

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save(AE) both yourself and your hearers.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.

10 On the (A)twenty-fourth of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Haggai the prophet, saying, 11 “The Lord of armies says this: ‘(B)Now ask the priests for a [a]ruling: 12 If someone carries (C)holy meat in the [b]fold of his garment, and touches bread with [c]this fold, or touches cooked food, wine, oil, or any other food, will it become holy?’” And the priests answered, “No.” 13 Then Haggai said, “(D)If one who is unclean from a [d]corpse touches any of these things, will the latter become unclean?” And the priests answered, “It will become unclean.” 14 Then Haggai responded and said, “‘(E)So is this people. And so is this nation before Me,’ declares the Lord, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean. 15 But now, do [e](F)consider from this day [f]onward: before one (G)stone was placed on another in the temple of the Lord, 16 [g]from that time when one came to a grain heap of twenty measures, there would be only ten; and when one came to the wine vat to draw fifty [h]measures, there would be only twenty. 17 I struck you and every work of your hands with (H)scorching wind, mildew, and hail; [i]yet you did not come back to Me,’ declares the Lord. 18 ‘Do [j](I)consider from this day [k]onward, from the (J)twenty-fourth day of the ninth month; from the day when the temple of the Lord was (K)founded, [l]consider: 19 Is the seed still in the barn? Even including the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree, it has not produced fruit. Yet from this day on I will (L)bless you.’”

20 Then the word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the (M)twenty-fourth day of the month, saying, 21 “Speak to (N)Zerubbabel governor of Judah, saying, ‘I am going to (O)shake the heavens and the earth. 22 And I will (P)overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the (Q)power of the kingdoms of the [m]nations; and I will (R)overthrow the chariots and their riders, and the (S)horses and their riders will go down, (T)every one by the sword of another.’ 23 ‘On that day,’ declares the Lord of armies, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, My servant,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like a [n](U)signet ring, for (V)I have chosen you,’” declares the Lord of armies.

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Footnotes

  1. Haggai 2:11 Lit law; or saying
  2. Haggai 2:12 Lit wing
  3. Haggai 2:12 Lit his wing
  4. Haggai 2:13 Lit soul
  5. Haggai 2:15 Lit set your heart
  6. Haggai 2:15 Or backward
  7. Haggai 2:16 Lit since they were
  8. Haggai 2:16 Lit troughs
  9. Haggai 2:17 As in LXX; MT but you were not to Me
  10. Haggai 2:18 Lit set your heart
  11. Haggai 2:18 Or backward
  12. Haggai 2:18 Lit set your heart
  13. Haggai 2:22 Or Gentiles
  14. Haggai 2:23 Or seal

Blessings for a Defiled People

10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month,(A) in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Haggai: 11 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Ask the priests(B) what the law says: 12 If someone carries consecrated meat(C) in the fold of their garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, olive oil or other food, does it become consecrated?(D)’”

The priests answered, “No.”

13 Then Haggai said, “If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?”

“Yes,” the priests replied, “it becomes defiled.(E)

14 Then Haggai said, “‘So it is with this people(F) and this nation in my sight,’ declares the Lord. ‘Whatever they do and whatever they offer(G) there is defiled.

15 “‘Now give careful thought(H) to this from this day on[a]—consider how things were before one stone was laid(I) on another in the Lord’s temple.(J) 16 When anyone came to a heap(K) of twenty measures, there were only ten. When anyone went to a wine vat(L) to draw fifty measures, there were only twenty.(M) 17 I struck all the work of your hands(N) with blight,(O) mildew and hail,(P) yet you did not return(Q) to me,’ declares the Lord.(R) 18 ‘From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought(S) to the day when the foundation(T) of the Lord’s temple was laid. Give careful thought: 19 Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate(U) and the olive tree have not borne fruit.(V)

“‘From this day on I will bless(W) you.’”

Zerubbabel the Lord’s Signet Ring

20 The word of the Lord came to Haggai(X) a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month:(Y) 21 “Tell Zerubbabel(Z) governor of Judah that I am going to shake(AA) the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overturn(AB) royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms.(AC) I will overthrow chariots(AD) and their drivers; horses and their riders(AE) will fall, each by the sword of his brother.(AF)

23 “‘On that day,(AG)’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant(AH) Zerubbabel(AI) son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring,(AJ) for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

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Footnotes

  1. Haggai 2:15 Or to the days past

The Old and the New

Now even the first covenant had (A)regulations for divine worship and (B)the earthly sanctuary. For (C)a [a]tabernacle was equipped, the [b]outer sanctuary, in which were (D)the lampstand, (E)the table, and (F)the [c]sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place. Behind (G)the second veil there was a [d]tabernacle which is called the (H)Most Holy Place, having a golden [e](I)altar of incense and (J)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was (K)a golden jar holding the manna, (L)Aaron’s staff which budded, and (M)the tablets of the covenant; and above it were the (N)cherubim of glory (O)overshadowing the [f]atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests (P)are continually entering the [g]outer [h]tabernacle, performing the divine worship, but into (Q)the second, only (R)the high priest enters (S)once a year, (T)not without taking blood which he (U)offers for himself and for the [i](V)sins of the people committed in ignorance. (W)The Holy Spirit is signifying this, (X)that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the [j]outer tabernacle is still standing, which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly (Y)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which (Z)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to (AA)food, (AB)drink, and various (AC)washings, (AD)regulations for the [k]body imposed until (AE)a time of reformation.

11 But when Christ appeared as a (AF)high priest of the (AG)good things [l]having come, He entered through (AH)the greater and more perfect [m]tabernacle, (AI)not made by hands, that is, (AJ)not of this creation; 12 and not through (AK)the blood of goats and calves, but (AL)through His own blood, He (AM)entered the holy place (AN)once for all time, [n]having obtained (AO)eternal redemption. 13 For if (AP)the blood of goats and bulls, and (AQ)the [o]ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the [p]cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will (AR)the blood of Christ, who through [q](AS)the eternal Spirit (AT)offered Himself without blemish to God, (AU)cleanse your conscience from (AV)dead works to serve (AW)the living God?

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:2 Or sacred tent
  2. Hebrews 9:2 Lit first
  3. Hebrews 9:2 Lit loaves of presentation
  4. Hebrews 9:3 Or sacred tent
  5. Hebrews 9:4 Or censer
  6. Hebrews 9:5 Also called mercy seat; i.e., where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement
  7. Hebrews 9:6 Lit first
  8. Hebrews 9:6 Or sacred tent
  9. Hebrews 9:7 Lit ignorance of the people
  10. Hebrews 9:8 Lit first
  11. Hebrews 9:10 Lit flesh
  12. Hebrews 9:11 One early ms to come
  13. Hebrews 9:11 Or sacred tent
  14. Hebrews 9:12 Or obtaining
  15. Hebrews 9:13 I.e., ashes mixed in water
  16. Hebrews 9:13 Lit purity
  17. Hebrews 9:14 Or His eternal spirit

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)

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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