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The Descendants of Hezron
18 Hezron's son Caleb married Azubah, and their daughter was Jerioth,[a] the mother of Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon. 19 After the death of Azubah, Caleb married Ephrath. Their son Hur 20 was the father of Uri and the grandfather of Bezalel.
21 When Hezron was 60 years old, he married the daughter of Machir, who settled the region of Gilead. Their son Segub 22 was the father of Jair, who ruled 23 villages in the region of Gilead. 23 Some time later the nations of Geshur and Aram captured 60 towns in that region, including the villages that belonged to Jair, as well as the town of Kenath and the nearby villages. Everyone from the region of Gilead was a descendant of Machir.
24 After the death of Hezron, Caleb married Ephrath, his father's wife. Their son was Ashhur,[b] who later settled the town of Tekoa.
The Descendants of Jerahmeel
25 Jerahmeel, Hezron's oldest son, was the father of Ram, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah. 26 Jerahmeel had a second wife, Atarah, who gave birth to Onam. 27 Ram was the father of Maaz, Jamin, and Eker. 28 Onam was the father of Shammai and Jada.
Shammai was the father of Nadab and Abishur. 29 Abishur married Abihail, and their two sons were Ahban and Molid. 30 Nadab was the father of Seled and Appaim. Seled had no children; 31 Appaim's son was Ishi, the father of Sheshan and the grandfather of Ahlai.
32 Jada was the father of Jether and Jonathan. Jether had no children, 33 but Jonathan had two sons: Peleth and Zaza.
34-35 Sheshan had no sons, and so he let one of his daughters marry Jarha, his Egyptian slave. Their son was Attai, 36 the father of Nathan and the grandfather of Zabad. 37-41 Zabad's descendants included Ephlal, Obed, Jehu, Azariah, Helez, Eleasah, Sismai, Shallum, Jekamiah, and Elishama.
The Descendants of Caleb
42 Caleb, Jerahmeel's brother, had the following descendants: Mesha,[c] Ziph, Mareshah,[d] Hebron, 43 and Hebron's four sons, Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema. 44 Shema was the father of Raham and the grandfather of Jorkeam. Rekem was the father of Shammai, 45 the grandfather of Maon, and the great-grandfather of Bethzur.
46 Ephah was one of Caleb's wives,[e] and their sons were Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Haran named his son after his brother Gazez. 47 Ephah was the daughter of Jahdai, who was also the father of Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, and Shaaph.[f]
48 Maacah was another of Caleb's wives,[g] and their sons were Sheber and Tirhanah. 49 Later, they had two more sons: Shaaph the father of Madmannah, and Sheva the father of Machbenah and Gibea. Caleb's daughter was Achsah. 50-51 All of these were Caleb's descendants.
Hur, the oldest son of Caleb and Ephrath, had three sons: Shobal, Salma, and Hareph, who settled the town of Beth-Gader. 52 Shobal, who settled the town of Kiriath-Jearim, was the ancestor of Haroeh, half of the Menuhoth clan, 53 and the clans that lived near Kiriath-Jearim; they were the Ithrites, the Puthites, the Shumathites, and the Mishraites. The Zorathites and the Eshtaolites were descendants of the Mishraites.
54 Salma settled the town of Bethlehem and was the ancestor of the Netophathites, the people of Atroth-Bethjoab, half of the Manahathite clan, and the Zorites. 55 Salma was also the ancestor of the clans in Jabez that kept the court and government records; they were the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and the Sucathites. These clans were the descendants of Hammath the Kenite, who was also the ancestor of the Rechabites.
The Descendants of King David
3 1-4 (A) King David ruled from Hebron for seven years and six months, and during that time he had six sons, who were born in the following order: Amnon, Daniel, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, and Ithream. Ahinoam from Jezreel was the mother of Amnon; Abigail from Carmel was the mother of Daniel; Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur was the mother of Absalom; Haggith was the mother of Adonijah; Abital was the mother of Shephatiah; and Eglah was the mother of Ithream.
David then ruled from Jerusalem for 33 years, 5 (B) and during that time, he had 13 more sons. His wife Bathsheba[h] daughter of Ammiel gave birth to Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. 6-8 David's other sons included Ibhar, Elishua,[i] Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. 9 David's other wives[j] also gave birth to sons. Tamar was his daughter.
The Descendants of King Solomon
10-15 Solomon's descendants included the following kings: Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram,[k] Ahaziah, Joash, Amaziah, Azariah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, and Josiah and his four sons, Johanan, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, and Jehoahaz.[l] 16 Jehoiakim was the father of Jehoiachin and Zedekiah.
17 Jehoiachin, who was taken to Babylon as a prisoner, had seven sons: Shealtiel, 18 Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. 19 Pedaiah had two sons: Zerubbabel and Shimei. Zerubbabel was the father of Meshullam, Hananiah, and Shelomith their sister. 20 He also had five other sons: Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushabhesed. 21 Hananiah's descendants were Pelatiah, Jeshaiah, Rephaiah, Arnan, Obadiah, and Shecaniah,[m] 22 the father of Shemaiah and the grandfather of Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat. 23 Neariah was the father of Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam. 24 Elioenai was the father of Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani.
The Descendants of Judah
4 Judah was the father of five sons: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. 2 Shobal was the father of Reaiah, the grandfather of Jahath, and the great-grandfather of Ahumai and Lahad. These men all belonged to the Zorathite clan.
3-4 Hur was the oldest son of Caleb and Ephrath. Some of his descendants settled the town of Bethlehem. Hur's other descendants included Etam, Penuel, and Ezer. Etam's sons[n] were Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash, and his daughter was Hazzelelponi. Penuel settled the town of Gedor, and Ezer settled the town of Hushah.
Paul Is Accused in the Court of Felix
24 Five days later Ananias the high priest, together with some of their leaders and a lawyer named Tertullus, went to the governor to present their case against Paul. 2 So Paul was called in, and Tertullus stated the case against him:[a]
Honorable Felix, you have brought our people a long period of peace, and because of your concern our nation is much better off. 3 All of us are always grateful for what you have done. 4 I don't want to bother you, but please be patient with us and listen to me for just a few minutes.
5 This man has been found to be a real pest and troublemaker for our people all over the world. He is also a leader of a group called Nazarenes. 6-8 When he tried to disgrace the temple, we arrested him.[b] If you question him, you will find out for yourself that our charges are true.
9 The Jewish crowd spoke up and agreed with what Tertullus had said.
Paul Defends Himself
10 The governor motioned for Paul to speak, and he began:
I know that you have judged the people of our nation for many years, and I am glad to defend myself in your court.
11 It was no more than twelve days ago that I went to worship in Jerusalem. You can find this out easily enough. 12 Never once did the Jews find me arguing with anyone in the temple. I didn't cause trouble in the synagogues or in the city itself. 13 There is no way that they can prove these charges they are now bringing against me.
14 I admit that their leaders think the Lord's Way[c] which I follow is based on wrong beliefs. But I still worship the same God that my ancestors worshiped. And I believe everything written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets.[d] 15 I am just as sure as these people are that God will raise from death everyone, good or evil. 16 And because I am sure, I try my best to have a clear conscience in whatever I do for God or for people.
17 (A) After being away for several years, I returned here to bring gifts for the poor people of my nation and to offer sacrifices. 18 This is what I was doing when I was found going through a ceremony in the temple. I wasn't with a crowd, and there was no uproar.
19 Some Jews from Asia were there at that time, and if they have anything to say against me, they should be here now. 20 Or ask the ones who are here. They can tell you that they didn't find me guilty of anything when I was tried by their own council. 21 (B) The only charge they can bring against me is what I shouted out in court, when I said, “I am on trial today because I believe that the dead will be raised to life!”
22 Felix knew a lot about the Lord's Way.[e] But he brought the trial to an end and said, “I will make my decision after Lysias the commander arrives.” 23 He then ordered the army officer to keep Paul under guard, but not to lock him up or to stop his friends from helping him.
Paul Is Kept under Guard
24 Several days later Felix and his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, went to the place where Paul was kept under guard. They sent for Paul and listened while he spoke to them about having faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But Felix was frightened when Paul started talking to them about doing right, about self-control, and about the coming judgment. So he said to Paul, “That's enough for now. You may go. But when I have time I will send for you.” 26 After this, Felix often sent for Paul and talked with him, because he hoped that Paul would offer him a bribe.
27 Two years later Porcius Festus became governor in place of Felix. But since Felix wanted to do the Jewish leaders a favor, he kept Paul in jail.
(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use stringed instruments.)
An Evening Prayer
1 You are my God and protector.
Please answer my prayer.
I was in terrible distress,
but you set me free.
Now have pity and listen
as I pray.
2 How long will you people
refuse to respect me?[a]
You love foolish things,
and you run after
what is worthless.[b]
3 The Lord has chosen
everyone who is faithful
to be his very own,[c]
and he answers my prayers.
4 (A) But each of you
had better tremble
and turn from your sins.
Silently search your heart
as you lie in bed.
5 Offer the proper sacrifices
and trust the Lord.
6 There are some who ask,
“Who will be good to us?”
Let your kindness, Lord,
shine brightly on us.
7 You brought me more happiness
than a rich harvest
of grain and grapes.
8 I can lie down
and sleep soundly
because you, Lord,
will keep me safe.
16 A gift will get you in
to see anyone.
17 You may think you have won
your case in court,
until your opponent speaks.
18 Drawing straws is one way
to settle a difficult case.
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society For more information about CEV, visit www.bibles.com and www.cev.bible.