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12 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers with their leaders, who were responsible to minister in the Lord’s temple, along with their relatives. 13 They cast lots for each gate in the same way, whether their household was small or large. 14 The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. They then cast lots for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and his lot indicated the North Gate. 15 Obed-edom was assigned the South Gate, and his sons were assigned the storehouses. 16 Hosah[a] was assigned the West Gate, that is, the chamber[b] gate on the upper road.
The guards had the same task: 17 each day[c] the East had six, the North four, and the South four, with two at each of the storehouses. 18 At the courtyard on the West, there were four at the road and two at the courtyard. 19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers from Korah’s family and Merari’s family.
20 Their fellow[d] Levites were in charge of the treasuries of God’s temple and the treasuries of the dedicated gifts: 21 from Ladan’s family, the family of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, and the heads of the households belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli. 22 Jehieli’s family: Zetham and Joel his brother were in charge of the treasuries of the Lord’s temple. 23 From the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites, and Uzzielites: 24 Shebuel, a descendant of Gershom, Moses’ son, was the chief officer in charge of the treasuries. 25 His relatives through Eliezer included his son Rehabiah, his son Jeshaiah, his son Joram, his son Zichri, and his son Shelomoth. 26 This Shelomoth and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries of the gifts dedicated by King David, by the household leaders, by the commanders[e] of the units of a thousand and a hundred, and by the army officers. 27 They had dedicated some of the valuable objects won in battle to repair the Lord’s temple. 28 Everything that was dedicated by Samuel the seer, as well as by Saul, Kish’s son; Abner, Ner’s son; and Joab, Zeruiah’s son—in fact, anything that had been dedicated—was under the supervision of Shelomoth[f] and his relatives.
29 From the Izharites: Chenaniah and his family had responsibilities over Israel outside the temple as officials and judges. 30 From the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, were put in charge of Israel west of the Jordan concerning all of the Lord’s affairs and the king’s service. 31 From the Hebronites: Jerijah was the head of the Hebronites according to the family records of their households. In the fortieth year of David’s rule, a search was made and capable men were found among them in Jazer in Gilead. 32 Jerijah’s relatives, capable men, were 2,700 heads of households. King David put them in charge of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh concerning all of God’s and the king’s affairs.
Divisions of the military
27 This is the list of the Israelites, the heads of households, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, and their officers. They served the king in every way their divisions required, and they were on duty for a month at a time through all the months of the year. Each division numbered 24,000.
2 In charge of the first division for the first month was Jashobeam, Zabdiel’s son. His division numbered 24,000. 3 He was a Perezite and the head of all the army officers for the first month.
4 In charge of the division for the second month was Dodai the Ahohite.[g] His division numbered 24,000.
5 The third army commander for the third month was Benaiah the chief priest Jehoiada’s son. His division numbered 24,000. 6 This Benaiah was a warrior of the Thirty and in command of the Thirty. In command of his division was his son Ammizabad.
7 The fourth for the fourth month was Asahel, Joab’s brother, and after him his son Zebadiah. His division numbered 24,000.
8 The fifth for the fifth month was the commander Shammoth the Zerahite.[h] His division numbered 24,000.
9 The sixth for the sixth month was Ira the Tekoite Ikkesh’s son. His division numbered 24,000.
10 The seventh for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite from Ephraim’s family. His division numbered 24,000.
11 The eighth for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite from the Zerahites. His division numbered 24,000.
12 The ninth for the ninth month was Abiezer of Annathoth from the Benjaminites. His division numbered 24,000.
13 The tenth for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite from the Zerahites. His division numbered 24,000.
14 The eleventh for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite from Ephraim’s family. His division numbered 24,000.
15 The twelfth for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite from Othniel. His division numbered 24,000.
Tribal leaders
16 In charge of the tribes of Israel:
for the Reubenites—the leader was Eliezer, Zichri’s son;
for the Simeonites—Shephatiah, Maacah’s son;
17 for the Levites—Hashabiah, Kemuel’s son;
for Aaron—Zadok;
18 for Judah—Eliab,[i] one of David’s relatives;
for Issachar—Omri, Michael’s son;
19 for Zebulun—Ishmaiah, Obadiah’s son;
for Naphtali—Jerimoth, Azriel’s son;
20 for the Ephraimites—Hoshea, Azaziah’s son;
for half the tribe of Manasseh—Joel, Pedaiah’s son;
21 for half the tribe[j] of Manasseh in Gilead—Iddo, Zechariah’s son;
for Benjamin—Jaasiel, Abner’s son;
22 for Dan—Azarel, Jeroham’s son.
These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel. 23 But David didn’t count those younger than 20 years of age, because the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. 24 Joab, Zeruiah’s son, began to count them, but he never finished. Since Israel experienced wrath because of this, the number wasn’t entered into the official records of King David.
Civil servants
25 In charge of the king’s treasuries—Azmaveth, Adiel’s son;
in charge of the treasuries in the country, cities, villages, and towers—Jonathan, Uzziah’s son;
26 in charge of agricultural workers cultivating the fertile land—Ezri, Chelub’s son;
27 in charge of the vineyards—Shimei the Ramathite;
in charge of the vineyard’s produce for the wine cellars—Zabdi the Shiphmite;
28 in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the western foothills—Baal-hanan the Gederite;
in charge of the stores of oil—Joash;
29 in charge of the cattle that grazed in Sharon—Shitrai the Sharonite;
in charge of the cattle in the valleys—Shaphat, Adlai’s son;
30 in charge of the camels—Obil the Ishmaelite;
in charge of the female donkeys—Jehdeiah the Meronothite;
31 in charge of the flocks of sheep and goats—Jaziz the Hagrite.
All these were stewards of King David’s property.
Royal advisors
32 Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe. Jehiel, Hachmoni’s son, took care of the king’s sons. 33 Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s political advisor.[k] 34 After Ahithophel came Benaiah’s son Jehoiada, and Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king’s army.
Abraham’s promise is received through faith
13 The promise to Abraham and to his descendants, that he would inherit the world, didn’t come through the Law but through the righteousness that comes from faith. 14 If they inherit because of the Law, then faith has no effect and the promise has been canceled. 15 The Law brings about wrath. But when there isn’t any law, there isn’t any violation of the law. 16 That’s why the inheritance comes through faith, so that it will be on the basis of God’s grace. In that way, the promise is secure for all of Abraham’s descendants, not just for those who are related by Law but also for those who are related by the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us. 17 As it is written: I have appointed you to be the father of many nations.[a] So Abraham is our father in the eyes of God in whom he had faith, the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that don’t exist into existence. 18 When it was beyond hope, he had faith in the hope that he would become the father of many nations, in keeping with the promise God spoke to him: That’s how many descendants you will have.[b] 19 Without losing faith, Abraham, who was nearly 100 years old, took into account his own body, which was as good as dead, and Sarah’s womb, which was dead. 20 He didn’t hesitate with a lack of faith in God’s promise, but he grew strong in faith and gave glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God was able to do what he promised. 22 Therefore, it was credited to him as righteousness.
23 But the scripture that says it was credited to him[c] wasn’t written only for Abraham’s sake. 24 It was written also for our sake, because it is going to be credited to us too. It will be credited to those of us who have faith in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was handed over because of our mistakes, and he was raised to meet the requirements of righteousness for us.
Therefore, we have peace with God
5 Therefore, since we have been made righteous through his faithfulness,[d] we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand through him, and we boast in the hope of God’s glory. 3 But not only that! We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, 4 endurance produces character, and character produces hope. 5 This hope doesn’t put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Psalm 14
For the music leader. Of David.
14 Fools say in their hearts, There is no God.
They are corrupt and do evil things;
not one of them does anything good.
2 The Lord looks down from heaven on humans
to see if anyone is wise,
to see if anyone seeks God,
3 but all of them have turned bad.
Everyone is corrupt.
No one does good—
not even one person!
4 Are they dumb, all these evildoers,
devouring my people
like they are eating bread
but never calling on the Lord?
5 Count on it:[a] they will be in utter panic
because God is with the righteous generation.
6 You evildoers may humiliate
the plans of those who suffer,
but the Lord is their refuge.
7 Let Israel’s salvation come out of Zion!
When the Lord changes
his people’s circumstances for the better,
Jacob will rejoice;
Israel will celebrate!
17 Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord,
and the Lord will fully repay them.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible