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Wednesday, August 10th 2011

9:39 AM

A Bible Reading for Today:)

Psalm 139

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Psalm 139

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
 1O LORD, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me.

    2You know my downsitting and my uprising; You understand my thought afar off.

    3You sift and search out my path and my lying down, and You are acquainted with all my ways.

    4For there is not a word in my tongue [still unuttered], but, behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

    5You have beset me and shut me in--behind and before, and You have laid Your hand upon me.

    6Your [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high above me, I cannot reach it.

    7Where could I go from Your Spirit? Or where could I flee from Your presence?

    8If I ascend up into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol (the place of the dead), behold, You are there.

    9If I take the wings of the morning or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

    10Even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.

    11If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me and the night shall be [the only] light about me,

    12Even the darkness hides nothing from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.

    13For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother's womb.

    14I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well.

    15My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery].

    16Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.

    17How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

    18If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awoke, [could I count to the end] I would still be with You.

    19If You would [only] slay the wicked, O God, and the men of blood depart from me--

    20Who speak against You wickedly, Your enemies who take Your name in vain!

    21Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And am I not grieved and do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

    22I hate them with perfect hatred; they have become my enemies.

    23Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!

    24And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

   

Amplified Bible (AMP)
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Wednesday, July 27th 2011

8:56 AM

Blue eyes and a smile that melts my heart

Blue eyes and a smile that melts my heart,
Brown hair that crowns his head,
Auburn highlights that can only be God's paintbrush used for it, just beautiful,
God made this child for me to raise,
So beautiful, so smart, so loving,
I am thankful for this boy,
Lord help me raise him properly,
Help me love him enough,
Guide me Lord to be a good mother,

By:  ZionzLioness
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Thursday, February 11th 2010

4:21 AM

1 Corinthians 13 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

1 Corinthians 13

Love: The Superior Way
 1 If I speak the languages of men and of angels, but do not have love, (A)

    I am a sounding gong (B) or a clanging cymbal.

    2 If I have [the gift of] prophecy, (C)

    and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,

    and if I have all faith, so that I can move mountains, (D)

    but do not have love, I am nothing.

    3 And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor,

    and if I give my body to be burned, [a]

    but do not have love, I gain nothing.

    4 Love is patient; (E) love is kind. Love does not envy; (F)

    is not boastful; is not conceited; (G)

    5 does not act improperly; is not selfish; (H)

    is not provoked; (I) does not keep a record of wrongs;

    6 finds no joy in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; (J)

    7 bears all things, believes all things,

    hopes all things, endures (K) all things.

    8 Love never ends. (L)

    But as for prophecies, they will come to an end;

    as for languages, they will cease;

    as for knowledge, it will come to an end.

    9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

    10 But when the perfect comes, the partial will come to an end.

    11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child,

    I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.

    When I became a man, I put aside childish things.

    12 For now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. (M)

    Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, (N) as I am fully known. (O)

    13 Now these three remain: faith, hope, (P) and love.

    But the greatest of these is love.

Footnotes:
  1. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Other mss read to boast
Cross references:
  1. 1 Corinthians 13:1 : Jn 13:35; 1Jn 4:7-12;
  2. 1 Corinthians 13:1 : Mt 10:9;
  3. 1 Corinthians 13:2 : 1Co 14:1;, 3-6;, 22-39; Eph 4:11; 1Th 5:20;
  4. 1 Corinthians 13:2 : Mt 17:20;
  5. 1 Corinthians 13:4 : 1Th 5:14;
  6. 1 Corinthians 13:4 : Num 25:13; Gl 4:17;
  7. 1 Corinthians 13:4 : 1Co 4:6;
  8. 1 Corinthians 13:5 : Mk 10:45; Php 2:4;
  9. 1 Corinthians 13:5 : Ac 17:16;
  10. 1 Corinthians 13:6 : Ps 119:142; Jn 8:14; 14:6;
  11. 1 Corinthians 13:7 : Jms 1:12;
  12. 1 Corinthians 13:8 : Mt 7:25;, 27; Lk 6:49; 11:17; 13:4; 16:17; Ac 15:16; Heb 11:30; Rv 11:13; 16:19;
  13. 1 Corinthians 13:12 : 1Jn 3:2;
  14. 1 Corinthians 13:12 : Pr 2:6; Jn 17:3; 1Jn 4:8;
  15. 1 Corinthians 13:12 : 1Co 8:3; Gl 4:9;
  16. 1 Corinthians 13:13 : 1Th 1:3;
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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Tuesday, December 8th 2009

6:52 AM

John 14 (Amplified Bible)

John 14

 1DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.

    2In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you.

    3And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.

    4And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way.

    5Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?

    6Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

    7If you had known Me [had learned to recognize Me], you would also have known My Father. From now on, you know Him and have seen Him.

    8Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father [cause us to see the Father--that is all we ask]; then we shall be satisfied.

    9Jesus replied, Have I been with all of you for so long a time, and do you not recognize and know Me yet, Philip? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say then, Show us the Father?

    10Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me? What I am telling you I do not say on My own authority and of My own accord; but the Father Who lives continually in Me does the ([a]His) works (His own miracles, deeds of power).

    11Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the sake of the [very] works themselves. [If you cannot trust Me, at least let these works that I do in My Father's name convince you.]

    12I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.

    13And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as [b]presenting all that I AM], so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son.(A)

    14 I will grant [I Myself will do for you] whatever you shall ask in My Name [as [c]presenting all that I AM].

    15If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands.

    16And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever--

    17The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you.

    18I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you.

    19Just a little while now, and the world will not see Me any more, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.

    20At that time [when that day comes] you will know [for yourselves] that I am in My Father, and you [are] in Me, and I [am] in you.

    21The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]

    22Judas, not Iscariot, asked Him, Lord, how is it that You will reveal Yourself [make Yourself real] to us and not to the world?

    23Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.

    24Anyone who does not [really] love Me does not observe and obey My teaching. And the teaching which you hear and heed is not Mine, but [comes] from the Father Who sent Me.

    25I have told you these things while I am still with you.

    26But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

    27Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

    28You heard Me tell you, I am going away and I am coming [back] to you. If you [really] loved Me, you would have been glad, because I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater and mightier than I am.

    29And now I have told you [this] before it occurs, so that when it does take place you may believe and have faith in and rely on Me.

    30I will not talk with you much more, for the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world is coming. And he has no claim on Me. [He has nothing in common with Me; there is nothing in Me that belongs to him, and he has no power over Me.]

    31But [[d]Satan is coming and] I do as the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know (be convinced) that I love the Father and that I do only what the Father has instructed Me to do. [I act in full agreement with His orders.] Rise, let us go away from here.

   

Footnotes:
  1. John 14:10 Several ancient manuscripts read "His works."
  2. John 14:13 Hermann Cremer, Biblico-Theological Lexicon.
  3. John 14:14 Hermann Cremer, Biblico-Theological Lexicon.
  4. John 14:31 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
Cross references:
  1. John 14:13 : Exod 3:14
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
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Wednesday, September 23rd 2009

1:29 PM

Genesis 3 (Amplified Bible)

Genesis 3

 1NOW THE serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [Satan] said to the woman, Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden?(A)

    2And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat the fruit from the trees of the garden,

    3Except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.

    4But the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die,(B)

    5For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity.

    6And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate.

    7Then the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves apronlike girdles.

    8And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

    9But the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, Where are you?

    10He said, I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.

    11And He said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?

    12And the man said, The woman whom You gave to be with me--she gave me [fruit] from the tree, and I ate.

    13And the Lord God said to the woman, What is this you have done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled (cheated, outwitted, and deceived) me, and I ate.

    14And the Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed above all [domestic] animals and above every [wild] living thing of the field; upon your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust [and what it contains] all the days of your life.

    15And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her [a]Offspring; He will bruise and tread your head underfoot, and you will lie in wait and bruise His heel.(C)

    16To the woman He said, I will greatly multiply your grief and your suffering in pregnancy and the pangs of childbearing; with spasms of distress you will bring forth children. Yet your desire and craving will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.

    17And to Adam He said, Because you have listened and given heed to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it, the ground is under a curse because of you; in sorrow and toil shall you eat [of the fruits] of it all the days of your life.

    18Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth for you, and you shall eat the plants of the field.

    19In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you shall return.

    20The man called his wife's name Eve [life spring], because she was the mother of all the living.

    21For Adam also and for his wife the Lord God made long coats (tunics) of skins and clothed them.

    22And the Lord God said, Behold, the man has become like one of Us [the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit], to know [how to distinguish between] good and evil and blessing and calamity; and now, lest he put forth his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live [b]forever--

    23Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.

    24So [God] drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden the [c]cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep and guard the way to the tree of life.(D)

   

Footnotes:
  1. Genesis 3:15 Christ fulfills through his victory over Satan the wonderful promise here spoken. See also Isa. 9:6; Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:31; Rom. 16:20; Gal. 4:4; Rev. 12:17.
  2. Genesis 3:22 This sentence is left unfinished, as if to hasten to avert the tragedy suggested of men living on forever in their now fallen state.
  3. Genesis 3:24 Cherubim are ministering spirits manifesting God's invisible presence and symbolizing His action (E.F. Harrison et al., eds., Baker's Dictionary of Theology).
Cross references:
  1. Genesis 3:1 : Rev 12:9-11
  2. Genesis 3:4 : II Cor 11:3
  3. Genesis 3:15 : Gal 4:4
  4. Genesis 3:24 : Rev 2:7; 22:2, 14, 19

Psalm 51 (Amplified Bible)

Psalm 51

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had sinned with Bathsheba.
 1HAVE MERCY upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to the multitude of Your tender mercy and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions.

    2Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin!

    3For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them; my sin is ever before me.

    4Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and faultless in Your judgment.(A)

    5Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity; my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too am sinful].(B)

    6Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.

    7Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean [ceremonially]; wash me, and I shall [in reality] be whiter than snow.

    8Make me to hear joy and gladness and be satisfied; let the bones which You have broken rejoice.

    9Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my guilt and iniquities.

    10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.

    11Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

    12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.

    13Then will I teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted and return to You.

    14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness and death, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness (Your rightness and Your justice).

    15O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

    16For You delight not in sacrifice, or else would I give it; You find no pleasure in burnt offering.(C)

    17My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.

    18Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

    19Then will You delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, justice, and right, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then bullocks will be offered upon Your altar.

   

Cross references:
  1. Psalm 51:4 : Rom 3:4
  2. Psalm 51:5 : John 3:6; Rom 5:12; Eph 2:3
  3. Psalm 51:16 : I Sam 15:22
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

 
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

 
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Sunday, June 7th 2009

10:32 AM


Luke 1-3 (New International Version)

Luke 1

Introduction
 1Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
 5In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

 8Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

 11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.13But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.[b]16Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

 18Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."

 19The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."

 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

 23When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."

The Birth of Jesus Foretold
 26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

 29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

 34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

 35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[c] the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God."

 38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth
 39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,40where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
Mary's Song
 46And Mary said: 
   "My soul glorifies the Lord 
    47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 
 48for he has been mindful 
      of the humble state of his servant. 
   From now on all generations will call me blessed, 
    49for the Mighty One has done great things for me— 
      holy is his name. 
 50His mercy extends to those who fear him, 
      from generation to generation. 
 51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; 
      he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 
 52He has brought down rulers from their thrones 
      but has lifted up the humble. 
 53He has filled the hungry with good things 
      but has sent the rich away empty. 
 54He has helped his servant Israel, 
      remembering to be merciful 
 55to Abraham and his descendants forever, 
      even as he said to our fathers."

 56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

The Birth of John the Baptist
 57When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

 59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John."

 61They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who has that name."

 62Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John." 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things.66Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand was with him.

Zechariah's Song
 67His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 
 68"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, 
      because he has come and has redeemed his people. 
 69He has raised up a horn[d] of salvation for us 
      in the house of his servant David 
 70(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 
 71salvation from our enemies 
      and from the hand of all who hate us— 
 72to show mercy to our fathers 
      and to remember his holy covenant, 
 73the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 
 74to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, 
      and to enable us to serve him without fear 
 75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 
 76And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; 
      for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 
 77to give his people the knowledge of salvation 
      through the forgiveness of their sins, 
 78because of the tender mercy of our God, 
      by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 
 79to shine on those living in darkness 
      and in the shadow of death, 
   to guide our feet into the path of peace."

 80And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus
 1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.

 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels
 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[e] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 
 14"Glory to God in the highest, 
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Jesus Presented in the Temple
 21On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.

 22When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"[f]), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."[g]

 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 
 29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, 
      you now dismiss[h] your servant in peace. 
 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 
    31which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 
 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles 
      and for glory to your people Israel."

 33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

 36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[i] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

 39When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple
 41Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."

 49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" 50But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

 51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Luke 3

John the Baptist Prepares the Way
 1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: 
   "A voice of one calling in the desert, 
   'Prepare the way for the Lord, 
      make straight paths for him. 
 5Every valley shall be filled in, 
      every mountain and hill made low. 
   The crooked roads shall become straight, 
      the rough ways smooth. 
 6And all mankind will see God's salvation.' "[j]

 7John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."

 10"What should we do then?" the crowd asked.

 11John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."

 12Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?"

 13"Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told

   them. 14Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" 
      He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay."

 15The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.[k] 16John answered them all, "I baptize you with[l]water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 18And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.

 19But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus
 21When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

 23Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, 
      the son of Heli, 24the son of Matthat, 
      the son of Levi, the son of Melki, 
      the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 
    25the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, 
      the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, 
      the son of Naggai, 26the son of Maath, 
      the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, 
      the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 
    27the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, 
      the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, 
      the son of Neri, 28the son of Melki, 
      the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, 
      the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 
    29the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, 
      the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, 
      the son of Levi, 30the son of Simeon, 
      the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, 
      the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 
    31the son of Melea, the son of Menna, 
      the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, 
      the son of David, 32the son of Jesse, 
      the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, 
      the son of Salmon,[m] the son of Nahshon, 
    33the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram,[n] 
      the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, 
      the son of Judah, 34the son of Jacob, 
      the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, 
      the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 
    35the son of Serug, the son of Reu, 
      the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, 
      the son of Shelah, 36the son of Cainan, 
      the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, 
      the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 
    37the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, 
      the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, 
      the son of Kenan, 38the son of Enosh, 
      the son of Seth, the son of Adam, 
      the son of God.

Footnotes:
  1. Luke 1:1 Or been surely believed
  2. Luke 1:15 Or from his mother's womb
  3. Luke 1:35 Or So the child to be born will be called holy,
  4. Luke 1:69 Horn here symbolizes strength.
  5. Luke 2:11 Or Messiah. "The Christ" (Greek) and "the Messiah" (Hebrew) both mean "the Anointed One"; also in verse 26.
  6. Luke 2:23 Exodus 13:2,12
  7. Luke 2:24 Lev. 12:8
  8. Luke 2:29 Or promised, / now dismiss
  9. Luke 2:37 Or widow for eighty-four years
  10. Luke 3:6 Isaiah 40:3-5
  11. Luke 3:15 Or Messiah
  12. Luke 3:16 Or in
  13. Luke 3:32 Some early manuscripts Sala
  14. Luke 3:33 Some manuscripts Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni; other manuscripts vary widely.
 
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Saturday, November 29th 2008

1:01 PM

Psalms Chapter Three and Commentary~

Psalm 3 (New International Version)

Psalm 3

A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
 1 O LORD, how many are my foes! 
       How many rise up against me!

 2 Many are saying of me, 
       "God will not deliver him." 
       Selah [a]

 3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD; 
       you bestow glory on me and lift [b] up my head.

 4 To the LORD I cry aloud, 
       and he answers me from his holy hill. 
       Selah

 5 I lie down and sleep; 
       I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

 6 I will not fear the tens of thousands 
       drawn up against me on every side.

 7 Arise, O LORD! 
       Deliver me, O my God! 
       Strike all my enemies on the jaw; 
       break the teeth of the wicked.

 8 From the LORD comes deliverance. 
       May your blessing be on your people. 
       Selah

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 3:2 A word of uncertain meaning, occurring frequently in the Psalms; possibly a musical term
  2. Psalm 3:3 Or LORD , / my Glorious One, who lifts


CLARKE'S COMMENTARY - PSALMS 3

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PSALM III

David complains, in great distress, of the number of his enemies, and the reproaches they cast on him, as one forsaken of God, 1, 2; is confident, notwithstanding, that God will be his protector, 3; mentions his prayers andsupplications, and how God heard him, 4, 5; derides the impotent malice of has adversaries, and foretells theirdestruction, 6, 7; and ascribes salvation to God, 8.

NOTES ON PSALM III

This is said to be A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.- See the account, 2 Sam. xv. 1, &c. And David is supposed to have composed it when obliged to leave Jerusalem, passing by the mount of Olives, weeping, with his clothes rent, and with dust upon his head. This Psalms is suitable enough to these circumstances; and they mutually cast light on each other. If the inscription be correct, this Psalms is a proofthat the Psalms are not placed in any chronological order.

The word Psalm, rwmzm mizmor, comes from rmz zamar, to cut, whether that means to cut into syllables, for the purpose of its being adapted to musical tones, or whether its being cut on wood, &c., for the direction of the singers; what we would call a Psalm in score. This last opinion, however, seems too technical.

Verse 1. Lord, how are they increased that trouble me? ] We are told that the hearts of all Israel went afterAbsalom, 2 Samuel xv. 13; and David is astonished to find such a sudden and general revolt. Not only the common people, but his counsellors also, and many of his chief captains.

How publicly does God take vengeance for the sins which David committed so privately! In the horrible rebellion of Absalom we see the adultery of Bath-sheba, and the murder of Uriah. Now the words of Nathanbegin to be fulfilled: "The sword shall not depart from thy house."

Verse 2. No help for him in God. ] These were some of the reproaches of his enemies, Shimei and others: "He is now down, and he shall never be able to rise. God alone can save him from these his enemies; but God has visibly east him off." These reproaches deeply affected his heart; and he mentions them with that note which so frequently occurs in the Psalms, and which occurs here for the first time, hls selah. Much has been said on the meaning of this word; and we have nothing but conjecture to guide us. The Septuagint always translate it by diayalma diapsalma, "a pause in the Psalm." The Chaldee sometimes translates it by yml[l lealmin, "for ever." The rest of the versions leave it unnoticed. It either comes from ls sal, to raise or elevate, and may denote a particular elevation in the voices of the performers, which is very observable in the Jewish singing to the present day; or it may come from hls salah, to strew or spread out, intimating that the subject to which the word is attached should be spread out, meditated on, and attentively considered by the reader. Fenwick, Parkhurst, and Dodd, contend for this meaning; and think "it confirmed by Psa. ix. 16, where the word higgaion is put before selah at the end of the verse." Now higgaion certainly signifies meditation, or a fit subject for meditation; and so shows selah to be really a nota bene, attend to or mind this.

Verse 3. Thou, O Lord art a shield ] As a shield covers and defends the body from the strokes of an adversary, so wilt thou cover and defend me from them that rise up against me.

The lifter up of mine head. ] Thou wilt restore me to the state from which my enemies have cast me down. This is the meaning of the phrase; and this he speaks prophetically. He was satisfied that the deliverance would take place, hence his confidence in prayer; so that we find him, with comparative unconcern, laying himself down in his bed, expecting the sure protection of the Almighty.

Verse 4. I cried unto the Lord with my voice ] He was exposed to much danger, and therefore he had need of fervour.

He heard me ] Notwithstanding my enemies said, and my friends feared, that there was no help for me in myGod; yet he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah: mark this, and take encouragement from it. God never forsakes those who trust in him. He never shuts out the prayer of the distressed.

Verse 5. I laid me down and slept ] He who knows that he has God for his Protector may go quietly and confidently to his bed, not fearing the violence of the fire, the edge of the sword, the designs of wicked men, nor the influence of malevolent spirits.

I awaked ] Though humanly speaking there was reason to fear I should have been murdered in my bed, as my most confidential servants had been corrupted by my rebellious son; yet God, my shield, protected me. I both slept and awaked; and my life is still whole in me.

Verse 6. I Will not be afraid of ten thousands ] Strength and numbers are nothing against the omnipotence ofGod. He who has made God his refuge certainly has no cause to fear.

Verse 7. Arise, O Lord ] Though he knew that God had undertaken his defense, yet he knew that his continued protection depended on his continual prayer and faith. God never ceases to help as long as we pray.

When our hands hang down, and we restrain prayer before him, we may then justly fear that our enemies willprevail.

Those blast smitten ] That is, Thou wilt smite. He speaks in full confidence of God's interference; and knows as surely that he shall have the victory, as if he had it already. Breaking the jaws and the teeth are expressions which imply, confounding and destroying an adversary; treating him with extreme contempt; using him like adog, &c.

Verse 8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord ] It is God alone who saves.

He is the fountain whence help and salvation come; and to him alone the praise of all saved souls is due. Hisblessing is upon his people. Those who are saved from the power and the guilt of sin are his people. Hismercy saved them; and it is by his blessing being continually upon them, that they continue to be saved. Davidadds his selah here also: mark this! 1. Salvation comes from God. 2. Salvation is continued by God. These are great truths; mark them!

ANALYSIS OF THE THIRD PSALM

The occasion of this Psalm was Absalom's rebellion. David being deserted by his subjects, railed on by Shimei, pursued for his crown and life by his ungracious son, and not finding to whom to make his moan, betakes himself to his God; and before him he expostulates his wrong, confesses his faith, and makes his prayer.

There are three strains of this accurate Psalm: 1 His complaint. 2 The confession of his confidence. 3 His petition.

I. He begins with a sad and bitter complaint, amplified: ] 1. By the number and multitude of his enemies. They were many, very many; they were multiplied and increased: "All Israel was gathered together from Dan to Beer-sheba, as the sand of the sea for multitude;" 2 Sam. xvii. 11.

2. From their malice they came together to do him mischief. They rose up, not for him, but against him; not to honour, but to trouble him; not to defend him as they ought, but to take away his crown and life; 2 Sam. xvii. 2.

3. From their insults and sarcasm. It was not Shimei only, but many, that said it: "Many-say there is no help for him in his God." II. The second part of the Psalm sets forth David's confidence: - 1. To their multitude, he opposeth ONE GOD. But THOU, O LORD! 2. To their malicious insurrection, Jehovah; who, he believed, 1. Would be a buckler to receive all the arrows shot against him. 2. His glory, to honour, though they went about to dishonour, him. 3. The lifter up of his head, which they wished to lay low enough.

3. To their vain boast of desertion, There is no help for him in his God, he opposeth his own experience, "Icried unto the Lord, and he heard me." 4. By whose protection being sustained and secured, he deposes all care and fear, all anxiety and distraction. 1. He sleeps with a quiet mind: "I laid me down and slept, I awoke." 2. He sings a requiem: "I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people, that have set themselves against me round about." III. In the close, or third part, he petitions and prays, notwithstanding his security: "Arise, OLord; save me, O my God!" To move God to grant his request, he thankfully reminds him of what he had done before: - 1. "Arise and save me, for thou hast smitten all mine enemies." Thou art the same God: do then the same work; be as good to thy servant as ever thou hast been.

2. He inserts an excellent maxim: Salvation belongeth unto the Lord. As if he had said, It is thy property and prerogative to save. If thou save not, I expect it from none other.

3. Lastly, as a good king should, in his prayers he remembers his subjects. He prayed for those who were using him despitefully: Thy blessing be upon thy people! To the same sense, Coverdale, in his translation.

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Sunday, November 9th 2008

2:27 AM

Hebrews 12-13 (King James Version)

King James Version (KJV)

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Hebrews 12

 1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

 4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

 5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

 6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

 7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

 8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

 9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

 10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

 11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

 12Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

 13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

 14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

 15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

 16Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

 17For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

 18For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

 19And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

 20(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

 21And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake

 22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

 23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

 24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

 25See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

 26Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

 27And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

 28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

 29For our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 13

 1Let brotherly love continue.

 2Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

 3Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

 4Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

 5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

 7Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

 8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

 9Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

 10We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

 11For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

 12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

 13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

 14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

 15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

 16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

 17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

 18Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

 19But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

 20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

 21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 22And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

 23Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

 24Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

 25Grace be with you all. Amen.


 
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Sunday, November 25th 2007

8:43 PM






Exodus 2-5 (New International Version)

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society


Exodus 2

The Birth of Moses
 1 Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. 4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

 5 Then Pharaoh's daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the river bank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her slave girl to get it. 6 She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. "This is one of the Hebrew babies," she said.

 7 Then his sister asked Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?"

 8 "Yes, go," she answered. And the girl went and got the baby's mother. 9 Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you." So the woman took the baby and nursed him. 10 When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, [a] saying, "I drew him out of the water."

Moses Flees to Midian
 11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. 12 Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, "Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?"

 14 The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known."

 15 When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well. 16 Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father's flock. 17 Some shepherds came along and drove them away, but Moses got up and came to their rescue and watered their flock.

 18 When the girls returned to Reuel their father, he asked them, "Why have you returned so early today?"

 19 They answered, "An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock."

 20 "And where is he?" he asked his daughters. "Why did you leave him? Invite him to have something to eat."

 21 Moses agreed to stay with the man, who gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. 22 Zipporah gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, [b] saying, "I have become an alien in a foreign land."

 23 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. 24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. 25 So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

Exodus 3

Moses and the Burning Bush
 1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up."

 4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"
      And Moses said, "Here I am."

 5 "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." 6 Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

 7 The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."

 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

 12 And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you [c] will worship God on this mountain."

 13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"

 14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am . [d] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "

 15 God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, [e] the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.

 16 "Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.'

 18 "The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God.' 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.

 21 "And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. 22 Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians."

Exodus 4

Signs for Moses
 1 Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?"

 2 Then the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?"
      "A staff," he replied.

 3 The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground."
      Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the LORD said to him, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5 "This," said the LORD, "is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you."

 6 Then the LORD said, "Put your hand inside your cloak." So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was leprous, [f] like snow.

 7 "Now put it back into your cloak," he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh.

 8 Then the LORD said, "If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first miraculous sign, they may believe the second. 9 But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground."

 10 Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."

 11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

 13 But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."

 14 Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it."

Moses Returns to Egypt
 18 Then Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Let me go back to my own people in Egypt to see if any of them are still alive."
      Jethro said, "Go, and I wish you well."

 19 Now the LORD had said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, for all the men who wanted to kill you are dead." 20 So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.

 21 The LORD said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I told you, "Let my son go, so he may worship me." But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.' "

 24 At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met {Moses} [g] and was about to kill him. 25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son's foreskin and touched {Moses'} feet with it. [h] "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me," she said. 26 So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said "bridegroom of blood," referring to circumcision.)

 27 The LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the desert to meet Moses." So he met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him. 28 Then Moses told Aaron everything the LORD had sent him to say, and also about all the miraculous signs he had commanded him to perform.

 29 Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites, 30 and Aaron told them everything the LORD had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people, 31 and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

Exodus 5

Bricks Without Straw
 1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the desert.' "

 2 Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go."

 3 Then they said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword."

 4 But the king of Egypt said, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!" 5 Then Pharaoh said, "Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working."

 6 That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and foremen in charge of the people: 7 "You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. 8 But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' 9 Make the work harder for the men so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies."

 10 Then the slave drivers and the foremen went out and said to the people, "This is what Pharaoh says: 'I will not give you any more straw. 11 Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced at all.' " 12 So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw. 13 The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, "Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw." 14 The Israelite foremen appointed by Pharaoh's slave drivers were beaten and were asked, "Why didn't you meet your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?"

 15 Then the Israelite foremen went and appealed to Pharaoh: "Why have you treated your servants this way? 16 Your servants are given no straw, yet we are told, 'Make bricks!' Your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people."

 17 Pharaoh said, "Lazy, that's what you are—lazy! That is why you keep saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.' 18 Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks."

 19 The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day." 20 When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, 21 and they said, "May the LORD look upon you and judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us."

God Promises Deliverance
 22 Moses returned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all."

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 2:10 Moses sounds like the Hebrew for draw out .
  2. Exodus 2:22 Gershom sounds like the Hebrew for an alien there .
  3. Exodus 3:12 The Hebrew is plural.
  4. Exodus 3:14 Or I will be what I will be
  5. Exodus 3:15 The Hebrew for LORD sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for I am in verse 14.
  6. Exodus 4:6 The Hebrew word was used for various diseases affecting the skin-not necessarily leprosy.
  7. Exodus 4:24 Or {Moses' son}; Hebrew him
  8. Exodus 4:25 Or and drew near {Moses'} feet


 

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Wednesday, November 14th 2007

10:27 AM

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Psalm 23-26 (Amplified Bible)

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation


Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.
 1THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.

    2He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.(A)

    3He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake.

    4Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.

    5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [a]oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.

    6Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

   

Psalm 24

A Psalm of David.
 1THE EARTH is the Lord's, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it.(B)

    2For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the currents and the rivers.

    3Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place?

    4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully.(C)

    5He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

    6This is the generation [description] of those who seek Him [who inquire of and for Him and of necessity require Him], who seek Your face, [O God of] Jacob. Selah [pause, and think of that]!(D)

    7Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, you age-abiding doors, that the King of glory may come in.

    8Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

    9Lift up your heads, O you gates; yes, lift them up, you age-abiding doors, that the King of glory may come in.

    10Who is [He then] this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah [pause, and think of that]!

   

Psalm 25

[A Psalm] of David.
 1UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life.

    2O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. Let me not be put to shame or [my hope in You] be disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me.

    3Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause.

    4Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.

    5Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

    6Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercy and loving-kindness; for they have been ever from of old.

    7Remember not the sins (the lapses and frailties) of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your mercy and steadfast love remember me, for Your goodness' sake, O Lord.

    8Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will He instruct sinners in [His] way.

    9He leads the humble in what is right, and the humble He teaches His way.

    10All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

    11For Your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity and my guilt, for [they are] great.

    12Who is the man who reverently fears and worships the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that he should choose.

    13He himself shall dwell at ease, and his offspring shall inherit the land.

    14The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning.(E)

    15My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.

    16[Lord] turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

    17The troubles of my heart are multiplied; bring me out of my distresses.

    18Behold my affliction and my pain and forgive all my sins [of thinking and doing].

    19Consider my enemies, for they abound; they hate me with cruel hatred.

    20O keep me, Lord, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed or disappointed, for my trust and my refuge are in You.

    21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for and expect You.

    22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all their troubles.

   

Psalm 26

[A Psalm] of David.
 1VINDICATE ME, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity; I have [expectantly] trusted in, leaned on, and relied on the Lord without wavering and I shall not slide.

    2Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; test my heart and my mind.

    3For Your loving-kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth [faithfully].

    4I do not sit with false persons, nor fellowship with pretenders;

    5I hate the company of evildoers and will not sit with the wicked.

    6I will wash my hands in innocence, and go about Your altar, O Lord,

    7That I may make the voice of thanksgiving heard and may tell of all Your wondrous works.

    8Lord, I love the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells.

    9Gather me not with sinners and sweep me not away [with them], nor my life with bloodthirsty men,

    10In whose hands is wickedness, and their right hands are full of bribes.

    11But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; redeem me and be merciful and gracious to me.

    12My foot stands on an even place; in the congregations will I bless the Lord.

   

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 23:5 It is difficult for those living in a temperate climate to appreciate, but it was customary in hot climates to anoint the body with oil to protect it from excessive perspiration. When mixed with perfume, the oil imparted a delightfully refreshing and invigorating sensation. Athletes anointed their bodies as a matter of course before running a race. As the body, therefore, anointed with oil was refreshed, invigorated, and better fitted for action, so the Lord would anoint His "sheep" with the Holy Spirit, Whom oil symbolizes, to fit them to engage more freely in His service and run in the way He directs--in heavenly fellowship with Him.

Cross references:
  1. Psalm 23:2 : Rev 7:17
  2. Psalm 24:1 : I Cor 10:26
  3. Psalm 24:4 : Matt 5:8
  4. Psalm 24:6 : Ps 42:1
  5. Psalm 25:14 : John 7:17; 15:15

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