Bible Readings for September 28, 2019

Today our passages are Isaiah 54:1–57:13; Ephesians 6:1-24; Psalm 70:1-5; and Proverbs 24:8. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version. If you find these readings helpful, please consider sending an offering directly to Cove Presbyterian Church, 3404 Main Street, Weirton, West Virginia or through PayPal by using the link below.

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Isaiah 54-57:13 (Contemporary English Version)

Isaiah 54

A Promise of the LORD's Protection

 ¹Sing and shout,

   even though you have never

   had children!

   The LORD has promised that you

   will have more children

   than someone married

   for a long time.

    ²Make your tents larger!

   Spread out the tent pegs;

   fasten them firmly.

    ³You and your descendants

   will take over the land

   of other nations.

   You will settle in towns

   that are now in ruins.

    ⁴Don't be afraid or ashamed

   and don't be discouraged.

   You won't be disappointed.

   Forget how sinful you were

   when you were young;

   stop feeling ashamed

   for being left a widow.

    ⁵The LORD All-Powerful,

   the Holy God of Israel,

   rules all the earth.

   He is your Creator and husband,

   and he will rescue you.

    ⁶You were like a young wife,

   brokenhearted and crying

   because her husband

   had divorced her.

   But the LORD your God says,

   "I am taking you back!

    ⁷I rejected you for a while,

   but with love and tenderness

   I will embrace you again.

    ⁸For a while, I turned away

   in furious anger.

   Now I will have mercy

   and love you forever!

   I, your protector and LORD,

   make this promise."   

The LORD Promises Lasting Peace

 ⁹I once promised Noah that I

   would never again

   destroy

   the earth by a flood.

   Now I have promised that I

   will never again

   get angry

   and punish you.

    ¹⁰Every mountain and hill

   may disappear.

   But I will always be kind

   and merciful to you;

   I won't break my agreement

   to give your nation peace.  

The New Jerusalem

 ¹¹Jerusalem, you are sad

   and discouraged,

   tossed around in a storm.

   But I, the LORD,

   will rebuild your city

   with precious stones; ^[a] for your foundation

   I will use blue sapphires.

    ¹²Your fortresses ^[b] will be built of rubies,

   your gates of jewels,

   and your walls of gems.

    ¹³I will teach your children

   and make them successful.

    ¹⁴You will be built on fairness

   with no fears of injustice;

   every one of your worries

   will be taken far from you.

    ¹⁵I will never send anyone

   to attack your city,

   and you will make prisoners

   of those who do attack.

    ¹⁶Don't forget that I created

   metalworkers

   who make weapons

   over burning coals.

   I also created armies

   that can bring destruction.

    ¹⁷Weapons made to attack you

   won't be successful;

   words spoken against you

   won't hurt at all.

   My servants, Jerusalem is yours!

   I, the LORD, promise

   to bless you with victory.

   

Isaiah 55

The LORD's Invitation

 ¹If you are thirsty,

   come and drink water!

   If you don't have any money,

   come, eat what you want!

   Drink wine and milk

   without paying a cent.

    ²Why waste your money

   on what really isn't food?

   Why work hard for something

   that doesn't satisfy?

   Listen carefully to me,

   and you will enjoy

   the very best foods.

    ³Pay close attention!

   Come to me and live.

   I will promise you

   the eternal love and loyalty

   that I promised David.

    ⁴I made him the leader and ruler

   of the nations;

   he was my witness to them.

    ⁵You will call out to nations

   you have never known.

   And they have never known you,

   but they will come running

   because I am the LORD,

   the holy God of Israel,

   and I have honored you.   

God's Words Are Powerful

 ⁶Turn to the LORD!

   He can still be found.

   Call out to God! He is near.

    ⁷Give up your crooked ways

   and your evil thoughts.

   Return to the LORD our God.

   He will be merciful

   and forgive your sins.

    ⁸The LORD says:

   "My thoughts and my ways

   are not like yours.

    ⁹Just as the heavens

   are higher than the earth,

   my thoughts and my ways

   are higher than yours.

    ¹⁰"Rain and snow fall from the sky.

   But they don't return

   without watering the earth

   that produces seeds to plant

   and grain to eat.

    ¹¹That's how it is with my words.

   They don't return to me

   without doing everything

   I send them to do."  

God's People Will Celebrate

 ¹²When you are set free,

   you will celebrate

   and travel home in peace.

   Mountains and hills will sing

   as you pass by,

   and trees will clap.

    ¹³Cypress and myrtle trees

   will grow in fields

   once covered by thorns.

   And then those trees will stand

   as a lasting witness

   to the glory of the LORD.

   

Isaiah 56

All Nations Will Be Part of God's People

 ¹The LORD said:

   Be honest and fair!

   Soon I will come to save you;

   my saving power will be seen

   everywhere on earth.

    ²I will bless everyone

   who respects the Sabbath

   and refuses to do wrong.

    ³Foreigners who worship me

   must not say,

   "The LORD won't let us

   be part of his people."

   Men who are unable

   to become fathers

   must no longer say,

   "We are dried-up trees."

    ⁴To them, I, the LORD, say:

   Respect the Sabbath,

   obey me completely,

   and keep our agreement.

    ⁵Then I will set up monuments

   in my temple

   with your names

   written on them.

   This will be much better

   than having children,

   because these monuments

   will stand there forever.

    ⁶Foreigners will follow me.

   They will love me

   and worship

   in my name;

   they will respect the Sabbath

   and keep our agreement.

    ⁷I will bring them

   to my holy mountain,

   where they will celebrate

   in my house of worship.

   Their sacrifices and offerings

   will always be welcome

   on my altar.

   Then my house will be known

   as a house of worship

   for all nations.

    ⁸I, the LORD, promise

   to bring together my people

   who were taken away,

   and let them join the others.   

God Promises To Punish Israel's Leaders

 ⁹Come from the forest,

   you wild animals!

   Attack and gobble down

   your victims.

    ¹⁰You leaders of Israel

   should be watchdogs,

   protecting my people.

   But you can't see a thing,

   and you never warn them.

   Dozing and daydreaming

   are all you ever do.

    ¹¹You stupid leaders are a pack

   of hungry and greedy dogs

   that never get enough.

   You are shepherds

   who mistreat your own sheep

   for selfish gain.

    ¹²You say to each other,

   "Let's drink till we're drunk!

   Tomorrow we'll do it again.

   We'll really enjoy ourselves."

   

Isaiah 57

God's Faithful People Suffer

 ¹God's faithful people

   are dragged off and killed,

   and no one even cares.

   Evil sweeps them away,

    ²but in death they find peace

   for obeying God. ^[c]

The LORD Condemns Idolatry

 ³You people are unfaithful!

   You go to fortunetellers,

   and you worship idols.

   Now pay close attention!

    ⁴Who are you making fun of?

   Who are you sneering at?

   Look how your sins

   have made fools of you.

    ⁵All you think about is sex

   under those green trees

   where idols are worshiped.

   You sacrifice your children

   on altars built in valleys

   under rocky slopes.

    ⁶You have chosen to worship

   idols made of stone; ^[d] you have given them offerings

   of wine and grain.

   Should I be pleased?

    ⁷You have spread out your beds

   on the tops of high mountains,

   where you sacrifice to idols.

    ⁸Even in your homes

   you have placed pagan symbols

   all around your huge beds.

   Yes, you have rejected me,

   sold yourselves to your lovers,

   and gone to bed with them. ^[e] ⁹You smear on olive oil

   and all kinds of perfume

   to worship the god Molech. ^[f] You even seek advice

   from spirits of the dead.

    ¹⁰Though you tired yourself out

   by running after idols,

   you refused to stop.

   Your desires were so strong

   that they kept you going.

    ¹¹Did you forget about me

   and become unfaithful

   because you were more afraid

   of someone else?

   Have I been silent so long ^[g] that you no longer fear me?

    ¹²You think you're so good,

   but I'll point out the truth.

    ¹³Ask your idols to save you

   when you are in trouble.

   Be careful though--

   it takes only a faint breath

   to blow them over.

   But if you come to me

   for protection,

   this land and my holy mountain

   will always belong to you.

   

Footnotes:

1. Isaiah 54:11 with precious stones: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
2. Isaiah 54:12 fortresses: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
3. Isaiah 57:2 Evil. . . God: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
4. Isaiah 57:6 You have. . . stone: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
5. Isaiah 57:8 them: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 8.
6. Isaiah 57:9 the god Molech: Or "the king." In Hebrew "Molech" and "king" sound alike.
7. Isaiah 57:11 so long: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

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Ephesians 6:1-24 (Contemporary English Version)

Ephesians 6

Children and Parents

 ¹Children, you belong to the Lord, and you do the right thing when you obey your parents. The first commandment with a promise says, ²"Obey your father and your mother, ³and you will have a long and happy life."

    ⁴Parents, don't be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord.   

Slaves and Masters

 ⁵Slaves, you must obey your earthly masters. Show them great respect and be as loyal to them as you are to Christ. ⁶Try to please them at all times, and not just when you think they are watching. You are slaves of Christ, so with your whole heart you must do what God wants you to do. ⁷Gladly serve your masters, as though they were the Lord himself, and not simply people. ⁸You know that you will be rewarded for any good things you do, whether you are slaves or free.

    ⁹Slave owners, you must treat your slaves with this same respect. Don't threaten them. They have the same Master in heaven that you do, and he doesn't have any favorites.   

The Fight against Evil

 ¹⁰Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. ¹¹Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil's tricks. ¹²We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. ¹³So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day ^[a] comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God's justice protect you like armor. ¹⁵Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. ¹⁶Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Let God's saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God's message that comes from the Spirit.

    ¹⁸Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people. ¹⁹Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news. ²⁰I was sent to do this work, and that's the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should.   

Final Greetings

 ^21-22I want you to know how I am getting along and what I am doing. That's why I am sending Tychicus to you. He is a dear friend, as well as a faithful servant of the Lord. He will tell you how I am doing, and he will cheer you up.

    ²³I pray that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will give peace, love, and faith to every follower! ²⁴May God be kind to everyone who keeps on loving our Lord Jesus Christ.

   

Footnotes:

1. Ephesians 6:13 that evil day: Either the present (see 5.16) or the day of death or the day of judgment.

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Psalm 70:1-5 (Contemporary English Version)

Psalm 70

(By David for the music leader. To be used when an offering is made.)

God Is Wonderful

 ¹Save me, LORD God!

   Hurry and help.

    ²Disappoint and confuse

   all who want to kill me.

   Turn away and disgrace

   all who want to hurt me.

    ³Embarrass and shame those

   who say, "We told you so!"

    ⁴Let your worshipers celebrate

   and be glad because of you.

   They love your saving power,

   so let them always say,

   "God is wonderful!"

    ⁵I am poor and needy,

   but you, the LORD God,

   care about me.

   You are the one who saves me.

   Please hurry and help!

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Proverbs 24:8 (Contemporary English Version)

-23-

 ⁸ No one but troublemakers

   think up trouble.

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Verse of the Day

“That's why only someone who has God's Spirit can understand spiritual blessings. Anyone who doesn't have God's Spirit thinks these blessings are foolish.” - 1 Corinthians 2:14

Today's passage is from the Contemporary English Version.

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Thought for the Day

Russian heavyweight mixed martial artist (MMA), sambist, and judoka, currently competing for Rizin Fighting Federation and Bellator MMA, Fedor Emelianenko wrote, “With my victory, I must always remember that I glorify God.”

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A Joke for Today

Once there was a little boy that lived in the country. They had to use an outhouse, and the little boy hated it because it was hot in the summer and cold in the winter and stank all the time. The outhouse was sitting on the bank of a creek and the boy determined that one day he would push that outhouse into the creek. One day after a spring rain, the creek was swollen so the little boy decided today was the day to push the outhouse into the creek. So he got a large stick and started pushing. Finally, the outhouse toppled into the creek and floated away. That night his dad told him they were going to the woodshed after supper. Knowing that meant a spanking, the little boy asked why. 

The dad replied, "Someone pushed the outhouse into the creek today. It was you, wasn't it son?" 
The boy answered yes. Then he thought a moment and said, "Dad, I read in school today that George Washington chopped down a cherry tree and didn't get into trouble because he told the truth." 

The dad replied, "Well, son, George Washington's father wasn't in the cherry tree."

Bible Readings for September 27, 2019

Today our passages are Isaiah 51:1–53:12; Ephesians 5:1-33; Psalm 69:19-36; and Proverbs 24:7. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version. If you find these readings helpful, please consider sending an offering directly to Cove Presbyterian Church, 3404 Main Street, Weirton, West Virginia or through PayPal by using the link below.

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Isaiah 51-53:12 (Contemporary English Version)

Isaiah 51

The LORD Will Bring Comfort

 ¹If you want to do right    and obey the LORD,
   follow Abraham's example.
   He was the rock from which
   you were chipped.
    ²God chose Abraham and Sarah
   to be your ancestors.
   The LORD blessed Abraham,
   and from that one man
   came many descendants.
    ³Though Zion is in ruins,
   the LORD will bring comfort,
   and the city will be as lovely
   as the garden of Eden
   that he provided.
   Then Zion will celebrate;
   it will be thankful
   and sing joyful songs.   

The LORD's Victory Will Last

 ⁴The LORD says:    You are my people and nation!
   So pay attention to me.
   My teaching will cause justice
   to shine like a light
   for every nation.
    ⁵Those who live across the sea
   are eagerly waiting
   for me to rescue them.
   I am strong and ready;
   soon I will come to save
   and to rule all nations.
    ⁶Look closely at the sky!
   Stare at the earth.
   The sky will vanish like smoke;
   the earth will wear out
   like clothes.
   Everyone on this earth
   will die like flies.
   But my victory will last;
   my saving power never ends.
    ⁷If you want to do right
   and to obey my teaching
   with all your heart,
   then pay close attention.
   Don't be discouraged
   when others insult you
   and say hurtful things.
    ⁸They will be eaten away
   like a moth-eaten coat.
   But my victory will last;
   my saving power
   will never end.   

A Prayer for the LORD's Help

 ⁹Wake up! Do something, LORD.    Be strong and ready.
   Wake up! Do what you did
   for our people long ago.
   Didn't you chop up
   Rahab ^[a] the monster? ¹⁰Didn't you dry up the deep sea
   and make a road
   for your people
   to follow safely across?
    ¹¹Now those you have rescued
   will return to Jerusalem,
   singing on their way.
   They will be crowned
   with great happiness,
   never again to be burdened
   with sadness and sorrow.   

The LORD Gives Hope

 ¹²I am the LORD, the one    who encourages you.
   Why are you afraid
   of mere humans?
   They dry up and die like grass.
    ¹³I spread out the heavens
   and laid foundations
   for the earth.
   But you have forgotten me,
   your LORD and Creator.
   All day long you were afraid
   of those who were angry
   and hoped to abuse you.
   Where are they now?
    ¹⁴Everyone crying out in pain
   will be quickly set free;
   they will be rescued
   from the power of death
   and never go hungry.
    ¹⁵I will help them
   because I am your God,
   the LORD All-Powerful,
   who makes the ocean roar.
    ¹⁶I have told you what to say,
   and I will keep you safe
   in the palm of my hand.
   I spread out the heavens
   and laid foundations
   for the earth.
   Now I say, "Jerusalem,
   your people are mine."   

A Warning to Jerusalem

 ¹⁷Jerusalem, wake up! Stand up!    You've drunk too much
   from the cup filled
   with the LORD's anger.
   You have swallowed every drop,
   and you can't walk straight.
    ¹⁸Not one of your many children
   is there to guide you
   or to offer a helping hand.
    ¹⁹You have been destroyed
   by war and by famine;
   I cannot comfort you. ^[b] ²⁰The LORD your God is angry,
   and on every street corner
   your children lie helpless,
   like deer trapped in nets.
    ²¹You are in trouble and drunk,
   but not from wine.
   So pay close attention
    ²²to the LORD your God,
   who defends you and says,
   "I have taken from your hands
   the cup filled with my anger
   that made you drunk.
   You will never be forced
   to drink it again.
    ²³Instead I will give it
   to your brutal enemies,
   who treated you like dirt
   and walked all over you."
   

Isaiah 52

Jerusalem Can Celebrate

 ¹Jerusalem, wake up!    Stand up and be strong.
   Holy city of Zion,
   dress in your best clothes.
   Those foreigners who ruined
   your sacred city
   won't bother you again.
    ²Zion, rise from the dirt!
   Free yourself from the rope
   around your neck.   

Suffering Will End

 ³The LORD says:    My people, you were sold,
   but not for money;
   now you will be set free,
   but not for a payment.
    ⁴Long ago you went to Egypt
   where you lived
   as foreigners.
   Then Assyria was cruel to you,
    ⁵and now another nation ^[c] has taken you prisoner
   for no reason at all.
   Your leaders groan with pain, ^[d] and day after day
   my own name is cursed.
    ⁶My people, you will learn
   who I am and who is speaking
   because I am here.   

A Message of Hope for Jerusalem

 ⁷What a beautiful sight!    On the mountains a messenger
   announces to Jerusalem,
   "Good news! You're saved.
   There will be peace.
   Your God is now King."
    ⁸Everyone on guard duty,
   sing and celebrate!
   Look! You can see the LORD
   returning to Zion.
    ⁹Jerusalem, rise from the ruins!
   Join in the singing.
   The LORD has given comfort
   to his people;
   he comes to your rescue.
    ¹⁰The LORD has shown all nations
   his mighty strength;
   now everyone will see
   the saving power of our God.   

A Command To Leave Babylon

 ¹¹Leave the city of Babylon!    Don't touch anything filthy.
   Wash yourselves. Be ready
   to carry back everything sacred
   that belongs to the LORD.
    ¹²You won't need to run.
   No one is chasing you.
   The LORD God of Israel
   will lead and protect you
   from enemy attacks.   

The Suffering Servant

 ¹³The LORD says:    My servant will succeed!
   He will be given great praise
   and the highest honors.
    ¹⁴Many were horrified
   at what happened to him. ^[e] But everyone who saw him
   was even more horrified
   because he suffered until
   he no longer looked human. ^[f] ¹⁵My servant will make
   nations worthy to worship me; ^[g] kings will be silent
   as they bow in wonder. ^[h] They will see and think about
   things
   they have never seen
   or thought about before.
   

Isaiah 53

What God's Servant Did for Us

 ¹Has anyone believed us    or seen the mighty power
   of the LORD in action?
    ²Like a young plant or a root
   that sprouts in dry ground,
   the servant grew up
   obeying the LORD.
   He wasn't some handsome king.
   Nothing about the way he looked
   made him attractive to us.
    ³He was hated and rejected;
   his life was filled with sorrow
   and terrible suffering.
   No one wanted to look at him.
   We despised him and said,
   "He is a nobody!"
    ⁴He suffered and endured
   great pain for us,
   but we thought his suffering
   was punishment from God.
    ⁵He was wounded and crushed
   because of our sins;
   by taking our punishment,
   he made us completely well.
    ⁶All of us were like sheep
   that had wandered off.
   We had each gone our own way,
   but the LORD gave him
   the punishment we deserved.
    ⁷He was painfully abused,
   but he did not complain.
   He was silent like a lamb
   being led to the butcher,
   as quiet as a sheep
   having its wool cut off.
    ⁸He was condemned to death
   without a fair trial.
   Who could have imagined
   what would happen to him?
   His life was taken away
   because of the sinful things
   my people ^[i] had done. ⁹He wasn't dishonest or violent,
   but he was buried in a tomb
   of cruel and rich people. ^[j] ¹⁰The LORD decided his servant
   would suffer as a sacrifice
   to take away the sin
   and guilt of others.
   Now the servant will live
   to see his own descendants. ^[k] He did everything
   the LORD had planned.
    ¹¹By suffering, the servant
   will learn the true meaning
   of obeying the LORD.
   Although he is innocent,
   he will take the punishment
   for the sins of others,
   so that many of them
   will no longer be guilty.
    ¹²The LORD will reward him
   with honor and power
   for sacrificing his life.
   Others thought he was a sinner,
   but he suffered for our sins
   and asked God to forgive us.
   

Footnotes:

1. Isaiah 51:9 Rahab: This may refer to Egypt at the time of the exodus.
2. Isaiah 51:19 I. . . you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
3. Isaiah 52:5 another nation: Babylonia.
4. Isaiah 52:5 groan with pain: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
5. Isaiah 52:14 him: One ancient translation; Hebrew "you."
6. Isaiah 52:14 human: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 14.
7. Isaiah 52:15 My. . . me: Hebrew; one ancient translation "The nations will be amazed at him."
8. Isaiah 52:15 kings. . . wonder: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
9. Isaiah 53:8 my people: Or "his people."
10. Isaiah 53:9 but he. . . people: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
11. Isaiah 53:10 The LORD. . . descendants: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

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Ephesians 5:1-33 (Contemporary English Version)

Ephesians 5

 ¹Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. ²Let love be your guide. Christ loved us ^[a] and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God. ³You are God's people, so don't let it be said that any of you are immoral or indecent or greedy. ⁴Don't use dirty or foolish or filthy words. Instead, say how thankful you are. ⁵Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols. You can be sure that people who behave in this way will never be part of the kingdom that belongs to Christ and to God.    

Living as People of Light

 ⁶Don't let anyone trick you with foolish talk. God punishes everyone who disobeys him and says ^[b] foolish things. ⁷So don't have anything to do with anyone like that. ⁸You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light ⁹and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful, ¹⁰as you try to please the Lord. ¹¹Don't take part in doing those worthless things that are done in the dark. Instead, show how wrong they are. ¹²It is disgusting even to talk about what is done in the dark. ¹³But the light will show what these things are really like. ¹⁴Light shows up everything, ^[c] just as the Scriptures say, "Wake up from your sleep    and rise from death.
   Then Christ will shine on you."
    ¹⁵Act like people with good sense and not like fools. ¹⁶These are evil times, so make every minute count. ¹⁷Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do. ¹⁸Don't destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life. ¹⁹When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart. ²⁰Always use the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to thank God the Father for everything.   

Wives and Husbands

 ²¹Honor Christ and put others first. ²²A wife should put her husband first, as she does the Lord. ²³A husband is the head of his wife, as Christ is the head and the Savior of the church, which is his own body. ²⁴Wives should always put their husbands first, as the church puts Christ first.     ²⁵A husband should love his wife as much as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. ²⁶He made the church holy by the power of his word, and he made it pure by washing it with water. ²⁷Christ did this, so that he would have a glorious and holy church, without faults or spots or wrinkles or any other flaws.
    ²⁸In the same way, a husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself. A husband who loves his wife shows that he loves himself. ²⁹None of us hate our own bodies. We provide for them and take good care of them, just as Christ does for the church, ³⁰because we are each part of his body. ³¹As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother to get married, and he becomes like one person with his wife." ³²This is a great mystery, but I understand it to mean Christ and his church. ³³So each husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself, and each wife should respect her husband.
   

Footnotes:

1. Ephesians 5:2 us: Some manuscripts have you.
2. Ephesians 5:6 says: Or does.
3. Ephesians 5:14 Light shows up everything: Or Everything that is seen in the light becomes light itself.

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Psalm 69:19-36 (Contemporary English Version)

¹⁹You know how I am insulted,
   mocked, and disgraced;
   you know every one
   of my enemies.
    ²⁰I am crushed by insults,
   and I feel sick.
   I had hoped for mercy and pity,
   but there was none.
    ²¹Enemies poisoned my food,
   and when I was thirsty,
   they gave me vinegar.
    ²²Make their table a trap
   for them and their friends.
    ²³Blind them with darkness
   and make them tremble.
    ²⁴Show them how angry you are!
   Be furious and catch them.
    ²⁵Destroy their camp
   and don't let anyone live
   in their tents.
    ²⁶They cause trouble for people
   you have already punished;
   their gossip hurts those
   you have wounded.
    ²⁷Make them guiltier than ever
   and don't forgive them.
    ²⁸Wipe their names from the book
   of the living;
   remove them from the list
   of the innocent.
    ²⁹I am mistreated and in pain.
   Protect me, God,
   and keep me safe!
    ³⁰I will praise the LORD God
   with a song
   and a thankful heart.
    ³¹This will please the LORD
   better than offering an ox
   or a full-grown bull.
    ³²When those in need see this,
   they will be happy,
   and the LORD's worshipers
   will be encouraged.
    ³³The LORD will listen
   when the homeless cry out,
   and he will never forget
   his people in prison.
    ³⁴Heaven and earth
   will praise our God,
   and so will the oceans
   and everything in them.
    ³⁵God will rescue Jerusalem,
   and he will rebuild
   the towns of Judah.
   His people will live there
   on their own land,
    ³⁶and when the time comes,
   their children will inherit
   the land.
   Then everyone who loves God
   will also settle there.

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Proverbs 24:7 (Contemporary English Version)

-22-

 ⁷ Wisdom is too much for fools!    Their advice is no good.

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Verse of the Day

“But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” - Matthew 6:33

Today's passage is from the Contemporary English Version.

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Thought for the Day

American author, poet, journalist, and philanthropist, Myrtle Reed wrote, “Silence and reserve will give anyone a reputation for wisdom.”

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A Joke for Today

A hillbilly was making his first visit to a hospital where his teenage son was about to have an operation.

Watching the doctor's every move, he asked, "What's that?"

The doctor explained, "This is an anesthetic. After he gets this he won't know a thing."

"Save your time, Doc," exclaimed the man. "He don't know nothing now."