Bible Readings for March 9, 2017

Today our passages are Numbers 11:24–13:33; Mark 14:22-52; Psalm 52:1-9; and Proverbs 11:1-3. The readings are 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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Numbers 11:24-13:33 (Contemporary English Version)

²⁴Moses told the people what the LORD had said. Then he chose seventy respected leaders and went with them to the sacred tent. While the leaders stood in a circle around the tent, Moses went inside, ²⁵and the LORD spoke with him. Then the LORD took some authority ^[a] from Moses and gave it to the seventy leaders. And when the LORD's Spirit took control of them, they started shouting like prophets. But they did it only this one time. ²⁶Eldad and Medad were two leaders who had not gone to the tent. But when the Spirit took control of them, they began shouting like prophets right there in camp. ²⁷A boy ran to Moses and told him about Eldad and Medad.
    ²⁸Joshua ^[b] was there helping Moses, as he had done since he was young. And he said to Moses, " Sir, you must stop them!" ²⁹But Moses replied, " Are you concerned what this might do to me? I wish the LORD would give his Spirit to all his people so everyone could be a prophet." ³⁰Then Moses and the seventy leaders went back to camp.
   

The LORD Sends Quails

 ³¹Some time later the LORD sent a strong wind that blew quails in from the sea until Israel's camp was completely surrounded with birds, piled up about three feet high for miles in every direction. ³²The people picked up quails for two days--each person filled at least fifty bushels. Then they spread them out to dry. ³³But before the meat could be eaten, the LORD became angry and sent a disease through the camp.     ³⁴After they had buried the people who had been so greedy for meat, they called the place " Graves for the Greedy." ^[c] ³⁵Israel then broke camp and traveled to Hazeroth.
   

Numbers 12

Miriam and Aaron Are Jealous of Moses

 ^1-3Although Moses was the most humble person in all the world, Miriam and Aaron started complaining, " Moses had no right to marry that woman from Ethiopia! ^[d] Who does he think he is? The LORD has spoken to us, not just to him." The LORD heard their complaint ⁴and told Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to come to the entrance of the sacred tent. ⁵There the LORD appeared in a cloud and told Aaron and Miriam to come closer. ⁶Then after commanding them to listen carefully, he said:    " I, the LORD, speak to prophets
   in visions and dreams.
    ⁷But my servant Moses
   is the leader of my people.
    ⁸He sees me face to face,
   and everything I say to him
   is perfectly clear.
   You have no right to criticize
   my servant Moses."
    ⁹The LORD became angry at Aaron and Miriam. And after the LORD left ¹⁰and the cloud disappeared from over the sacred tent, Miriam's skin turned white with leprosy. ^[e] When Aaron saw what had happened to her, ¹¹he said to Moses, " Sir, please don't punish us for doing such a foolish thing. ¹²Don't let Miriam's flesh rot away like a child born dead!" ¹³Moses prayed, " LORD God, please heal her."
    ¹⁴But the LORD replied, " Miriam would be disgraced for seven days if her father had punished her by spitting in her face. So make her stay outside the camp for seven days, before coming back."
    ¹⁵The people of Israel did not move their camp until Miriam returned seven days later. ¹⁶Then they left Hazeroth and set up camp in the Paran Desert.
   

Numbers 13

Twelve Men Are Sent into Canaan

(Deuteronomy 1.19-33)

 ¹The LORD said to Moses, ²" Choose a leader from each tribe and send them into Canaan to explore the land I am giving you."     ³So Moses sent twelve tribal leaders from Israel's camp in the Paran Desert ^4-16with orders to explore the land of Canaan. And here are their names:
   Shammua son of Zaccur
   from Reuben,
   Shaphat son of Hori
   from Simeon,
   Caleb son of Jephunneh
   from Judah,
   Igal son of Joseph
   from Issachar,
   Joshua son of Nun
   from Ephraim, ^[f] Palti son of Raphu
   from Benjamin,
   Gaddiel son of Sodi
   from Zebulun,
   Gaddi son of Susi
   from Manasseh,
   Ammiel son of Gemalli
   from Dan,
   Sethur son of Michael
   from Asher,
   Nahbi son of Vophsi
   from Naphtali,
   and Geuel son of Machi
   from Gad.
    ¹⁷Before Moses sent them into Canaan, he said:
   After you go through the Southern Desert of Canaan, continue north into the hill country ¹⁸and find out what those regions are like. Be sure to remember how many people live there, how strong they are, ^19-20and if they live in open towns or walled cities. See if the land is good for growing crops and find out what kinds of trees grow there. It's time for grapes to ripen, so try to bring back some of the fruit that grows there.
    ²¹The twelve men left to explore Canaan from the Zin Desert in the south all the way to the town of Rehob near Lebo-Hamath in the north. ²²As they went through the Southern Desert, they came to the town of Hebron, which was seven years older than the Egyptian town of Zoan. In Hebron, they saw the three Anakim ^[g] clans of Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai. ^23-24When they got to Bunch Valley, ^[h] they cut off a branch with such a huge bunch of grapes, that it took two men to carry it on a pole. That's why the place was called Bunch Valley. Along with the grapes, they also took back pomegranates ^[i] and figs.

The Men Report Back to the People

 ²⁵After exploring the land of Canaan forty days, ²⁶the twelve men returned to Kadesh in the Paran Desert and told Moses, Aaron, and the people what they had seen. They showed them the fruit ²⁷and said:    Look at this fruit! The land we explored is rich with milk and honey. ²⁸But the people who live there are strong, and their cities are large and walled. We even saw the three Anakim ^[j] clans. ²⁹Besides that, the Amalekites live in the Southern Desert; the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites are in the hill country; and the Canaanites ^[k] live along the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. ³⁰Caleb calmed down the crowd and said, " Let's go and take the land. I know we can do it!"
    ³¹But the other men replied, " Those people are much too strong for us." ³²Then they started spreading rumors and saying, " We won't be able to grow anything in that soil. And the people are like giants. ³³In fact, we saw the Nephilim who are the ancestors of the Anakim. They were so big that we felt as small as grasshoppers."
   

Footnotes:

1. Numbers 11:25 some authority: Or " some of the Spirit's power."
2. Numbers 11:28 Joshua: Hebrew " Joshua son of Nun."
3. Numbers 11:34 Graves for the Greedy: Or " Kibroth-Hattaavah."
4. Numbers 12:1 Ethiopia: The Hebrew text has " Cush," which was a region south of Egypt that included parts of the present countries of Ethiopia and Sudan.
5. Numbers 12:10 leprosy: See the note at 5.2,3.
6. Numbers 13:4 Joshua. . . Ephraim: Hebrew " Hoshea son of Nun from Ephraim; Moses renamed him Joshua."
7. Numbers 13:22 Anakim: Perhaps a group of very large people (see Deuteronomy 2.10,11,20,21).
8. Numbers 13:23 Bunch Valley: Or " Eshcol Valley."
9. Numbers 13:23 pomegranates: A bright red fruit that looks like an apple.
10. Numbers 13:28 Anakim: See the note at verse 22.
11. Numbers 13:29 Amalekites. . . Hittites. . . Jebusites. . . Amorites. . . Canaanites: These people lived in Canaan before the Israelites.

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Mark 14:22-52 (Contemporary English Version)

The Lord's Supper

(Matthew 26.26-30; Luke 22.14-23; 1 Corinthians 11.23-25)

 ²²During the meal Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his disciples and said, "Take this. It is my body."     ²³Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He gave it to his disciples, and they all drank some. ²⁴Then he said, "This is my blood, which is poured out for many people, and with it God makes his agreement. ²⁵From now on I will not drink any wine, until I drink new wine in God's kingdom." ²⁶Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.
   

Peter's Promise

(Matthew 26.31-35; Luke 22.31-34; John 13.36-38)

 ²⁷Jesus said to his disciples, "All of you will reject me, as the Scriptures say,    `I will strike down
   the shepherd,
   and the sheep
   will be scattered.'
    ²⁸But after I am raised to life, I will go ahead of you to Galilee."
    ²⁹Peter spoke up, "Even if all the others reject you, I never will!"
    ³⁰Jesus replied, "This very night before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don't know me."
    ³¹But Peter was so sure of himself that he said, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never say that I don't know you!"
   All the others said the same thing.
   

Jesus Prays

(Matthew 26.36-46; Luke 22.39-46)

 ³²Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he told them, "Sit here while I pray."     ³³Jesus took along Peter, James, and John. He was sad and troubled and ³⁴told them, "I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me."
    ^35-36Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt down on the ground and prayed, "Father, ^[a] if it is possible, don't let this happen to me! Father, you can do anything. Don't make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. ^[b] But do what you want, and not what I want."
    ³⁷When Jesus came back and found the disciples sleeping, he said to Simon Peter, "Are you asleep? Can't you stay awake for just one hour? ³⁸Stay awake and pray that you won't be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak."
    ³⁹Jesus went back and prayed the same prayer. ⁴⁰But when he returned to the disciples, he found them sleeping again. They simply could not keep their eyes open, and they did not know what to say.
    ⁴¹When Jesus returned to the disciples the third time, he said, "Are you still sleeping and resting? ^[c] Enough of that! The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. ⁴²Get up! Let's go. The one who will betray me is already here."
   

Jesus Is Arrested

(Matthew 26.47-56; Luke 22.47-53; John 18.3-12)

 ⁴³Jesus was still speaking, when Judas the betrayer came up. He was one of the twelve disciples, and a mob of men armed with swords and clubs were with him. They had been sent by the chief priests, the nation's leaders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses. ⁴⁴Judas had told them ahead of time, "Arrest the man I greet with a kiss. ^[d] Tie him up tight and lead him away."     ⁴⁵Judas walked right up to Jesus and said, "Teacher!" Then Judas kissed him, ⁴⁶and the men grabbed Jesus and arrested him.
    ⁴⁷Someone standing there pulled out a sword. He struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.
    ⁴⁸Jesus said to the mob, "Why do you come with swords and clubs to arrest me like a criminal? ⁴⁹Day after day I was with you and taught in the temple, and you didn't arrest me. But what the Scriptures say must come true."
    ⁵⁰All of Jesus' disciples ran off and left him. ⁵¹One of them was a young man who was wearing only a linen cloth. And when the men grabbed him, ⁵²he left the cloth behind and ran away naked.
   

Footnotes:

1. Mark 14:35 Father: The Greek text has "Abba," which is an Aramaic word meaning "father."
2. Mark 14:35 by having me drink from this cup: See the note at 10.38.
3. Mark 14:41 Are you still sleeping and resting: Or "You may as well keep on sleeping and resting."
4. Mark 14:44 greet with a kiss: It was the custom for people to greet each other with a kiss on the cheek.

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Psalm 52:1-9 (Contemporary English Version)

Psalm 52

(A special psalm by David for the music leader. He wrote this when Doeg from Edom went to Saul and said, "David has gone to Ahimelech's house.")

God Is in Control

 ¹You people may be strong    and brag about your sins,
   but God can be trusted
   day after day.
    ²You plan brutal crimes,
   and your lying words cut
   like a sharp razor.
    ³You would rather do evil
   than good,
   and tell lies
   than speak the truth.
    ⁴You love to say cruel things,
   and your words are a trap.
    ⁵God will destroy you forever!
   He will grab you and drag you
   from your homes.
   You will be uprooted
   and left to die.
    ⁶When good people see
   this fearsome sight,
   they will laugh and say,
    ⁷"Just look at them now!
   Instead of trusting God,
   they trusted their wealth
   and their cruelty."
    ⁸But I am like an olive tree
   growing in God's house,
   and I can count on his love
   forever and ever.
    ⁹I will always thank God
   for what he has done;
   I will praise his good name
   when his people meet.

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Proverbs 11:1-3 (Contemporary English Version)

Proverbs 11

Watch What You Say and Do

 ¹The LORD hates anyone    who cheats,
   but he likes everyone
   who is honest.
    ²Too much pride
   can put you to shame.
   It's wiser to be humble.
    ³If you do the right thing,
   honesty will be your guide.
   But if you are crooked,
   you will be trapped
   by your own dishonesty.

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Verse of the Day

“God saved us and chose us to be his holy people. We did nothing to deserve this, but God planned it because he is so kind. Even before time began God planned for Christ Jesus to show kindness to us.” - 2 Timothy 1:9

Today's passage is from the Contemporary English Version.

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Thought for the Day

One of America's most quoted writers of inspirational maxims, William Arthur Ward wrote, “Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.”

Bible Readings for October 2, 2014

Today our passages are Isaiah 66:1-24; Philippians 3:4b-21; Psalm 74:1-23; and Proverbs 24:15-16. The readings are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson.

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Isaiah 66:1-24 (The Message)

Isaiah 66

Living Worship to God

 ^1-2 God's Message: "Heaven's my throne,
   earth is my footstool.
What sort of house could you build for me?
   What holiday spot reserve for me?
I made all this! I own all this!"
   God's Decree.
"But there is something I'm looking for:
   a person simple and plain,
   reverently responsive to what I say.  ^3-4"Your acts of worship
   are acts of sin:
Your sacrificial slaughter of the ox
   is no different from murdering the neighbor;
Your offerings for worship,
   no different from dumping pig's blood on the altar;
Your presentation of memorial gifts,
   no different from honoring a no-god idol.
You choose self-serving worship,
   you delight in self-centered worship—disgusting!
Well, I choose to expose your nonsense
   and let you realize your worst fears,
Because when I invited you, you ignored me;
   when I spoke to you, you brushed me off.
You did the very things I exposed as evil,
   you chose what I hate."
 ⁵But listen to what God has to say
   to you who reverently respond to his Word:
"Your own families hate you
   and turn you out because of me.
They taunt you, 'Let us see God's glory!
   If God's so great, why aren't you happy?'
But they're the ones
   who are going to end up shamed."
 ⁶Rumbles of thunder from the city!
   A voice out of the Temple!
God's voice,
   handing out judgment to his enemies:
 ^7-9"Before she went into labor,
   she had the baby.
Before the birth pangs hit,
   she delivered a son.
Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?
   Has anyone seen anything like this?
A country born in a day?
   A nation born in a flash?
But Zion was barely in labor
   when she had her babies!
Do I open the womb
   and not deliver the baby?
Do I, the One who delivers babies,
   shut the womb?
 ^10-11"Rejoice, Jerusalem,
   and all who love her, celebrate!
And all you who have shed tears over her,
   join in the happy singing.
You newborns can satisfy yourselves
   at her nurturing breasts.
Yes, delight yourselves and drink your fill
   at her ample bosom."

 ^12-13God's Message:
   "I'll pour robust well-being into her like a river,
   the glory of nations like a river in flood.
You'll nurse at her breasts,
   nestle in her bosom,
   and be bounced on her knees.
As a mother comforts her child,
   so I'll comfort you.
   You will be comforted in Jerusalem."
 ^14-16You'll see all this and burst with joy
   —you'll feel ten feet tall—
As it becomes apparent that God is on your side
   and against his enemies.
For God arrives like wildfire
   and his chariots like a tornado,
A furious outburst of anger,
   a rebuke fierce and fiery.
For it's by fire that God brings judgment,
   a death sentence on the human race.
Many, oh so many,
   are under God's sentence of death:
 ¹⁷"All who enter the sacred groves for initiation in those unholy rituals that climaxed in that foul and obscene meal of pigs and mice will eat together and then die together." God's Decree.
 ^18-21"I know everything they've ever done or thought. I'm going to come and then gather everyone—all nations, all languages. They'll come and see my glory. I'll set up a station at the center. I'll send the survivors of judgment all over the world: Spain and Africa, Turkey and Greece, and the far-off islands that have never heard of me, who know nothing of what I've done nor who I am. I'll send them out as missionaries to preach my glory among the nations. They'll return with all your long-lost brothers and sisters from all over the world. They'll bring them back and offer them in living worship to God. They'll bring them on horses and wagons and carts, on mules and camels, straight to my holy mountain Jerusalem," says God. "They'll present them just as Israelites present their offerings in a ceremonial vessel in the Temple of God. I'll even take some of them and make them priests and Levites," says God.
 ^22-23"For just as the new heavens and new earth
   that I am making will stand firm before me"
         —God's Decree—
"So will your children
   and your reputation stand firm.
Month after month and week by week,
   everyone will come to worship me," God says.
 ²⁴"And then they'll go out and look at what happened
   to those who rebelled against me. Corpses!
Maggots endlessly eating away on them,
   an endless supply of fuel for fires.
Everyone who sees what's happened
   and smells the stench retches."

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Philippians 3:4-21 (The Message)

 ^2-6Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they're interested in is appearances—knife-happy circumcisers, I call them. The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ's praise as we do it. We couldn't carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it—even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree: a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God's law; a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting the church; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God's law Book.
 ^7-9The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness.
 ^10-11I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

Focused on the Goal

 ^12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.  ^15-16So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.
 ^17-19Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
 ^20-21But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.

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Psalm 74:1-23 (The Message)

Psalm 74

An Asaph Psalm

 ¹ You walked off and left us, and never looked back. God, how could you do that?
   We're your very own sheep;
      how can you stomp off in anger?

 ^2-3 Refresh your memory of us—you bought us a long time ago.
      Your most precious tribe—you paid a good price for us!
      Your very own Mount Zion—you actually lived here once!
   Come and visit the site of disaster,
      see how they've wrecked the sanctuary.

 ^4-8 While your people were at worship, your enemies barged in,
      brawling and scrawling graffiti.
   They set fire to the porch;
      axes swinging, they chopped up the woodwork,
   Beat down the doors with sledgehammers,
      then split them into kindling.
   They burned your holy place to the ground,
      violated the place of worship.
   They said to themselves, "We'll wipe them all out,"
      and burned down all the places of worship.

 ^9-17 There's not a sign or symbol of God in sight,
      nor anyone to speak in his name,
      no one who knows what's going on.
   How long, God, will barbarians blaspheme,
      enemies curse and get by with it?
   Why don't you do something? How long are you going
      to sit there with your hands folded in your lap?
   God is my King from the very start;
      he works salvation in the womb of the earth.
   With one blow you split the sea in two,
      you made mincemeat of the dragon Tannin.
   You lopped off the heads of Leviathan,
      then served them up in a stew for the animals.
   With your finger you opened up springs and creeks,
      and dried up the wild floodwaters.
   You own the day, you own the night;
      you put stars and sun in place.
   You laid out the four corners of earth,
      shaped the seasons of summer and winter.

 ^18-21 Mark and remember, God, all the enemy
      taunts, each idiot desecration.
   Don't throw your lambs to the wolves;
      after all we've been through, don't forget us.
   Remember your promises;
      the city is in darkness, the countryside violent.
   Don't leave the victims to rot in the street;
      make them a choir that sings your praises.

 ^22-23 On your feet, O God—
      stand up for yourself!
   Do you hear what they're saying about you,
      all the vile obscenities?
   Don't tune out their malicious filth,
      the brawling invective that never lets up.

 

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Proverbs 24:15-16 (The Message)

27

 ^15-16 Don't interfere with good people's lives;
   don't try to get the best of them.
No matter how many times you trip them up,
   God-loyal people don't stay down long;
Soon they're up on their feet,
   while the wicked end up flat on their faces.

 

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Verse of the Day

 

“Don't fall into the trap of being a coward – trust the LORD, and you will be safe.” - Proverbs 29:25

Today's passage is from the Contemporary English Version.

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Thought for the Day

 Author of Fountains of Faith, is one of America's most quoted writers of inspirational maxims, William Arthur Ward wrote, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

Bible Readings for April 4, 2013

Today our passages are Deuteronomy 26:1–27:26; Luke 10:38–11:13; Psalm 76:1-12; and Proverbs 12:15-17. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.

 

Deuteronomy 26-27:26 (Contemporary English Version)

Deuteronomy 26

Give the LORD the First Part of Your Harvest

Moses said to Israel:

 ¹The LORD is giving you the land, and soon you will conquer it, settle down, ²and plant crops. And when you begin harvesting each of your crops, the very first things you pick must be put in a basket. Take them to the place where the LORD your God chooses to be worshiped, ³and tell the priest, " Long ago the LORD our God promised our ancestors that he would give us this land. And today, I thank him for keeping his promise and giving me a share of the land."     ⁴The priest will take the basket and set it in front of the LORD's altar. ⁵Then, standing there in front of the place of worship, you must pray:
   My ancestor was homeless,
   an Aramean who went to live
   in Egypt.
   There were only a few
   in his family then,
   but they became great
   and powerful,
   a nation of many people.
    ⁶The Egyptians were cruel
   and had no pity on us.
   They mistreated our people
   and forced us into slavery.
    ⁷We called out for help
   to you,
   the LORD God
   of our ancestors.
   You heard our cries;
   you knew we were in trouble
   and abused.
    ⁸Then you terrified the Egyptians
   with your mighty miracles
   and rescued us from Egypt.
    ⁹You brought us here
   and gave us this land
   rich with milk and honey.
    ¹⁰Now, LORD, I bring to you
   the best of the crops
   that you have given me.
   After you say these things, place the basket in front of the LORD's altar and bow down to worship him.
    ¹¹Then you and your family must celebrate by eating a meal at the place of worship to thank the LORD your God for giving you such a good harvest. And remember to invite the Levites and the foreigners who live in your town.
   

Ten Percent of the Harvest

Moses said to Israel:

 ¹²Every year you are to give ten percent of your harvest to the LORD. ^[a] But every third year, ^[b] this ten percent must be given to the poor who live in your town, including Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows. That way, they will have enough to eat. ¹³Then you must pray: Our LORD and our God, you have said that ten percent of my harvest is sacred. I have obeyed your command and given this to the poor, including the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows.     ¹⁴I have not eaten any of this sacred food while I was in mourning; in fact, I never touched it when I was unclean. ^[c] And none of it has been offered as a sacrifice to the spirits of the dead. I have done everything exactly as you commanded. ¹⁵Our LORD, look down from your temple in heaven and bless your people Israel. You promised our ancestors that you would give us this land rich with milk and honey, and you have kept your promise.
   

The LORD Is Your God, and You Are His People

Moses said to Israel:

 ¹⁶Today the LORD your God has commanded you to obey these laws and teachings with all your heart and soul.     ¹⁷In response, you have agreed that the LORD will be your God, that you will obey all his laws and teachings, and that you will listen when he speaks to you.
    ¹⁸Since you have agreed to obey the LORD, he has agreed that you will be his people and that you will belong to him, just as he promised. ¹⁹The LORD created all nations, but he will make you more famous than any of them, and you will receive more praise and honor. You will belong only to the LORD your God, just as he promised.
   

Deuteronomy 27

Build an Altar on Mount Ebal

 ¹Moses stood together with the leaders and told the people of Israel:    Obey all the laws and teachings that I am giving you today. ^2-4Soon you will enter the land that the LORD your God is giving to you. He is the God your ancestors worshiped, and he has promised that this land is rich with milk and honey.
   After you cross the Jordan River, go to Mount Ebal. Set up large slabs of stone, then cover them with white plaster and write on them a copy of these laws.
    ⁵At this same place, build an altar for offering sacrifices to the LORD your God. But don't use stones that have been cut with iron tools. ⁶Look for stones that can be used without being cut. Then offer sacrifices to please the LORD, ^[d] burning them completely on the altar. ⁷Next, offer sacrifices to ask the LORD's blessing, ^[e] and serve the meat at a sacred meal where you will celebrate in honor of the LORD. ⁸Don't forget to write out a copy of these laws on the stone slabs that you are going to set up. Make sure that the writing is easy to read.
   

Curses on Those Who Disobey

 ⁹Moses stood together with the priests ^[f] and said, " Israel, be quiet and listen to me! Today you have become the people of the LORD your God. ^{[g] 10}So you must obey his laws and teachings that I am giving you." ¹¹That same day, Moses gave them the following instructions:     ^12-13After you cross the Jordan River, you will go to Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. ^[h] The tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Ephraim, Manasseh, ^[i] and Benjamin will go up on Mount Gerizim, where they will bless the people of Israel. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali will go up on Mount Ebal where they will agree to the curses. ^14-26The people of the Levi tribe will speak each curse in a loud voice, then the rest of the people ^[j] will agree to that curse by saying, " Amen!" Here are the curses: We ask the LORD to put a curse on anyone who makes an idol or worships idols, even secretly. The LORD is disgusted with idols.
   We ask the LORD to put a curse on all who do not show respect for their father and mother.
   We ask the LORD to put a curse on anyone who moves the rocks that mark property lines.
   We ask the LORD to put a curse on anyone who tells blind people to go the wrong way.
   We ask the LORD to put a curse on anyone who keeps the poor from getting justice, whether these poor are foreigners, widows, or orphans.
   We ask the LORD to put a curse on any man who sleeps with his father's wife; that man has shown no respect for his father's marriage.
   We ask the LORD to put a curse on anyone who has sex with an animal.
   We ask the LORD to put a curse on any man who sleeps with his sister or his half sister or his mother-in-law.
   We ask the LORD to put a curse on anyone who commits murder, even when there are no witnesses to the crime.
   We ask the LORD to put a curse on anyone who accepts money to murder an innocent victim.
   We ask the LORD to put a curse on anyone who refuses to obey his laws.
   And so, to each of these curses, the people will answer, " Amen!"
   

Footnotes:

1. Deuteronomy 26:12 Every year. . . LORD: See 14.22-29.
2. Deuteronomy 26:12 every third year: Probably the third and sixth years of the seven-year cycle described in 15.1-11 and Leviticus 25.1-7.
3. Deuteronomy 26:14 in mourning. . . unclean: Touching a dead body made a person unclean and unfit to worship God. Ten percent of the harvest belonged to God, and was not to be touched by an unclean person.
4. Deuteronomy 27:6 sacrifices to please the LORD: See the note at 12.5-19.
5. Deuteronomy 27:7 sacrifices to ask the LORD's blessing: These sacrifices have traditionally been called " peace offerings" or " offerings of well-being." A main purpose was to ask for the LORD's blessing, and so in the CEV they are sometimes called " sacrifices to ask the LORD's blessing."
6. Deuteronomy 27:9 priests: See the note at 17.8-12.
7. Deuteronomy 27:9 Today you have become the people of the LORD your God: As a result of the agreement that the LORD had made with them, recorded in 26.16-19.
8. Deuteronomy 27:12 Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal: These mountains were separated by a valley.
9. Deuteronomy 27:12 Ephraim, Manasseh: The Hebrew text has " Joseph" ; the descendants of Joseph formed the two tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.
10. Deuteronomy 27:14 the rest of the people: Or " all the people who are standing on Mount Ebal."

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Luke 10:38-11:13 (Contemporary English Version)

Martha and Mary

 ³⁸The Lord and his disciples were traveling along and came to a village. When they got there, a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹She had a sister named Mary, who sat down in front of the Lord and was listening to what he said. ⁴⁰Martha was worried about all that had to be done. Finally, she went to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it bother you that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!"     ⁴¹The Lord answered, "Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, ⁴²but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her."
   

Luke 11

Prayer

(Matthew 6.9-13; 7.7-11)

 ¹When Jesus had finished praying, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his followers to pray."     ²So Jesus told them, "Pray in this way:
   `Father, help us
   to honor your name.
   Come and set up
   your kingdom.
    ³Give us each day
   the food we need. ^{[a] 4}Forgive our sins,
   as we forgive everyone
   who has done wrong to us.
   And keep us
   from being tempted.' "
    ⁵Then Jesus went on to say:
   Suppose one of you goes to a friend in the middle of the night and says, "Let me borrow three loaves of bread. ⁶A friend of mine has dropped in, and I don't have a thing for him to eat." ⁷And suppose your friend answers, "Don't bother me! The door is bolted, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up to give you something."
    ⁸He may not get up and give you the bread, just because you are his friend. But he will get up and give you as much as you need, simply because you are not ashamed to keep on asking.
    ⁹So I tell you to ask and you will receive, search and you will find, knock and the door will be opened for you. ¹⁰Everyone who asks will receive, everyone who searches will find, and the door will be opened for everyone who knocks. ¹¹Which one of you fathers would give your hungry child a snake if the child asked for a fish? ¹²Which one of you would give your child a scorpion if the child asked for an egg? ¹³As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give the Holy Spirit to anyone who asks.
   

Footnotes:

1. Luke 11:3 the food we need: Or " food for today" or " food for the coming day."

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Psalm 76:1-12 (Contemporary English Version)

Psalm 76

(A song and a psalm for the music leader. Use stringed instruments.)

God Always Wins

 ¹You, our God,    are famous in Judah
   and honored in Israel.
    ²Your home is on Mount Zion
   in the city of peace.
    ³There you destroyed
   fiery arrows, shields, swords,
   and all the other weapons.
    ⁴You are more glorious than
   the eternal mountains. ^{[a] 5}Brave warriors were robbed
   of what they had taken,
   and now they lie dead,
   unable to lift an arm.
    ⁶God of Jacob, when you roar,
   enemy chariots and horses
   drop dead in their tracks.
    ⁷Our God, you are fearsome,
   and no one can oppose you
   when you are angry.
    ⁸From heaven you announced
   your decisions as judge!
   And all who live on this earth
   were terrified and silent
    ⁹when you took over as judge,
   ready to rescue
   everyone in need.
    ¹⁰Even the most angry people
   will praise you
   when you are furious. ^{[b] 11}Everyone, make your promises
   to the LORD your God
   and do what you promise.
   The LORD is fearsome,
   and all of his servants
   should bring him gifts.
    ¹²God destroys the courage
   of rulers and kings
   and makes cowards of them.
   

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 76:4 the eternal mountains: One ancient translation; Hebrew " the mountains of victims (of wild animals)."
2. Psalm 76:10 furious: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 10.

Proverbs 12:15-17 (Contemporary English Version)

¹⁵Fools think they know
   what is best,
   but a sensible person
   listens to advice.
    ¹⁶Losing your temper is foolish;
   ignoring an insult is smart.
    ¹⁷An honest person
   tells the truth in court,
   but a dishonest person
   tells nothing but lies.

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Verse of the Day

“Christ sacrificed his life's blood to set us free, which means that our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because God was so kind to us. God has great wisdom and understanding,” - Ephesians 1:7

Today's passage is from the Contemporary English Version.

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Thought for the Day

Author of Fountains of Faith, is one of America's most quoted writers of inspirational maxims William Arthur Ward wrote, “Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.”