Bible Readings for August 23, 2011

Today our passages are Job 8:1–11:20; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; Psalm 38:1-22; and Proverbs 21:28-29. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.

**********

Job 8-11:20 (Contemporary English Version)


Job 8

Bildad's First Speech

How Long Will You Talk?

1Bildad from Shuah a] said:

2How long will you talk
and keep saying nothing?

3Does God All-Powerful
stand in the way of justice?

4He made your children pay
for their sins.

5So why don't you turn to him
6and start living right?

Then he will decide
to rescue and restore you
to your place of honor.

7Your future will be brighter
by far than your past.

Our Ancestors Were Wise

8Our ancestors were wise,
so learn from them.

9Our own time has been short,
like a fading shadow,
and we know very little.

10But they will instruct you
with great understanding.

11Papyrus reeds grow healthy
only in a swamp,
12and if the water dries up,
they die sooner than grass.

13Such is the hopeless future
of all who turn from God
14and trust in something as frail
as a spider's web--
15they take hold and fall
because it's so flimsy.

16Sinful people are like plants
with spreading roots
and plenty
of sun and water.

17They wrap their roots tightly
around rocks. b]

18But once they are pulled up,
they have no more place;
19their life slips away, c]
and other plants grow there.

20We know God doesn't reject
an innocent person
or help a sinner.

21And so, he will make you happy
and give you something
to smile about.

22But your evil enemies
will be put to shame
and disappear forever.

Job 9

Job's Reply to Bildad

What You Say Is True

1Job said:

2What you say is true.

No human is innocent
in the sight of God.

3Not once in a thousand times
could we win our case
if we took him to court.

4God is wise and powerful--
who could possibly
oppose him and win?

5When God becomes angry,
he can move mountains
before they even know it.

6God can shake the earth loose
from its foundations
7or command the sun and stars
to hold back their light.

8God alone stretched out the sky,
stepped on the sea, d]
9and set the stars in place--
the Big Dipper and Orion,
the Pleiades and the stars
in the southern sky.

10Of all the miracles God works,
we cannot understand a one.

11God walks right past me,
without making a sound.

12And if he grabs something,
who can stop him
or raise a question?

13When God showed his anger,
the servants of the sea monster e]
fell at his feet.

14How, then, could I possibly
argue my case with God?

Though I Am Innocent

15Even though I am innocent,
I can only beg for mercy.

16And if God came into court
when I called him,
he would not hear my case.

17He would strike me with a storm f]
and increase my injuries
for no reason at all.

18Before I could get my breath,
my miseries would multiply.

19God is much stronger than I am,
and who would call me into court
to give me justice?

20Even if I were innocent,
God would prove me wrong. g]

21I am not guilty,
but I no longer care
what happens to me.

22What difference does it make?

God destroys the innocent
along with the guilty.

23When a good person dies
a sudden death,
God sits back and laughs.

24And who else but God
blindfolds the judges,
then lets the wicked
take over the earth?

My Life Is Speeding By

25My life is speeding by,
without a hope of happiness.

26Each day passes swifter
than a sailing ship
or an eagle swooping down.

27Sometimes I try to be cheerful
and to stop complaining,
28but my sufferings frighten me,
because I know that God
still considers me guilty.

29So what's the use of trying
to prove my innocence?

30Even if I washed myself
with the strongest soap,
31God would throw me into a pit
of stinking slime,
leaving me
disgusting to my clothes.

32God isn't a mere human like me.

I can't put him on trial.

33Who could possibly judge
between the two of us?

34Can someone snatch away
the stick God carries
to frighten me?

35Then I could speak up
without fear of him,
but for now, I cannot speak. h]

Job 10

Job Complains to God

I Am Sick of Life!

1I am sick of life!

And from my deep despair,
I complain to you, my God.

2Don't just condemn me!

Point out my sin.

3Why do you take such delight
in destroying those you created
and in smiling on sinners?

4Do you look at things
the way we humans do?

5Is your life as short as ours?

6Is that why you are so quick
to find fault with me?

7You know I am innocent,
but who can defend me
against you?

8Will you now destroy
someone you created?

9Remember that you molded me
like a piece of clay.

So don't turn me back
into dust once again.

10As cheese is made from milk,
you created my body
from a tiny drop.

11Then you tied my bones together
with muscles
and covered them
with flesh and skin.

12You, the source of my life,
showered me with kindness
and watched over me.

You Have Not Explained

13You have not explained
all of your mysteries,
14but you catch and punish me
each time I sin.

15Guilty or innocent,
I am condemned and ashamed
because of my troubles.

16No matter how hard I try,
you keep hunting me down
like a powerful lion. i]

17You never stop accusing me;
you become furious and attack
over and over again.

18Why did you let me be born?

I would rather have died
before birth
19and been carried to the grave
without ever breathing.

20I have only a few days left.
Why don't you leave me alone? j]

Let me find some relief,
21before I travel to the land
22of darkness and despair,
the place of no return.

Job 11

Zophar's First Speech

So Much Foolish Talk

1Zophar from Naamah k] said:

2So much foolish talk
cannot go unanswered.

3Your words have silenced others
and made them ashamed;
now it is only right for you
to be put to shame.

4You claim to be innocent
and argue that your beliefs
are acceptable to God.

5But I wish he would speak
6and let you know
that wisdom
has many different sides.

You would then discover
that God has punished you
less
than you deserve.

7Can you understand the mysteries
surrounding God All-Powerful?

8They are higher than the heavens
and deeper than the grave.

So what can you do
when you know so little,
9and these mysteries outreach
the earth and the ocean?

10If God puts you in prison
or drags you to court,
what can you do?

11God has the wisdom to know
when someone is worthless
and sinful,
12but it's easier to tame
a wild donkey
than to make a fool wise. l]

Surrender Your Heart to God

13Surrender your heart to God,
turn to him in prayer,
14and give up your sins--
even those you do in secret.

15Then you won't be ashamed;
you will be confident
and fearless.

16Your troubles will go away
like water beneath a bridge,
17and your darkest night
will be brighter than noon.

18You will rest safe and secure,
filled with hope
and emptied of worry.

19You will sleep without fear
and be greatly respected.

20But those who are evil
will go blind and lose their way.

Their only escape is death!

Footnotes:
Job 8:1 Shuah: See the note at 2.11.
Job 8:17 rocks: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 17.
Job 8:19 their. . . away: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Job 9:8 sea: Or "sea monster" (see verse 13 and the note there).
Job 9:13 the sea monster: The Hebrew text has "Rahab," which was some kind of sea monster with supernatural powers (see the notes at 3.8 and 26.12).
Job 9:17 strike. . . storm: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Job 9:20 God. . . wrong: Or "my own words would prove me wrong."
Job 9:35 but. . . speak: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Job 10:16 lion: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 16.
Job 10:20 I have only. . . alone: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Job 11:1 Naamah: See the note at 2.11.
Job 11:12 it's. . . wise: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.


1 Corinthians 15:1-28 (Contemporary English Version)

1 Corinthians 15

Christ Was Raised to Life

1My friends, I want you to remember the message that I preached and that you believed and trusted. 2You will be saved by this message, if you hold firmly to it. But if you don't, your faith was all for nothing.
3I told you the most important part of the message exactly as it was told to me. That part is:

Christ died for our sins,
as the Scriptures say.

4He was buried,
and three days later
he was raised to life,
as the Scriptures say.

5Christ appeared to Peter, a]
then to the twelve.

6After this, he appeared
to more than five hundred
other followers.

Most of them are still alive,
but some have died.

7He also appeared to James,
and then to all
of the apostles.

8Finally, he appeared to me, even though I am like someone who was born at the wrong time. b] 9I am the least important of all the apostles. In fact, I caused so much trouble for God's church that I don't even deserve to be called an apostle. 10But God was kind! He made me what I am, and his wonderful kindness wasn't wasted. I worked much harder than any of the other apostles, although it was really God's kindness at work and not me. 11But it doesn't matter if I preached or if they preached. All of you believed the message just the same.

God's People Will Be Raised to Life

12If we preach that Christ was raised from death, how can some of you say that the dead will not be raised to life? 13If they won't be raised to life, Christ himself wasn't raised to life. 14And if Christ wasn't raised to life, our message is worthless, and so is your faith. 15If the dead won't be raised to life, we have told lies about God by saying that he raised Christ to life, when he really did not.

16So if the dead won't be raised to life, Christ wasn't raised to life. 17Unless Christ was raised to life, your faith is useless, and you are still living in your sins. 18And those people who died after putting their faith in him are completely lost. 19If our hope in Christ is good only for this life, we are worse off than anyone else.

20But Christ has been raised to life! And he makes us certain that others will also be raised to life. 21Just as we will die because of Adam, we will be raised to life because of Christ. 22Adam brought death to all of us, and Christ will bring life to all of us. 23But we must each wait our turn. Christ was the first to be raised to life, and his people will be raised to life when he returns. 24Then after Christ has destroyed all powers and forces, the end will come, and he will give the kingdom to God the Father.

25Christ will rule until he puts all his enemies under his power, 26and the last enemy he destroys will be death. 27When the Scriptures say that he will put everything under his power, they don't include God. It was God who put everything under the power of Christ. 28After everything is under the power of God's Son, he will put himself under the power of God, who put everything under his Son's power. Then God will mean everything to everyone.

Footnotes:
1 Corinthians 15:5 Peter: See the note at 1.12.
1 Corinthians 15:8 who was born at the wrong time: The meaning of these words in Greek is not clear.


Psalm 38:1-22 (Contemporary English Version)

Psalm 38
(A psalm by David to be used when an offering is made.)

A Prayer in Times of Trouble

1When you are angry, LORD,
please don't punish me
or even correct me.

2You shot me with your arrows,
and you struck me
with your hand.

3My body hurts all over
because of your anger.

Even my bones are in pain,
and my sins 4are so heavy
that I am crushed.

5Because of my foolishness,
I am covered with sores
that stink and spread.

6My body is twisted and bent,
and I groan all day long.

7Fever has my back in flames,
and I hurt all over.

8I am worn out and weak,
moaning and in distress.

9You, Lord, know every one
of my deepest desires,
and my noisy groans
are no secret to you.

10My heart is beating fast.

I feel weak all over,
and my eyes are red.

11Because of my sickness,
no friends or neighbors
will come near me.

12All who want me dead
set traps to catch me,
and those who want
to harm and destroy me
plan and plot all day.

13I am not able to hear
or speak a word;
14I am completely deaf
and can't make a sound.

15I trust you, LORD God,
and you will do something.

16I said, "Don't let them laugh
or brag because I slip."

17I am about to collapse
from constant pain.

18I told you my sins,
and I am sorry for them.

19Many deadly and powerful
enemies hate me,
20and they repay evil for good
because I try to do right.

21You are the LORD God!

Stay nearby
and don't desert me.

22You are the one who saves me.

Please hurry and help.


Proverbs 21:28-29 (Contemporary English Version)

28If you tell lies in court,
you are done for;
only a reliable witness
can do the job.

29Wicked people bluff their way,
but God's people think
before they take a step.

Bible Readings for August 22, 2011

Today our passages are Job 4:1–7:21; 1 Corinthians 14:18-40; Psalm 37:30-40; and Proverbs 21:27. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.

**********

Job 4-7:21 (Contemporary English Version)

Job 4

Eliphaz's First Speech

Please Be Patient and Listen

1Eliphaz from Teman [a] said:

2Please be patient and listen
to what I have to say.

3Remember how your words
4have guided and encouraged
many in need.

5But now you feel discouraged
when struck by trouble.

6You respect God and live right,
so don't lose hope!

7No truly innocent person
has ever died young.

8In my experience, only those
who plant seeds of evil
harvest trouble,
9and then they are swept away
by the angry breath of God.

10They may roar and growl
like powerful lions.

But when God breaks their teeth,
11they starve,
and their children
are scattered.

A Secret Was Told to Me

12A secret was told to me
in a faint whisper--
13I was overcome by sleep,
but disturbed by dreams;
14I trembled with fear,
15and my hair stood on end,
as a wind blew past my face.

16It stopped and stood still.

Then a form appeared--
a shapeless form.

And from the silence,
I heard a voice say,
17"No humans are innocent
in the eyes of God
their Creator.

18He finds fault with his servants
and even with his angels.

19Humans are formed from clay
and are fragile as moths,
so what chance do you have?

20Born after daybreak,
you die before nightfall
and disappear forever.

21Your tent pegs are pulled up,
and you leave this life,
having gained no wisdom."

Job 5

Eliphaz Continues

Call Out for Help

1Job, call out for help
and see if an angel comes!

2Envy and jealousy
will kill a stupid fool.

3I have seen fools take root.

But God sends a curse,
suddenly uprooting them
4and leaving their children
helpless in court.

5Then hungry and greedy people
gobble down their crops
and grab up their wealth. [b]

6Our suffering isn't caused
by the failure of crops;
7it's all part of life,
like sparks shooting skyward.

8Job, if I were you,
I would ask God for help.

9His miracles are marvelous,
more than we can count.

10God sends showers on earth
and waters the fields.

11He protects the sorrowful
and lifts up those
who have been disgraced.

12God swiftly traps the wicked
13in their own evil schemes,
and their wisdom fails.

14Darkness is their only companion,
hiding their path at noon.

15God rescues the needy
from the words of the wicked
and the fist of the mighty.

16The poor are filled with hope,
and injustice is silenced.

Consider Yourself Fortunate

17Consider yourself fortunate
if God All-Powerful
chooses to correct you.

18He may cause injury and pain,
but he will bandage and heal
your cuts and bruises.

19God will protect you from harm,
no matter how often
trouble may strike.

20In times of war and famine,
God will keep you safe.

21You will be sheltered,
without fear of hurtful words
or any other weapon.

22You will laugh at the threat
of destruction and famine.

And you won't be afraid
of wild animals--
23they will no longer be fierce,
and your rocky fields
will become friendly.

24Your home will be secure,
and your sheep will be safe.

25You will have more descendants
than there are blades of grass
on the face of the earth.

26You will live a long life,
and your body will be strong
until the day you die.

27Our experience has proven
these things to be true,
so listen and learn.

Job 6

Job's Reply to Eliphaz

It's Impossible

1Job said:

2It's impossible to weigh
my misery and grief!

3They outweigh the sand
along the beach,
and that's why I have spoken
without thinking first.

4The fearsome arrows
of God All-Powerful
have filled my soul
with their poison.

5Do oxen and wild donkeys
cry out in distress
unless they are hungry?

6What is food without salt?

What is more tasteless
than the white of an egg? [c]

7That's how my food tastes,
and my appetite is gone.

8How I wish that God
would answer my prayer
9and do away with me.

10Then I would be comforted,
knowing that in all of my pain
I have never disobeyed God.

11Why should I patiently hope
when my strength is gone?

12I am not strong as stone
or bronze,
13and I have finally reached
the end of my rope.

My Friends, I Am Desperate

14My friends, I am desperate,
and you should help me,
even if I no longer respect
God All-Powerful. [d]

15But you are treacherous
16as streams that swell
with melting snow,
17then suddenly disappear
in the summer heat.

18I am like a caravan,
lost in the desert
while searching for water.

19Caravans from Tema and Sheba [e]
20thought they would find water.

But they were disappointed,
21just as I am with you. [f]

Only one look at my suffering,
and you run away scared.

What Have I Done Wrong?

22Have I ever asked any of you
to give me a gift
23or to purchase my freedom
from brutal enemies?

24What have I done wrong?

Show me,
and I will keep quiet.

25The truth is always painful,
but your arguments
prove nothing.

26Here I am desperate,
and you consider my words
as worthless as wind.

27Why, you would sell an orphan
or your own neighbor!

28Look me straight in the eye;
I won't lie to you.

29Stop accusing me falsely;
my reputation is at stake.

30I know right from wrong,
and I am not telling lies.

Job 7

Job Continues

Why Is Life So Hard?

1Why is life so hard?

Why do we suffer?

2We are slaves in search of shade;
we are laborers longing
for our wages.

3God has made my days drag on
and my nights miserable.

4I pray for night to end,
but it stretches out
while I toss and turn.

5My parched skin is covered
with worms, dirt, and sores,
6and my days are running out
quicker than the thread
of a fast-moving needle.

Don't Forget!

7I beg you, God, don't forget!

My life is just a breath,
and trouble lies ahead.

8I will vanish from sight,
and no one, including you,
will ever see me again.

9I will disappear in the grave
or vanish from sight
like a passing cloud.

10Never will I return home;
soon I will be forgotten.

11And so, I cry out to you
in agony and distress.

12Am I the sea or a sea monster?
Is that why you imprison me? [g]

13I go to bed, hoping for rest,
14but you torture me
with terrible dreams.

15I'd rather choke to death
than live in this body.

16Leave me alone and let me die;
my life has no meaning.

17What makes you so concerned
about us humans?

18Why do you test us
from sunrise to sunset?

19Won't you look away
just long enough
for me to swallow?

20Why do you watch us so closely?

What's it to you, if I sin?

Why am I your target
and such a heavy burden?

21Why do you refuse to forgive?

Soon you won't find me,
because I'll be dead.

Footnotes:
Job 4:1 Teman: See the note at 2.11.
Job 5:5 wealth: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 5.
Job 6:6 What is more tasteless. . . egg: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Job 6:14 and you should help me. . . God All-Powerful: Or "and if you don't help me, you no longer respect God All-Powerful."
Job 6:19 Tema and Sheba: Tema was a region in northwest Arabia, and Sheba was probably a region in southwest Arabia.
Job 6:21 just. . . you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Job 7:12 sea monster. . . imprison me: "Sea monster" translates the Hebrew word "Tannin," which was possibly a sea monster similar to Leviathan (3.8), Rahab (9.13), and Behemoth (40.15). According to 38.8-11, God makes the sea his prisoner by setting its boundaries.


1 Corinthians 14:18-40 (Contemporary English Version)

18I thank God that I speak unknown languages more than any of you. 19But words that make sense can help the church. That's why in church I had rather speak five words that make sense than to speak ten thousand words in a language that others don't know.

20My friends, stop thinking like children. Think like mature people and be as innocent as tiny babies. 21In the Scriptures the Lord says,

"I will use strangers
who speak unknown languages
to talk to my people.

They will speak to them
in foreign languages,
but still my people
won't listen to me."

22Languages that others don't know may mean something to unbelievers, but not to the Lord's followers. Prophecy, on the other hand, is for followers, not for unbelievers. 23Suppose everyone in your worship service started speaking unknown languages, and some outsiders or some unbelievers come in. Won't they think you are crazy? 24But suppose all of you are prophesying when those unbelievers and outsiders come in. They will realize that they are sinners, and they will want to change their ways because of what you are saying. 25They will tell what is hidden in their hearts. Then they will kneel down and say to God, "We are certain that you are with these people."

Worship Must Be Orderly

26My friends, when you meet to worship, you must do everything for the good of everyone there. That's how it should be when someone sings or teaches or tells what God has said or speaks an unknown language or explains what the language means. 27No more than two or three of you should speak unknown languages during the meeting. You must take turns, and someone should always be there to explain what you mean. 28If no one can explain, you must keep silent in church and speak only to yourself and to God.
29Two or three persons may prophesy, and everyone else must listen carefully. 30If someone sitting there receives a message from God, the speaker must stop and let the other person speak. 31Let only one person speak at a time, then all of you will learn something and be encouraged. 32A prophet should be willing to stop and let someone else speak. 33God wants everything to be done peacefully and in order.

When God's people meet in church, 34the women must not be allowed to speak. They must keep quiet and listen, as the Law of Moses teaches. 35If there is something they want to know, they can ask their husbands when they get home. It is disgraceful for women to speak in church. 36God's message did not start with you people, and you are not the only ones it has reached.

37If you think of yourself as a prophet or a spiritual person, you will know that I am writing only what the Lord has commanded. 38So don't pay attention to anyone who ignores what I am writing. 39My friends, be eager to prophesy and don't stop anyone from speaking languages that others don't know. 40But do everything properly and in order.


Psalm 37:30-40 (Contemporary English Version)

30Words of wisdom come
when good people speak
for justice.

31They remember God's teachings,
and they never take
a wrong step.

32The wicked try to trap
and kill good people,

33but the LORD is on their side,
and he will defend them
when they are on trial.

34Trust the LORD and follow him.

He will give you the land,
and you will see
the wicked destroyed.

35I have seen brutal people
abuse others
and grow strong
like trees in rich soil. [a]

36Suddenly they disappeared!

I looked, but they were gone
and no longer there.

37Think of the bright future
waiting
for all the families
of honest
and innocent
and peace-loving people.

38But not a trace will be left
of the wicked
or their families.

39The LORD protects his people,
and they can come to him
in times of trouble.

40The LORD helps them
and saves them from the wicked
because they run to him.

Footnotes:
Psalm 37:35 like. . . soil: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.


Proverbs 21:27 (Contemporary English Version)

27The Lord despises the offerings
of wicked people
with evil motives.

Bible Readings for August 21, 2011

Today our passages are Job 1:1–3:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1-17; Psalm 37:12-29; and Proverbs 21:25-26. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.

**********

Job 1-3:26 (Contemporary English Version)


Job 1

Job and His Family

1Many years ago, a man named Job lived in the land of Uz. a] He was a truly good person, who respected God and refused to do evil. 2Job had seven sons and three daughters. 3He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred pair of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a large number of servants. He was the richest person in the East.

4Job's sons took turns having feasts in their homes, and they always invited their three sisters to join in the eating and drinking. 5After each feast, Job would send for his children and perform a ceremony, as a way of asking God to forgive them of any wrongs they may have done. He would get up early the next morning and offer a sacrifice for each of them, just in case they had sinned or silently cursed God.

Angels, the LORD, and Satan

6One day, when the angels b] had gathered around the LORD, and Satan c] was there with them, 7the LORD asked, "Satan, where have you been?" Satan replied, "I have been going all over the earth."

8Then the LORD asked, "What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him--he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil."

9"Why shouldn't he respect you?" Satan remarked. 10"You are like a wall protecting not only him, but his entire family and all his property. You make him successful in whatever he does, and his flocks and herds are everywhere. 11Try taking away everything he owns, and he will curse you to your face."

12The LORD replied, "All right, Satan, do what you want with anything that belongs to him, but don't harm Job."

Then Satan left.

Job Loses Everything

13Job's sons and daughters were having a feast in the home of his oldest son, 14when someone rushed up to Job and said, "While your servants were plowing with your oxen, and your donkeys were nearby eating grass, 15a gang of Sabeans d] attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, and I was the only one who escaped to tell you." 16That servant was still speaking, when a second one came running up and saying, "God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

17Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, "Three gangs of Chaldeans e] attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you." 18That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, "Your children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home of your oldest son, 19when suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

20When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God 21and said:

"We bring nothing at birth;
we take nothing
with us at death.

The LORD alone gives and takes.
Praise the name of the LORD!"

22In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong.

Job 2

Job Loses His Health

1When the angels f] gathered around the LORD again, Satan g] was there with them, 2and the LORD asked, "Satan, where have you been?" Satan replied, "I have been going all over the earth."

3Then the LORD asked, "What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him--he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil. And he hasn't changed, even though you persuaded me to destroy him for no reason."

4Satan answered, "There's no pain like your own. h] People will do anything to stay alive. 5Try striking Job's own body with pain, and he will curse you to your face." 6"All right!" the LORD replied. "Make Job suffer as much as you want, but just don't kill him." 7Satan left and caused painful sores to break out all over Job's body--from head to toe.

8Then Job sat on the ash-heap to show his sorrow. And while he was scraping his sores with a broken piece of pottery, 9his wife asked, "Why do you still trust God? Why don't you curse him and die?"

10Job replied, "Don't talk like a fool! If we accept blessings from God, we must accept trouble as well." In all that happened, Job never once said anything against God.

Job's Three Friends

11Eliphaz from Teman, Bildad from Shuah, and Zophar from Naamah i] were three of Job's friends, and they heard about his troubles. So they agreed to visit Job and comfort him. 12When they came near enough to see Job, they could hardly recognize him. And in their great sorrow, they tore their clothes, then sprinkled dust on their heads and cried bitterly. 13For seven days and nights, they sat silently on the ground beside him, because they realized what terrible pain he was in.

Job 3

Job's First Speech

Blot Out the Day of My Birth

1Finally, Job cursed the day
of his birth
2by saying to God:

3Blot out the day of my birth
and the night when my parents
created a son.

4Forget about that day,
cover it with darkness,
5and send thick, gloomy shadows
to fill it with dread.

6Erase that night from the calendar
and conceal it with darkness.

7Don't let children be created
or joyful shouts be heard
ever again in that night.

8Let those with magic powers j]
place a curse on that day.

9Darken its morning stars
and remove all hope of light,
10because it let me be born
into a world of trouble.

Why Didn't I Die at Birth?

11Why didn't I die at birth?

12Why was I accepted k]
and allowed to nurse
at my mother's breast?

13Now I would be at peace
in the silent world below
14with kings and their advisors
whose palaces lie in ruins,
15and with rulers once rich
with silver and gold.

16I wish I had been born dead
and then buried,
never to see
the light of day.

17In the world of the dead,
the wicked and the weary rest
without a worry.

18Everyone is there--
19where captives and slaves
are free at last.

Why Does God Let Me Live?

20Why does God let me live
when life is miserable
and so bitter?

21I keep longing for death
more than I would seek
a valuable treasure.

22Nothing could make me happier
than to be in the grave.

23Why do I go on living
when God has me surrounded,
and I can't see the road?

24Moaning and groaning
are my food and drink,
25and my worst fears
have all come true.

26I have no peace or rest--
only troubles and worries.

Footnotes:
Job 1:1 Uz: The exact location of this place is unknown, though it was possibly somewhere in northwest Arabia.
Job 1:6 angels: See the note at 15.8.
Job 1:6 Satan: Hebrew "the accuser."
Job 1:15 Sabeans: Perhaps the people of Sheba in what is now southwest Arabia (see Isaiah 60.6).
Job 1:17 Chaldeans: People from the region of Babylonia, northeast of Palestine.
Job 2:1 angels: See the note at 15.8.
Job 2:1 Satan: See the note at 1.6.
Job 2:4 There's no pain like your own: The Hebrew text has "Skin for skin," which was probably a popular saying.
Job 2:11 Teman. . . Shuah. . . Naamah: Teman was a place in northern Edom; Shuah may have been a town on the Euphrates River or else further south, near the towns of Dedan and Sheba; Naamah may have been located on the road between Beirut and Damascus, though its exact location is unknown.
Job 3:8 those with magic powers: The Hebrew text has "those who can place a curse on the day and rouse up Leviathan," which was some kind of sea monster. God's victory over this monster sometimes stood for God's power over all creation and sometimes for his defeat of his enemies (see Isaiah 27.1). In Job 41.1, Leviathan is either a sea monster or a crocodile with almost supernatural powers.
Job 3:12 Why was I accepted: The Hebrew text has "Why were there knees to receive me," which may refer either to Job's mother or to his father, who would have placed Job on his knees to show that he had accepted him as his child.


1 Corinthians 14:1-17 (Contemporary English Version)

1 Corinthians 14

Speaking Unknown Languages and Prophesying

1Love should be your guide. Be eager to have the gifts that come from the Holy Spirit, especially the gift of prophecy. 2If you speak languages that others don't know, God will understand what you are saying, though no one else will know what you mean. You will be talking about mysteries that only the Spirit understands. 3But when you prophesy, you will be understood, and others will be helped. They will be encouraged and made to feel better.

4By speaking languages that others don't know, you help only yourself. But by prophesying you help everyone in the church. 5I am glad for you to speak unknown languages, although I had rather for you to prophesy. In fact, prophesying does much more good than speaking unknown languages, unless someone can help the church by explaining what you mean.

6My friends, what good would it do, if I came and spoke unknown languages to you and didn't explain what I meant? How would I help you, unless I told you what God had shown me or gave you some knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7If all musical instruments sounded alike, how would you know the difference between a flute and a harp? 8If a bugle call isn't clear, how would you know to get ready for battle?

9That's how it is when you speak unknown languages. If no one can understand what you are talking about, you will only be talking to the wind. 10There are many different languages in this world, and all of them make sense. 11But if I don't understand the language that someone is using, we will be like foreigners to each other. 12If you really want spiritual gifts, choose the ones that will be most helpful to the church.

13When we speak languages that others don't know, we should pray for the power to explain what we mean. 14For example, if I use an unknown language in my prayers, my spirit prays but my mind is useless. 15Then what should I do? There are times when I should pray with my spirit, and times when I should pray with my mind. Sometimes I should sing with my spirit, and at other times I should sing with my mind.

16Suppose some strangers are in your worship service, when you are praising God with your spirit. If they don't understand you, how will they know to say, "Amen"? 17You may be worshiping God in a wonderful way, but no one else will be helped.


Psalm 37:12-29 (Contemporary English Version)

12Merciless people make plots
against good people
and snarl like animals,
13but the Lord laughs and knows
their time is coming soon.

14The wicked kill with swords
and shoot arrows
to murder
the poor and the needy
and all who do right.

15But they will be killed
by their own swords,
and their arrows
will be broken.

16It is better to live right
and be poor
than to be sinful and rich.

17The wicked will lose all
of their power,
but the LORD gives strength
to everyone who is good.

18Those who obey the LORD
are daily in his care,
and what he has given them
will be theirs forever.

19They won't be in trouble
when times are bad,
and they will have plenty
when food is scarce.

20Wicked people are enemies
of the LORD
and will vanish like smoke
from a field on fire.

21An evil person borrows
and never pays back;
a good person is generous
and never stops giving.

22Everyone the LORD blesses
will receive the land;
everyone the LORD curses
will be destroyed.

23If you do what the LORD wants,
he will make certain
each step you take is sure.

24The LORD will hold your hand,
and if you stumble,
you still won't fall.

25As long as I can remember,
good people have never
been left helpless,
and their children have never
gone begging for food.

26They gladly give and lend,
and their children
turn out good.

27If you stop sinning
and start doing right,
you will keep living
and be secure forever.

28The LORD loves justice,
and he won't ever desert
his faithful people.

He always protects them,
but destroys the children
of the wicked.

29God's people will own the land
and live here forever.


Proverbs 21:25-26 (Contemporary English Version)

25If you want too much
and are too lazy to work,
it could be fatal.

26But people who obey God
are always generous.

Bible Readings for August 20, 2011

Today our passages are Esther 8:1–10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27–13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; and Proverbs 21:23-24. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.

***********

Esther 8-10:3 (Contemporary English Version)

Esther 8

A Happy Ending for the Jews

1Before the end of the day, King Xerxes gave Esther everything that had belonged to Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Esther told the king that Mordecai was her cousin. So the king made Mordecai one of his highest officials 2and gave him the royal ring that Haman had worn. Then Esther put Mordecai in charge of Haman's property.

3Once again Esther went to speak to the king. This time she fell down at his feet, crying and begging, " Please stop Haman's evil plan to have the Jews killed!" 4King Xerxes held out the golden scepter to Esther, 5and she got up and said, " Your Majesty, I know that you will do the right thing and that you really love me. Please stop what Haman has planned. He has already sent letters demanding that the Jews in all your provinces be killed, 6and I can't bear to see my people and my own relatives destroyed."

7King Xerxes then said to Esther and Mordecai, " I have already ordered Haman to be hanged and his house given to Esther, because of his evil plans to kill the Jews. 8I now give you permission to make a law that will save the lives of your people. You may use my ring to seal the law, so that it can never be changed."

9On the twenty-third day of Sivan, a] the third month, the king's secretaries wrote the law. They obeyed Mordecai and wrote to the Jews, the rulers, the governors, and the officials of all one hundred twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia. b] The letters were written in every language used in the kingdom, including the Jewish language. 10They were written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with his ring. Then they were taken by messengers who rode the king's finest and fastest horses. 11-13In these letters the king said:

On the thirteenth day of Adar, c] the twelfth month, the Jews in every city and province will be allowed to get together and defend themselves. They may destroy any army that attacks them, and they may kill all of their enemies, including women and children. They may also take everything that belongs to their enemies. A copy of this law is to be posted in every province and read by everyone.

14-15Then the king ordered his messengers to take their fastest horses and deliver the law as quickly as possible to every province. When Mordecai left, he was wearing clothes fit for a king. He wore blue and white robes, a large gold crown, and a cape made of fine linen and purple cloth.

After the law was announced in Susa, everyone shouted and cheered, 16and the Jews were no longer afraid. In fact, they were very happy and felt that they had won a victory.

17In every province and city where the law was sent, the Jews had parties and celebrated. Many of the people in the provinces accepted the Jewish religion, because they were now afraid of the Jews.

Esther 9

The Jews Destroy Their Enemies

1The first law that the king had made was to be followed on the thirteenth day of Adar, d] the twelfth month. This was the very day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to do away with them. But the Jews turned things around, 2and in the cities of every province they came together to attack their enemies. Everyone was afraid of the Jews, and no one could do anything to oppose them. 3The leaders of the provinces, the rulers, the governors, and the court officials were afraid of Mordecai and took sides with the Jews. 4Everyone in the provinces knew that the king had promoted him and had given him a lot of power.

5The Jews took their swords and did away with their enemies, without showing any mercy. 6-10They killed five hundred people in Susa, e] but they did not take anything that belonged to the ones they killed. Haman had been one of the worst enemies of the Jews, and ten of his sons were among those who were killed. Their names were Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha. 11Later that day, someone told the king how many people had been killed in Susa. f] 12Then he told Esther, " Five hundred people, including Haman's ten sons, have been killed in Susa alone. If that many were killed here, what must have happened in the provinces? Is there anything else you want done? Just tell me, and it will be done." 13Esther answered, " Your Majesty, please let the Jews in Susa fight to defend themselves tomorrow, just as they did today. And order the bodies of Haman's ten sons to be hanged in public."

14King Xerxes did what Esther had requested, and the bodies of Haman's sons were hung in Susa. 15Then on the fourteenth day of Adar the Jews of the city got together and killed three hundred more people. But they still did not take anything that belonged to their enemies.

16-17On the thirteenth day of Adar, the Jews in the provinces had come together to defend themselves. They killed seventy-five thousand of their enemies, but the Jews did not take anything that belonged to the ones they killed. Then on the fourteenth day of the month the Jews celebrated with a feast.

18On the fifteenth day of the month the Jews in Susa held a holiday and celebrated, after killing their enemies on the thirteenth and the fourteenth. 19This is why the Jews in the villages now celebrate on the fourteenth day of the month. It is a joyful holiday that they celebrate by feasting and sending gifts of food to each other.

The Festival of Purim

20Mordecai wrote down everything that had happened. Then he sent letters to the Jews everywhere in the provinces 21and told them:

Each year you must celebrate on both the fourteenth and the fifteenth of Adar, 22the days when we Jews defeated our enemies. Remember this month as a time when our sorrow was turned to joy, and celebration took the place of crying. Celebrate by having parties and by giving to the poor and by sharing gifts of food with each other.

23They followed Mordecai's instructions and set aside these two days every year as a time of celebration.

The Reason for the Festival of Purim

24Haman was the son of Hammedatha and a descendant of Agag. He hated the Jews so much that he planned to destroy them, but he wanted to find out the best time to do it. So he cast lots. g] 25Esther went to King Xerxes and asked him to save her people. Then the king gave written orders for Haman and his sons to be punished in the same terrible way that Haman had in mind for the Jews. So they were hanged. 26Mordecai's letter had said that the Jews must celebrate for two days because of what had happened to them. This time of celebration is called Purim, h] which is the Hebrew word for the lots that were cast. 27Now every year the Jews set aside these two days for having parties and celebrating, just as they were told to do. 28From now on, all Jewish families must remember to celebrate Purim on these two days each year. 29Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, wanted to give full authority to Mordecai's letter about the Festival of Purim, and with his help she wrote a letter about the feast. 30Copies of this letter were sent to Jews in the one hundred twenty-seven provinces of King Xerxes. In the letter they said:
We pray that all of you will live in peace and safety.

31You and your descendants must always remember to celebrate Purim at the time and in the way that we have said. You must also follow the instructions that we have given you about mourning and going without eating. i] 32These laws about Purim are written by the authority of Queen Esther.

Esther 10

The Greatness of Xerxes and Mordecai

1King Xerxes made everyone in his kingdom pay taxes, even those in lands across the sea. 2All the great and famous things that King Xerxes did are written in the record books of the kings of Media and Persia. These records also tell about the honors that the king gave to Mordecai. 3Next to the king himself, Mordecai was the highest official in the kingdom. He was a popular leader of the Jews, because he helped them in many ways and would even speak to the king for them.

Footnotes:
Esther 8:9 Sivan: The third month of the Hebrew calendar, from about mid-May to mid-June.
Esther 8:9 Ethiopia: See the note at 1.1,2.
Esther 8:11 Adar: See the note at 3.7.
Esther 9:1 Adar: See the note at 3.7.
Esther 9:6 in Susa: Or " in the royal fortress in Susa."
Esther 9:11 in Susa: Or " in the royal fortress in Susa."
Esther 9:24 cast lots: See the note at 3.7.
Esther 9:26 Purim: The Jewish festival of Purim got its name from " purim," which is the Babylonian name for the lots that Haman used. Purim is celebrated each year on the 14th and 15th of Adar, which is about the first of March.
Esther 9:31 going without eating: See the note at 4.3.


1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13 (Contemporary English Version)

27Together you are the body of Christ. Each one of you is part of his body. 28First, God chose some people to be apostles and prophets and teachers for the church. But he also chose some to work miracles or heal the sick or help others or be leaders or speak different kinds of languages. 29Not everyone is an apostle. Not everyone is a prophet. Not everyone is a teacher. Not everyone can work miracles. 30Not everyone can heal the sick. Not everyone can speak different kinds of languages. Not everyone can tell what these languages mean. 31I want you to desire the best gifts. a] So I will show you a much better way.

1 Corinthians 13

Love

1What if I could speak
all languages
of humans
and of angels?

If I did not love others,
I would be nothing more
than a noisy gong
or a clanging cymbal.

2What if I could prophesy
and understand all secrets
and all knowledge?

And what if I had faith
that moved mountains?

I would be nothing,
unless I loved others.

3What if I gave away all
that I owned
and let myself
be burned alive? b]

I would gain nothing,
unless I loved others.

4Love is kind and patient,
never jealous, boastful,
proud, or 5rude.

Love isn't selfish
or quick tempered.

It doesn't keep a record
of wrongs that others do.

6Love rejoices in the truth,
but not in evil.

7Love is always supportive,
loyal, hopeful,
and trusting.

8Love never fails!

Everyone who prophesies
will stop,
and unknown languages
will no longer
be spoken.

All that we know
will be forgotten.

9We don't know everything,
and our prophecies
are not complete.

10But what is perfect
will someday appear,
and what isn't perfect
will then disappear.

11When we were children,
we thought and reasoned
as children do.

But when we grew up,
we quit our childish ways.

12Now all we can see of God
is like a cloudy picture
in a mirror.

Later we will see him
face to face.

We don't know everything,
but then we will,
just as God completely
understands us.

13For now there are faith,
hope, and love.

But of these three,
the greatest is love.

Footnotes:
1 Corinthians 12:31 I want you to desire the best gifts: Or "You desire the best gifts."
1 Corinthians 13:3 and let myself be burned alive: Some manuscripts have "so that I could brag."


Psalm 37:1-11 (Contemporary English Version)

Psalm 37
(By David.)

Trust the LORD

1Don't be annoyed by anyone
who does wrong,
and don't envy them.

2They will soon disappear
like grass without rain.

3Trust the LORD and live right!

The land will be yours,
and you will be safe.

4Do what the LORD wants,
and he will give you
your heart's desire.

5Let the LORD lead you
and trust him to help.

6Then it will be as clear
as the noonday sun
that you were right.

7Be patient and trust the LORD.

Don't let it bother you
when all goes well for those
who do sinful things.

8Don't be angry or furious.

Anger can lead to sin.

9All sinners will disappear,
but if you trust the LORD,
the land will be yours.

10Sinners will soon disappear,
never to be found,
11but the poor will take the land
and enjoy a big harvest.


Proverbs 21:23-24 (Contemporary English Version)

23Watching what you say
can save you
a lot of trouble.

24If you are proud and conceited,
everyone will say,
"You're a snob!"

Bible Readings for August 19, 2011

Today our passages are Esther 4:1–7:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26; Psalm 36:1-12; and Proverbs 21:21-22. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.

**********

Esther 4-7:10 (Contemporary English Version)

Esther 4

Mordecai Asks for Esther's Help

1When Mordecai heard about the letter, he tore his clothes in sorrow and put on sackcloth. Then he covered his head with ashes and went through the city, crying and weeping. 2But he could go only as far as the palace gate, because no one wearing sackcloth was allowed inside the palace. 3In every province where the king's orders were read, the Jews cried and mourned, and they went without eating. a] Many of them even put on sackcloth and sat in ashes. 4When Esther's servant girls and her other servants told her what Mordecai was doing, she became very upset and sent Mordecai some clothes to wear in place of the sackcloth. But he refused to take them.

5Esther had a servant named Hathach, who had been given to her by the king. So she called him in and said, "Find out what's wrong with Mordecai and why he's acting this way."

6Hathach went to Mordecai in the city square in front of the palace gate, 7and Mordecai told him everything that had happened. He also told him how much money Haman had promised to add to the king's treasury, if all the Jews were killed.

8Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the orders for the murder of the Jews and told him that these had been read in Susa. He said, " Show this to Esther and explain what it means. Ask her to go to the king and beg him to have pity on her people, the Jews!"

9Hathach went back to Esther and told her what Mordecai had said. 10She answered, " Tell Mordecai 11there is a law about going in to see the king, and all his officials and his people know about this law. Anyone who goes in to see the king without being invited by him will be put to death. The only way that anyone can be saved is for the king to hold out the gold scepter to that person. And it's been thirty days since he has asked for me."

12When Mordecai was told what Esther had said, 13he sent back this reply, " Don't think that you will escape being killed with the rest of the Jews, just because you live in the king's palace. 14If you don't speak up now, we will somehow get help, but you and your family will be killed. It could be that you were made queen for a time like this!"

15Esther sent a message to Mordecai, saying, 16" Bring together all the Jews in Susa and tell them to go without eating for my sake! Don't eat or drink for three days and nights. My servant girls and I will do the same. Then I will go in to see the king, even if it means I must die."

17Mordecai did everything Esther told him to do.

Esther 5

Esther Invites the King and Haman to a Dinner

1Three days later, Esther dressed in her royal robes and went to the inner court of the palace in front of the throne. The king was sitting there, facing the open doorway. 2He was happy to see Esther, and he held out the gold scepter to her.

When Esther came up and touched the tip of the scepter, 3the king said, " Esther, what brings you here? Just ask, and I will give you as much as half of my kingdom."

4Esther answered, " Your Majesty, please come with Haman to a dinner I will prepare for you later today."

5The king said to his servants, " Hurry and get Haman, so we can accept Esther's invitation."

The king and Haman went to Esther's dinner, 6and while they were drinking wine, the king asked her, " What can I do for you? Just ask, and I will give you as much as half of my kingdom."

7-8Esther replied, " Your Majesty, if you really care for me and are willing to do what I want, please come again tomorrow with Haman to the dinner I will prepare for you. At that time I will answer Your Majesty's question."

Haman Plans To Kill Mordecai

9Haman was feeling great as he left. But when he saw Mordecai at the palace gate, he noticed that Mordecai did not stand up or show him any respect. This made Haman really angry, 10but he did not say a thing.
When Haman got home, he called together his friends and his wife Zeresh 11and started bragging about his great wealth and all his sons. He told them the many ways that the king had honored him and how all the other officials and leaders had to respect him. 12Haman added, " That's not all! Besides the king himself, I'm the only person Queen Esther invited for dinner. She has also invited the king and me to dinner tomorrow. 13But none of this makes me happy, as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the palace gate."

14Haman's wife and friends said to him, " Have a tower built about seventy-five feet high, and tomorrow morning ask the king to hang Mordecai there. Then later, you can have dinner with the king and enjoy yourself."

This seemed like a good idea to Haman, and he had the tower built.

Esther 6

The King Honors Mordecai

1That night the king could not sleep, and he had a servant read him the records of what had happened since he had been king. 2When the servant read how Mordecai had kept Bigthana and Teresh from killing the king, 3the king asked, " What has been done to reward Mordecai for this?"

" Nothing, Your Majesty!" the king's servants replied.

4About this time, Haman came in to ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on the tower he had built. The king saw him and asked, " Who is that man waiting in front of the throne room?"

5The king's servants answered, " Your Majesty, it is Haman."

" Have him come in," the king commanded.

6When Haman entered the room, the king asked him, " What should I do for a man I want to honor?"

Haman was sure that he was the one the king wanted to honor. 7So he replied, " Your Majesty, if you wish to honor a man, 8have someone bring him one of your own robes and one of your own horses with a fancy headdress. 9Have one of your highest officials place your robe on this man and lead him through the streets on your horse, while someone shouts, `This is how the king honors a man!' "

10The king replied, " Hurry and do just what you have said! Don't forget a thing. Get the robe and the horse for Mordecai the Jew, who is on duty at the palace gate!"

11Haman got the king's robe and put it on Mordecai. He led him through the city on the horse and shouted as he went, " This is how the king honors a man!"

12Afterwards, Mordecai returned to his duties at the palace gate, and Haman hurried home, hiding his face in shame. 13Haman told his wife and friends what had happened. Then his wife and his advisors said, " If Mordecai is a Jew, this is just the beginning of your troubles! You will end up a ruined man." 14They were still talking, when the king's servants came and quickly took Haman to the dinner that Esther had prepared.

Esther 7

Haman Is Punished

1The king and Haman were dining with Esther 2and drinking wine during the second dinner, when the king again said, " Esther, what can I do for you? Just ask, and I will give you as much as half of my kingdom!"

3Esther answered, " Your Majesty, if you really care for me and are willing to help, you can save me and my people. That's what I really want, 4because a reward has been promised to anyone who kills my people. Your Majesty, if we were merely going to be sold as slaves, I would not have bothered you." b] 5" Who would dare to do such a thing?" the king asked.

6Esther replied, " That evil Haman is the one out to get us!"

Haman was terrified, as he looked at the king and the queen.

7The king was so angry that he got up, left his wine, and went out into the palace garden.

Haman realized that the king had already decided what to do with him, and he stayed and begged Esther to save his life.

8Just as the king came back into the room, Haman got down on his knees beside Esther, who was lying on the couch. The king shouted, " Now you're even trying to rape my queen here in my own palace!"

As soon as the king said this, his servants covered Haman's head. 9Then Harbona, one of the king's personal servants, said, " Your Majesty, Haman built a tower seventy-five feet high beside his house, so he could hang Mordecai on it. And Mordecai is the very one who spoke up and saved your life."

" Hang Haman from his own tower!" the king commanded. 10Right away, Haman was hanged on the tower he had built to hang Mordecai, and the king calmed down.

Footnotes:
Esther 4:3 went without eating: The Israelites would sometimes go without eating (also called " fasting" ) in times of great sorrow or danger.
Esther 7:4 I would. . . bothered you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.


1 Corinthians 12:1-26 (Contemporary English Version)

1 Corinthians 12

Spiritual Gifts

1My friends, you asked me about spiritual gifts. 2I want you to remember that before you became followers of the Lord, you were led in all the wrong ways by idols that cannot even talk. 3Now I want you to know that if you are led by God's Spirit, you will say that Jesus is Lord, and you will never curse Jesus.

4There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. 5There are different ways to serve the same Lord, 6and we can each do different things. Yet the same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do.

7The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others. 8Some of us can speak with wisdom, while others can speak with knowledge, but these gifts come from the same Spirit. 9To others the Spirit has given great faith or the power to heal the sick 10or the power to work mighty miracles. Some of us are prophets, and some of us recognize when God's Spirit is present. a] Others can speak different kinds of languages, and still others can tell what these languages mean. 11But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us.

One Body with Many Parts

12The body of Christ has many different parts, just as any other body does. 13Some of us are Jews, and others are Gentiles. Some of us are slaves, and others are free. But God's Spirit baptized each of us and made us part of the body of Christ. Now we each drink from that same Spirit. b] 14Our bodies don't have just one part. They have many parts. 15Suppose a foot says, "I'm not a hand, and so I'm not part of the body." Wouldn't the foot still belong to the body? 16Or suppose an ear says, "I'm not an eye, and so I'm not part of the body." Wouldn't the ear still belong to the body? 17If our bodies were only an eye, we couldn't hear a thing. And if they were only an ear, we couldn't smell a thing. 18But God has put all parts of our body together in the way that he decided is best.

19A body isn't really a body, unless there is more than one part. 20It takes many parts to make a single body. 21That's why the eyes cannot say they don't need the hands. That's also why the head cannot say it doesn't need the feet. 22In fact, we cannot get along without the parts of the body that seem to be the weakest. 23We take special care to dress up some parts of our bodies. We are modest about our personal parts, 24but we don't have to be modest about other parts.

God put our bodies together in such a way that even the parts that seem the least important are valuable. 25He did this to make all parts of the body work together smoothly, with each part caring about the others. 26If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over. If one part of our body is honored, the whole body will be happy.

Footnotes:
1 Corinthians 12:10 and some of us. . . present: Or "and some of us recognize the difference between God's Spirit and other spirits."
1 Corinthians 12:13 Some of us are Jews. . . that same Spirit: Verse 13 may also be translated, "God's Spirit is inside each of us, and all around us as well. So it doesn't matter that some of us are Jews and others are Gentiles and that some are slaves and others are free. Together we are one body."


Psalm 36:1-12 (Contemporary English Version)

Psalm 36
(For the music leader by David, the LORD's servant.)

Human Sin and God's Goodness

1Sinners don't respect God;
sin is all they think about.

2They like themselves too much
to hate their own sins
or even to see them.

3They tell deceitful lies,
and they don't have the sense
to live right.

4Those people stay awake,
thinking up mischief,
and they follow the wrong road,
refusing to turn from sin.

5Your love is faithful, LORD,
and even the clouds in the sky
can depend on you.

6Your decisions are always fair.

They are firm like mountains,
deep like the sea,
and all people and animals
are under your care.

7Your love is a treasure,
and everyone finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.

8You give your guests a feast
in your house,
and you serve a tasty drink
that flows like a river.

9The life-giving fountain
belongs to you,
and your light gives light
to each of us.

10Our LORD, keep showing love
to everyone who knows you,
and use your power to save
all whose thoughts please you.

11Don't let those proud
and merciless people
kick me around
or chase me away.

12Look at those wicked people!

They are knocked down,
never to get up again.


Proverbs 21:21-22 (Contemporary English Version)

21If you try to be kind and good,
you will be blessed with life
and goodness and honor.

22One wise person can defeat
a city full of soldiers
and capture their fortress.

Bible Readings for August 18, 2011

Today our passages are Esther 1:1–3:15; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Psalm 35:17-28; and Proverbs 21:19-20. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.

**********

Esther 1-3:15 (Contemporary English Version)


Esther 1

Queen Vashti Disobeys King Xerxes

1-2King Xerxes a] of Persia lived in his capital city of Susa b] and ruled one hundred twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia. c] 3During the third year of his rule, Xerxes gave a big dinner for all his officials and officers. The governors and leaders of the provinces were also invited, and even the commanders of the Persian and Median armies came. 4For one hundred eighty days he showed off his wealth and spent a lot of money to impress his guests with the greatness of his kingdom. 5King Xerxes soon gave another dinner and invited everyone in the city of Susa, no matter who they were. The eating and drinking lasted seven days in the beautiful palace gardens. 6The area was decorated with blue and white cotton curtains tied back with purple linen cords that ran through silver rings fastened to marble columns. Couches of gold and silver rested on pavement that had all kinds of designs made from costly bright-colored stones and marble and mother-of-pearl.

7The guests drank from gold cups, and each cup had a different design. The king was generous 8and said to them, " Drink all you want!" Then he told his servants, " Keep their cups full."

9While the men were enjoying themselves, Queen Vashti gave the women a big dinner inside the royal palace.

10By the seventh day, King Xerxes was feeling happy because of so much wine. And he asked his seven personal servants, Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, 11to bring Queen Vashti to him. The king wanted her to wear her crown and let his people and his officials see how beautiful she was. 12The king's servants told Queen Vashti what he had said, but she refused to go to him, and this made him terribly angry.

13-14The king called in the seven highest officials of Persia and Media. They were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These men were very wise and understood all the laws and customs of the country, and the king always asked them what they thought about such matters.

15The king said to them, " Queen Vashti refused to come to me when I sent my servants for her. What does the law say I should do about that?"

16Then Memucan told the king and the officials:

Your Majesty, Queen Vashti has not only embarrassed you, but she has insulted your officials and everyone else in all the provinces.

17The women in the kingdom will hear about this, and they will refuse to respect their husbands. They will say, " If Queen Vashti doesn't obey her husband, why should we?" 18Before this day is over, the wives of the officials of Persia and Media will find out what Queen Vashti has done, and they will refuse to obey their husbands. They won't respect their husbands, and their husbands will be angry with them.

19Your Majesty, if you agree, you should write for the Medes and Persians a law that can never be changed. This law would keep Queen Vashti from ever seeing you again. Then you could let someone who respects you be queen in her place.

20When the women in your great kingdom hear about this new law, they will respect their husbands, no matter if they are rich or poor.

21King Xerxes and his officials liked what Memucan had said, 22and he sent letters to all of his provinces. Each letter was written in the language of the province to which it was sent, and it said that husbands should have complete control over their wives and children.

Esther 2

Esther Becomes Queen

1After a while, King Xerxes got over being angry. But he kept thinking about what Vashti had done and the law that he had written because of her. 2Then the king's personal servants said:

Your Majesty, a search must be made to find you some beautiful young women. 3You can select officers in every province to bring them to the place where you keep your wives in the capital city of Susa. Put your servant Hegai in charge of them since that is his job. He can see to it that they are given the proper beauty treatments. 4Then let the young woman who pleases you most take Vashti's place as queen.

King Xerxes liked these suggestions, and he followed them.

5At this time a Jew named Mordecai was living in Susa. His father was Jair, and his grandfather Shimei was the son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. 6Kish d] was one of the people that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem, when he took King Jeconiah of Judah to Babylonia. 7Mordecai had a very beautiful cousin named Esther, whose Hebrew name was Hadassah. He had raised her as his own daughter, after her father and mother died. 8When the king ordered the search for beautiful women, many were taken to the king's palace in Susa, and Esther was one of them.

Hegai was put in charge of all the women, 9and from the first day, Esther was his favorite. He began her beauty treatments at once. He also gave her plenty of food and seven special maids from the king's palace, and they had the best rooms.

10Mordecai had warned Esther not to tell anyone that she was a Jew, and she obeyed him. 11He was anxious to see how Esther was getting along and to learn what had happened to her. So each day he would walk back and forth in front of the court where the women lived.

12The young women were given beauty treatments for one whole year. The first six months their skin was rubbed with olive oil and myrrh, and the last six months it was treated with perfumes and cosmetics. Then each of them spent the night alone with King Xerxes. 13When a young woman went to the king, she could wear whatever clothes or jewelry she chose from the women's living quarters. 14In the evening she would go to the king, and the following morning she would go to the place where his wives stayed after being with him. There a man named Shaashgaz was in charge of the king's wives. e] Only the ones the king wanted and asked for by name could go back to the king. 15-16Xerxes had been king for seven years when Esther's turn came to go to him during Tebeth, f] the tenth month of the year. Everyone liked Esther. The king's personal servant Hegai was in charge of the women, and Esther trusted Hegai and asked him what she ought to take with her. g] 17Xerxes liked Esther more than he did any of the other young women. None of them pleased him as much as she did, and right away he fell in love with her and crowned her queen in place of Vashti. 18In honor of Esther he gave a big dinner for his leaders and officials. Then he declared a holiday everywhere in his kingdom and gave expensive gifts.

Mordecai Saves the King's Life

19When the young women were brought together again, Esther's cousin Mordecai had become a palace official. 20He had told Esther never to tell anyone that she was a Jew, and she obeyed him, just as she had always done.

21Bigthana and Teresh were the two men who guarded King Xerxes' rooms, but they got angry with the king and decided to kill him. 22Mordecai found out about their plans and asked Queen Esther to tell the king what he had found out. 23King Xerxes learned that Mordecai's report was true, and he had the two men hanged. Then the king had all of this written down in his record book as he watched.

Esther 3

Haman Plans To Destroy the Jews

1Later, King Xerxes promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha to the highest position in his kingdom. Haman was a descendant of Agag, h] 2and the king had given orders for his officials at the royal gate to honor Haman by kneeling down to him. All of them obeyed except Mordecai. 3When the other officials asked Mordecai why he disobeyed the king's command, 4he said, " Because I am a Jew." They spoke to him for several days about kneeling down, but he still refused to obey. Finally, they reported this to Haman, to find out if he would let Mordecai get away with it. 5Haman was furious to learn that Mordecai refused to kneel down and honor him. 6And when he found out that Mordecai was a Jew, he knew that killing only Mordecai was not enough. Every Jew in the whole kingdom had to be killed.

7It was now the twelfth year of the rule of King Xerxes. During Nisan, i] the first month of the year, Haman said, " Find out the best time for me to do this." j] The time chosen was Adar, k] the twelfth month. 8Then Haman went to the king and said:

Your Majesty, there are some people who live all over your kingdom and won't have a thing to do with anyone else. They have customs that are different from everyone else's, and they refuse to obey your laws. We would be better off to get rid of them! 9Why not give orders for all of them to be killed? I can promise that you will get tons of silver for your treasury.

10The king handed his official ring to Haman, who hated the Jews, and the king told him, 11" Do what you want with those people! You can keep their money."

12On the thirteenth day of Nisan, Haman called in the king's secretaries and ordered them to write letters in every language used in the kingdom. The letters were written in the name of the king and sealed by using the king's own ring. l] At once they were sent to the king's highest officials, the governors of each province, and the leaders of the different nations in the kingdom of Xerxes. 13The letters were taken by messengers to every part of the kingdom, and this is what was said in the letters:

On the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month, all Jewish men, women, and children are to be killed. And their property is to be taken.

14-15King Xerxes gave orders for these letters to be posted where they could be seen by everyone all over the kingdom. The king's command was obeyed, and one of the letters was read aloud to the people in the walled city of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink together, but no one in the city m] could figure out what was going on.

Footnotes:
Esther 1:1 Xerxes: The Hebrew text has " Ahasuerus," who was better known as King Xerxes I (485-465 B.C.).
Esther 1:1 in his capital city of Susa: Or " in his royal fortress in the city of Susa." Susa was a city east of Babylon and a winter home for Persian kings.
Esther 1:1 Ethiopia: The Hebrew text has " Cush," which was a region south of Egypt that included parts of the present countries of Ethiopia and Sudan.
Esther 2:6 Kish: Or " Mordecai." The Hebrew text has " He."
Esther 2:14 wives: This translates a Hebrew word for women who were legally bound to a man, but without the full privileges of a wife.
Esther 2:15 Tebeth: The tenth month of the Hebrew calendar, from about mid-December to mid-January.
Esther 2:15 her: The Hebrew text adds, " Esther was the daughter of Abihail and was the cousin of Mordecai, who had adopted her after her parents died" (see verse 7).
Esther 3:1 Agag: Agag was a king who had fought against the Jews long before the time of Esther (see 1 Samuel 15.1-33).
Esther 3:7 Nisan: The first month of the Hebrew calendar, from about mid-March to mid-April.
Esther 3:7 Find out. . . do this: The Hebrew text has " cast lots," which were pieces of wood or stone used to find out how and when to do something. For " lots" the Hebrew text uses the Babylonian word " purim."
Esther 3:7 Adar: The twelfth month of the Hebrew calendar, from about mid-February to mid-March.
Esther 3:12 king's own ring: Melted wax was used to seal a letter, and while the wax was still soft, the king's ring was pressed in the wax to show that the letter was official.
Esther 3:14 walled city. . . city: Or " royal fortress. . . rest of the city."


1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (Contemporary English Version)


Rules for the Lord's Supper

17Your worship services do you more harm than good. I am certainly not going to praise you for this. 18I am told that you can't get along with each other when you worship, and I am sure that some of what I have heard is true. 19You are bound to argue with each other, but it is easy to see which of you have God's approval.

20When you meet together, you don't really celebrate the Lord's Supper. 21You even start eating before everyone gets to the meeting, and some of you go hungry, while others get drunk. 22Don't you have homes where you can eat and drink? Do you hate God's church? Do you want to embarrass people who don't have anything? What can I say to you? I certainly cannot praise you.

The Lord's Supper
(Matthew 26.26-29; Mark 14.22-25; Luke 22.14-20)

23I have already told you what the Lord Jesus did on the night he was betrayed. And it came from the Lord himself.

He took some bread in his hands. 24Then after he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Eat this and remember me."

25After the meal, Jesus took a cup of wine in his hands and said, "This is my blood, and with it God makes his new agreement with you. Drink this and remember me."

26The Lord meant that when you eat this bread and drink from this cup, you tell about his death until he comes.

27But if you eat the bread and drink the wine in a way that isn't worthy of the Lord, you sin against his body and blood. 28That's why you must examine the way you eat and drink. 29If you fail to understand that you are the body of the Lord, you will condemn yourselves by the way you eat and drink. 30That's why many of you are sick and weak and why a lot of others have died. 31If we carefully judge ourselves, we won't be punished. 32But when the Lord judges and punishes us, he does it to keep us from being condemned with the rest of the world.

33My dear friends, you should wait until everyone gets there before you start eating. 34If you really are hungry, you can eat at home. Then you won't condemn yourselves when you meet together.

After I arrive, I will instruct you about the other matters.


Psalm 35:17-28 (Contemporary English Version)

17But all you do is watch!

When will you do something?

Save me from the attack

of those vicious lions.

18And when your people meet,

I will praise you

and thank you, Lord,

in front of them all.

19Don't let my brutal enemies

be glad because of me.

They hate me for no reason.

Don't let them wink

behind my back.

20They say hurtful things,

and they lie to people

who want to live in peace.

21They are quick to accuse me.

They say, "You did it!

We saw you ourselves."

22You see everything, LORD!

Please don't keep silent

or stay so far away.

23Fight to defend me, Lord God,

24and prove that I am right

by your standards.

Don't let them laugh at me

25or say to each other,

"Now we've got what we want!

We'll gobble him down!"

26Disappoint and confuse

all who are glad

to see me in trouble,

but disgrace and embarrass

my proud enemies

who say to me,

"You are nothing!"

27Let all who want me to win

be happy and joyful.

From now on let them say,

"The LORD is wonderful!

God is glad when all goes well

for his servant."

28Then I will shout all day,

"Praise the LORD God!

He did what was right."


Proverbs 21:19-20 (Contemporary English Version)

19It's better out in the desert

than at home with a nagging,

complaining wife.

20Be sensible and store up

precious treasures--

don't waste them

like a fool.

Bible Readings for August 17, 2011

Today our passages are Nehemiah 12:27–13:31; 1 Corinthians 11:3-16; Psalm 35:1-16; and Proverbs 21:17-18. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.

**********

Nehemiah 12:27-13:31 (Contemporary English Version)

Nehemiah Dedicates the City Wall

27When the city wall was dedicated, Levites from everywhere in Judah were invited to join in the celebration with songs of praise and with the music of cymbals, small harps, and other stringed instruments. 28-29The Levite singers lived in villages around Jerusalem, and so they came from there, as well as from the villages around Netophah, Beth-Gilgal, Geba, and Azmaveth. 30The priests and Levites held special ceremonies to make themselves holy, and then they did the same for the rest of the people and for the gates and walls of the city.

31I brought the leaders of Judah to the top of the city wall and put them in charge of the two groups that were to march around on top of the wall, singing praises to God. One group marched to the right in the direction of Garbage Gate. 32Hoshaiah and half of the leaders followed them. 33Then came the priests Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, and Jeremiah, 35all of them blowing trumpets. Next, there was Zechariah of the Asaph clan a] 36and his relatives, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani. They played musical instruments like those that had been played by David, the man of God. And they marched behind Ezra, the teacher of the Law. 37When they reached Fountain Gate, they climbed the steps to David's City and went past his palace, before stopping at the Water Gate near the eastern wall of the city. 38The second group of singers marched along the wall in the opposite direction, and I followed them, together with the other half of the leaders of Judah. We went past Oven Tower, Broad Wall, 39Ephraim Gate, Old Gate, Fish Gate, Hananel Tower, Hundred Tower, and on to Sheep Gate. Finally, we stopped at Gate of the Guard, 40where we stood in front of the temple with the other group, praising God. In the group with me were half of the leaders, 41as well as the priests Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, who were blowing trumpets. 42Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer also stood there, as Jezrahiah led the singers. 43God had made the people very happy, and so on that day they celebrated and offered many sacrifices. The women and children joined in the festivities, and joyful shouts could be heard far from the city of Jerusalem.

Preparation for Worship

44On that same day, some leaders were appointed to be responsible for the safekeeping of gifts for the temple and to be in charge of receiving the first part of the harvest and the ten percent of the crops and livestock that was offered to God. These same leaders also collected the part of crops that the Law of Moses taught was to be given to the Levites.

Everyone was pleased with the work of the priests and Levites, 45when they performed the ceremonies to make people acceptable to worship God. And the singers and the temple guards did their jobs according to the instructions given by David and his son Solomon. 46In fact, ever since the days of David and Asaph, there had been song leaders and songs of praise and worship. 47During the time that Zerubbabel and I were in charge, everyone in Israel gave what they were supposed to give for the daily needs of the singers and temple guards from the Levi tribe. Then the Levites would give the priests their share from what they had received.

Nehemiah 13

Foreigners Are Sent Away

1On that day when the Law of Moses was read aloud to everyone, it was discovered that Ammonites and Moabites were forbidden to belong to the people of God. 2This was because they had refused to give food and water to Israel and had hired Balaam b] to call down a curse on them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. 3Following the reading of the Law of Moses, the people of Israel started sending away anyone who had any foreign ancestors.

Nehemiah Makes Other Changes

4The priest Eliashib was a relative of Tobiah and had earlier been put in charge of the temple storerooms. 5So he let Tobiah live in one of these rooms, where all kinds of things had been stored--the grain offerings, incense, utensils for the temple, as well as the tenth of the grain, wine, and olive oil that had been given for the use of the Levites, singers, and temple guards, and the gifts for the priests.

6This happened in the thirty-second year that Artaxerxes c] ruled Babylonia. I was away from Jerusalem at the time, because I was visiting him. Later I received permission from the king 7to return to Jerusalem. Only then did I find out that Eliashib had done this terrible thing of letting Tobiah have a room in the temple. 8It upset me so much that I threw out every bit of Tobiah's furniture. 9Then I ordered the room to be cleaned and the temple utensils, the grain offerings, and the incense to be brought back into the room. 10I also found out that the temple singers and several other Levites had returned to work on their farms, because they had not been given their share of the harvest. 11I called the leaders together and angrily asked them, " Why is the temple neglected?" Then I told them to start doing their jobs. 12After this, everyone in Judah brought a tenth of their grain, wine, and olive oil to the temple storeroom. 13Finally, I appointed three men with good reputations to be in charge of what was brought there and to distribute it to the others. They were Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the teacher of the Law, and Pedaiah the Levite. Their assistant was Hanan, the son of Zaccur and the grandson of Mattaniah.

14I pray that my God will remember these good things that I have done for his temple and for those who worship there.

The Sabbath

15I also noticed what the people of Judah were doing on the Sabbath. Not only were they trampling grapes to make wine, but they were harvesting their grain, grapes, figs, and other crops, and then loading these on donkeys to sell in Jerusalem. So I warned them not to sell food on the Sabbath. 16People who had moved to Jerusalem from the city of Tyre were bringing in fish and other things to sell there on the Sabbath. 17I got angry and said to the leaders of Judah, " This evil you are doing is an insult to the Sabbath! 18Didn't God punish us and this city because our ancestors did these very same things? And here you are, about to make God furious again by disgracing the Sabbath!"

19I ordered the gates of Jerusalem to be closed on the eve of the Sabbath d] and not to be opened until after the Sabbath had ended. Then I put some of my own men in charge of the gates to make certain that nothing was brought in on the Sabbath. 20Once or twice some merchants spent the night outside Jerusalem with their goods. 21But I warned them, " If you do this again, I'll have you arrested." From then on, they did not come on the Sabbath. 22I ordered the Levites to make themselves holy and to guard the gates on the Sabbath, so that it would be kept holy. God is truly merciful, and I pray that he will treat me with kindness and bless me for doing this.

Mixed Marriages

23I discovered that some Jewish men had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 24About half of their children could not speak Hebrew--they spoke only the language of Ashdod or some other foreign language. 25So in my anger, I called down curses on those men. I had them beaten and even pulled out the hair of some of them. Then I made them promise:

In the name of God we solemnly promise not to let our sons and daughters marry foreigners. 26God dearly loved King Solomon of Israel and made him the greatest king on earth, but Solomon's foreign wives led him into sin. 27So we will obey you and not rebel against our God by marrying foreign women.

28Jehoiada, the son of the high priest Eliashib, had a son who had married a daughter of Sanballat from Horon, e] and I forced his son to leave. 29I pray that God will punish them for breaking their priestly vows and disgracing the Levi tribe.

30Then I made sure that the people were free from every foreign influence, and I assigned duties for the priests and Levites. 31I also arranged for the people to bring firewood to the altar each day and for them to bring the first part of their harvest to the temple.

I pray that God will bless me for the good I have done.

Footnotes:
Nehemiah 12:35 Zechariah of the Asaph clan: Hebrew " Zechariah son of Jonathan son of Shemaiah son of Mattaniah son of Micaiah son of Zaccur son of Asaph."
Nehemiah 13:2 Balaam: See Numbers 22.1-6.
Nehemiah 13:6 Artaxerxes: See the note at 1.1.
Nehemiah 13:19 eve of the Sabbath: The Jewish day began at sunset.
Nehemiah 13:28 Horon: See the note at 2.10.


1 Corinthians 11:3-16 (Contemporary English Version)

3Now I want you to know that Christ is the head over all men, and a man is the head over a woman. But God is the head over Christ. 4This means that any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head brings shame to his head.

5But any woman who prays or prophesies without something on her head brings shame to her head. In fact, she may as well shave her head. a] 6A woman should wear something on her head. It is a disgrace for a woman to shave her head or cut her hair. But if she refuses to wear something on her head, let her cut off her hair. 7Men were created to be like God and to bring honor to God. This means that a man should not wear anything on his head. Women were created to bring honor to men. 8It was the woman who was made from a man, and not the man who was made from a woman. 9He wasn't created for her. She was created for him. 10And so, because of this, and also because of the angels, a woman ought to wear something on her head, as a sign of her authority. b] 11As far as the Lord is concerned, men and women need each other. 12It is true that the first woman came from a man, but all other men have been given birth by women. Yet God is the one who created everything. 13Ask yourselves if it is proper for a woman to pray without something on her head. 14Isn't it unnatural and disgraceful for men to have long hair? 15But long hair is a beautiful way for a woman to cover her head. 16This is how things are done in all of God's churches, c] and that's why none of you should argue about what I have said.

Footnotes:
1 Corinthians 11:5 she may as well shave her head: A woman's hair was a mark of beauty, and it was shameful for a woman to cut her hair short or to shave her head, so that she looked like a man.
1 Corinthians 11:10 as a sign of her authority: Or "as a sign that she is under someone's authority."
1 Corinthians 11:16 This is how things are done in all of God's churches: Or "There is no set rule for this in any of God's churches."


Psalm 35:1-16 (Contemporary English Version)

Psalm 35
(A psalm by David.)

A Prayer for Protection from Enemies

1Fight my enemies, LORD!

Attack my attackers!

2Shield me and help me.

3Aim your spear at everyone
who hunts me down,
but promise to save me.

4Let all who want to kill me
be disappointed
and disgraced.

Chase away and confuse
all who plan to harm me.

5Send your angel after them
and let them be like straw
in the wind.

6Make them run in the dark
on a slippery road,
as your angel chases them.

7I did them no harm,
but they hid a net
to trap me,
and they dug a deep pit
to catch and kill me.

8Surprise them with disaster!

Trap them in their own nets
and let them fall and rot
in the pits they have dug.

9I will celebrate and be joyful
because you, LORD,
have saved me.

10Every bone in my body
will shout:
"No one is like the LORD!"

You protect the helpless
from those in power;
you save the poor and needy
from those who hurt them.

11Liars accuse me of crimes
I know nothing about.

12They repay evil for good,
and I feel all alone.

13When they were sick,
I wore sackcloth a] and went without food. b]

I truly prayed for them, c]
14as I would for a friend
or a relative.

I was in sorrow and mourned,
as I would for my mother.

15I have stumbled,
and worthless liars
I don't even know
surround me and sneer.

16Worthless people make fun d]
and never stop laughing.

Footnotes:
Psalm 35:13 sackcloth: See the note at 30.11.
Psalm 35:13 went without food: People sometimes went without food (called " fasting" ) to show sorrow.
Psalm 35:13 I. . . them: Or " My prayer wasn't answered, but I prayed."
Psalm 35:16 Worthless. . . fun: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.


Proverbs 21:17-18 (Contemporary English Version)

17Heavy drinkers and others
who live only for pleasure
will lose all they have.

18God's people will escape,
but all who are wicked
will pay the price.