Through My Bible Yr 01 – January 06

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Through My Bible Yr 01 – January 01

2 Corinthians 11:21b – 12:10

2 Corinthians 11

21 However bold anyone might be (I am speaking in a foolish way), I am going to be bold too. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s seed? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I am speaking in a crazy way.) I am even more. I’ve done more hard work, been in prisons more often, been whipped far more, and I’ve been close to death many times. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. One time I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day on the open sea. 26 I have often been on journeys, in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from my own people, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger on the sea, in danger among false brothers. 27 I have worked hard and struggled. I’ve spent many sleepless nights. I’ve been hungry and thirsty. I’ve gone without food many times. I’ve been cold and lacked clothing.

28 Besides those external matters, there is the daily pressure on me of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who falls into sin without my being distressed?

30 If it is necessary that I boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is eternally blessed, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept the city of Damascus on alert [1] to arrest me, 33 but I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped from his hands.

Carried Up to Paradise

2 Corinthians 12

1 I must go on boasting, although there is nothing to be gained. So I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago, was carried up to the third heaven (whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know—God knows). 3 And I know that such a man (whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know—God knows) 4 was carried up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words that a man cannot possibly speak. [2] 5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. 6 Indeed, if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from doing this, so that no one will think more highly of me than what he sees in me or hears from me.

7 Therefore, [3] to keep me from becoming arrogant due to the extraordinary nature of these revelations, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me, so that I would not become arrogant. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that he would take it away from me. 9 And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, because my power is made perfect [4] in weakness.” Therefore I will be glad to boast all the more in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may shelter me.

10 That is why I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For whenever I am weak, then am I strong.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 11:32 Some witnesses to the text add since he wanted.
  2. 2 Corinthians 12:4 Or that a man is not permitted to speak
  3. 2 Corinthians 12:7 Some witnesses to the text omit Therefore.
  4. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Or reaches its goal


The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Through My Bible Yr 01 – January 05

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Through My Bible Yr 01 – January 05

2 Corinthians 11:1-21a

2 Corinthians 11

Bear With Me

1 I wish that you would be patient with me in regard to a little foolishness—but you are already being patient with me. 2 You see, I am jealous about you, with a godly jealousy, because I promised to present you as a pure virgin to one husband, Christ. 3 But I am afraid that somehow, just as the serpent deceived Eve with his cunning, so also your minds might be led astray from a sincere [1] and pure devotion to Christ. 4 In fact, if someone comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you accept a different spirit, which you did not accept before, or a different “gospel,” which you did not welcome before, you put up with it all too well. 5 I do not think that I am in any way inferior to the “super-apostles.” 6 But even if I am an amateur in speech, yet I am not an amateur in knowledge. No, in everything we have clearly demonstrated that to you in every way.

7 Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself, so that you would be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches, by receiving support from them to minister to you! 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I did not burden anyone, because when the brothers came from Macedonia, they supplied what I needed. In every way I kept myself from ever being a burden to you, and I will continue to do so. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting about me will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do. 12 But what I am doing, and will continue to do, is being done in order to cut off the opportunity of those who want an opportunity to boast that they should be considered equal to us.

13 In fact, such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 So it is no great surprise if his ministers also masquerade as ministers of righteousness. Their end will match their works.

16 I say again, no one should think that I am a fool. But if you do, then receive me as a fool, so that I may boast a little. 17 What I am saying when I boast so confidently is not the way the Lord speaks; rather, it is a foolish manner of speaking. 18 Since many are boasting as the sinful flesh does, I will also boast. 19 You gladly put up with fools, since you are just so wise! 20 In fact, you put up with it if anyone makes you his slave, robs you, takes advantage of you, looks down on you, or strikes you in the face! 21 I am ashamed to say that we were too weak for that!

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 11:3 Or single-minded


The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Through My Bible Yr 01 – January 04

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Through My Bible Yr 01 – January 04

2 Corinthians 10

Paul’s Defense

1 Now I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the humility and gentleness of Christ—I, who am “gentle” when I am in your presence, but “bold” toward you when I am away. 2 I pray that, when I arrive there, I may not have to be bold with the confidence that I expect to use in daring to confront some who think that we walk in the way the sinful flesh does. 3 For even though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war in the way the sinful flesh does. 4 Certainly, the weapons of our warfare are not those of the flesh, but weapons made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down thoughts 5 such as all arrogance that rises up against the knowledge of God, and we make every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ. 6 And we are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is fully restored.

7 You are looking at things only according to the outward appearance. If anyone has convinced himself that he belongs to Christ, let him consider this about himself: We belong to Christ just as much as he does. 8 Indeed, even if I may boast some more about our authority, which the Lord has given for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be put to shame. 9 My purpose is not to seem as if I am trying to frighten you by my letters. 10 For some say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his physical presence is weak, and his speech amounts to nothing.” 11 Let such a person consider this: What we are, by our word through letters when we are away, is just what we will be in our work when we are present.

12 To be sure, we do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who speak highly of themselves. On the contrary, when they measure themselves only by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 But we will not boast about things that cannot be measured. Instead, we will boast according to the measure of the assignment that the God who measures things measured out to us: to reach out also as far as to you. 14 Indeed, we are not overdoing our boasting, as if we had not come to you. In fact, we were the first ones to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We are not boasting about things that cannot be measured, that is, in the hard work of others. But we are hoping that, as your faith grows, our assignment will be greatly increased while we are among you, 16 with the result that we will preach the gospel to the regions beyond you. Then we will not be boasting about what someone else has already done in his assignment. 17 But let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. [1] 18 To be sure, it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:17 See Jeremiah 9:24.


The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Through My Bible Yr 01 – January 03

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Through My Bible Yr 01 – January 03

2 Corinthians 8:16 – 9:15

2 Corinthians 8

16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you, 17 because he accepted our encouragement and went to you eagerly, of his own free will. 18 We sent along with him the brother who is recognized by all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19 Not only that—but also he was elected [1] by the churches to be our traveling companion, as we administer this gracious gift to the glory of the Lord and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We are trying to avoid any criticism of the way we are administering this lavish gift. 21 To be sure, we are taking into consideration what is proper, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of other people.

22 We sent along with them our brother who has often proved to us in many tests that he is eager, and now is even more eager, because of the great confidence he has in you.

23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. Our brothers, messengers sent by the churches, are the glory of Christ. 24 So then, show the evidence of your love in the sight of the churches, and demonstrate why we boasted to them about you.

Christian Giving

2 Corinthians 9

1 It is really not necessary for me to write to you about the service to the saints, 2 because I know your eagerness. I am boasting about it on your behalf to the Macedonians, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. Your zeal has stirred up many of them. 3 But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting on your behalf will not prove to be empty in this case, but that you will be prepared just as I have been saying. 4 Otherwise, if any Macedonians come along with me and find you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) would be ashamed of this confidence. [2] 5 That is why I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance, and to arrange ahead of time the expression of praise that you previously promised, so that it may be ready as an expression of praise, not of grudging selfishness.

6 This is what I mean: The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. The one who sows generously [3] will also reap generously. 7 Each one should give as he has determined in his heart, not reluctantly or under pressure, for God loves a cheerful giver.

God Provides

8 God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will overflow in every good work. 9 As it is written:

He scattered; he gave to the poor.
His righteousness remains forever. [4]

10 And he who provides seed to the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing, and will increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you may be generous [5] in every way, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.

12 To be sure, the administration of this service is not only making up for what is lacking among the saints, but it is also overflowing in many prayers of thanksgiving to God. 13 By proving yourselves in this service, many people are glorifying God, as they see the obedience shown in your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity [6] shown in your sharing with them and all people. 14 At the same time as they pray for you, they also express their longing for you, because of the extraordinary measure of God’s grace given to you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:19 Or chosen
  2. 2 Corinthians 9:4 Some witnesses to the text read ashamed of this confident boasting.
  3. 2 Corinthians 9:6 Literally on the basis of blessings
  4. 2 Corinthians 9:9 Psalm 112:9
  5. 2 Corinthians 9:11 Or single-minded
  6. 2 Corinthians 9:13 Or single-mindedness


The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Through My Bible Yr 01 – January 02

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Through My Bible Yr 01 – January 02

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

2 Corinthians 8

Finish the Collection

1 Now brothers, [1] we want you to know about the grace of God that was given in the churches of Macedonia: 2 In a severe test of trouble, their overflowing joy and their deep poverty overflowed into an abundance of their generosity. [2] 3 I testify that of their own free will they gave according to their ability, and even beyond their ability, 4 pleading with us with an urgent request for the gracious privilege of joining in this service to the saints. 5 And they did this not as we had expected, but in keeping with God’s will they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us. 6 As a result we urged Titus, since he had already made a beginning, to bring to completion this gracious gift on your part. 7 But just as you overflow in every way—in faith, in word, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us [3]—see that you also overflow in this gracious gift.

8 I do not say this as a command, but to test how genuine your love is, by comparing it with the eagerness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich.

10 And I am giving advice in this matter because it is going to be helpful for you. Last year, you were not only the first to take action, but also the first to be willing. 11 Now bring the work to completion too, so that your eagerness to start may be matched by your completing it with what you have. 12 For if the eagerness is there, a gift is acceptable according to what someone has, not according to what he does not have.

13 Certainly, our goal is not that others take it easy while you are burdened, but that there may be equality. 14 At the present time, your abundance will provide what they lack, in order that their abundance will also provide what you lack—in this way there will be equality. 15 As it is written, “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” [4]

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 8:1 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female.
  2. 2 Corinthians 8:2 Or single-mindedness
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some witnesses to the text read in our love for you.
  4. 2 Corinthians 8:15 Exodus 16:18


The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Through My Bible Yr 01 – January 01

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Through My Bible Yr 01 – January 01

2 Corinthians 6:11 – 7:16

2 Corinthians 6

11 We have spoken to you openly, [1] Corinthians. Our heart is standing wide open. 12 We have plenty of room for you, but you do not have room for us in your affections. 13 I am speaking as to my children: In exchange, open your hearts wide too.

Do Not Be Yoked With Unbelievers

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what partnership does righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 And what agreement does Christ have with Belial? [2] Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what mutual agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For you [3] are the temple of the living God, just as God said:

I will live and walk among them.
I will be their God, and they will be my people. [4]
17 Therefore come out from them, and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you. [5]
18 I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. [6]

2 Corinthians 7

1 So then, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles flesh and spirit as we seek to bring sanctification to its goal in the fear of God.

You Encouraged Us

2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one. We have corrupted no one. We have taken advantage of no one. 3 I am not saying this to condemn you. In fact, I have said before that you are in our hearts—we died together and live together with you! 4 I have great confidence in you. I am very proud of you. I am filled with encouragement. I am overflowing with joy in all our trouble.

5 In fact, when we came to Macedonia, our flesh had no relief. Instead, we were troubled in every way—conflicts on the outside, fears on the inside. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us with the arrival of Titus, 7 and not only with his arrival, but also with the comfort he had received concerning you. He told us about your longing, your sorrow, and your serious concern for me. As a result, I rejoiced even more.

8 For even if I caused you sorrow with my letter, I do not regret it (even though I did regret it, for I see that my letter caused you sorrow—yet only for a little while). 9 Now I rejoice, not because you were made to feel sorrow, but because this sorrow resulted in repentance. Yes, you were made sorry in a godly way. So you were not harmed in any way by us. 10 In fact, godly sorrow produces repentance, which leads to salvation, leaving no regret. On the other hand, worldly sorrow produces death.

11 Yes, look what godly sorrow produced in you: what diligence, what eagerness to clear yourself, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what correction! In every way you proved yourselves to be pure in this matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not because of the one who did what was wrong, or because of the one who was harmed by it. I wrote instead so that your genuine concern for us would be revealed to you in the sight of God. 13 For that reason we have been comforted.

In addition to our comfort, we rejoiced a great deal more at the joy of Titus, because all of you have set his spirit at rest. 14 For if I made any boast to him about you, I have not been put to shame. Rather, just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting to Titus turned out to be true. 15 And his heart goes out to you even more, as he remembers the obedience of all of you (how you received him with fear and trembling). 16 I rejoice because I have complete confidence in you.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:11 Literally Our mouth is opened to you. This is an idiom for open and honest communication.
  2. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek has Beliar. Belial is the more common spelling. It is a reference to Satan.
  3. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Some witnesses to the text read we.
  4. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27
  5. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34,41
  6. 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8


The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 31

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 31

2 Corinthians 5:11 – 6:10

Through My Bible – December 31

2 Corinthians 5:11 – 6:10 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

2 Corinthians 5

11 So, since we know the fear of the Lord, we are trying to persuade people. Now, we are well known by God, and I hope that we are also well known in your consciences. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but we are giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you have a reply for those who boast about outward appearance rather than what is in the heart.

13 Actually, if we were out of our minds, it was for God. If we are in our right minds, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels [1] us, because we came to this conclusion: One died for all; therefore, all died. 15 And he died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves but for him, who died in their place and was raised again.

God Was in Christ Reconciling the World

16 As a result, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we knew Christ according to the flesh, we no longer know him that way. 17 So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. The new has come! [2] 18 And all these things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 That is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them. And he has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, inasmuch as God is making an appeal through us. We urge you, on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

2 Corinthians 6

1 As fellow workers we also urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says:

At a favorable time I listened to you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you. [3]

Look, now is the favorable time! See, now is the day of salvation!

3 We are giving no one a reason to stumble in any way, so that our ministry will not be blamed. 4 Rather, in every way we show ourselves to be God’s ministers: in great endurance, in troubles, in hardships, in difficulties, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in hard work, in sleepless nights, in times of hunger; 6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love, 7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness on the right and on the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, through bad report and good report; treated as deceivers yet being honest, 9 treated as unknown and yet being well known; as dying, and yet look—we live; as punished yet not put to death; 10 as grieving yet always rejoicing; as poor yet making many rich; as having nothing yet possessing everything.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:14 Or controls
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Some witnesses to the text read All things have become new!
  3. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 30

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 30

2 Corinthians 4:7 – 5:10

Through My Bible – December 30

2 Corinthians 4:7 – 5:10 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

2 Corinthians 4

7 We hold this treasure in clay jars to show that its extraordinary power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not despairing; 9 persecuted, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 To be sure, while we are living we are continually being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So then, death is working in us, but life is working in you.

13 Since we have that same spirit of faith, which corresponds to what is written: “I believed; therefore, I have spoken,” [1] we also believe, and therefore we speak. 14 For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and bring us (together with you) into his presence. 15 In fact, all this is for your benefit, so that as grace increases, it will overflow to the glory of God, as more and more people give thanks.

16 Therefore we are not discouraged. But even if our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 Yes, our momentary, light trouble produces for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond any comparison. 18 We are not focusing on what is seen, but on what is not seen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal.

We Long for Heaven

2 Corinthians 5

1 Now we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal home in heaven, which is not made by human hands. 2 In fact, the reason we groan is that we long to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven. 3 If we do indeed put it on, [2] we will certainly not be found naked. 4 To be sure, while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as the down payment.

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 But we are confident and would much prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 And for this reason we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home or away. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he did while in the body, whether good or bad.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Psalm 116:10
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:3 A few witnesses to the text read put it off.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 29

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 29

2 Corinthians 3:1 – 4:6

Through My Bible – December 29

2 Corinthians 3:1 – 4:6 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

2 Corinthians 3

1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 It is clear that you are a letter from Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on stone tablets but on tablets that are hearts of flesh.

4 Such is the confidence we have through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent by ourselves to claim that anything comes from us; rather, our competence is from God. 6 He also made us competent as ministers of a new testament [1] (not of letter, but of spirit). [2] For the letter kills, but the spirit [3] gives life.

The Ministry of the Spirit

7 If the ministry that brought death (which was engraved in letters on stone) came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look directly at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face (though it was fading), 8 how will the ministry of the spirit [4] not be much more glorious? 9 For if the ministry that brought condemnation has glory, the ministry that brought righteousness has even more glory. 10 In fact, in this case, what was glorious is no longer very glorious, because of the greater glory of that which surpasses it. 11 Indeed, if what is fading away was glorious, how much more glorious is that which is permanent!

12 Therefore, since we have this kind of hope, we act with great boldness. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face, so that the Israelites could not continue to look at the end of the radiance, as it was fading away. 14 In spite of this, their minds were hardened. Yes, up to the present day, the same veil remains when the Old Testament is read. It has not been removed because it is taken away only in Christ. 15 Instead, to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 But all of us who reflect the Lord’s glory with an unveiled face are being transformed into his own image, from one degree of glory to another. This too is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Treasure in Clay Jars

2 Corinthians 4

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry as a result of the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged. 2 On the contrary, we have renounced shameful, underhanded methods. We do not operate in a deceitful way, and we do not distort the word of God. Instead, by proclaiming the truth clearly, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing. 4 In the case of those people, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from clearly seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is God’s image.

5 Indeed, we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For the God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” [5] is the same one who made light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the person [6] of Jesus Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:6 As in last will and testament. See Galatians 3:15.
  2. 2 Corinthians 3:6 Or Spirit
  3. 2 Corinthians 3:6 Or Spirit
  4. 2 Corinthians 3:8 Or Spirit
  5. 2 Corinthians 4:6 See Genesis 1:3.
  6. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Or face




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 28

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 28

2 Corinthians 1:23 – 2:17

Through My Bible – December 28

2 Corinthians 1:23 – 2:17 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

2 Corinthians 1

23 I call God as my witness, on my very life, that I avoided coming to Corinth in order to spare you. 24 Not that we are lording it over your faith, but we are working together with you for your joy. For you stand firm by faith.

2 Corinthians 2

1 That is why I made up my mind that I would not make another sad visit to you. 2 For if I make you sad, then who is there to make me glad, other than those I made sad? 3 I am writing [1] for this very purpose: That when I arrive, I will not be made sad by those who should make me glad. I am confident about all of you—that what gives me joy is what gives joy to all of you. 4 In fact, out of much trouble and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears. My goal was not to make you sad, but that you would know how very much I love you.

Forgive and Comfort the Repentant Sinner

5 Now if anyone has caused sorrow, he has not done it to me, but to all of you to some extent (not to overstate it). 6 This punishment inflicted on such a person by the majority is enough, 7 so that instead you should rather forgive and comfort him, or else such a person could be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 For that reason, I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 In fact, this was also the purpose of my writing: I wanted to know the result of your being tested, that is, if you are obedient in all things.

10 If you forgive anyone anything, I do too. To be sure, if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake, 11 so that Satan would not take advantage of us. We are certainly not unaware of his schemes.

The Fragrance of Christ

12 When I came to Troas to proclaim the gospel of Christ and a door was opened for me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-bye to them and went on to Macedonia.

14 But thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ and reveals the fragrance of his knowledge through us in every place. 15 Yes, we are the fragrance of Christ for God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To some we are the odor of death that is a prelude to death, to the others the fragrance of life that is a prelude to life. And who is qualified for these things? 17 To be sure, we are not like many who peddle the word of God for profit. Instead, in Christ we speak with sincerity in the sight of God, as men from God.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 2:3 Or I wrote




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 27

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 27

2 Corinthians 1:12-22

Through My Bible – December 27

2 Corinthians 1:12-22 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

2 Corinthians 1

Paul Explains a Change in Plans

12 Indeed, this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world with God-given holiness [1] and sincerity, not with the wisdom of the flesh, but rather in God’s grace—especially toward you. 13 In fact, we are not writing you anything other than what you read or also understand. And I hope you will understand completely— 14 as you have also understood us in part—that on the day of our Lord Jesus we are going to be your reason for boasting, just as you are our reason.

15 In this confidence, I was planning to visit you first, so that you would have a second gracious gift. 16 Then I planned to travel from you on to Macedonia, and to return again from Macedonia to you to receive help from you on my way to Judea. 17 So when I made this plan, I did not do it lightly, did I? Or the things I plan, am I planning them the way the sinful flesh does, so that I would be saying both “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time?

18 As surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us (by me, Silas, [2] and Timothy), was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him the “Yes” stands firm. 20 In fact, as many promises as God has made, they have always been “Yes” in him. For that reason we also say “Amen” through him to the glory of God.

21 God is the one who makes both us and you to be strong in Christ. He anointed us. 22 He sealed us as his own and gave us the Spirit as the down payment in our hearts.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:12 Some witnesses to the text read honesty. (“Witnesses to the text” mentioned in footnotes may include Greek manuscripts, lectionaries, translations, and quotations in the church fathers.)
  2. 2 Corinthians 1:19 Silvanus in Greek




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 26

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 26

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Through My Bible – December 26

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

2 Corinthians 1

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God that is in Corinth, together with all the saints who are everywhere in Achaia:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God Comforts and Rescues Us

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our trouble, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the same comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows. 6 If we are troubled, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the ability to endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. 7 Our hope for you is sure, since we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so you also share in our comfort.

8 Brothers, [1] we do not want you to be unaware of the trouble that happened to us in the province of Asia. We were burdened so greatly, so far beyond our ability to bear it, that we even gave up hope of living. 9 Yes, we even felt the sentence of death within ourselves. This happened so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. 10 He rescued us from such a terrible death, and he will continue to rescue us. We have set our hope on him that he will also rescue us again, 11 as you join in helping us with your prayers for us. Then many people will thank God for the gracious gift given to us through many prayers.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:8 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 25

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 25

Psalm 41

Through My Bible – December 25

Psalm 41 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 41

Even My Friend

Heading
For the choir director. A psalm by David.

David’s Confidence of Delivery

1 How blessed is the person who understands the plight of the weak!
May the Lord deliver him in the day of trouble.
2 May the Lord guard him and keep him alive.
May he be blessed in the land.
May you not surrender him to the desire of his enemies.
3 May the Lord sustain him on his sickbed.
You raise him up from his bed.
4 I said, “Lord, have mercy on me.
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.”

The Treachery of the Conspirators

5 My enemies speak evil about me:
“When will he die and his name perish?”
6 If one comes to see me, he speaks falsely.
In his heart he collects malicious plans.
He goes out. He speaks about them in the street.
7 All who hate me whisper together against me.
They plan evil for me. They say,
8 “A deadly affliction is poured out on him.
He will never get up from the place where he lies.”
9 Even a man who was at peace with me,
a man whom I trusted, who ate my bread,
    has raised up his heel to step on me.

Closing Prayer

10 But you, Lord, have mercy on me.
Raise me up, so that I can repay them.
11 From this I know that you are pleased with me:
My enemy does not triumph over me.
12 As for me—in my integrity you uphold me,
and you set me up in your presence forever.

Closing Doxology

13 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from eternity to eternity.

Amen and Amen.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 24

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 24

Psalm 40:11-17

Through My Bible – December 24

Psalm 40:11-17 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 40

Messiah’s Prayer in Distress

11 Lord, you do not hold back your compassion from me.
Let your mercy and your truth always protect me,
12 although troubles without number surround me.
Punishments for my guilt have smothered me, so I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head, so my courage deserts me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to save me.
Lord, hurry to help me.
14 Let all who seek to end my life be frustrated and completely confused. [1]
Let everyone who desires my ruin be turned back and disgraced.
15 Let those who say to me, “Aha! We got you!” be dismayed,
because they have been put to shame.
16 But let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.
Let those who love your salvation always say,
“The Lord is great!”
17 Yet I am poor and needy.
May the Lord think about me.
You are my help and my deliverer.
O my God, do not delay.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 40:14 Or be ashamed and completely humiliated




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 23

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 23

Psalm 40:1-10

Through My Bible – December 23

Psalm 40:1-10 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 40

Psalm 40

I Desire to Do Your Will
(Psalm 40:13-17 parallels Psalm 70)

Heading
For the choir director. By David. A psalm.

Messiah’s Prayer of Thanks

1 I waited and waited for the Lord.
Then he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 Then he pulled me up from the deadly quicksand,
from the mud and muck.
He made my feet stand on a rock to keep my steps from slipping.
3 Then he put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear.
They will trust in the Lord.

4 How blessed is everyone who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud
or to those who turn aside to falsehood.
5 Many are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.
No one can explain to you all your thoughts for us. [1]
If I try to speak and tell about them,
they are too many to count.

Messiah’s Willing Sacrifice

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire.
Ears you have opened for me. [2]
You did not ask for burnt offerings and sin offerings.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come.
The book written on a scroll tells about me.
8 My God, I take pleasure in doing your will.
Your law [3] is in my heart.”

Messiah’s Preaching of Good News

9 I preach righteousness in the great assembly.
Indeed, I do not hold back my lips, O Lord, as you know.
10 I do not conceal your righteousness deep in my heart.
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not hide your mercy and your truth from the great assembly.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 40:5 The meaning of this line is uncertain.
  2. Psalm 40:6 The Greek text of this psalm and Hebrews 10:5 read a body you have prepared for me. This seems to be an interpretive paraphrase that makes a general application (to the whole body) of the more specific point of the Hebrew (to the ears).
  3. Psalm 40:8 Law here is used in its wide sense, God’s whole Word.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 22

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 22

Psalm 39

Through My Bible – December 22

Psalm 39 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 39

Show Me My Life’s End

Heading

For the choir director. For Jeduthun. [1] A psalm by David.

The Psalmist’s Anguish

1 I said, “I will guard my ways
so that I do not sin with my tongue.
I will keep a muzzle on my mouth
    as long as the wicked are confronting me.”
2 I said nothing. I kept silent.
I did not even say anything good,
but my pain became worse.
3 Inside me my heart grew hot.
As I fretted, the fire burned.
So I spoke with my tongue.

The Shortness of Human Life

4 Lord, help me understand my end.
What is the limit of my days?
Let me know how fleeting I am.
5 See, you have cut short my days. [2]
My brief time before you is like nothing.
Indeed, every person, even at his best,
    is just a puff of air. [3] Interlude
6 A man flickers like a mirage.
He really has no more effect than a breeze. [4]
He piles things up, never knowing who will get them.

The Enduring Goodness of God

7 But now what do I wait for, Lord?
My hope is in you.
8 Save me from all my rebellious acts.
Do not let fools scorn me.
9 I said nothing.
I did not open my mouth,
because you are the one who caused this.
10 Stop punching me.
By the attack of your hand I am finished.
11 By your rebuke against guilt you discipline a man.
Like a moth you consume what he desires.
Indeed, every person is nothing but a puff of air. Interlude

Closing Prayer

12 Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Listen to my cry.
Do not ignore my tears,
for with you I am an alien,
just a visitor, as were all my ancestors.
13 Look away from me, so I can smile again
before I depart and am no more.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 39:1 For Jeduthun may refer to the director of music to whom David entrusted this psalm. Or, if translated according to Jeduthun, this may refer to a musical style or a melody associated with Jeduthun.
  2. Psalm 39:5 Literally made them a few handbreadths. A handbreadth is about three inches.
  3. Psalm 39:5 Or a vapor that vanishes
  4. Psalm 39:6 Or he is all worked up for nothing




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 21

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 21

Psalm 38

Through My Bible – December 21

Psalm 38 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 38

Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger

Heading
A psalm by David. To bring to remembrance.

Opening Plea

1 Lord, do not rebuke me in anger.
Do not discipline me in wrath.

The Greatness of David’s Burden

2 Indeed, your arrows have stuck in me.
Your hand has come down on me.
3 There is no health in my flesh because of your rage.
There is no wellness in my bones because of my sin,
4 because my guilt has gone over my head.
Like a heavy burden, it is too heavy for me.
5 My wounds stink and ooze because of my folly.
6 I am drooping. I am completely bent over.
All day long I go around mourning.
7 Even my back burns with pain. [1]
My whole body [2] is unhealthy.
8 I have become numb. I am totally crushed.
I groan loudly because of my anxious thoughts.

9 Lord, all my needs lie before you.
My sighs are not hidden from you.

10 My heart beats quickly. My strength leaves me.
Even the light of my eyes is gone from me.
11 My loved ones and my friends stand far away
    because of the blow I have suffered.
My neighbors stand at a distance.
12 Those who pursue my life set traps.
Those who seek to harm me talk about my ruin.
All day long they plot deception.
13 I am deaf. I cannot hear.
Like a mute person, I cannot open my mouth.
14 I am like a man who cannot hear.
No response comes from his mouth.

David’s Confidence of Delivery

15 Yet I wait for you, Lord.
You will answer, O Lord my God.
16 So I said, “Do not let them celebrate because of me.
Do not let them gloat when my foot slips.”
17 Look! I am about to fall,
and I am always in pain,
18 so I declare my guilt,
and I am troubled by my sin.
19 My aggressive enemies are numerous.
Those who hate me for no reason are many.
20 Those who repay evil for good
    slander me because I pursue what is good.

Closing Plea

21 Do not forsake me, O Lord.
My God, do not be far from me.
22 Hurry to help me, O Lord, my salvation.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 38:7 Or my body burns with fever
  2. Psalm 38:7 Literally my flesh




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 20

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 20

Psalm 37:21-40

Through My Bible – December 20

Psalm 37:21-40 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 37

Continue to Live a Godly Life

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous are gracious and give.
22 So those God blesses will inherit the earth,
but those he curses will be cut off.
23 By the Lord the steps of a person are made secure.
Then he will delight in his way.
24 Though he falls, he will not stay down,
because the Lord holds him by his hand.
25 I was a young man. Now I am old.
But I have never seen a righteous person forsaken
or his children begging for bread.
26 Every day he is gracious and lends.
His children will be blessed.
27 Turn back from evil and do good.
Then you will remain forever.
28 For the Lord loves justice.
He will not forsake his favored ones. [1]
They will be protected forever,
but the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.
29 The righteous will inherit the earth.
They will dwell on it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom.
His tongue speaks what is just.
31 The law of his God is in his heart.
His steps do not slip.

Review of the Theme

32 The wicked spy on the righteous one and seek to kill him.
33 The Lord will not leave him in their hand.
He will not let him be condemned when he is put on trial.
34 Wait for the Lord and keep to his way.
He will raise you up to take possession of the earth.
When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
35 I saw a wicked, ruthless man.
He was rooted like a green plant in its native soil,
36 but he passed away. Just like that, he was gone!
I searched for him, but he could not be found.
37 Take note of the blameless. Look at the upright.
Yes, there is a future for the man of peace.
38 But rebels will be completely destroyed.
The future of the wicked will be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord.
He is their stronghold in times of stress.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them.
He delivers them from the wicked.
He saves them, because they have taken refuge in him.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 37:28 Or faithful ones




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 19

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 19

Psalm 37:1-20

Through My Bible – December 19

Psalm 37:1-20 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 37

Psalm 37

Do Not Fret Because of Evildoers

Heading
By David.

Do Not Be Frustrated by the Wicked

1 Do not fret because of evildoers.
Do not be envious of those who do wrong,
2 for like grass they will wither quickly.
Like green plants they will wilt.

Trust in God’s Goodness

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good.
Dwell in the land and feed on faithfulness. [1]
4 Take pleasure in the Lord,
and he will grant your heart’s desires.
5 Commit your way to the Lord.
Trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will make your righteousness shine like light,
your justice like noon.
7 Be silent before the Lord. Wait patiently for him.
Do not fret when an evil man succeeds in his ways,
when he carries out his wicked schemes.

Consider the Final Destiny of the Wicked

8 Let go of anger and abandon rage.
Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For evildoers will be cut off,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the earth.
10 After a little while the wicked will be no more.
When you search for them at their place, they are not there.
11 But the meek [2] will inherit the earth.
They will enjoy plenty of peace.
12 The wicked person plots against the righteous.
He gnashes his teeth at him,
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
because he sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked draw their sword,
and they bend their bow
    to make the poor and needy fall,
    to slaughter those whose ways are upright.
15 Their swords will pierce their hearts,
and their bows will be broken.

Be Satisfied With God’s Blessings

16 Better the little that one righteous person has
    than the wealth of many wicked people,
17 because the arms of the wicked will be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless.
Their inheritance will last forever.
19 They will not be ashamed in time of disaster.
In days of famine they will be full.
20 Surely the wicked will perish.
The enemies of the Lord will be
    like beautiful flowers in the pastures.
But they will vanish. Like smoke they will vanish.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 37:3 Literally shepherd faithfulness or shepherd faithfully
  2. Psalm 37:11 That is, those who quietly trust in God




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 18

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 18

Psalm 36

Through My Bible – December 18

Psalm 36 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 36

Concerning the Rebelliousness of the Wicked

Heading

For the choir director. By the servant of the Lord. By David.

1 A declaration about the rebellion of the wicked is deep in my heart. [1]

The Arrogance of the Wicked

There is no dread of God before his eyes,
2 because he flatters himself in his own eyes
    too much to notice his guilt and to hate it.
3 The words from his mouth are deception and deceit.
He has given up being wise and doing good.
4 He plots deception even on his bed.
He sets out on a path that is not good.
He does not reject wrong.

The Goodness of God

5 Lord, your mercy reaches to the heavens.
Your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is as high as the mountains of God.
Your justice is as deep as the ocean.
You save both man and animal, O Lord.
7 How precious is your mercy, O God!
So all people [2] find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They are satisfied by the rich food of your house.
You let them drink from your river of delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life.
In your light we see light.

Closing Prayer

10 Stretch out your mercy over those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 Do not let the foot of the proud trample me.
Do not let the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers have fallen.
They have been thrown down.
They are not able to rise!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 36:1 A variant found in a few Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac reads: rebellion speaks to the wicked within his heart.
  2. Psalm 36:7 Or the sons of man or the sons of Adam




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 17

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 17

Psalm 35

Through My Bible – December 17

Psalm 35 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 35

David’s Defender

Heading
By David.

Opening Prayer

1 Lord, oppose those who oppose me.
Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Put on your armor and shield. [1]
Rise up to help me.
3 Wield a spear and block the way [2] of those who pursue me.
Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

First Petition

4 May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame.
May those who plot to harm me be turned back and dismayed.
5 May they be like chaff driven by the wind.
May an angel of the Lord drive them away.
6 May their path be dark and slippery.
May an angel of the Lord pursue them.
7 Without cause they hid their net to catch me.
Without cause they dug a pit to trap me.
8 May devastation overtake him before he knows it.
May the net which he hid catch him.
May he fall into it to his own destruction.

First Vow

9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord.
It will delight in his salvation.
10 All my bones [3] will say, “Lord, who is like you?
You rescue the poor from the one too strong for him,
the poor and needy from the one who robs him.”

The Attacks of the Wicked

11 Malicious witnesses arise.
They ask me about things I do not know.
12 They repay me with evil instead of good.
They rob my soul of happiness.
13 But when they were sick, I dressed in sackcloth.
I afflicted myself with fasting.
My prayers returned unanswered. [4]
14 I walked around mourning,
    as if mourning for a friend or for my brother.
I bowed down, dirty with ashes, [5]
    as though mourning for my mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they were happy.
They gathered together.
Yes, attackers gathered together against me
    though I did not expect it.
They ripped me and were never quiet.
16 Like profane mockers, [6] they gnashed their teeth at me.

Second Petition

17 Lord, how long will you look on?
Restore my life from their devastating attacks,
my precious life from these young lions.

Second Vow

18 I will give thanks to you in the great assembly.
In a large crowd I will praise you.

Third Petition

19 Do not let them rejoice over me—
those who are my enemies without cause.
Do not let those who hate me without reason mock me. [7]
20 For they do not speak for peace,
but they devise false accusations
    against those who live quietly in the land.
21 They also open their mouths wide against me.
They say, “Ha! Ha! We see with our own eyes.”
22 Lord, you have seen all this.
Do not be silent.
Lord, do not be far from me.
23 Wake up and rise up to my defense!
My God and Lord, rise to my cause.
24 Judge me according to your righteousness,
    O Lord, my God.
Do not let them rejoice over me.
25 Do not let them say in their hearts,
    “Aha! Just what we wanted!”
Do not let them say,
    “We have swallowed him.”
26 May those who rejoice over my trouble
    be put to shame and disgrace.
May those who exalt themselves over me
    be clothed with shame and contempt.
27 May those who are pleased by my acquittal
    shout for joy and be glad.
May they always say, “The Lord is great.
He takes delight in the peace of his servant.”

Third Vow

28 My tongue will report your righteousness
and your praise all day long.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 35:2 This may refer to two kinds of shields.
  2. Psalm 35:3 Many translations read this term as the name of a weapon: a lance, javelin, or battle-ax. This reading yields a translation like: Wield spear and javelin against those who pursue me.
  3. Psalm 35:10 My bones means my strongest part.
  4. Psalm 35:13 Or I prayed with a bowed head. Literally my prayer returned to my lap.
  5. Psalm 35:14 Literally dark
  6. Psalm 35:16 Literally, the Hebrew words are among the profane mockers for a cake. Because of the difficulty of making sense of this, many translations emend the text.
  7. Psalm 35:19 Literally wink the eye. It is not certain what this body language means in this context.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 16

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 16

Psalm 34

Through My Bible – December 16

Psalm 34 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 34

Blessed Is the Person Who Takes Refuge in God

Heading

By David. When he pretended to be insane in the presence of Abimelek, who drove him away, and David left. [1]

David’s Thanks for Deliverance

1 I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise will always be in my mouth.
2 In the Lord my soul will boast.
The humble will hear and rejoice.

An Invitation to Join David in Praise

3 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.

The Story of David’s Deliverance

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me.
From all my terrors he delivered me.
5 His people look to him and are radiant,
and their faces will never blush.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard.
From all his distress the Lord saved him.
7 The Angel of the Lord [2] camps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.

The Application of This Truth to All Believers

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed is everyone who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the Lord, you his saints,
since those who fear him lack nothing.
10 Young lions may lack food and be hungry,
but those who seek the Lord do not lack any good thing.

11 Come, children, listen to me.
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 Who wants to find pleasure in life?
Who would love to experience many good days?
13 Guard your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn from evil and do good.
Seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over the righteous.
His ears listen to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is set against those who do evil,
    to cut off memory of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears.
From all their distress he delivers them.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
He saves those whose spirits have been crushed.
19 Many are the troubles of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him from them all.
20 He watches over all his bones;
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked.
Those who hate the righteous will be found guilty.
22 The Lord redeems the soul [3] of his servants.
Anyone who takes refuge in him will not be found guilty.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 34:1 See 1 Samuel 21.
  2. Psalm 34:7 This seems to allude to the Angel of the Lord, who led Israel through the wilderness.
  3. Psalm 34:22 Or life




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 15

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 15

Psalm 33

Through My Bible – December 15

Psalm 33 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 33

Blessed Is the Nation Whose God Is the Lord

Introductory Praise

1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, you righteous.
The praise of the upright is beautiful.
2 Thank the Lord with a lyre.
Make music for him with the ten-stringed harp.
3 Sing to him a new song.
Play skillfully and shout praises.
4 Yes, the word of the Lord is right,
and everything he does is trustworthy.
5 He loves righteousness and justice.
The mercy of the Lord fills the earth.

God’s Love in Creation

6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
By the breath of his mouth he made the whole army of stars. [1]
7 He gathers the water of the sea into a heap.
He puts the depths into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord.
Let all the inhabitants of the world revere him.
9 For he said, “Let it be,” and it was!
He gave a command, and there it stood.

God’s Rule of History

10 The Lord wrecks the plan of the nations.
He hinders the intentions of the peoples.
11 The plan of the Lord stands forever.
The intentions of his heart stand through all generations.
12 How blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose to be his possession.

13 From heaven the Lord observes.
He sees all the children of Adam.
14 From his throne room he looks at all the inhabitants of earth.
15 He alone is the one who shapes all their hearts.
He understands all their deeds.
16 No king is saved by the great size of his army.
No hero is rescued by his great strength.
17 You cannot rely on a horse to save you.
Its great strength will not deliver you.
18 Look, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who wait for his mercy.
19 He will deliver their souls from death.
He keeps them alive in famine.

Concluding Prayer

20 Our souls wait for the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
21 Yes, in him our heart rejoices,
because we trust in his holy name.
22 May your mercy, O Lord, be on us,
    even as we wait confidently for you.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 33:6 And/or army of angels




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 14

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 14

Psalm 32

Through My Bible – December 14

Psalm 32 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 32

How Blessed Is the Person Whose Rebellion Is Forgiven

Heading

By David. A maskil. [1]

The Joy of Forgiveness

1 How blessed is the person
    whose rebellion is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
2 How blessed is the person
    whose guilt the Lord does not charge against him,
    in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Obtaining the Joy of Forgiveness

3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away as I groaned all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me. Interlude
My moisture was dried up by the droughts of summer.
5 I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover up my guilt.
I said, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord,” Interlude
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
6 Because of this, let everyone who receives favor pray to you
    at a time when you may be found.
Surely when the mighty waters overflow,
they will not reach him.
7 You are my hiding place.
You will protect me from distress. Interlude
You will surround me with shouts of deliverance.

Sharing the Joy of Forgiveness

8 I will make you wise.
I will instruct you in the way that you should go.
I will guide you, keeping my eye on you.
9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, which has no understanding.
Its mouth must be controlled by a bit and bridle,
or else it will not come to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but mercy will surround those who trust in the Lord.
11 Rejoice in the Lord and celebrate, all you righteous,
and shout joyfully, all you upright in heart.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 A maskil is a type of hymn. It means a song that makes one wise or a skillful song.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 13

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 13

Psalm 31

Through My Bible – December 13

Psalm 31 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 31

Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit

Heading
For the choir director. A psalm by David.

A Declaration of Confidence

1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge.

Petition

Let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me.
2 Turn your ear toward me.
Hurry! Rescue me!
Be a rock where I take refuge,
a fortified place that saves me.

The Basis for Confidence

3 Yes, you are my rocky cliff and my stronghold.
For the sake of your name you will lead me and guide me.
4 You will pull me out of the net that they hid for me,
because you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit.
You have redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.
6 I hate those who keep worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy,
because you saw my affliction.
You knew the distress of my soul.
8 You have not left me in the hand of the enemy.
You have made my feet stand in a wide-open space.

The Prayer for Delivery

9 Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress.
My eye grows weak with sorrow—
my soul and my body too.
10 Yes, my life is consumed by grief,
and my years by groaning.
My strength fails because of my guilt,
and my bones grow weak.
11 Because of all my foes,
I am a disgrace, especially to my neighbors.
I am dreaded by those who know me.
Those who see me on the street flee from me.
12 I have been forgotten like a dead man, gone from memory. [1]
I have become like a broken pot.
13 Yes, I hear the slander of many.
There is terror on every side.
When they conspire together against me,
they plot to take my life.

Confident Petition

14 But I—I trust in you, O Lord.
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand.
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies
and from those who pursue me.
16 Let your face shine on your servant.
Save me in your mercy.
17 Do not allow me to be put to shame, O Lord,
because I have cried out to you.
But let the wicked be put to shame.
Let them be silent in the grave. [2]
18 Let lying lips be silenced,
those who speak against the righteous
    impudently with pride and contempt.

Closing Praise

19 How great is your goodness,
which you store up for those who fear you,
which you deliver for those who take refuge in you
    in the presence of the people.
20 You hide them in your presence from the schemes of man.
You conceal them in your shelter from accusing tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord,
because he made his mercy wonderful for me
    when I was in a besieged city.
22 In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from before your eyes!”
But you heard the sound of my cry for mercy
    when I cried out to you.
23 Love the Lord, all his favored ones!
The Lord preserves the faithful,
but he pays back in full the one who acts proudly.
24 Be strong, and let your heart be firm,
    all you who wait confidently for the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 31:12 Literally from the heart
  2. Psalm 31:17 Or go wailing to the grave




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 12

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 12

Psalm 30

Through My Bible – December 12

Psalm 30 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 30

You Brought Me Up From the Grave

Heading
A psalm. A song for the dedication of the Temple. By David.

Praise for Answered Prayer

1 I will exalt you, O Lord,
because you lifted me up.
You did not let my enemies rejoice over me.

2 O Lord my God, I cried out to you,
and you healed me.
3 Lord, you snatched my life from the grave.
You kept me alive so I did not go down into the pit.

Join Me in Prayer

4 Make music to the Lord, you his favored ones,
and give thanks when you remember [1] his holiness,
5 for we spend a moment under his anger,
but we enjoy a lifetime in his favor.
In the evening, weeping comes to stay through the night,
but in the morning, there is rejoicing!

Wrestling in Prayer

6 But I—I said in my security,
“I will never be knocked down.”
7 Lord, in your favor you made strength
    stand like a mountain for me.
Then you hid your face. I was terrified.
8 To you, O Lord, I call.
To the Lord I cry for mercy:
9 “What gain is there in shedding my blood,
in sending me down to destruction?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your truth?
10 Lord, hear and be merciful to me.
Lord, be a helper for me.”

A Happy Outcome

11 You turned my mourning into dancing.
You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 so that my whole being [2] may make music to you
and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I thank you forever.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 30:4 Or commemorate. In psalms the act of remembering God’s deeds is often done in a setting of public worship, in which it becomes a testimony to others.
  2. Psalm 30:12 Literally my glory. Glory here seems to refer to the heart or the soul, the inmost being.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 11

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 11

1 Corinthians 16

Through My Bible – December 11

1 Corinthians 16 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Plans for a Collection and Travel Plans

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, do as I directed the churches in Galatia to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to set something aside in keeping with whatever he gains, saving it up at home, so that when I come, no collections will need to be carried out. 3 When I arrive, those whom you approve will be provided with letters, and I will send these representatives to deliver your gracious gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it is appropriate for me to go also, they will go with me.

5 I will come to you when I have passed through Macedonia, for I am going to go through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will have an extended stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way, wherever I go. 7 For I do not wish to see you now in passing. I hope to stay with you for a while, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay on in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a door has opened for me, a great opportunity for action, and there are many adversaries.

10 But if Timothy comes, make sure he has no reason to be afraid while he is with you, for he does the work of the Lord, as I do. 11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace so that he may come to me, because I am expecting him, and so are the brothers with me. [1]

12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. It was not at all his desire to go now, but he will when he has an opportunity.

Closing Messages

13 Keep alert. Stand firm in the faith. Demonstrate manly courage. Be strong. 14 Let everything you do be done in love.

15 Brothers, you know Stephanas and his household. You know that they are the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they volunteered for service to the saints. 16 I urge that you also submit to them and to everyone who joins in and works hard. 17 I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus came, because they supplied what was lacking on your part, 18 and they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such people.

19 The churches in the province of Asia [2] greet you. Aquila and Priscilla [3] greet you warmly in the Lord, together with the church that meets in their house. 20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 This greeting is written by me, Paul, with my own hand. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord—let him be under a curse! [4] Marana tha! [5] 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ [6] be with you. 24 My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen. [7]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:11 Or him and the brothers with him
  2. 1 Corinthians 16:19 Asia was the name of a Roman province in the western part of present-day Turkey.
  3. 1 Corinthians 16:19 Some witnesses to the text read Prisca.
  4. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Greek Anathema
  5. 1 Corinthians 16:22 The Aramaic phrase Marana tha means Our Lord, come!
  6. 1 Corinthians 16:23 A few witnesses to the text omit Christ.
  7. 1 Corinthians 16:24 A few witnesses to the text omit Amen.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 10

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 10

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Through My Bible – December 10

1 Corinthians 15:35-58 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

1 Corinthians 15

The Resurrection Body

35 But someone will object, “How can it be that the dead are raised? With what kind of body are they going to come?”

36 You are being foolish. What you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that will be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body of the kind he wanted it to have, and to each of the seeds he gives its own body.

39 Flesh is not all the same kind. Instead, people have one kind of flesh, animals have another kind, birds another, and fish yet another. 40 There are also celestial bodies and bodies on earth, but the glory of the celestial bodies differs from that of the bodies on earth. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the stars; in fact, one star differs from another in glory.

42 That is the way the resurrection of the dead will be. What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown as a natural [1] body; it is raised as a spiritual [2] body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living natural being.” [3] The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, that which is spiritual is not first; rather, first comes the natural, then the spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is the Lord [4] from heaven. 48 As was the man made of dust, so are the people who are made of dust, and as is the heavenly man, so the heavenly people will be. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the man made of dust, let us [5] also bear the image of the heavenly man.

The Change to Immortality on the Last Day

50 Now I say this, brothers: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and what is perishable is not going to inherit what is imperishable. 51 Look, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 But once this perishable body has put on imperishability, and this mortal body has put on immortality, then what is written will be fulfilled:

Death is swallowed up in victory. [6]
55 Death, where is your sting?
Grave, where is your victory? [7] [8]

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

58 Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 15:44 The Greek adjective translated natural comes from the term for soul.
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:44 The Greek adjective translated spiritual comes from the term for the spirit or Spirit.
  3. 1 Corinthians 15:45 Genesis 2:7
  4. 1 Corinthians 15:47 Some witnesses to the text omit the Lord.
  5. 1 Corinthians 15:49 Some witnesses to the text read we will.
  6. 1 Corinthians 15:54 Isaiah 25:8
  7. 1 Corinthians 15:55 Hosea 13:14
  8. 1 Corinthians 15:55 Some witnesses to the text read Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 09

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 09

1 Corinthians 15:1-34

Through My Bible – December 09

1 Corinthians 15:1-34 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

1 Corinthians 15

Christ’s Resurrection Is Foundational

1 Brothers, I am going to call your attention to the gospel that I preached to you. You received it, and you took your stand on it. 2 You are also being saved by that gospel that was expressed in the words I preached to you, if you keep your hold on it—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received:

that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
4 that he was buried,
that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
5 and that he appeared to Cephas, [1] then to the Twelve.

6 After that he appeared to over five hundred brothers at the same time, most of whom are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, and then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, he appeared also to me, the stillborn child, so to speak. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, and I am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted God’s church. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not ineffective. On the contrary, I worked more than all of them (and yet it wasn’t my doing, but it was the grace of God, which was with me, that did it). 11 So whether it is I or they, that is what we preach, and that is what you believed.

12 Now if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how is it that some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is pointless, and your faith is pointless too. 15 Then we are even guilty of giving false testimony about God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise, if it were true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then it also follows that those who fell asleep in Christ perished. 19 If our hope in Christ applies only to this life, we are the most pitiful people of all.

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came by a man, the resurrection of the dead also is going to come by a man. 22 For as in Adam they all die, so also in Christ they all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ as the firstfruits and then Christ’s people, at his coming. 24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has done away with every other ruler and every other authority and power. 25 For he must reign “until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” [2] 26 Death is the last enemy to be done away with. 27 Certainly, “he has put all things in subjection under his feet.” [3] Now when it says that all things have been put in subjection, obviously that does not include the one who subjected all things to him. 28 But when all things have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected [4] to the one who subjected all things to him, in order that God may be all in all.

29 Otherwise, what will those people do who get baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why do they even get baptized for them? 30 Why do we live in danger every hour? 31 Day by day I face death, as surely as I boast about you, brothers, [5] in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild animals in Ephesus with human motives, what good did it do me? If the dead are not raised, then “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” [6] 33 Do not be deceived! “Keeping bad company corrupts good morals.” [7] 34 Use sober judgment, as is right, and do not sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 15:5 Cephas is the Aramaic name for Peter. Both Cephas and Peter mean rock.
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:25 Psalm 110:1
  3. 1 Corinthians 15:27 Psalm 8:6. The Greek word order emphasizes all things.
  4. 1 Corinthians 15:28 Or then the Son will also subject himself
  5. 1 Corinthians 15:31 Some witnesses to the text omit brothers.
  6. 1 Corinthians 15:32 Isaiah 22:13
  7. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Ancient testimony ascribes this quotation sometimes to the playwright Menander (about 344–291 bc) and sometimes to the playwright Euripides (about 480–406 bc), but the relevant plays are no longer extant. Paul may have learned the quotation from popular culture.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 08

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Through My Bible Yr 03 – December 08

1 Corinthians 14

Through My Bible – December 08

1 Corinthians 14 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Using Spiritual Gifts in Love to Benefit the Church

1 Keep on pursuing love, and eagerly seek spiritual gifts, but especially prophecy. 2 For the person who speaks in a tongue [1] speaks to God, not to people. For no one understands him, but he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. 3 However, the person who prophesies speaks to people things that edify, encourage, and comfort. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but I would prefer that you prophesy. For the person who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.

6 Brothers, [2] if I come to you speaking in tongues, what good will I do you, unless I communicate to you a revelation, or some knowledge, or a prophecy, or some teaching? 7 Even lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as a flute or a harp, if they do not make the notes distinct from one another, how will anyone know what is being played on the flute or harp? 8 If the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So also with you: Unless you use your tongue to produce intelligible speech, how will anyone know what is being spoken? To be sure, you will be speaking only into the air.

10 There are perhaps ever so many kinds of languages in the world, and not one of them is without meaning. 11 Accordingly, if I do not understand the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and he will be a foreigner to me. 12 So also with you: Since you are eager for spiritual gifts, seek to use them abundantly in a way that will build up the church.

13 That is why a person who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding [3] is unfruitful. 15 So what is to be done? I will pray using my spirit, and I will pray also using my understanding. I will sing using my spirit, and I will sing also using my understanding. 16 Otherwise, how will an uninformed person [4] say the “Amen” after you give thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 To be sure, you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking, but be like babies in regard to evil, and be mature in your thinking. 21 It is written in the law, “By different tongues and by foreign lips I will speak to this people, and even so, they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” [5] 22 Therefore, tongues are a sign meant for unbelievers, not believers, whereas prophecy is for believers, not unbelievers. 23 So if the whole church comes together in the same place and all speak in tongues, and uninformed visitors or unbelievers come in, won’t they say that you are crazy? 24 But if all prophesy and some unbeliever or uninformed visitor comes in, he is reproved by all and judged by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are revealed, and under those circumstances he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring, “God really is among you!”

Specific Directions for Order in the Church

26 So, brothers, what is to be done? When you come together, each one of you [6] has a psalm, or a teaching, or a revelation, or an utterance in a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done in a way that builds people up. 27 If someone speaks in a tongue, limit it to two or at most three (speaking one at a time), and have one person interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in the church and keep his speaking between himself and God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others carefully evaluate what was said. 30 But if a revelation comes to another person as he sits there, let the first person become silent. 31 For you all can do your prophesying one at a time, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 The spirits of the prophets are also subject to the prophets, 33 for God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, [7] 34 the [8] women are to keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. Instead they are to be subordinate, as also the Law says. 35 If they desire to learn something, let them ask their own men [9] at home, because it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church. 36 Or are you the ones from whom the word of God has gone out? Or did it come to you alone?

37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual person, let him recognize that the things I write to you are the Lord’s commands. [10] 38 But if anyone disregards them, he should be disregarded.

39 So, brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But let all things be done decently and in good order.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or language
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:6 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female.
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:14 Or mind
  4. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Literally someone occupying the position of an uninformed person
  5. 1 Corinthians 14:21 Isaiah 28:11-12
  6. 1 Corinthians 14:26 Some witnesses to the text omit of you.
  7. 1 Corinthians 14:33 Some translations place As in all the churches of the saints at the end of the previous paragraph.
  8. 1 Corinthians 14:34 Some witnesses to the text read your instead of the.
  9. 1 Corinthians 14:35 Or husbands
  10. 1 Corinthians 14:37 Some witnesses to the text read is the Lord’s command.




The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.



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