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Monday, November 16, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 45
Chronological New Testament Study Day
45
Mark 16; Matthew 28
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother
of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus'
body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after
sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked
each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the
tomb?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the
stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they
entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the
right side, and they were alarmed. 6 "Don't be
alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was
crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.7 But
go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There
you will see him, just as he told you.' " 8 Trembling and
bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to
anyone, because they were afraid. 9 When Jesus rose early on
the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he
had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had
been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they
heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe
it. 12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of
them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned
and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. 14 Later
Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their
lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him
after he had risen. 15 He said to them, "Go into all the
world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever
believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be
condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who
believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new
tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and
when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place
their hands on sick people, and they will get well." 19 After
the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at
the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and
preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by
the signs that accompanied it.
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There
was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and,
going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His
appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The
guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The
angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are
looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has
risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then
go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going
ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told
you." 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid
yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly
Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his
feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do
not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see
me." 11 While the women were on their way, some of the
guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had
happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders
and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling
them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him
away while we were asleep.' 14 If this report gets to the
governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." 15 So
the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has
been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. 16 Then
the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them
to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some
doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to
obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the
very end of the age."
Romans 1
Romans 1 (New International Version)
Romans 1
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a] was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from[c] faith for his name's sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul's Longing to Visit Rome
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,[d] that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[e] just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."[f]
God's Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Revelation 4
Revelation 4 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 4
The Throne in Heaven
1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,'[b] who was, and is, and is to come."
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Revelation 4
The Throne in Heaven
1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,'[b] who was, and is, and is to come."
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Hebrews 13
Hebrews 13 (New International Version, ©2010)
Hebrews 13
Concluding Exhortations
1 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."[a]
6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"[b]
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.
11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.
Benediction and Final Greetings
20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.
23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.
24 Greet all your leaders and all the Lord's people. Those from Italy send you their greetings.
25 Grace be with you all.
Hebrews 13
Concluding Exhortations
1 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."[a]
6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"[b]
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.
11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.
Benediction and Final Greetings
20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.
23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.
24 Greet all your leaders and all the Lord's people. Those from Italy send you their greetings.
25 Grace be with you all.
Revelation 3
Revelation 3 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 3
To the Church in Sardis
1 "To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To the Church in Philadelphia 7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To the Church in Laodicea 14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Revelation 3
To the Church in Sardis
1 "To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To the Church in Philadelphia 7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To the Church in Laodicea 14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Hebrews 12
Hebrews 12 (New International Version, ©2010)
Hebrews 12
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
God Disciplines His Children
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son."[a]
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 "Make level paths for your feet,"[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Warning and Encouragement
14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.
The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death."[c] 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."[d]
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."[e] 27 The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our "God is a consuming fire."
Hebrews 12
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
God Disciplines His Children
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son."[a]
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 "Make level paths for your feet,"[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Warning and Encouragement
14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.
The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death."[c] 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."[d]
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."[e] 27 The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our "God is a consuming fire."
Revelation 2
Revelation 2 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 "To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
To the Church in Smyrna 8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown. 11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
To the Church in Pergamum 12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
To the Church in Thyatira 18 "To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets, 'I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.' 26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one 'will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery'[b]—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 "To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
To the Church in Smyrna 8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown. 11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
To the Church in Pergamum 12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
To the Church in Thyatira 18 "To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets, 'I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.' 26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one 'will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery'[b]—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 44
Luke 23; John 18; John
19
1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to
Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have
found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and
claims to be Christ, a king." 3 So Pilate asked Jesus,
"Are you the king of the Jews?" "Yes, it is as you say,"
Jesus replied. 4 Then Pilate announced to the chief priests
and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man." 5 But
they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He
started in Galilee and has come all the way here." 6 On
hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 When
he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who
was also in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he
was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him.
From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some
miracle. 9 He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave
him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the teachers of the
law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then
Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant
robe, they sent him back to Pilate.12 That day Herod and Pilate
became friends--before this they had been enemies. 13 Pilate
called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and
said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people
to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for
your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent
him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore,
I will punish him and then release him. " 18 With one
voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to
us!" 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an
insurrection in the city, and for murder. 20 Wanting to
release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept
shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him! 22 For the third
time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have
found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him
punished and then release him." 23 But with loud shouts
they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts
prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He
released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder,
the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. 26 As
they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from
the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A
large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for
him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem,
do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For
the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs
that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' 30 Then
" 'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the
hills, "Cover us!" ' 31 For if men do these things
when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" 32 Two
other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When
they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with
the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus
said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are
doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The
people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He
saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen
One." 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They
offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, "If you are the
king of the Jews, save yourself." 38 There was a written
notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. 39 One
of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the
Christ? Save yourself and us!" 40 But the other criminal
rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under
the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are
getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing
wrong." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when
you come into your kingdom. " 43 Jesus answered him,
"I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." 44 It
was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the
ninth hour, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of
the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud
voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said
this, he breathed his last. 47 The centurion, seeing what had
happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous
man." 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness
this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But
all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee,
stood at a distance, watching these things.50 Now there was a man
named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who
had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of
Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going
to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. 53 Then he took it down,
wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which
no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the
Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with
Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid
in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and
perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his
disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive
grove, and he and his disciples went into it. 2 Now Judas, who
betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his
disciples. 3 So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment
of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were
carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all
that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you
want?" 5 "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.
"I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with
them.) 6 When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back
and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, "Who is it
you want?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 "I
told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me,
then let these men go." 9 This happened so that the words
he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave
me." 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and
struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's
name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your
sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" 12 Then
the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested
Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who
was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas
was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for
the people. 15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following
Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus
into the high priest's courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait
outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came
back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17"You
are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter.
He replied, "I am not." 18 It was cold, and the
servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter
also was standing with them, warming himself. 19 Meanwhile,
the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 "I
have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in
synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing
in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely
they know what I said." 22 When Jesus said this, one of
the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer
the high priest?" he demanded.23 "If I said something
wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke
the truth, why did you strike me?" 24 Then Annas sent
him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. 25 As Simon
Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his
disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not." 26 One
of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut
off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive
grove?" 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a
rooster began to crow. 28 Then the Jews led Jesus from
Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and
to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted
to be able to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them
and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?" 30 "If
he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him
over to you." 31 Pilate said, "Take him yourselves
and judge him by your own law." "But we have no right to execute
anyone," the Jews objected. 32 This happened so that the
words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would
be fulfilled. 33Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned
Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" 34 "Is
that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about
me?" 35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It
was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it
you have done?" 36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of
this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the
Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." 37 "You
are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in
saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came
into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens
to me." 38"What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he
went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against
him. 39 But it is your custom for me to release to you one
prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of
the Jews'?" 40 They shouted back, "No, not him! Give
us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The
soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They
clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and
again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the
face. 4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews,
"Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis
for a charge against him."5 When Jesus came out wearing the
crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the
man!" 6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials
saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" But Pilate answered,
"You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge
against him."7 The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and
according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of
God." 8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more
afraid, 9 and he went back inside the palace. "Where do
you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 "Do
you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have
power either to free you or to crucify you?" 11Jesus answered,
"You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.
Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater
sin." 12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free,
but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of
Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar." 13 When
Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a
place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). 14 It
was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. "Here
is your king," Pilate said to the Jews. 15 But they
shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I
crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar,"
the chief priests answered. 16 Finally Pilate handed him over
to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying
his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is
called Golgotha). 18 Here they crucified him, and with him two
others--one on each side and Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate
had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: jesus of nazareth,
the king of the jews. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for
the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written
in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews
protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this
man claimed to be king of the Jews." 22 Pilate answered,
"What I have written, I have written." 23 When the
soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four
shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was
seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 "Let's
not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will
get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said,
"They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing."
So this is what the soldiers did. 25 Near the cross of Jesus
stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary
Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the
disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear
woman, here is your son," 27 and to the disciple,
"Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into
his home. 28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so
that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am
thirsty." 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they
soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and
lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30When he had received the drink, Jesus
said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his
spirit. 31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day
was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on
the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and
the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and
broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then
those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found
that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead,
one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of
blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony,
and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies
so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that
the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be
broken," 37 and, as another scripture says, "They
will look on the one they have pierced." 38 Later, Joseph
of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of
Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he
came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by
Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a
mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40 Taking
Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen.
This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the
place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new
tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was
the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus
there.
Hebrews 11
Hebrews 11New International Version (NIV)
Faith in Action
11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”[a] For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she[b]considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance,admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a cityfor them.
17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”[c] 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[d]
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak,Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames,and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength;and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning;[e] they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins,destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
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