www.pcob.org - The Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale - Brandon, FL

ESV: Through the Bible in a Year http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/share/rss2.0/ A daily reading from the ESV Bible. webmaster@crossway.org The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 1294 July 31: Psalms 62-64, Romans 1 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/through.the.bible/?date=2010-07-31 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/through.the.bible/?date=2010-07-31 Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:01:00 -0500 <div class="esv"><h2>Psalms 62-64 (<a href="http://audio.esvonline.org/hw/19062001-19064010">Listen</a>)</h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p19062001.01-1">My Soul Waits for God Alone</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19062001.07-1">To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 62:1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;   from him comes my salvation. 2 He only is my rock and my salvation,   my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. 3 How long will all of you attack a man   to batter him,   like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.   They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths,   but inwardly they curse.     Selah 5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,   for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation,   my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;   my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people;   pour out your heart before him;   God is a refuge for us.     Selah 9 Those of low estate are but a breath;   those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up;   they are together lighter than a breath. 10 Put no trust in extortion;   set no vain hopes on robbery;   if riches increase, set not your heart on them. 11 Once God has spoken;   twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,   12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man   according to his work. </div> <h3 id="p19063001.01-1">My Soul Thirsts for You</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19063001.06-1">A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 63:1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;   my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you,   as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,   beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life,   my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live;   in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,   and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed,   and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help,   and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you;   your right hand upholds me. 9 But those who seek to destroy my life   shall go down into the depths of the earth; 10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword;   they shall be a portion for jackals. 11 But the king shall rejoice in God;   all who swear by him shall exult,   for the mouths of liars will be stopped. </div> <h3 id="p19064001.01-1">Hide Me from the Wicked</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19064001.06-1">To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 64:1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;   preserve my life from dread of the enemy. 2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,   from the throng of evildoers, 3 who whet their tongues like swords,   who aim bitter words like arrows, 4 shooting from ambush at the blameless,   shooting at him suddenly and without fear. 5 They hold fast to their evil purpose;   they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them?”   6 They search out injustice, saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.”   For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep! 7 But God shoots his arrow at them;   they are wounded suddenly. 8 They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them;   all who see them will wag their heads. 9 Then all mankind fears;   they tell what God has brought about   and ponder what he has done. 10 Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD   and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult! </div> </div><h2>Romans 1 (<a href="http://audio.esvonline.org/hw/45001001-45001032">Listen</a>)</h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p45001001.01-2">Greeting</h3> 1:1 Paul, a servant <a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Or 'slave'; Greek 'bondservant'">[1]</a> of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David <a href="#f2" id="b2" title="Or 'who came from the offspring of David'">[2]</a> according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. <h3 id="p45001008.01-2">Longing to Go to Rome</h3> 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 13 I want you to know, brothers, <a href="#f3" id="b3" title="Or 'brothers and sisters'. The plural Greek word 'adelphoi' (translated "brothers") refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, 'adelphoi' may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God's family, the church">[3]</a> that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, <a href="#f4" id="b4" title="That is, non-Greeks">[4]</a> both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. <h3 id="p45001016.01-2">The Righteous Shall Live by Faith</h3> 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, <a href="#f5" id="b5" title="Or 'beginning and ending in faith'">[5]</a> as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” <a href="#f6" id="b6" title="Or 'The one who by faith is righteous shall live'">[6]</a> <h3 id="p45001018.01-2">God's Wrath on Unrighteousness</h3> 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> <div class="footnotes"> <h3>Footnotes</h3> <a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a> 1:1 Or slave; Greek bondservant <a href="#b2" id="f2">[2]</a> 1:3 Or who came from the offspring of David <a href="#b3" id="f3">[3]</a> 1:13 Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God's family, the church <a href="#b4" id="f4">[4]</a> 1:14 That is, non-Greeks <a href="#b5" id="f5">[5]</a> 1:17 Or beginning and ending in faith <a href="#b6" id="f6">[6]</a> 1:17 Or The one who by faith is righteous shall live </div> </div> July 30: Psalms 59-61, Acts 28:16-31 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/through.the.bible/?date=2010-07-30 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/through.the.bible/?date=2010-07-30 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:01:00 -0500 <div class="esv"><h2>Psalms 59-61 (<a href="http://audio.esvonline.org/hw/19059001-19061008">Listen</a>)</h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p19059001.01-1">Deliver Me from My Enemies</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19059001.06-1">To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam <a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Probably a musical or liturgical term">[1]</a> of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 59:1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;   protect me from those who rise up against me; 2 deliver me from those who work evil,   and save me from bloodthirsty men. 3 For behold, they lie in wait for my life;   fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD,   4 for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Awake, come to meet me, and see!   5 You, LORD God of hosts, are God of Israel. Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;   spare none of those who treacherously plot evil.     Selah 6 Each evening they come back,   howling like dogs   and prowling about the city. 7 There they are, bellowing with their mouths   with swords in their lips—   for “Who,” they think, <a href="#f2" id="b2" title="Hebrew lacks 'they think'">[2]</a> “will hear us?” 8 But you, O LORD, laugh at them;   you hold all the nations in derision. 9 O my Strength, I will watch for you,   for you, O God, are my fortress. 10 My God in his steadfast love <a href="#f3" id="b3" title="Or 'The God who shows me steadfast love'">[3]</a> will meet me;   God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. 11 Kill them not, lest my people forget;   make them totter <a href="#f4" id="b4" title="Or 'wander'">[4]</a> by your power and bring them down,   O Lord, our shield! 12 For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,   let them be trapped in their pride. For the cursing and lies that they utter,   13 consume them in wrath;   consume them till they are no more, that they may know that God rules over Jacob   to the ends of the earth.     Selah 14 Each evening they come back,   howling like dogs   and prowling about the city. 15 They wander about for food   and growl if they do not get their fill. 16 But I will sing of your strength;   I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress   and a refuge in the day of my distress. 17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,   for you, O God, are my fortress,   the God who shows me steadfast love. </div> <h3 id="p19060001.01-1">He Will Tread Down Our Foes</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19060001.07-1">To the choirmaster: according to Shushan Eduth. A Miktam <a href="#f5" id="b5" title="Probably musical or liturgical terms">[5]</a> of David; for instruction; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and when Joab on his return struck down twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 60:1 O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses;   you have been angry; oh, restore us. 2 You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open;   repair its breaches, for it totters. 3 You have made your people see hard things;   you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger. 4 You have set up a banner for those who fear you,   that they may flee to it from the bow. <a href="#f6" id="b6" title="Or 'that it may be displayed because of truth'">[6]</a>     Selah 5 That your beloved ones may be delivered,   give salvation by your right hand and answer us! 6 God has spoken in his holiness: <a href="#f7" id="b7" title="Or 'sanctuary'">[7]</a>   “With exultation I will divide up Shechem   and portion out the Vale of Succoth. 7 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;   Ephraim is my helmet;   Judah is my scepter. 8 Moab is my washbasin;   upon Edom I cast my shoe;   over Philistia I shout in triumph.” <a href="#f8" id="b8" title="Revocalization (compare Psalm 108:10); Masoretic Text 'over me, O Philistia, shout in triumph'">[8]</a> 9 Who will bring me to the fortified city?   Who will lead me to Edom? 10 Have you not rejected us, O God?   You do not go forth, O God, with our armies. 11 Oh, grant us help against the foe,   for vain is the salvation of man! 12 With God we shall do valiantly;   it is he who will tread down our foes. </div> <h3 id="p19061001.01-1">Lead Me to the Rock</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19061001.06-1">To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 61:1 Hear my cry, O God,   listen to my prayer; 2 from the end of the earth I call to you   when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock   that is higher than I, 3 for you have been my refuge,   a strong tower against the enemy. 4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!   Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!     Selah 5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;   you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 6 Prolong the life of the king;   may his years endure to all generations! 7 May he be enthroned forever before God;   appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! 8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,   as I perform my vows day after day. </div> </div><h2>Acts 28:16-31 (<a href="http://audio.esvonline.org/hw/44028016-44028031">Listen</a>)</h2> <div class="esv-text">16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him. <h3 id="p44028017.01-2">Paul in Rome</h3> 17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” 23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: <div class="block-indent"> 26 “‘Go to this people, and say, You will indeed hear but never understand,   and you will indeed see but never perceive. 27 For this people's heart has grown dull,   and with their ears they can barely hear,   and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes   and hear with their ears and understand with their heart   and turn, and I would heal them.’ </div> 28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” <a href="#f9" id="b9" title="Some manuscripts add verse 29: 'And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much dispute among themselves'">[9]</a> 30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, <a href="#f10" id="b10" title="Or 'in his own hired dwelling'">[10]</a> and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> <div class="footnotes"> <h3>Footnotes</h3> <a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a> 59:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term <a href="#b2" id="f2">[2]</a> 59:7 Hebrew lacks they think <a href="#b3" id="f3">[3]</a> 59:10 Or The God who shows me steadfast love <a href="#b4" id="f4">[4]</a> 59:11 Or wander <a href="#b5" id="f5">[5]</a> 60:1 Probably musical or liturgical terms <a href="#b6" id="f6">[6]</a> 60:4 Or that it may be displayed because of truth <a href="#b7" id="f7">[7]</a> 60:6 Or sanctuary <a href="#b8" id="f8">[8]</a> 60:8 Revocalization (compare Psalm 108:10); Masoretic Text over me, O Philistia, shout in triumph <a href="#b9" id="f9">[9]</a> 28:28 Some manuscripts add verse 29: And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much dispute among themselves <a href="#b10" id="f10">[10]</a> 28:30 Or in his own hired dwelling </div> </div> July 29: Psalms 56-58, Acts 28:1-15 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/through.the.bible/?date=2010-07-29 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/through.the.bible/?date=2010-07-29 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:01:00 -0500 <div class="esv"><h2>Psalms 56-58 (<a href="http://audio.esvonline.org/hw/19056001-19058011">Listen</a>)</h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p19056001.01-1">In God I Trust</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19056001.05-1">To the choirmaster: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. A Miktam <a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Probably a musical or liturgical term">[1]</a> of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 56:1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;   all day long an attacker oppresses me; 2 my enemies trample on me all day long,   for many attack me proudly. 3 When I am afraid,   I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise,   in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.   What can flesh do to me? 5 All day long they injure my cause; <a href="#f2" id="b2" title="Or 'they twist my words'">[2]</a>   all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They stir up strife, they lurk;   they watch my steps,   as they have waited for my life. 7 For their crime will they escape?   In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! 8 You have kept count of my tossings; <a href="#f3" id="b3" title="Or 'wanderings'">[3]</a>   put my tears in your bottle.   Are they not in your book? 9 Then my enemies will turn back   in the day when I call.   This I know, that <a href="#f4" id="b4" title="Or 'because'">[4]</a> God is for me. 10 In God, whose word I praise,   in the LORD, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.   What can man do to me? 12 I must perform my vows to you, O God;   I will render thank offerings to you. 13 For you have delivered my soul from death,   yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God   in the light of life. </div> <h3 id="p19057001.01-1">Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19057001.09-1">To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam <a href="#f5" id="b5" title="Probably a musical or liturgical term">[5]</a> of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 57:1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,   for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,   till the storms of destruction pass by. 2 I cry out to God Most High,   to God who fulfills his purpose for me. 3 He will send from heaven and save me;   he will put to shame him who tramples on me.     Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 4 My soul is in the midst of lions;   I lie down amid fiery beasts— the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,   whose tongues are sharp swords. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!   Let your glory be over all the earth! 6 They set a net for my steps;   my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way,   but they have fallen into it themselves.     Selah 7 My heart is steadfast, O God,   my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!   8 Awake, my glory! <a href="#f6" id="b6" title="Or 'my whole being'">[6]</a> Awake, O harp and lyre!   I will awake the dawn! 9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;   I will sing praises to you among the nations. 10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,   your faithfulness to the clouds. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!   Let your glory be over all the earth! </div> <h3 id="p19058001.01-1">God Who Judges the Earth</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19058001.06-1">To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam <a href="#f7" id="b7" title="Probably a musical or liturgical term">[7]</a> of David.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 58:1 Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? <a href="#f8" id="b8" title="Or 'mighty lords' (by revocalization; Hebrew 'in silence')">[8]</a>   Do you judge the children of man uprightly? 2 No, in your hearts you devise wrongs;   your hands deal out violence on earth. 3 The wicked are estranged from the womb;   they go astray from birth, speaking lies. 4 They have venom like the venom of a serpent,   like the deaf adder that stops its ear, 5 so that it does not hear the voice of charmers   or of the cunning enchanter. 6 O God, break the teeth in their mouths;   tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD! 7 Let them vanish like water that runs away;   when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted. 8 Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime,   like the stillborn child who never sees the sun. 9 Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns,   whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away! <a href="#f9" id="b9" title="The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain">[9]</a> 10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;   he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;   surely there is a God who judges on earth.” </div> </div><h2>Acts 28:1-15 (<a href="http://audio.esvonline.org/hw/44028001-44028015">Listen</a>)</h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p44028001.01-2">Paul on Malta</h3> 28:1 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The native people <a href="#f10" id="b10" title="Greek 'barbaroi' (that is, non-Greek speakers); also verse 4">[10]</a> showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice <a href="#f11" id="b11" title="Or 'justice'">[11]</a> has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly, <a href="#f12" id="b12" title="Greek 'honored us with many honors'">[12]</a> and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. <h3 id="p44028011.01-2">Paul Arrives at Rome</h3> 11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods <a href="#f13" id="b13" title="That is, the Greek gods Castor and Pollux">[13]</a> as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers <a href="#f14" id="b14" title="Or 'brothers and sisters'; also verses 15, 21">[14]</a> and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> <div class="footnotes"> <h3>Footnotes</h3> <a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a> 56:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term <a href="#b2" id="f2">[2]</a> 56:5 Or they twist my words <a href="#b3" id="f3">[3]</a> 56:8 Or wanderings <a href="#b4" id="f4">[4]</a> 56:9 Or because <a href="#b5" id="f5">[5]</a> 57:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term <a href="#b6" id="f6">[6]</a> 57:8 Or my whole being <a href="#b7" id="f7">[7]</a> 58:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term <a href="#b8" id="f8">[8]</a> 58:1 Or mighty lords (by revocalization; Hebrew in silence) <a href="#b9" id="f9">[9]</a> 58:9 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain <a href="#b10" id="f10">[10]</a> 28:2 Greek barbaroi (that is, non–Greek speakers); also verse 4 <a href="#b11" id="f11">[11]</a> 28:4 Or justice <a href="#b12" id="f12">[12]</a> 28:10 Greek honored us with many honors <a href="#b13" id="f13">[13]</a> 28:11 That is, the Greek gods Castor and Pollux <a href="#b14" id="f14">[14]</a> 28:14 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 15, 21 </div> </div> July 28: Psalms 53-55, Acts 27:26-44 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/through.the.bible/?date=2010-07-28 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/through.the.bible/?date=2010-07-28 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:01:00 -0500 <div class="esv"><h2>Psalms 53-55 (<a href="http://audio.esvonline.org/hw/19053001-19055023">Listen</a>)</h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p19053001.01-1">There Is None Who Does Good</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19053001.07-1">To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath. A Maskil <a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Probably musical or liturgical terms">[1]</a> of David.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 53:1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”   They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity;   there is none who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven   on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, <a href="#f2" id="b2" title="Or 'who act wisely'">[2]</a>   who seek after God. 3 They have all fallen away;   together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good,   not even one. 4 Have those who work evil no knowledge,   who eat up my people as they eat bread,   and do not call upon God? 5 There they are, in great terror,   where there is no terror! For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you;   you put them to shame, for God has rejected them. 6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!   When God restores the fortunes of his people,   let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. </div> <h3 id="p19054001.01-1">The Lord Upholds My Life</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19054001.06-1">To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil <a href="#f3" id="b3" title="Probably a musical or liturgical term">[3]</a> of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “Is not David hiding among us?”</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 54:1 O God, save me by your name,   and vindicate me by your might. 2 O God, hear my prayer;   give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers <a href="#f4" id="b4" title="Some Hebrew manuscripts and Targum 'insolent men' (compare Psalm 86:14)">[4]</a> have risen against me;   ruthless men seek my life;   they do not set God before themselves.     Selah 4 Behold, God is my helper;   the Lord is the upholder of my life. 5 He will return the evil to my enemies;   in your faithfulness put an end to them. 6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;   I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good. 7 For he has delivered me from every trouble,   and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. </div> <h3 id="p19055001.01-1">Cast Your Burden on the LORD</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19055001.07-1">To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil <a href="#f5" id="b5" title="Probably a musical or liturgical term">[5]</a> of David.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 55:1 Give ear to my prayer, O God,   and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! 2 Attend to me, and answer me;   I am restless in my complaint and I moan, 3 because of the noise of the enemy,   because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me,   and in anger they bear a grudge against me. 4 My heart is in anguish within me;   the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 5 Fear and trembling come upon me,   and horror overwhelms me. 6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!   I would fly away and be at rest; 7 yes, I would wander far away;   I would lodge in the wilderness;     Selah 8 I would hurry to find a shelter   from the raging wind and tempest.” 9 Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues;   for I see violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they go around it   on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it;   11 ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud   do not depart from its marketplace. 12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me—   then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—   then I could hide from him. 13 But it is you, a man, my equal,   my companion, my familiar friend. 14 We used to take sweet counsel together;   within God's house we walked in the throng. 15 Let death steal over them;   let them go down to Sheol alive;   for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart. 16 But I call to God,   and the LORD will save me. 17 Evening and morning and at noon   I utter my complaint and moan,   and he hears my voice. 18 He redeems my soul in safety   from the battle that I wage,   for many are arrayed against me. 19 God will give ear and humble them,   he who is enthroned from of old,     Selah because they do not change   and do not fear God. 20 My companion <a href="#f6" id="b6" title="Hebrew 'He'">[6]</a> stretched out his hand against his friends;   he violated his covenant. 21 His speech was smooth as butter,   yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil,   yet they were drawn swords. 22 Cast your burden on the LORD,   and he will sustain you; he will never permit   the righteous to be moved. 23 But you, O God, will cast them down   into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery   shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you. </div> </div><h2>Acts 27:26-44 (<a href="http://audio.esvonline.org/hw/44027026-44027044">Listen</a>)</h2> <div class="esv-text">26 But we must run aground on some island.” 27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. <a href="#f7" id="b7" title="About 120 feet; a fathom (Greek 'orguia') was about 6 feet or 2 meters">[7]</a> A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. <a href="#f8" id="b8" title="About 90 feet (see previous note)">[8]</a> 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go. 33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 276 <a href="#f9" id="b9" title="Some manuscripts 'seventy-six', or 'about seventy-six'">[9]</a> persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. <h3 id="p44027039.01-2">The Shipwreck</h3> 39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, <a href="#f10" id="b10" title="Or 'sandbank', or 'crosscurrent'; Greek 'place between two seas'">[10]</a> they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> <div class="footnotes"> <h3>Footnotes</h3> <a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a> 53:1 Probably musical or liturgical terms <a href="#b2" id="f2">[2]</a> 53:2 Or who act wisely <a href="#b3" id="f3">[3]</a> 54:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term <a href="#b4" id="f4">[4]</a> 54:3 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Targum insolent men (compare Psalm 86:14) <a href="#b5" id="f5">[5]</a> 55:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term <a href="#b6" id="f6">[6]</a> 55:20 Hebrew He <a href="#b7" id="f7">[7]</a> 27:28 About 120 feet; a fathom (Greek orguia) was about 6 feet or 2 meters <a href="#b8" id="f8">[8]</a> 27:28 About 90 feet (see previous note) <a href="#b9" id="f9">[9]</a> 27:37 Some manuscripts seventy-six, or about seventy-six <a href="#b10" id="f10">[10]</a> 27:41 Or sandbank, or crosscurrent; Greek place between two seas </div> </div> July 27: Psalms 50-52, Acts 27:1-25 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/through.the.bible/?date=2010-07-27 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/through.the.bible/?date=2010-07-27 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:01:00 -0500 <div class="esv"><h2>Psalms 50-52 (<a href="http://audio.esvonline.org/hw/19050001-19052009">Listen</a>)</h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p19050001.01-1">God Himself Is Judge</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19050001.05-1">A Psalm of Asaph.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 50:1 The Mighty One, God the LORD,   speaks and summons the earth   from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,   God shines forth. 3 Our God comes; he does not keep silence; <a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Or 'May our God come, and not keep silence'">[1]</a>   before him is a devouring fire,   around him a mighty tempest. 4 He calls to the heavens above   and to the earth, that he may judge his people: 5 “Gather to me my faithful ones,   who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” 6 The heavens declare his righteousness,   for God himself is judge!     Selah 7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak;   O Israel, I will testify against you.   I am God, your God. 8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;   your burnt offerings are continually before me. 9 I will not accept a bull from your house   or goats from your folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is mine,   the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the hills,   and all that moves in the field is mine. 12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you,   for the world and its fullness are mine. 13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls   or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, <a href="#f2" id="b2" title="Or 'Make thanksgiving your sacrifice to God'">[2]</a>   and perform your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;   I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” 16 But to the wicked God says:   “What right have you to recite my statutes   or take my covenant on your lips? 17 For you hate discipline,   and you cast my words behind you. 18 If you see a thief, you are pleased with him,   and you keep company with adulterers. 19 “You give your mouth free rein for evil,   and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother;   you slander your own mother's son. 21 These things you have done, and I have been silent;   you thought that I <a href="#f3" id="b3" title="Or 'that the I AM'">[3]</a> was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. 22 “Mark this, then, you who forget God,   lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! 23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;   to one who orders his way rightly   I will show the salvation of God!” </div> <h3 id="p19051001.01-1">Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19051001.09-1">To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 51:1 Have mercy on me, <a href="#f4" id="b4" title="Or 'Be gracious to me'">[4]</a> O God,   according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy   blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,   and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions,   and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned   and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words   and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,   and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,   and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;   wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness;   let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins,   and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,   and renew a right <a href="#f5" id="b5" title="Or 'steadfast'">[5]</a> spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence,   and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,   and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,   and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,   O God of my salvation,   and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips,   and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;   you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;   a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;   build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices,   in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;   then bulls will be offered on your altar. </div> <h3 id="p19052001.01-1">The Steadfast Love of God Endures</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19052001.07-1">To the choirmaster. A Maskil <a href="#f6" id="b6" title="Probably a musical or liturgical term">[6]</a> of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.”</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 52:1 Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?   The steadfast love of God endures all the day. 2 Your tongue plots destruction,   like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. 3 You love evil more than good,   and lying more than speaking what is right.     Selah 4 You love all words that devour,   O deceitful tongue. 5 But God will break you down forever;   he will snatch and tear you from your tent;   he will uproot you from the land of the living.     Selah 6 The righteous shall see and fear,   and shall laugh at him, saying, 7 “See the man who would not make   God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches   and sought refuge in his own destruction!” <a href="#f7" id="b7" title="Or 'in his work of destruction'">[7]</a> 8 But I am like a green olive tree   in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God   forever and ever. 9 I will thank you forever,   because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good,   in the presence of the godly. </div> </div><h2>Acts 27:1-25 (<a href="http://audio.esvonline.org/hw/44027001-44027025">Listen</a>)</h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p44027001.01-2">Paul Sails for Rome</h3> 27:1 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. 4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. 9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast <a href="#f8" id="b8" title="That is, the Day of Atonement">[8]</a> was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. <h3 id="p44027013.01-2">The Storm at Sea</h3> 13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, <a href="#f9" id="b9" title="Some manuscripts 'Clauda'">[9]</a> we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, <a href="#f10" id="b10" title="That is, the sea-anchor (or possibly the mainsail)">[10]</a> and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. 21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> <div class="footnotes"> <h3>Footnotes</h3> <a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a> 50:3 Or May our God come, and not keep silence <a href="#b2" id="f2">[2]</a> 50:14 Or Make thanksgiving your sacrifice to God <a href="#b3" id="f3">[3]</a> 50:21 Or that the I am <a href="#b4" id="f4">[4]</a> 51:1 Or Be gracious to me <a href="#b5" id="f5">[5]</a> 51:10 Or steadfast <a href="#b6" id="f6">[6]</a> 52:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term <a href="#b7" id="f7">[7]</a> 52:7 Or in his work of destruction <a href="#b8" id="f8">[8]</a> 27:9 That is, the Day of Atonement <a href="#b9" id="f9">[9]</a> 27:16 Some manuscripts Clauda <a href="#b10" id="f10">[10]</a> 27:17 That is, the sea-anchor (or possibly the mainsail) </div> </div> July 26: Psalms 47-49, Acts 26 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/through.the.bible/?date=2010-07-26 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/through.the.bible/?date=2010-07-26 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:01:00 -0500 <div class="esv"><h2>Psalms 47-49 (<a href="http://audio.esvonline.org/hw/19047001-19049020">Listen</a>)</h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p19047001.01-1">God Is King over All the Earth</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19047001.08-1">To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 47:1 Clap your hands, all peoples!   Shout to God with loud songs of joy! 2 For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared,   a great king over all the earth. 3 He subdued peoples under us,   and nations under our feet. 4 He chose our heritage for us,   the pride of Jacob whom he loves.     Selah 5 God has gone up with a shout,   the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises!   Sing praises to our King, sing praises! 7 For God is the King of all the earth;   sing praises with a psalm! <a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Hebrew 'maskil'">[1]</a> 8 God reigns over the nations;   God sits on his holy throne. 9 The princes of the peoples gather   as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God;   he is highly exalted! </div> <h3 id="p19048001.01-1">Zion, the City of Our God</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19048001.07-1">A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 48:1 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised   in the city of our God! His holy mountain, 2 beautiful in elevation,   is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north,   the city of the great King. 3 Within her citadels God   has made himself known as a fortress. 4 For behold, the kings assembled;   they came on together. 5 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded;   they were in panic; they took to flight. 6 Trembling took hold of them there,   anguish as of a woman in labor. 7 By the east wind you shattered   the ships of Tarshish. 8 As we have heard, so have we seen   in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God,   which God will establish forever.     Selah 9 We have thought on your steadfast love, O God,   in the midst of your temple. 10 As your name, O God,   so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness.   11 Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice   because of your judgments! 12 Walk about Zion, go around her,   number her towers, 13 consider well her ramparts,   go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation   14 that this is God, our God forever and ever.   He will guide us forever. <a href="#f2" id="b2" title="Septuagint; another reading is (compare Jerome, Syriac) 'He will guide us beyond death'">[2]</a> </div> <h3 id="p19049001.01-1">Why Should I Fear in Times of Trouble?</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19049001.09-1">To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 49:1 Hear this, all peoples!   Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2 both low and high,   rich and poor together! 3 My mouth shall speak wisdom;   the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4 I will incline my ear to a proverb;   I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. 5 Why should I fear in times of trouble,   when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, 6 those who trust in their wealth   and boast of the abundance of their riches? 7 Truly no man can ransom another,   or give to God the price of his life, 8 for the ransom of their life is costly   and can never suffice, 9 that he should live on forever   and never see the pit. 10 For he sees that even the wise die;   the fool and the stupid alike must perish   and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their graves are their homes forever, <a href="#f3" id="b3" title="Septuagint, Syriac, Targum; Hebrew 'Their inward thought was that their homes were forever'">[3]</a>   their dwelling places to all generations,   though they called lands by their own names. 12 Man in his pomp will not remain;   he is like the beasts that perish. 13 This is the path of those who have foolish confidence;   yet after them people approve of their boasts. <a href="#f4" id="b4" title="Or 'and of those after them who approve of their boasts'">[4]</a>     Selah 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;   death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning.   Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. 15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,   for he will receive me.     Selah 16 Be not afraid when a man becomes rich,   when the glory of his house increases. 17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away;   his glory will not go down after him. 18 For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed   —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— 19 his soul will go to the generation of his fathers,   who will never again see light. 20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. </div> </div><h2>Acts 26 (<a href="http://audio.esvonline.org/hw/44026001-44026032">Listen</a>)</h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p44026001.01-2">Paul's Defense Before Agrippa</h3> 26:1 So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: 2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. 4 “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? 9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities. <h3 id="p44026012.01-2">Paul Tells of His Conversion</h3> 12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, <a href="#f5" id="b5" title="Or 'the Hebrew dialect' (that is, Aramaic)">[5]</a> ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” 24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” <a href="#f6" id="b6" title="Or 'In a short time you would persuade me to act like a Christian!'">[6]</a> 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” 30 Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> <div class="footnotes"> <h3>Footnotes</h3> <a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a> 47:7 Hebrew maskil <a href="#b2" id="f2">[2]</a> 48:14 Septuagint; another reading is (compare Jerome, Syriac) He will guide us beyond death <a href="#b3" id="f3">[3]</a> 49:11 Septuagint, Syriac, Targum; Hebrew Their inward thought was that their homes were forever <a href="#b4" id="f4">[4]</a> 49:13 Or and of those after them who approve of their boasts <a href="#b5" id="f5">[5]</a> 26:14 Or the Hebrew dialect (that is, Aramaic) <a href="#b6" id="f6">[6]</a> 26:28 Or In a short time you would persuade me to act like a Christian! </div> </div> July 25: Psalms 44-46, Acts 25 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/through.the.bible/?date=2010-07-25 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/through.the.bible/?date=2010-07-25 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 00:01:00 -0500 <div class="esv"><h2>Psalms 44-46 (<a href="http://audio.esvonline.org/hw/19044001-19046011">Listen</a>)</h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p19044001.01-1">Come to Our Help</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19044001.05-1">To the choirmaster. A Maskil <a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Probably a musical or liturgical term">[1]</a> of the Sons of Korah.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 44:1 O God, we have heard with our ears,   our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days,   in the days of old: 2 you with your own hand drove out the nations,   but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples,   but them you set free; 3 for not by their own sword did they win the land,   nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm,   and the light of your face,   for you delighted in them. 4 You are my King, O God;   ordain salvation for Jacob! 5 Through you we push down our foes;   through your name we tread down those who rise up against us. 6 For not in my bow do I trust,   nor can my sword save me. 7 But you have saved us from our foes   and have put to shame those who hate us. 8 In God we have boasted continually,   and we will give thanks to your name forever.     Selah 9 But you have rejected us and disgraced us   and have not gone out with our armies. 10 You have made us turn back from the foe,   and those who hate us have gotten spoil. 11 You have made us like sheep for slaughter   and have scattered us among the nations. 12 You have sold your people for a trifle,   demanding no high price for them. 13 You have made us the taunt of our neighbors,   the derision and scorn of those around us. 14 You have made us a byword among the nations,   a laughingstock <a href="#f2" id="b2" title="Hebrew 'a shaking of the head'">[2]</a> among the peoples. 15 All day long my disgrace is before me,   and shame has covered my face 16 at the sound of the taunter and reviler,   at the sight of the enemy and the avenger. 17 All this has come upon us,   though we have not forgotten you,   and we have not been false to your covenant. 18 Our heart has not turned back,   nor have our steps departed from your way; 19 yet you have broken us in the place of jackals   and covered us with the shadow of death. 20 If we had forgotten the name of our God   or spread out our hands to a foreign god, 21 would not God discover this?   For he knows the secrets of the heart. 22 Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long;   we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?   Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! 24 Why do you hide your face?   Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust;   our belly clings to the ground. 26 Rise up; come to our help!   Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love! </div> <h3 id="p19045001.01-1">Your Throne, O God, Is Forever</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19045001.07-1">To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil <a href="#f3" id="b3" title="Probably a musical or liturgical term">[3]</a> of the Sons of Korah; a love song.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 45:1 My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;   I address my verses to the king;   my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. 2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men;   grace is poured upon your lips;   therefore God has blessed you forever. 3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,   in your splendor and majesty! 4 In your majesty ride out victoriously   for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;   let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! 5 Your arrows are sharp   in the heart of the king's enemies;   the peoples fall under you. 6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.   The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;   7 you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you   with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;   8 your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;   9 daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;   at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. 10 Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:   forget your people and your father's house,   11 and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him.   12 The people <a href="#f4" id="b4" title="Hebrew 'daughter'">[4]</a> of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,   the richest of the people. <a href="#f5" id="b5" title="Or 'The daughter of Tyre is here with gifts, the richest of people seek your favor'">[5]</a> 13 All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.   14 In many-colored robes she is led to the king,   with her virgin companions following behind her. 15 With joy and gladness they are led along   as they enter the palace of the king. 16 In place of your fathers shall be your sons;   you will make them princes in all the earth. 17 I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;   therefore nations will praise you forever and ever. </div> <h3 id="p19046001.01-1">God Is Our Fortress</h3> <h4 class="psalm-title" id="p19046001.05-1">To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. <a href="#f6" id="b6" title="Probably a musical or liturgical term">[6]</a> A Song.</h4> <div class="block-indent"> 46:1 God is our refuge and strength,   a very present <a href="#f7" id="b7" title="Or 'well proved'">[7]</a> help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,   though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam,   though the mountains tremble at its swelling.     Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,   the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;   God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;   he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The LORD of hosts is with us;   the God of Jacob is our fortress.     Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,   how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;   he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;   he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God.   I will be exalted among the nations,   I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The LORD of hosts is with us;   the God of Jacob is our fortress.     Selah </div> </div><h2>Acts 25 (<a href="http://audio.esvonline.org/hw/44025001-44025027">Listen</a>)</h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p44025001.01-2">Paul Appeals to Caesar</h3> 25:1 Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, 3 asking as a favor against Paul <a href="#f8" id="b8" title="Greek 'him'">[8]</a> that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. 4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. 5 “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.” 6 After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. 7 When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. 8 Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” 9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.” <h3 id="p44025013.01-2">Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice</h3> 13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. 17 So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. 19 Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.” 23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.” (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>) </div> <div class="footnotes"> <h3>Footnotes</h3> <a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a> 44:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term <a href="#b2" id="f2">[2]</a> 44:14 Hebrew a shaking of the head <a href="#b3" id="f3">[3]</a> 45:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term <a href="#b4" id="f4">[4]</a> 45:12 Hebrew daughter <a href="#b5" id="f5">[5]</a> 45:12 Or The daughter of Tyre is here with gifts, the richest of people seek your favor <a href="#b6" id="f6">[6]</a> 46:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term <a href="#b7" id="f7">[7]</a> 46:1 Or well proved <a href="#b8" id="f8">[8]</a> 25:3 Greek him </div> </div> could not open XML input

The Presbyterian Church of BloomingdaleBrandon, FL

Through the Bible in a Year

The Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale
Brandon, FL