the Week of Proper 19 / Ordinary 24
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Daily Bible Reading
December 17 - Bible-in-a-Year
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Ezekiel 24
Chapter 24
Parable of the Boiling Pot
1 The word of the Lord came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month: 2 "Son of man, write down today's date, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.(a) 3 Now speak a parable(b) to the rebellious house. Tell them: This is what the Lord God says:
Put the pot(c) on the fire—
put it on,
and then pour water into it!
4 Place the pieces of meat in it,
every good piece—
thigh and shoulder.
Fill it with choice bones.
5 Take the choicest of the flock
and also pile up the fuel[a] under it.
Bring it to a boil
and cook the bones in it."
6 Therefore, this is what the Lord God says:
Woe to the city of bloodshed,(d)
the pot that has rust inside it,
and whose rust will not come off!
Empty it piece by piece;
lots should not be cast for its contents.
7 For the blood she shed[b] is still within her.
She put it out on the bare rock;
she didn't pour it on the ground
to cover it with dust.(e)
8 In order to stir up wrath and take vengeance,(f)
I have put her blood on the bare rock,
so that it would not be covered.
9 Therefore, this is what the Lord God says:
Woe to the city of bloodshed!(g)
I Myself will make the pile of kindling large.
10 Pile on the logs and kindle the fire!
Cook the meat well
and mix in the spices![c][d]
Let the bones be burned!
11 Set the empty pot on its coals
so that it becomes hot and its copper glows.
Then its impurity will melt inside it;
its rust will be consumed.(h)
12 It has frustrated every effort;[e]
its thick rust will not come off.
Into the fire with its rust!
13 Because of the indecency of your uncleanness—
since I tried to purify you,
but you would not be purified from your uncleanness—
you will not be pure again
until I have satisfied My wrath on you.(i)
14 I, Yahweh, have spoken.
It is coming, and I will do it!(j)
I will not refrain, I will not show pity,
and I will not relent.
I[f] will judge you
according to your ways and deeds.(k)
This is the declaration of the Lord
God
.
The Death of Ezekiel's Wife: A Sign
15 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 16 "Son of man, I am about to take the delight of your eyes(l) away from you with a fatal blow. But you must not lament or weep or let your tears flow.(m) 17 Groan quietly; do not observe mourning rites for the dead.(n) Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners."[g](o)
18 I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. The next morning I did just as I was commanded. 19 Then the people asked me, "Won't you tell us what these things you are doing mean for us?"
20 So I answered them: "The word of the Lord came to me: 21 ‘Say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord God says: I am about to desecrate My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the desire of your heart. Also, the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.(p) 22 Then you will do just as I have done: You will not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners.[h] 23 Your turbans will remain on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not lament or weep(q) but will waste away(r) because of your sins and will groan to one another. 24 Now Ezekiel will be a sign for you.(s) You will do everything that he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.
25 "‘Son of man, know that on the day I take their stronghold from them, their pride and joy, the delight of their eyes and the longing of their hearts, as well as their sons and daughters, 26 on that day a fugitive will come to you and report the news.(t) 27 On that day your mouth will be opened to talk with him; you will speak and no longer be mute.(u) So you will be a sign for them, and they will know that I am Yahweh.'"
Isaiah 52
Chapter 52
1 "Wake up, wake up;
put on your strength, Zion!
Put on your beautiful garments,(a)
Jerusalem, the Holy City!(b)
For the uncircumcised and the unclean
will no longer enter you.(c)
2 Stand up, shake the dust off yourself!
Take your seat, Jerusalem.
Remove the bonds[a] from your neck,
captive Daughter Zion."
3 For this is what the
Lord
says:
"You were sold for nothing,
and you will be redeemed without silver."(d)
4 For this is what the Lord
God
says:
"At first My people went down to Egypt to live there,(e)
then Assyria oppressed them without cause.[b]
5 So now what have I here"—
this is the
Lord
's declaration—
"that My people are taken away for nothing?
Its rulers wail"—
this is the
Lord
's declaration—
"and My name is continually blasphemed all day long.(f)
6 Therefore My people will know My name;(g)
therefore they will know on that day
that I am He who says:
Here I am."
7 How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of the herald,
who proclaims peace,
who brings news of good things,(h)
who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"(i)
8 The voices of your watchmen(j)—
they lift up their voices,
shouting for joy together;
for every eye will see
when the
Lord
returns to Zion.
9 Be joyful, rejoice together,
you ruins of Jerusalem!(k)
For the
Lord
has comforted His people;(l)
He has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The
Lord
has displayed His holy arm
in the sight of all the nations;(m)
all the ends of the earth will see
the salvation of our God.(n)
11 Leave, leave, go out from there!(o)
Do not touch anything unclean;
go out from her, purify yourselves,(p)
you who carry the vessels of the
Lord
.
12 For you will not leave in a hurry,(q)
and you will not have to take flight;
because the
Lord
is going before you,(r)
and the God of Israel is your rear guard.(s)
The Servant's Suffering and Exaltation
13 See, My Servant[c](t) will act wisely;[d]
He will be raised and lifted up and greatly exalted.(u)
14 Just as many were appalled at You[e]—
His appearance was so disfigured
that He did not look like a man,
and His form did not resemble a human being—
15 so He will sprinkle[f][g] many nations.[h](v)
Kings will shut their mouths because of Him,
For they will see what had not been told them,
and they will understand what they had not heard.(w)
Philippians 4
Chapter 4
Practical Counsel
1 So then, my brothers, you are dearly loved and longed for—my joy and crown.(a) In this manner stand firm(b) in the Lord, dear friends. 2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I also ask you, true partner,[a] to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.(c) 6 Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses(d) every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.(e)
8 Finally brothers, whatever is true,(f) whatever is honorable,(g) whatever is just,(h) whatever is pure,(i) whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence(j) and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received(k) and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Appreciation of Support
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again(l) you renewed your care for me.(m) You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot.(n) In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through Him[b] who strengthens me.(o) 14 Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.
15 And you Philippians(p) know that in the early days of the gospel,(q) when I left Macedonia,(r) no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica(s) you sent gifts for my need(t) several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit[c](u) that is increasing to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full,(v) and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus(w) what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing(x) to God. 19 And my God(y) will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father(z) be glory forever and ever.(aa) Amen.(ab)
Final Greetings
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. Those brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those from Caesar's(ac) household.(ad) 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.[d](ae)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
