NEHEMIAH 11:1- 12:26
1 CORINTHIANS 10:14- 33
PSALM 34:11- 22
PROVERBS 21:14- 16
Now the leaders of the people were living in Jerusalem, the holy city, at this time. A tenth of the people from the other towns of Judah and Benjamin were chosen by sacred lots to live there, too, while the rest stayed where they were. 2 And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem. 3 Here is a list of the names of the provincial officials who came to Jerusalem. Most of the people, priests, Levites, Temple servants, and descendants of Solomon's servants continued to live in their own homes in the various towns of Judah, 4 but some of the people from Judah and Benjamin resettled in Jerusalem. From the tribe of Judah:Athaiah son of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son of Shephatiah, son of Mahalalel, of the family of Perez; 5 and Maaseiah son of Baruch, son of Col- hozeh, son of Hazaiah, son of Adaiah, son of Joiarib, son of Zechariah, of the family of Shelah. 6 There were also 468 descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem-- all outstanding men. 7 From the tribe of Benjamin:Sallu son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jeshaiah; 8 and after him there were Gabbai and Sallai, and a total of 928 relatives. 9 Their chief officer was Joel son of Zicri, who was assisted by Judah son of Hassenuah, second- in- command over the city. 10 From the priests:Jedaiah son of Joiarib; Jakin; 11 and Seraiah son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, the supervisor of the Temple of God; 12 together with 822 of their associates, who worked at the Temple. Also, there was Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malkijah; 13 and 242 of his associates, who were heads of their families. There were also Amashsai son of Azarel, son of Ahzai, son of Meshillemoth, son of Immer; 14 and 128 of his outstanding associates. Their chief officer was Zabdiel son of Haggedolim. 15 From the Levites:Shemaiah son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni; 16 Shabbethai and Jozabad, who were in charge of the work outside the Temple of God; 17 Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zabdi, a descendant of Asaph, who opened the thanksgiving services with prayer; Bakbukiah, who was Mattaniah's assistant; and Abda son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun. 18 In all, there were 284 Levites in the holy city. 19 From the gatekeepers:Akkub, Talmon, and 172 of their associates, who guarded the gates. 20 The other priests, Levites, and the rest of the Israelites lived wherever their family inheritance was located in any of the towns of Judah. 21 However, the Temple servants, whose leaders were Ziha and Gishpa, all lived on the hill of Ophel. 22 The chief officer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Mica, a descendant of Asaph, whose family served as singers at God's Temple. 23 They were under royal orders, which determined their daily activities. 24 Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, a descendant of Zerah son of Judah, was the king's agent in all matters of public administration. 25 Some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath- arba with its villages, Dibon with its villages, and Jekabzeel with its villages. 26 They also lived in Jeshua, Moladah, Beth- pelet, 27 Hazar- shual, Beersheba with its villages, 28 Ziklag, and Meconah with its villages. 29 They were also in En- rimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth, 30 Zanoah, and Adullam with their villages. They were also in Lachish and its nearby fields and Azekah with its surrounding villages. So the people of Judah were living all the way from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom. 31 Some of the people of Benjamin lived at Geba, Micmash, Aija, and Bethel with its surrounding villages. 32 They were also in Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, 33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, 34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, 35 Lod, Ono, and the Valley of Craftsmen. 36 Some of the Levites who lived in Judah were sent to live with the tribe of Benjamin. 12:1 HERE is the list of the priests and Levites who had returned with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the high priest:Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, 2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, 3 Shecaniah, Harim, Meremoth, 4 Iddo, Ginnethon, Abijah, 5 Miniamin, Moadiah, Bilgah, 6 Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah, 7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of Jeshua. 8 The Levites who had returned with them were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who with his associates was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving. 9 Their associates, Bakbukiah and Unni, stood opposite them during the service. 10 Jeshua the high priest was the father of Joiakim. Joiakim was the father of Eliashib. Eliashib was the father of Joiada. 11 Joiada was the father of Johanan. Johanan was the father of Jaddua. 12 Now when Joiakim was high priest, the family leaders of the priests were as follows:Meraiah was leader of the family of Seraiah. Hananiah was leader of the family of Jeremiah. 13 Meshullam was leader of the family of Ezra. Jehohanan was leader of the family of Amariah. 14 Jonathan was leader of the family of Malluch. Joseph was leader of the family of Shecaniah. 15 Adna was leader of the family of Harim. Helkai was leader of the family of Meremoth. 16 Zechariah was leader of the family of Iddo. Meshullam was leader of the family of Ginnethon. 17 Zicri was leader of the family of Abijah. There was also a leader of the family of Miniamin. Piltai was leader of the family of Moadiah. 18 Shammua was leader of the family of Bilgah. Jehonathan was leader of the family of Shemaiah. 19 Mattenai was leader of the family of Joiarib. Uzzi was leader of the family of Jedaiah. 20 Kallai was leader of the family of Sallu. Eber was leader of the family of Amok. 21 Hashabiah was leader of the family of Hilkiah. Nethanel was leader of the family of Jedaiah. 22 During the reign of Darius II of Persia, a list was compiled of the family leaders of the Levites and the priests in the days of the following high priests:Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua. 23 The heads of the Levite families were recorded in The Book of History down to the days of Johanan, the grandson of Eliashib. 24 These were the family leaders of the Levites:Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, and other associates, who stood opposite them during the ceremonies of praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, just as commanded by David, the man of God. 25 This included Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, and Obadiah. Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were the gatekeepers in charge of the storerooms at the gates. 26 These all served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, son of Jehozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest and scribe.
So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. 15 You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am about to say is true. 16 When we bless the cup at the Lord's Table, aren't we sharing in the benefits of the blood of Christ? And when we break the loaf of bread, aren't we sharing in the benefits of the body of Christ? 17 And we all eat from one loaf, showing that we are one body. 18 And think about the nation of Israel; all who eat the sacrifices are united by that act. 19 What am I trying to say? Am I saying that the idols to whom the pagans bring sacrifices are real gods and that these sacrifices are of some value? 20 No, not at all. What I am saying is that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don't want any of you to be partners with demons. 21 You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord's Table and at the table of demons, too. 22 What? Do you dare to rouse the Lord's jealousy as Israel did? Do you think we are stronger than he is? 23 You say, "I am allowed to do anything"-- but not everything is helpful. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"-- but not everything is beneficial. 24 Don't think only of your own good. Think of other Christians and what is best for them. 25 Here's what you should do. You may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace. Don't ask whether or not it was offered to idols, and then your conscience won't be bothered. 26 For "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." 27 If someone who isn't a Christian asks you home for dinner, go ahead; accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you and don't ask any questions about it. Your conscience should not be bothered by this. 28 But suppose someone warns you that this meat has been offered to an idol. Don't eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. 29 It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person. Now, why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? 30 If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it? 31 Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God. 32 Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33 That is the plan I follow, too. I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them so they may be saved.
Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the LORD.
12 Do any of you want to live
a life that is long and good?
13 Then watch your tongue!
Keep your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Work hard at living in peace with others.
15 The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous face many troubles,
but the LORD rescues them from each and every one.
20 For the LORD protects them from harm--
not one of their bones *will be broken!
21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the LORD will redeem those who serve him.
Everyone who trusts in him will be freely pardoned.
A secret gift calms anger; a secret bribe pacifies fury. Justice is a joy to the godly, but it causes dismay among evildoers. The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead
1 CORINTHIANS 10:14- 33
PSALM 34:11- 22
PROVERBS 21:14- 16
Now the leaders of the people were living in Jerusalem, the holy city, at this time. A tenth of the people from the other towns of Judah and Benjamin were chosen by sacred lots to live there, too, while the rest stayed where they were. 2 And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem. 3 Here is a list of the names of the provincial officials who came to Jerusalem. Most of the people, priests, Levites, Temple servants, and descendants of Solomon's servants continued to live in their own homes in the various towns of Judah, 4 but some of the people from Judah and Benjamin resettled in Jerusalem. From the tribe of Judah:Athaiah son of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son of Shephatiah, son of Mahalalel, of the family of Perez; 5 and Maaseiah son of Baruch, son of Col- hozeh, son of Hazaiah, son of Adaiah, son of Joiarib, son of Zechariah, of the family of Shelah. 6 There were also 468 descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem-- all outstanding men. 7 From the tribe of Benjamin:Sallu son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jeshaiah; 8 and after him there were Gabbai and Sallai, and a total of 928 relatives. 9 Their chief officer was Joel son of Zicri, who was assisted by Judah son of Hassenuah, second- in- command over the city. 10 From the priests:Jedaiah son of Joiarib; Jakin; 11 and Seraiah son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, the supervisor of the Temple of God; 12 together with 822 of their associates, who worked at the Temple. Also, there was Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malkijah; 13 and 242 of his associates, who were heads of their families. There were also Amashsai son of Azarel, son of Ahzai, son of Meshillemoth, son of Immer; 14 and 128 of his outstanding associates. Their chief officer was Zabdiel son of Haggedolim. 15 From the Levites:Shemaiah son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni; 16 Shabbethai and Jozabad, who were in charge of the work outside the Temple of God; 17 Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zabdi, a descendant of Asaph, who opened the thanksgiving services with prayer; Bakbukiah, who was Mattaniah's assistant; and Abda son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun. 18 In all, there were 284 Levites in the holy city. 19 From the gatekeepers:Akkub, Talmon, and 172 of their associates, who guarded the gates. 20 The other priests, Levites, and the rest of the Israelites lived wherever their family inheritance was located in any of the towns of Judah. 21 However, the Temple servants, whose leaders were Ziha and Gishpa, all lived on the hill of Ophel. 22 The chief officer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Mica, a descendant of Asaph, whose family served as singers at God's Temple. 23 They were under royal orders, which determined their daily activities. 24 Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, a descendant of Zerah son of Judah, was the king's agent in all matters of public administration. 25 Some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath- arba with its villages, Dibon with its villages, and Jekabzeel with its villages. 26 They also lived in Jeshua, Moladah, Beth- pelet, 27 Hazar- shual, Beersheba with its villages, 28 Ziklag, and Meconah with its villages. 29 They were also in En- rimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth, 30 Zanoah, and Adullam with their villages. They were also in Lachish and its nearby fields and Azekah with its surrounding villages. So the people of Judah were living all the way from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom. 31 Some of the people of Benjamin lived at Geba, Micmash, Aija, and Bethel with its surrounding villages. 32 They were also in Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, 33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, 34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, 35 Lod, Ono, and the Valley of Craftsmen. 36 Some of the Levites who lived in Judah were sent to live with the tribe of Benjamin. 12:1 HERE is the list of the priests and Levites who had returned with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the high priest:Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, 2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, 3 Shecaniah, Harim, Meremoth, 4 Iddo, Ginnethon, Abijah, 5 Miniamin, Moadiah, Bilgah, 6 Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah, 7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of Jeshua. 8 The Levites who had returned with them were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who with his associates was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving. 9 Their associates, Bakbukiah and Unni, stood opposite them during the service. 10 Jeshua the high priest was the father of Joiakim. Joiakim was the father of Eliashib. Eliashib was the father of Joiada. 11 Joiada was the father of Johanan. Johanan was the father of Jaddua. 12 Now when Joiakim was high priest, the family leaders of the priests were as follows:Meraiah was leader of the family of Seraiah. Hananiah was leader of the family of Jeremiah. 13 Meshullam was leader of the family of Ezra. Jehohanan was leader of the family of Amariah. 14 Jonathan was leader of the family of Malluch. Joseph was leader of the family of Shecaniah. 15 Adna was leader of the family of Harim. Helkai was leader of the family of Meremoth. 16 Zechariah was leader of the family of Iddo. Meshullam was leader of the family of Ginnethon. 17 Zicri was leader of the family of Abijah. There was also a leader of the family of Miniamin. Piltai was leader of the family of Moadiah. 18 Shammua was leader of the family of Bilgah. Jehonathan was leader of the family of Shemaiah. 19 Mattenai was leader of the family of Joiarib. Uzzi was leader of the family of Jedaiah. 20 Kallai was leader of the family of Sallu. Eber was leader of the family of Amok. 21 Hashabiah was leader of the family of Hilkiah. Nethanel was leader of the family of Jedaiah. 22 During the reign of Darius II of Persia, a list was compiled of the family leaders of the Levites and the priests in the days of the following high priests:Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua. 23 The heads of the Levite families were recorded in The Book of History down to the days of Johanan, the grandson of Eliashib. 24 These were the family leaders of the Levites:Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, and other associates, who stood opposite them during the ceremonies of praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, just as commanded by David, the man of God. 25 This included Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, and Obadiah. Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were the gatekeepers in charge of the storerooms at the gates. 26 These all served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, son of Jehozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest and scribe.
So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. 15 You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am about to say is true. 16 When we bless the cup at the Lord's Table, aren't we sharing in the benefits of the blood of Christ? And when we break the loaf of bread, aren't we sharing in the benefits of the body of Christ? 17 And we all eat from one loaf, showing that we are one body. 18 And think about the nation of Israel; all who eat the sacrifices are united by that act. 19 What am I trying to say? Am I saying that the idols to whom the pagans bring sacrifices are real gods and that these sacrifices are of some value? 20 No, not at all. What I am saying is that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don't want any of you to be partners with demons. 21 You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord's Table and at the table of demons, too. 22 What? Do you dare to rouse the Lord's jealousy as Israel did? Do you think we are stronger than he is? 23 You say, "I am allowed to do anything"-- but not everything is helpful. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"-- but not everything is beneficial. 24 Don't think only of your own good. Think of other Christians and what is best for them. 25 Here's what you should do. You may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace. Don't ask whether or not it was offered to idols, and then your conscience won't be bothered. 26 For "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." 27 If someone who isn't a Christian asks you home for dinner, go ahead; accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you and don't ask any questions about it. Your conscience should not be bothered by this. 28 But suppose someone warns you that this meat has been offered to an idol. Don't eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. 29 It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person. Now, why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? 30 If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it? 31 Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God. 32 Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33 That is the plan I follow, too. I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them so they may be saved.
Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the LORD.
12 Do any of you want to live
a life that is long and good?
13 Then watch your tongue!
Keep your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Work hard at living in peace with others.
15 The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous face many troubles,
but the LORD rescues them from each and every one.
20 For the LORD protects them from harm--
not one of their bones *will be broken!
21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the LORD will redeem those who serve him.
Everyone who trusts in him will be freely pardoned.
A secret gift calms anger; a secret bribe pacifies fury. Justice is a joy to the godly, but it causes dismay among evildoers. The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead
