Reading through the Word.....Day 79

NUMBERS 30:1- 31:54
LUKE 4:1- 30
PSALM 63:1- 11
PROVERBS 11:20- 21


Now Moses summoned the leaders of the tribes of Israel and told them, "This is what the LORD has commanded:2 A man who makes a vow to the LORD or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do. 3" If a young woman makes a vow to the LORD or a pledge under oath while she is still living at her father's home, 4 and her father hears of the vow or pledge but says nothing, then all her vows and pledges will stand. 5 But if her father refuses to let her fulfill the vow or pledge on the day he hears of it, then all her vows and pledges will become invalid. The LORD will forgive her because her father would not let her fulfill them. 6 "Now suppose a young woman takes a vow or makes an impulsive pledge and later marries. 7 If her husband learns of her vow or pledge and raises no objections on the day he hears of it, her vows and pledges will stand. 8 But if her husband refuses to accept her vow or impulsive pledge on the day he hears of it, he nullifies her commitments, and the LORD will forgive her. 9 If, however, a woman is a widow or is divorced, she must fulfill all her vows and pledges no matter what. 10" Suppose a woman is married and living in her husband's home when she makes a vow or pledge. 11 If her husband hears of it and does nothing to stop her, her vow or pledge will stand. 12 But if her husband refuses to accept it on the day he hears of it, her vow or pledge will be nullified, and the LORD will forgive her. 13 So her husband may either confirm or nullify any vows or pledges she makes to deny herself. 14 But if he says nothing on the day he hears of it, then he is agreeing to it. 15 If he waits more than a day and then tries to nullify a vow or pledge, he will suffer the consequences of her guilt. "16 These are the regulations the LORD gave Moses concerning relationships between a man and his wife, and between a father and a young daughter who still lives at home. 31:1 THEN the LORD said to Moses, 2" Take vengeance on the Midianites for leading the Israelites into idolatry. After that, you will die and join your ancestors. "3 So Moses said to the people," Choose some men to fight the LORD's war of vengeance against Midian. 4 From each tribe of Israel, send one thousand men into battle. "5 So they chose one thousand men from each tribe of Israel, a total of twelve thousand men armed for battle. 6 Then Moses sent them out, a thousand men from each tribe, and Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest led them into battle. They carried along the holy objects of the sanctuary and the trumpets for sounding the charge. 7 They attacked Midian just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed all the men. 8 All five of the Midianite kings-- Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba-- died in the battle. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. 9 Then the Israelite army captured the Midianite women and children and seized their cattle and flocks and all their wealth as plunder. 10 They burned all the towns and villages where the Midianites had lived. 11 After they had gathered the plunder and captives, both people and animals, 12 they brought them all to Moses and Eleazar the priest, and to the whole community of Israel, which was camped on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River, across from Jericho. 13 Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the people went to meet them outside the camp. 14 But Moses was furious with all the military commanders who had returned from the battle. 15" Why have you let all the women live? "he demanded. 16" These are the very ones who followed Balaam's advice and caused the people of Israel to rebel against the LORD at Mount Peor. They are the ones who caused the plague to strike the LORD's people. 17 Now kill all the boys and all the women who have slept with a man. 18 Only the young girls who are virgins may live; you may keep them for yourselves. 19 And all of you who have killed anyone or touched a dead body must stay outside the camp for seven days. You must purify yourselves and your captives on the third and seventh days. 20 Also, purify all your clothing and everything made of leather, goat hair, or wood. "21 Then Eleazar the priest said to the men who were in the battle," The LORD has given Moses this requirement of the law:22 Anything made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, or lead-- 23 that is, metals that do not burn-- must be passed through fire in order to be made ceremonially pure. These metal objects must then be further purified with the water of purification. But everything that burns must be purified by the water alone. 24 On the seventh day you must wash your clothes and be purified. Then you may return to the camp. "25 And the LORD said to Moses, 26" You and Eleazar the priest and the family leaders of each tribe are to make a list of all the plunder taken in the battle, including the people and animals. 27 Then divide the plunder into two parts, and give half to the men who fought the battle and half to the rest of the people. 28 But first give the LORD his share of the captives, cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats that belong to the army. Set apart one out of every five hundred as the LORD's share. 29 Give this share of their half to Eleazar the priest as an offering to the LORD. 30 Also take one of every fifty of the captives, cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats in the half that belongs to the people of Israel. Give this share to the Levites in charge of maintaining the LORD's Tabernacle. "31 So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses. 32 The plunder remaining from the spoils that the fighting men had taken totaled 675,000 sheep, 33 72,000 cattle, 34 61,000 donkeys, 35 and 32,000 young girls. 36 So the half of the plunder given to the fighting men totaled 337,500 sheep, 37 of which 675 were the LORD's share; 38 36,000 cattle, of which 72 were the LORD's share; 39 30,500 donkeys, of which 61 were the LORD's share; 40 16,000 young girls, of whom 32 were the LORD's share. 41 Moses gave all the LORD's share to Eleazar the priest, just as the LORD had directed him. 42 The half of the plunder belonging to the people of Israel, which Moses had separated from the half belonging to the fighting men, 43 amounted to 337,500 sheep, 44 36,000 cattle, 45 30,500 donkeys, 46 and 16,000 young girls. 47 From the half- share given to the people, Moses took one of every fifty prisoners and animals and gave them to the Levites who maintained the LORD's Tabernacle. All this was done just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 48 Then all the military commanders came to Moses 49 and said," Sir, we have accounted for all the men who went out to battle under our command; not one of us is missing! 50 So we are presenting the items of gold we captured as an offering to the LORD from our share of the plunder-- armbands, bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces. This will make atonement for our lives before the LORD. "51 So Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from all the military commanders, all kinds of jewelry and crafted objects. 52 In all, the gold that the commanders presented as a gift to the LORD weighed about 420 pounds. 53 All the fighting men had taken some of the plunder for themselves. 54 So Moses and Eleazar the priest accepted the gifts from the military commanders and brought the gold to the Tabernacle as a reminder to the LORD that the people of Israel belong to him.


Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit to go out into the wilderness, 2 where the Devil tempted him for forty days. He ate nothing all that time and was very hungry. 3 Then the Devil said to him," If you are the Son of God, change this stone into a loaf of bread. "4 But Jesus told him," No! The Scriptures say, `People need more than bread for their life. '"5 Then the Devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 The Devil told him," I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them-- because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will give it all to you if you will bow down and worship me. "8 Jesus replied," The Scriptures say, `You must worship the Lord your God;
serve only him.' "
9 Then the Devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said," If you are the Son of God, jump off! 10 For the Scriptures say, `He orders his angels to protect and guard you.
11 And they will hold you with their hands
to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. '"
12 Jesus responded," The Scriptures also say, `Do not test the Lord your God.' "13 When the Devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came. 14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit's power. Soon he became well known throughout the surrounding country. 15 He taught in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll containing the messages of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him, and he unrolled the scroll to the place where it says:18" The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim
that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors,
19 and that the time of the Lord's favor has come. "
20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue stared at him intently. 21 Then he said," This Scripture has come true today before your very eyes! "22 All who were there spoke well of him and were amazed by the gracious words that fell from his lips." How can this be? "they asked." Isn't this Joseph's son? "23 Then he said," Probably you will quote me that proverb, `Physician, heal yourself '-- meaning, `Why don't you do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum?' 24 But the truth is, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown. 25 "Certainly there were many widows in Israel who needed help in Elijah's time, when there was no rain for three and a half years and hunger stalked the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a widow of Zarephath-- a foreigner in the land of Sidon. 27 Or think of the prophet Elisha, who healed Naaman, a Syrian, rather than the many lepers in Israel who needed help." 28 When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 29 Jumping up, they mobbed him and took him to the edge of the hill on which the city was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, 30 but he slipped away through the crowd and left them.


A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
3 Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself;
how I praise you!
4 I will honor you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
5 You satisfy me more than the richest of foods.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
6 I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
7 I think how much you have helped me;
I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings.
8 I follow close behind you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.
9 But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin.
They will go down into the depths of the earth.
10 They will die by the sword
and become the food of jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God.
All who trust in him will praise him,
while liars will be silenced.


The LORD hates people with twisted hearts, but he delights in those who have integrity. You can be sure that evil people will be punished, but the children of the godly will go free

Reading through the Word.....Day 78

NUMBERS 28:16- 29:40
LUKE 3:23- 38
PSALM 62:1- 12
PROVERBS 11:18- 19


"On the appointed day in early spring, you must celebrate the LORD's Passover. 17 On the following day a joyous, seven- day festival will begin, but no bread made with yeast may be eaten. 18 On the first day of the festival you must call a sacred assembly of the people. None of your regular work may be done on that day. 19 You must present as a burnt offering to the LORD two young bulls, one ram, and seven one- year- old male lambs, all with no physical defects. 20 These will be accompanied by grain offerings of choice flour mixed with olive oil-- five quarts with each bull, three quarts with the ram, 21 and two quarts with each of the seven lambs. 22 You must also offer a male goat as a sin offering, to make atonement for yourselves. 23 You will present these offerings in addition to your regular morning sacrifices. 24 On each of the seven days of the festival, this is how you will prepare the food offerings to be presented by fire, very pleasing to the LORD. These will be offered in addition to the regular whole burnt offerings and drink offerings. 25 On the seventh day of the festival you must call another holy assembly of the people. None of your regular work may be done on that day. 26" On the first day of the Festival of Harvest, when you present the first of your new grain to the LORD, you must call a holy assembly of the people. None of your regular work may be done on that day. 27 A special whole burnt offering will be offered that day, very pleasing to the LORD. It will consist of two young bulls, one ram, and seven one- year- old male lambs. 28 These will be accompanied by grain offerings of choice flour mixed with olive oil-- five quarts with each bull, three quarts with the ram, 29 and two quarts with each of the seven lambs. 30 Also, offer one male goat to make atonement for yourselves. 31 These special burnt offerings, along with their drink offerings, are in addition to the regular daily burnt offering and its accompanying grain offering. Be sure that all the animals you sacrifice have no physical defects. 29:1 "THE Festival of Trumpets will be celebrated on the appointed day in early autumn each year. You must call a solemn assembly of all the people on that day, and no regular work may be done. 2 On that day you must present a burnt offering, very pleasing to the LORD. It will consist of one young bull, one ram, and seven one- year- old male lambs, all with no physical defects. 3 These must be accompanied by grain offerings of choice flour mixed with olive oil-- five quarts with the bull, three quarts with the ram, 4 and two quarts with each of the seven lambs. 5 In addition, you must sacrifice a male goat as a sin offering, to make atonement for yourselves. 6 These special sacrifices are in addition to your regular monthly and daily burnt offerings, and they must be given with their prescribed grain offerings and drink offerings. These offerings are given to the LORD by fire and are very pleasing to him. 7" Ten days later, you must call another holy assembly of all the people. On that day, the Day of Atonement, the people must go without food, and no regular work may be done. 8 You must present a burnt offering, very pleasing to the LORD. It will consist of one young bull, one ram, and seven one- year- old male lambs, all with no physical defects. 9 These offerings must be accompanied by the prescribed grain offerings of choice flour mixed with olive oil-- five quarts of choice flour with the bull, three quarts of choice flour with the ram, 10 and two quarts of choice flour with each of the seven lambs. 11 You must also sacrifice one male goat for a sin offering. This is in addition to the sin offering of atonement and the regular daily burnt offering with its grain offering, and their accompanying drink offerings. 12 "Five days later, you must call yet another holy assembly of all the people, and on that day no regular work may be done. It is the beginning of the Festival of Shelters, a seven- day festival to the LORD. 13 That day you must present a special whole burnt offering by fire, very pleasing to the LORD. It will consist of thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen one- year- old male lambs, all with no physical defects. 14 Each of these offerings must be accompanied by a grain offering of choice flour mixed with olive oil-- five quarts for each of the thirteen bulls, three quarts for each of the two rams, 15 and two quarts for each of the fourteen lambs. 16 You must also sacrifice a male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular daily burnt offering with its accompanying grain offering and drink offering. 17" On the second day of this seven- day festival, sacrifice twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen one- year- old male lambs, all with no physical defects. 18 Each of these offerings of bulls, rams, and lambs must be accompanied by the prescribed grain offering and drink offering. 19 You must also sacrifice a male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular daily burnt offering with its accompanying grain offering and drink offering. 20 "On the third day of the festival, sacrifice eleven young bulls, two rams, and fourteen one- year- old male lambs, all with no physical defects. 21 Each of these offerings of bulls, rams, and lambs must be accompanied by the prescribed grain offering and drink offering. 22 You must also sacrifice a male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular daily burnt offering with its accompanying grain offering and drink offering. 23" On the fourth day of the festival, sacrifice ten young bulls, two rams, and fourteen one- year- old male lambs, all with no physical defects. 24 Each of these offerings of bulls, rams, and lambs must be accompanied by the prescribed grain offering and drink offering. 25 You must also sacrifice a male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular daily burnt offering with its accompanying grain offering and drink offering. 26 "On the fifth day of the festival, sacrifice nine young bulls, two rams, and fourteen one- year- old male lambs, all with no physical defects. 27 Each of these offerings of bulls, rams, and lambs must be accompanied by the prescribed grain offering and drink offering. 28 You must also sacrifice a male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular daily burnt offering with its accompanying grain offering and drink offering. 29" On the sixth day of the festival, sacrifice eight young bulls, two rams, and fourteen one- year- old male lambs, all with no physical defects. 30 Each of these offerings of bulls, rams, and lambs must be accompanied by the prescribed grain offering and drink offering. 31 You must also sacrifice a male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular daily burnt offering with its accompanying grain offering and drink offering. 32 "On the seventh day of the festival, sacrifice seven young bulls, two rams, and fourteen one- year- old male lambs, all with no physical defects. 33 Each of these offerings of bulls, rams, and lambs must be accompanied by the prescribed grain offering and drink offering. 34 You must also sacrifice one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular daily burnt offering with its accompanying grain offering and drink offering. 35" On the eighth day of the festival, call all the people to another holy assembly. You must do no regular work on that day. 36 You must present a burnt offering, very pleasing to the LORD. It will consist of one young bull, one ram, and seven one- year- old male lambs, all with no physical defects. 37 Each of these offerings must be accompanied by the prescribed grain offering and drink offering. 38 You must also sacrifice one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular daily burnt offering with its accompanying grain offering and drink offering. 39 "You must present these offerings to the LORD at your annual festivals. These are in addition to the sacrifices and offerings you present in connection with vows, or as freewill offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, or peace offerings." 40 So Moses gave all of these instructions to the people of Israel, just as the LORD had commanded him.


Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry. Jesus was known as the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli. 24 Heli was the son of Matthat. Matthat was the son of Levi. Levi was the son of Melki. Melki was the son of Jannai. Jannai was the son of Joseph. 25 Joseph was the son of Mattathias. Mattathias was the son of Amos. Amos was the son of Nahum. Nahum was the son of Esli. Esli was the son of Naggai. 26 Naggai was the son of Maath. Maath was the son of Mattathias. Mattathias was the son of Semein. Semein was the son of Josech. Josech was the son of Joda. 27 Joda was the son of Joanan. Joanan was the son of Rhesa. Rhesa was the son of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the son of Neri. 28 Neri was the son of Melki. Melki was the son of Addi. Addi was the son of Cosam. Cosam was the son of Elmadam. Elmadam was the son of Er. 29 Er was the son of Joshua. Joshua was the son of Eliezer. Eliezer was the son of Jorim. Jorim was the son of Matthat. Matthat was the son of Levi. 30 Levi was the son of Simeon. Simeon was the son of Judah. Judah was the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Jonam. Jonam was the son of Eliakim. 31 Eliakim was the son of Melea. Melea was the son of Menna. Menna was the son of Mattatha. Mattatha was the son of Nathan. Nathan was the son of David. 32 David was the son of Jesse. Jesse was the son of Obed. Obed was the son of Boaz. Boaz was the son of Salmon. Salmon was the son of Nahshon. 33 Nahshon was the son of Amminadab. Amminadab was the son of Admin. Admin was the son of Arni. Arni was the son of Hezron. Hezron was the son of Perez. Perez was the son of Judah. 34 Judah was the son of Jacob. Jacob was the son of Isaac. Isaac was the son of Abraham. Abraham was the son of Terah. Terah was the son of Nahor. 35 Nahor was the son of Serug. Serug was the son of Reu. Reu was the son of Peleg. Peleg was the son of Eber. Eber was the son of Shelah. 36 Shelah was the son of Cainan. Cainan was the son of Arphaxad. Arphaxad was the son of Shem. Shem was the son of Noah. Noah was the son of Lamech. 37 Lamech was the son of Methuselah. Methuselah was the son of Enoch. Enoch was the son of Jared. Jared was the son of Mahalalel. Mahalalel was the son of Kenan. 38 Kenan was the son of Enosh. Enosh was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God.


For Jeduthun, the choir director:A psalm of David.
1 I wait quietly before God,
for my salvation comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will never be shaken.
3 So many enemies against one man--
all of them trying to kill me.
To them I'm just a broken- down wall
or a tottering fence.
4 They plan to topple me from my high position.
They delight in telling lies about me.
They are friendly to my face,
but they curse me in their hearts.
Interlude5 I wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
8 O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge.
Interlude9 From the greatest to the lowliest--
all are nothing in his sight.
If you weigh them on the scales,
they are lighter than a puff of air.
10 Don't try to get rich
by extortion or robbery.
And if your wealth increases,
don't make it the center of your life.
11 God has spoken plainly,
and I have heard it many times:
Power, O God, belongs to you;
12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.
Surely you judge all people
according to what they have done.


Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. Godly people find life; evil people find death

Reading through the Word.....Day 77

NUMBERS 26:52- 28:15
LUKE 3:1- 22
PSALM 61:1- 8
PROVERBS 11:16- 17


Then the LORD said to Moses, 53 "Divide the land among the tribes in proportion to their populations, as indicated by the census. 54 Give the larger tribes more land and the smaller tribes less land, each group's inheritance reflecting the size of its population. 55 Make sure you assign the land by lot, and define the inheritance of each ancestral tribe by means of the census listings. 56 Each inheritance must be assigned by lot among the larger and smaller tribal groups." 57 This is the census record for the Levites who were counted according to their clans:The Gershonite clan, named after its ancestor Gershon. The Kohathite clan, named after its ancestor Kohath. The Merarite clan, named after its ancestor Merari. 58 The Libnites, the Hebronites, the Mahlites, the Mushites, and the Korahites were all subclans of the Levites. Now Kohath was the ancestor of Amram, 59 and Amram's wife was named Jochebed. She also was a descendant of Levi, born among the Levites in the land of Egypt. Amram and Jochebed became the parents of Aaron, Moses, and their sister, Miriam. 60 To Aaron were born Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 61 But Nadab and Abihu died when they burned before the LORD a different kind of fire than he had commanded. 62 The men from the Levite clans who were one month old or older numbered 23,000. But the Levites were not included in the total census figure of the people of Israel because they were not given an inheritance of land when it was divided among the Israelites. 63 So these are the census figures of the people of Israel as prepared by Moses and Eleazar the priest on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River, across from Jericho. 64 Not one person that was counted in this census had been among those counted in the previous census taken by Moses and Aaron in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the LORD had said of them, "They will all die in the wilderness." The only exceptions were Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. 27:1 ONE day a petition was presented by the daughters of Zelophehad-- Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Their father, Zelophehad, was the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Makir, son of Manasseh, son of Joseph. 2 These women went and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the tribal leaders, and the entire community at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 3 "Our father died in the wilderness without leaving any sons," they said. "But he was not among Korah's followers, who rebelled against the LORD. He died because of his own sin. 4 Why should the name of our father disappear just because he had no sons? Give us property along with the rest of our relatives." 5 So Moses brought their case before the LORD. 6 And the LORD replied to Moses, 7 "The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You must give them an inheritance of land along with their father's relatives. Assign them the property that would have been given to their father. 8 Moreover announce this to the people of Israel:`If a man dies and has no sons, then give his inheritance to his daughters. 9 And if he has no daughters, turn his inheritance over to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father's brothers. 11 But if his father has no brothers, pass on his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan. The Israelites must observe this as a general legal requirement, just as the LORD commanded Moses. '" 12 One day the LORD said to Moses, "Climb to the top of the mountains east of the river, and look out over the land I have given the people of Israel. 13 After you have seen it, you will die as Aaron your brother did, 14 for you both rebelled against my instructions in the wilderness of Zin. When the people of Israel rebelled, you failed to demonstrate my holiness to them at the waters." (These are the waters of Meribah at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.) 15 Then Moses said to the LORD, 16 "O LORD, the God of the spirits of all living things, please appoint a new leader for the community. 17 Give them someone who will lead them into battle, so the people of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd." 18 The LORD replied, "Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. 19 Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him with the responsibility of leading the people. 20 Transfer your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him. 21 When direction from the LORD is needed, Joshua will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will determine the LORD's will by means of sacred lots. This is how Joshua and the rest of the community of Israel will discover what they should do." 22 So Moses did as the LORD commanded and presented Joshua to Eleazar the priest and the whole community. 23 Moses laid his hands on him and commissioned him to his responsibilities, just as the LORD had commanded through Moses. 28:1 THE LORD said to Moses, 2 "Give these instructions to the people of Israel:The offerings you present to me by fire on the altar are my food, and they are very pleasing to me. See to it that they are brought at the appointed times and offered according to my instructions. 3" Say to them:When you present your daily whole burnt offerings to the LORD, you must offer two one- year- old male lambs with no physical defects. 4 One lamb will be sacrificed in the morning and the other in the evening. 5 With each lamb you must offer a grain offering of two quarts of choice flour mixed with one quart of olive oil. 6 This is the regular burnt offering ordained at Mount Sinai, an offering made by fire, very pleasing to the LORD. 7 Along with it you must present the proper drink offering, consisting of one quart of fermented drink with each lamb, poured out in the Holy Place as an offering to the LORD. 8 Offer the second lamb in the evening with the same grain offering and drink offering. It, too, is an offering made by fire, very pleasing to the LORD. 9 "On the Sabbath day, sacrifice two one- year- old male lambs with no physical defects. They must be accompanied by a grain offering of three quarts of choice flour mixed with olive oil, and a drink offering. 10 This is the whole burnt offering to be presented each Sabbath day, in addition to the regular daily burnt offering and its accompanying drink offering. 11" On the first day of each month, present an extra burnt offering to the LORD of two young bulls, one ram, and seven one- year- old male lambs, all with no physical defects. 12 These will be accompanied by grain offerings of choice flour mixed with olive oil-- five quarts with each bull, three quarts with the ram, 13 and two quarts with each lamb. This burnt offering must be presented by fire, and it will be very pleasing to the LORD. 14 You must also give a drink offering with each sacrifice:two quarts of wine with each bull, two and a half pints for the ram, and one quart for each lamb. Present this monthly burnt offering on the first day of each month throughout the year. 15 "Also, on the first day of each month you must offer one male goat for a sin offering to the LORD. This is in addition to the regular daily burnt offering and its accompanying drink offering."


It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. 2 Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living out in the wilderness. 3 Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had turned from their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 4 Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, "He is a voice shouting in the wilderness:
`Prepare a pathway for the Lord's coming!
Make a straight road for him!
5 Fill in the valleys,
and level the mountains and hills!
Straighten the curves,
and smooth out the rough places!
6 And then all people will see
the salvation sent from God.'"
7 Here is a sample of John's preaching to the crowds that came for baptism:"You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God's coming judgment? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. Don't just say, `We're safe-- we're the descendants of Abraham. 'That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into children of Abraham. 9 Even now the ax of God's judgment is poised, ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire." 10 The crowd asked, "What should we do?" 11 John replied, "If you have two coats, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry." 12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, "Teacher, what should we do?" 13 "Show your honesty," he replied. "Make sure you collect no more taxes than the Roman government requires you to." 14 "What should we do?" asked some soldiers. John replied, "Don't extort money, and don't accuse people of things you know they didn't do. And be content with your pay." 15 Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered their questions by saying, "I baptize with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am-- so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 He is ready to separate the chaff from the grain with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, storing the grain in his barn but burning the chaff with never- ending fire." 18 John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people. 19 John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother's wife, and for many other wrongs he had done. 20 So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others. 21 One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you."


For the choir director:A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.
1 O God, listen to my cry!
Hear my prayer!
2 From the ends of the earth,
I will cry to you for help,
for my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
3 for you are my safe refuge,
a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary,
safe beneath the shelter of your wings!
Interlude5 For you have heard my vows, O God.
You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.
6 Add many years to the life of the king!
May his years span the generations!
7 May he reign under God's protection forever.
Appoint your unfailing love and faithfulness to watch over him.
8 Then I will always sing praises to your name
as I fulfill my vows day after day.


Beautiful women obtain wealth, and violent men get rich. Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel

Reading through the Word.....Day 76

NUMBERS 26:1- 51
LUKE 2:36- 52
PSALM 60:1- 12
PROVERBS 11:15


After the plague had ended, the LORD said to Moses and to Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, 2 "Take a census of all the men of Israel who are twenty years old or older, to find out how many of each family are of military age." 3 At that time the entire nation of Israel was camped on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River, across from Jericho. So Moses and Eleazar the priest issued these census instructions to the leaders of Israel:4 "Count all the men of Israel twenty years old and older, just as the LORD commanded Moses." This is the census record of all the descendants of Israel who came out of Egypt. 5 These were the clans descended from Reuben, Jacob's oldest son:The Hanochite clan, named after its ancestor Hanoch. The Palluite clan, named after its ancestor Pallu. 6 The Hezronite clan, named after its ancestor Hezron. The Carmite clan, named after its ancestor Carmi. 7 The men from all the clans of Reuben numbered 43,730. 8 Pallu was the ancestor of Eliab, 9 and Eliab was the father of Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. This Dathan and Abiram are the same community leaders who conspired with Korah against Moses and Aaron, defying the LORD. 10 But the earth opened up and swallowed them with Korah, and 250 of their followers were destroyed that day by fire from the LORD. This served as a warning to the entire nation of Israel. 11 However, the sons of Korah did not die that day. 12 These were the clans descended from the sons of Simeon:The Nemuelite clan, named after its ancestor Nemuel. The Jaminite clan, named after its ancestor Jamin. The Jakinite clan, named after its ancestor Jakin. 13 The Zerahite clan, named after its ancestor Zerah. The Shaulite clan, named after its ancestor Shaul. 14 The men from all the clans of Simeon numbered 22,200. 15 These were the clans descended from the sons of Gad:The Zephonite clan, named after its ancestor Zephon. The Haggite clan, named after its ancestor Haggi. The Shunite clan, named after its ancestor Shuni. 16 The Oznite clan, named after its ancestor Ozni. The Erite clan, named after its ancestor Eri. 17 The Arodite clan, named after its ancestor Arodi. The Arelite clan, named after its ancestor Areli. 18 The men from all the clans of Gad numbered 40,500. 19 Judah had two sons, Er and Onan, who had died in the land of Canaan. 20 But the following clans descended from Judah's surviving sons:The Shelanite clan, named after its ancestor Shelah. The Perezite clan, named after its ancestor Perez. The Zerahite clan, named after its ancestor Zerah. 21 These were the subclans descended from the Perezites:The Hezronites, named after their ancestor Hezron. The Hamulites, named after their ancestor Hamul. 22 The men from all the clans of Judah numbered 76,500. 23 These were the clans descended from the sons of Issachar:The Tolaite clan, named after its ancestor Tola. The Puite clan, named after its ancestor Puah. 24 The Jashubite clan, named after its ancestor Jashub. The Shimronite clan, named after its ancestor Shimron. 25 The men from all the clans of Issachar numbered 64,300. 26 These were the clans descended from the sons of Zebulun:The Seredite clan, named after its ancestor Sered. The Elonite clan, named after its ancestor Elon. The Jahleelite clan, named after its ancestor Jahleel. 27 The men from all the clans of Zebulun numbered 60,500. 28 Two clans were descended from Joseph through Manasseh and Ephraim. 29 These were the clans descended from Manasseh:The Makirite clan, named after its ancestor Makir. The Gileadite clan, named after its ancestor Gilead, Makir's son. 30 These were the subclans descended from the Gileadites:The Iezerites, named after their ancestor Iezer. The Helekites, named after their ancestor Helek. 31 The Asrielites, named after their ancestor Asriel. The Shechemites, named after their ancestor Shechem. 32 The Shemidaites, named after their ancestor Shemida. The Hepherites, named after their ancestor Hepher. 33 Hepher's son, Zelophehad, had no sons, but his daughters 'names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 34 The men from all the clans of Manasseh numbered 52,700. 35 These were the clans descended from the sons of Ephraim:The Shuthelahite clan, named after its ancestor Shuthelah. The Bekerite clan, named after its ancestor Beker. The Tahanite clan, named after its ancestor Tahan. 36 This was the subclan descended from the Shuthelahites:The Eranites, named after their ancestor Eran. 37 The men from all the clans of Ephraim numbered 32,500. These clans of Manasseh and Ephraim were all descendants of Joseph. 38 These were the clans descended from the sons of Benjamin:The Belaite clan, named after its ancestor Bela. The Ashbelite clan, named after its ancestor Ashbel. The Ahiramite clan, named after its ancestor Ahiram. 39 The Shuphamite clan, named after its ancestor Shupham. The Huphamite clan, named after its ancestor Hupham. 40 These were the subclans descended from the Belaites:The Ardites, named after their ancestor Ard. The Naamites, named after their ancestor Naaman. 41 The men from all the clans of Benjamin numbered 45,600. 42 These were the clans descended from the sons of Dan:The Shuhamite clan, named after its ancestor Shuham. 43 All the clans of Dan were Shuhamite clans, and the men from these clans numbered 64,400. 44 These were the clans descended from the sons of Asher:The Imnite clan, named after its ancestor Imnah. The Ishvite clan, named after its ancestor Ishvi. The Beriite clan, named after its ancestor Beriah. 45 These were the subclans descended from the Beriites:The Heberites, named after their ancestor Heber. The Malkielites, named after their ancestor Malkiel. 46 Asher also had a daughter named Serah. 47 The men from all the clans of Asher numbered 53,400. 48 These were the clans descended from the sons of Naphtali:The Jahzeelite clan, named after its ancestor Jahzeel. The Gunite clan, named after its ancestor Guni. 49 The Jezerite clan, named after its ancestor Jezer. The Shillemite clan, named after its ancestor Shillem. 50 The men from all the clans of Naphtali numbered 45,400. 51 So the total number of Israelite men counted in the census numbered 601,730.


Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, and was very old. She was a widow, for her husband had died when they had been married only seven years. 37 She was now eighty- four years old. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about Jesus to everyone who had been waiting for the promised King to come and deliver Jerusalem. 39 When Jesus' parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom beyond his years, and God placed his special favor upon him. 41 Every year Jesus 'parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. 43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss him at first, 44 because they assumed he was with friends among the other travelers. But when he didn't show up that evening, they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46 Three days later they finally discovered him. He was in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, discussing deep questions with them. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 His parents didn't know what to think. "Son!" his mother said to him. "Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere." 49 "But why did you need to search?" he asked. "You should have known that I would be in my Father's house." 50 But they didn't understand what he meant. 51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them; and his mother stored all these things in her heart. 52 So Jesus grew both in height and in wisdom, and he was loved by God and by all who knew him.


For the choir director:A psalm of David useful for teaching, regarding the time David fought Aram- naharaim and Aram- zobah, and Joab returned and killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. To be sung to the tune "Lily of the Testimony."
1 You have rejected us, O God, and broken our defenses.
You have been angry with us; now restore us to your favor.
2 You have shaken our land and split it open.
Seal the cracks before it completely collapses.
3 You have been very hard on us,
making us drink wine that sent us reeling.
4 But you have raised a banner for those who honor you--
a rallying point in the face of attack.
Interlude5 Use your strong right arm to save us,
and rescue your beloved people.
6 God has promised this by his holiness:
"I will divide up Shechem with joy.
I will measure out the valley of Succoth.
7 Gilead is mine,
and Manasseh is mine.
Ephraim will produce my warriors,
and Judah will produce my kings.
8 Moab will become my lowly servant,
and Edom will be my slave.
I will shout in triumph over the Philistines."
9 But who will bring me into the fortified city?
Who will bring me victory over Edom?
10 Have you rejected us, O God?
Will you no longer march with our armies?
11 Oh, please help us against our enemies,
for all human help is useless.
12 With God's help we will do mighty things,
for he will trample down our foes.


Guaranteeing a loan for a stranger is dangerous; it is better to refuse than to suffer later

Reading through the Word.....Day 75

NUMBERS 24:1- 25:18
LUKE 2:1- 35
PSALM 59:1- 17
PROVERBS 11:14


By now Balaam realized that the LORD intended to bless Israel, so he did not resort to divination as he often did. Instead, he turned and looked out toward the wilderness, 2 where he saw the people of Israel camped, tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came upon him, 3 and this is the prophecy he delivered:"This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,
the prophecy of the man whose eyes see clearly,
4 who hears the words of God,
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
who falls down with eyes wide open:
5 How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob;
how lovely are your homes, O Israel!
6 They spread before me like groves of palms,
like fruitful gardens by the riverside.
They are like aloes planted by the LORD,
like cedars beside the waters.
7 Water will gush out in buckets;
their offspring are supplied with all they need.
Their king will be greater than Agag;
their kingdom will be exalted.
8 God brought them up from Egypt,
drawing them along like a wild ox.
He devours all the nations that oppose him,
breaking their bones in pieces,
shooting them with arrows.
9 Like a lion, Israel crouches and lies down;
like a lioness, who dares to arouse her?
Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel,
and cursed is everyone who curses you."
10 King Balak flew into a rage against Balaam. He angrily clapped his hands and shouted, "I called you to curse my enemies! Instead, you have blessed them three times. 11 Now get out of here! Go back home! I had planned to reward you richly, but the LORD has kept you from your reward." 12 Balaam told Balak, "Don't you remember what I told your messengers? I said, 13 `Even if Balak were to give me a palace filled with silver and gold, I am powerless to do anything against the will of the LORD. 'I told you that I could say only what the LORD says! 14 Now I am returning to my own people. But first let me tell you what the Israelites will do to your people in the future." 15 This is the prophecy Balaam delivered:"This is the message of Balaam son of Beor,
the prophecy of the man whose eyes see clearly,
16 who hears the words of God,
who has knowledge from the Most High,
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
who falls down with eyes wide open:
17 I see him, but not in the present time.
I perceive him, but far in the distant future.
A star will rise from Jacob;
a scepter will emerge from Israel.
It will crush the foreheads of Moab's people,
cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth.
18 Edom will be taken over,
and Seir, its enemy, will be conquered,
while Israel continues on in triumph.
19 A ruler will rise in Jacob
who will destroy the survivors of Ir."
20 Then Balaam looked over at the people of Amalek and delivered this prophecy:"Amalek was the greatest of nations,
but its destiny is destruction!"
21 Then he looked over at the Kenites and prophesied:"You are strongly situated;
your nest is set in the rocks.
22 But the Kenites will be destroyed
when Assyria takes you captive."
23 Balaam concluded his prophecies by saying:"Alas, who can survive when God does this?
24 Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus;
they will oppress both Assyria and Eber,
but they, too, will be utterly destroyed."
25 Then Balaam and Balak returned to their homes. 25:1 WHILE the Israelites were camped at Acacia, some of the men defiled themselves by sleeping with the local Moabite women. 2 These women invited them to attend sacrifices to their gods, and soon the Israelites were feasting with them and worshiping the gods of Moab. 3 Before long Israel was joining in the worship of Baal of Peor, causing the LORD's anger to blaze against his people. 4 The LORD issued the following command to Moses:"Seize all the ringleaders and execute them before the LORD in broad daylight, so his fierce anger will turn away from the people of Israel." 5 So Moses ordered Israel's judges to execute everyone who had joined in worshiping Baal of Peor. 6 Just then one of the Israelite men brought a Midianite woman into the camp, right before the eyes of Moses and all the people, as they were weeping at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 7 When Phinehas son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron the priest saw this, he jumped up and left the assembly. Then he took a spear 8 and rushed after the man into his tent. Phinehas thrust the spear all the way through the man's body and into the woman's stomach. So the plague against the Israelites was stopped, 9 but not before 24,000 people had died. 10 Then the LORD said to Moses, 11 "Phinehas son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron the priest has turned my anger away from the Israelites by displaying passionate zeal among them on my behalf. So I have stopped destroying all Israel as I had intended to do in my anger. 12 So tell him that I am making my special covenant of peace with him. 13 In this covenant, he and his descendants will be priests for all time, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel." 14 The Israelite man killed with the Midianite woman was named Zimri son of Salu, the leader of a family from the tribe of Simeon. 15 The woman's name was Cozbi; she was the daughter of Zur, the leader of a Midianite clan. 16 Then the LORD said to Moses, 17 "Attack the Midianites and destroy them, 18 because they assaulted you with deceit by tricking you into worshiping Baal of Peor, and because of Cozbi, the daughter of a Midianite leader, who was killed on the day of the plague at Peor."


At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fianc饬 who was obviously pregnant by this time. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn. 8 That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, 10 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! 11 The Savior-- yes, the Messiah, the Lord-- has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And this is how you will recognize him:You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!" 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-- the armies of heaven-- praising God:14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to all whom God favors."
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, 19 but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said. 21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. 22 Then it was time for the purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord." 24 So they offered a sacrifice according to what was required in the law of the Lord-- "either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 25 Now there was a man named Simeon who lived in Jerusalem. He was a righteous man and very devout. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he eagerly expected the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. 26 The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,29 "Lord, now I can die in peace!
As you promised me,
30 I have seen the Savior
31 you have given to all people.
32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory of your people Israel!"
33 Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was being said about Jesus. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, "This child will be rejected by many in Israel, and it will be their undoing. But he will be the greatest joy to many others. 35 Thus, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul."


For the choir director:A psalm of David, regarding the time Saul sent soldiers to watch David's house in order to kill him. To be sung to the tune "Do Not Destroy!"
1 Rescue me from my enemies, O God.
Protect me from those who have come to destroy me.
2 Rescue me from these criminals;
save me from these murderers.
3 They have set an ambush for me.
Fierce enemies are out there waiting,
though I have done them no wrong, O LORD.
4 Despite my innocence, they prepare to kill me.
Rise up and help me! Look on my plight!
5 O LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel,
rise up to punish hostile nations.
Show no mercy to wicked traitors.
Interlude6 They come at night,
snarling like vicious dogs
as they prowl the streets.
7 Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths,
the piercing swords that fly from their lips.
"Who can hurt us?" they sneer.
8 But LORD, you laugh at them.
You scoff at all the hostile nations.
9 You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,
for you, O God, are my place of safety.
10 In his unfailing love, my God will come and help me.
He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.
11 Don't kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons;
stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees,
O Lord our shield.
12 Because of the sinful things they say,
because of the evil that is on their lips,
let them be captured by their pride,
their curses, and their lies.
13 Destroy them in your anger!
Wipe them out completely!
Then the whole world will know
that God reigns in Israel.
Interlude14 My enemies come out at night,
snarling like vicious dogs
as they prowl the streets.
15 They scavenge for food
but go to sleep unsatisfied.
16 But as for me, I will sing about your power.
I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge,
a place of safety in the day of distress.
17 O my Strength, to you I sing praises,
for you, O God, are my refuge,
the God who shows me unfailing love.


Without wise leadership, a nation falls; with many counselors, there is safety

Reading through the Word.....Day 74

NUMBERS 22:21- 23:30
LUKE 1:57- 80
PSALM 58:1- 11
PROVERBS 11:12- 13


So the next morning Balaam saddled his donkey and started off with the Moabite officials. 22 But God was furious that Balaam was going, so he sent the angel of the LORD to stand in the road to block his way. As Balaam and two servants were riding along, 23 Balaam's donkey suddenly saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road. 24 Then the angel of the LORD stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing there, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again. 26 Then the angel of the LORD moved farther down the road and stood in a place so narrow that the donkey could not get by at all. 27 This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat it again with his staff. 28 Then the LORD caused the donkey to speak. "What have I done to you that deserves your beating me these three times?" it asked Balaam. 29 "Because you have made me look like a fool!" Balaam shouted. "If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!" 30 "But I am the same donkey you always ride on," the donkey answered. "Have I ever done anything like this before?" "No," he admitted. 31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam fell face down on the ground before him. 32 "Why did you beat your donkey those three times?" the angel of the LORD demanded. "I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. 33 Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey." 34 Then Balaam confessed to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to block my way. I will go back home if you are against my going." 35 But the angel of the LORD told him, "Go with these men, but you may say only what I tell you to say." So Balaam went on with Balak's officials. 36 When King Balak heard that Balaam was on the way, he went out to meet him at a Moabite town on the Arnon River at the border of his land. 37 "Did I not send you an urgent invitation? Why didn't you come right away?" Balak asked Balaam. "Didn't you believe me when I said I would reward you richly?" 38 Balaam replied, "I have come, but I have no power to say just anything. I will speak only the messages that God gives me." 39 Then Balaam accompanied Balak to Kiriath- huzoth, 40 where the king sacrificed cattle and sheep. He sent portions of the meat to Balaam and the officials who were with him. 41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth- baal. From there he could see the people of Israel spread out below him. 23:1 BALAAM said to King Balak, "Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven young bulls and seven rams for a sacrifice." 2 Balak followed his instructions, and the two of them sacrificed a young bull and a ram on each altar. 3 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stand here by your burnt offerings, and I will go to see if the LORD will respond to me. Then I will tell you whatever he reveals to me." So Balaam went alone to the top of a hill, 4 and God met him there. Balaam said to him, "I have prepared seven altars and have sacrificed a young bull and a ram on each altar." 5 Then the LORD gave Balaam a message for King Balak and said, "Go back to Balak and tell him what I told you." 6 When Balaam returned, the king was standing beside his burnt offerings with all the officials of Moab. 7 This was the prophecy Balaam delivered:"Balak summoned me to come from Aram;
the king of Moab brought me from the eastern hills.
`Come, 'he said, `curse Jacob for me!
Come and announce Israel's doom.'
8 But how can I curse
those whom God has not cursed?
How can I condemn
those whom the LORD has not condemned?
9 I see them from the cliff tops;
I watch them from the hills.
I see a people who live by themselves,
set apart from other nations.
10 Who can count Jacob's descendants, as numerous as dust?
Who can count even a fourth of Israel's people?
Let me die like the righteous;
let my life end like theirs."
11 Then King Balak demanded of Balaam, "What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies. Instead, you have blessed them!" 12 But Balaam replied, "Can I say anything except what the LORD tells me?" 13 Then King Balak told him, "Come with me to another place. There you will see only a portion of the nation of Israel. Curse at least that many!" 14 So Balak took Balaam to the plateau of Zophim on Pisgah Peak. He built seven altars there and offered a young bull and a ram on each altar. 15 Then Balaam said to the king, "Stand here by your burnt offering while I go to meet the LORD." 16 So the LORD met Balaam and gave him a message. Then he said, "Go back to Balak and give him this message." 17 So Balaam returned to the place where the king and the officials of Moab were standing beside Balak's burnt offerings. "What did the LORD say?" Balak asked eagerly. 18 This was the prophecy Balaam delivered:"Rise up, Balak, and listen!
Hear me, son of Zippor.
19 God is not a man, that he should lie.
He is not a human, that he should change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
20 I received a command to bless;
he has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!
21 No misfortune is in sight for Jacob;
no trouble is in store for Israel.
For the LORD their God is with them;
he has been proclaimed their king.
22 God has brought them out of Egypt;
he is like a strong ox for them.
23 No curse can touch Jacob;
no sorcery has any power against Israel.
For now it will be said of Jacob,
`What wonders God has done for Israel! '
24 These people rise up like a lioness;
like a majestic lion they stand.
They refuse to rest
until they have feasted on prey,
drinking the blood of the slaughtered!"
25 Then Balak said to Balaam, "If you aren't going to curse them, at least don't bless them!" 26 But Balaam replied, "Didn't I tell you that I must do whatever the LORD tells me?" 27 Then King Balak said to Balaam, "Come, I will take you to yet another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them from there." 28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor, overlooking the wasteland. 29 Balaam again told Balak, "Build me seven altars and prepare me seven young bulls and seven rams for a sacrifice." 30 So Balak did as Balaam ordered and offered a young bull and a ram on each altar.


Now it was time for Elizabeth's baby to be born, and it was a boy. 58 The word spread quickly to her neighbors and relatives that the Lord had been very kind to her, and everyone rejoiced with her. 59 When the baby was eight days old, all the relatives and friends came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But Elizabeth said, "No! His name is John!" 61 "What?" they exclaimed. "There is no one in all your family by that name." 62 So they asked the baby's father, communicating to him by making gestures. 63 He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone's surprise he wrote, "His name is John!" 64 Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God. 65 Wonder fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. 66 Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, "I wonder what this child will turn out to be? For the hand of the Lord is surely upon him in a special way." 67 Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:68 "Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has visited his people and redeemed them.
69 He has sent us a mighty Savior
from the royal line of his servant David,
70 just as he promised
through his holy prophets long ago.
71 Now we will be saved from our enemies
and from all who hate us.
72 He has been merciful to our ancestors
by remembering his sacred covenant with them,
73 the covenant he gave to our ancestor Abraham.
74 We have been rescued from our enemies,
so we can serve God without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness forever.
76" And you, my little son,
will be called the prophet of the Most High,
because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
77 You will tell his people how to find salvation
through forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of God's tender mercy,
the light from heaven is about to break upon us,
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
and to guide us to the path of peace. "
80 John grew up and became strong in spirit. Then he lived out in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.


For the choir director:A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune" Do Not Destroy! "
1 Justice-- do you rulers know the meaning of the word?
Do you judge the people fairly?
2 No, all your dealings are crooked;
you hand out violence instead of justice.
3 These wicked people are born sinners;
even from birth they have lied and gone their own way.
4 They spit poison like deadly snakes;
they are like cobras that refuse to listen,
5 ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers,
no matter how skillfully they play.
6 Break off their fangs, O God!
Smash the jaws of these lions, O LORD!
7 May they disappear like water into thirsty ground.
Make their weapons useless in their hands.
8 May they be like snails that dissolve into slime,
like a stillborn child who will never see the sun.
9 God will sweep them away, both young and old,
faster than a pot heats on an open flame.
10 The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged.
They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 Then at last everyone will say,
" There truly is a reward for those who live for God;
surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth. "


It is foolish to belittle a neighbor; a person with good sense remains silent. A gossip goes around revealing secrets, but those who are trust- worthy can keep a confidence