Professor Horner’s Reading Plan

¹When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home.

²Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them,

³four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat.

⁴They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.

⁵Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

⁶But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves,

⁷“What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”

⁸Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts?

⁹Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’?

¹⁰So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said,

¹¹“Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

¹²And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

¹³Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him.

¹⁴As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.

¹⁵Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.)

¹⁶But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum? ”

¹⁷When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor — sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

¹⁸Once when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t your disciples fast like John’s disciples and the Pharisees do?”

¹⁹Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can’t fast while the groom is with them.

²⁰But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

²¹“Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.

²²“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.”

²³One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat.

²⁴But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?”

²⁵Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

²⁶He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.”

²⁷Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.

²⁸So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

¹Then the LORD gave these instructions to Moses and Aaron:

²“When the Israelites set up camp, each tribe will be assigned its own area. The tribal divisions will camp beneath their family banners on all four sides of the Tabernacle, but at some distance from it.

³[3-4] “The divisions of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun are to camp toward the sunrise on the east side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops: Tribe — Leader — Number Judah — Nahshon son of Amminadab — 74,600

⁴

⁵[5-6] Issachar — Nethanel son of Zuar — 54,400

⁶

⁷[7-8] Zebulun — Eliab son of Helon — 57,400

⁸

⁹So the total of all the troops on Judah’s side of the camp is 186,400. These three tribes are to lead the way whenever the Israelites travel to a new campsite.

¹⁰[10-11] “The divisions of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad are to camp on the south side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops: Tribe — Leader — Number Reuben — Elizur son of Shedeur — 46,500

¹¹

¹²[12-13] Simeon — Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai — 59,300

¹³

¹⁴[14-15] Gad — Eliasaph son of Deuel — 45,650

¹⁵

¹⁶So the total of all the troops on Reuben’s side of the camp is 151,450. These three tribes will be second in line whenever the Israelites travel.

¹⁷“Then the Tabernacle, carried by the Levites, will set out from the middle of the camp. All the tribes are to travel in the same order that they camp, each in position under the appropriate family banner.

¹⁸[18-19] “The divisions of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin are to camp on the west side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops: Tribe — Leader — Number Ephraim — Elishama son of Ammihud — 40,500

¹⁹

²⁰[20-21] Manasseh — Gamaliel son of Pedahzur — 32,200

²¹

²²[22-23] Benjamin — Abidan son of Gideoni — 35,400

²³

²⁴So the total of all the troops on Ephraim’s side of the camp is 108,100. These three tribes will be third in line whenever the Israelites travel.

²⁵[25-26] “The divisions of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali are to camp on the north side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners. These are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the numbers of their registered troops: Tribe — Leader — Number Dan — Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai — 62,700

²⁶

²⁷[27-28] Asher — Pagiel son of Ocran — 41,500

²⁸

²⁹[29-30] Naphtali — Ahira son of Enan — 53,400

³⁰

³¹So the total of all the troops on Dan’s side of the camp is 157,600. These three tribes will be last, marching under their banners whenever the Israelites travel.”

³²In summary, the troops of Israel listed by their families totaled 603,550.

³³But as the LORD had commanded, the Levites were not included in this registration.

³⁴So the people of Israel did everything as the LORD had commanded Moses. Each clan and family set up camp and marched under their banners exactly as the LORD had instructed them.

¹I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem.

²For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.

³But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you.

⁴We would be embarrassed — not to mention your own embarrassment — if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them!

⁵So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.

⁶Remember this — a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

⁷You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

⁸And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

⁹As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

¹⁰For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

¹¹Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

¹²So two good things will result from this ministry of giving — the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

¹³As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.

¹⁴And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.

¹⁵Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

¹Then I was given a measuring stick, and I was told, “Go and measure the Temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers.

²But do not measure the outer courtyard, for it has been turned over to the nations. They will trample the holy city for 42 months.

³And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will be clothed in burlap and will prophesy during those 1,260 days.”

⁴These two prophets are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of all the earth.

⁵If anyone tries to harm them, fire flashes from their mouths and consumes their enemies. This is how anyone who tries to harm them must die.

⁶They have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall for as long as they prophesy. And they have the power to turn the rivers and oceans into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

⁷When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them, and he will conquer them and kill them.

⁸And their bodies will lie in the main street of Jerusalem, the city that is figuratively called “Sodom” and “Egypt,” the city where their Lord was crucified.

⁹And for three and a half days, all peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will stare at their bodies. No one will be allowed to bury them.

¹⁰All the people who belong to this world will gloat over them and give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them.

¹¹But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them.

¹²Then a loud voice from heaven called to the two prophets, “Come up here!” And they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched.

¹³At the same time there was a terrible earthquake that destroyed a tenth of the city. Seven thousand people died in that earthquake, and everyone else was terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

¹⁴The second terror is past, but look, the third terror is coming quickly.

¹⁵Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: “The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.”

¹⁶The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped him.

¹⁷And they said, “We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign.

¹⁸The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come. It is time to judge the dead and reward your servants the prophets, as well as your holy people, and all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.”

¹⁹Then, in heaven, the Temple of God was opened and the Ark of his covenant could be seen inside the Temple. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed and roared, and there was an earthquake and a terrible hailstorm.

¹One night as I lay in bed, I yearned for my lover. I yearned for him, but he did not come.

²So I said to myself, “I will get up and roam the city, searching in all its streets and squares. I will search for the one I love.” So I searched everywhere but did not find him.

³The watchmen stopped me as they made their rounds, and I asked, “Have you seen the one I love?”

⁴Then scarcely had I left them when I found my love! I caught and held him tightly, then I brought him to my mother’s house, into my mother’s bed, where I had been conceived.

⁵Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right.

⁶Who is this sweeping in from the wilderness like a cloud of smoke? Who is it, fragrant with myrrh and frankincense and every kind of spice?

⁷Look, it is Solomon’s carriage, surrounded by sixty heroic men, the best of Israel’s soldiers.

⁸They are all skilled swordsmen, experienced warriors. Each wears a sword on his thigh, ready to defend the king against an attack in the night.

⁹King Solomon’s carriage is built of wood imported from Lebanon.

¹⁰Its posts are silver, its canopy gold; its cushions are purple. It was decorated with love by the young women of Jerusalem.

¹¹Come out to see King Solomon, young women of Jerusalem. He wears the crown his mother gave him on his wedding day, his most joyous day.

¹Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD.

²Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.

³They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.

⁴You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.

⁵Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!

⁶Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.

⁷As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!

⁸I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!

⁹How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.

¹⁰I have tried hard to find you — don’t let me wander from your commands.

¹¹I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

¹²I praise you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.

¹³I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us.

¹⁴I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches.

¹⁵I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.

¹⁶I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.

¹⁷Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word.

¹⁸Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.

¹⁹I am only a foreigner in the land. Don’t hide your commands from me!

²⁰I am always overwhelmed with a desire for your regulations.

²¹You rebuke the arrogant; those who wander from your commands are cursed.

²²Don’t let them scorn and insult me, for I have obeyed your laws.

²³Even princes sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on your decrees.

²⁴Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.

²⁵I lie in the dust; revive me by your word.

²⁶I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your decrees.

²⁷Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.

²⁸I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word.

²⁹Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.

³⁰I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations.

³¹I cling to your laws. LORD, don’t let me be put to shame!

³²I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding.

³³Teach me your decrees, O LORD; I will keep them to the end.

³⁴Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.

³⁵Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.

³⁶Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!

³⁷Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.

³⁸Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.

³⁹Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.

⁴⁰I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.

⁴¹LORD, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me.

⁴²Then I can answer those who taunt me, for I trust in your word.

⁴³Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope.

⁴⁴I will keep on obeying your instructions forever and ever.

⁴⁵I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

⁴⁶I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed.

⁴⁷How I delight in your commands! How I love them!

⁴⁸I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees.

⁴⁹Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope.

⁵⁰Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.

⁵¹The proud hold me in utter contempt, but I do not turn away from your instructions.

⁵²I meditate on your age-old regulations; O LORD, they comfort me.

⁵³I become furious with the wicked, because they reject your instructions.

⁵⁴Your decrees have been the theme of my songs wherever I have lived.

⁵⁵I reflect at night on who you are, O LORD; therefore, I obey your instructions.

⁵⁶This is how I spend my life: obeying your commandments.

⁵⁷LORD, you are mine! I promise to obey your words!

⁵⁸With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised.

⁵⁹I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.

⁶⁰I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands.

⁶¹Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.

⁶²I rise at midnight to thank you for your just regulations.

⁶³I am a friend to anyone who fears you — anyone who obeys your commandments.

⁶⁴O LORD, your unfailing love fills the earth; teach me your decrees.

⁶⁵You have done many good things for me, LORD, just as you promised.

⁶⁶I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.

⁶⁷I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.

⁶⁸You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees.

⁶⁹Arrogant people smear me with lies, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.

⁷⁰Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in your instructions.

⁷¹My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.

⁷²Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.

⁷³You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

⁷⁴May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word.

⁷⁵I know, O LORD, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it.

⁷⁶Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.

⁷⁷Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight.

⁷⁸Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.

⁷⁹Let me be united with all who fear you, with those who know your laws.

⁸⁰May I be blameless in keeping your decrees; then I will never be ashamed.

⁸¹I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word.

⁸²My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me?

⁸³I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.

⁸⁴How long must I wait? When will you punish those who persecute me?

⁸⁵These arrogant people who hate your instructions have dug deep pits to trap me.

⁸⁶All your commands are trustworthy. Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.

⁸⁷They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments.

⁸⁸In your unfailing love, spare my life; then I can continue to obey your laws.

⁸⁹Your eternal word, O LORD, stands firm in heaven.

⁹⁰Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created.

⁹¹Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans.

⁹²If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery.

⁹³I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.

⁹⁴I am yours; rescue me! For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments.

⁹⁵Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your laws.

⁹⁶Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.

⁹⁷Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long.

⁹⁸Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.

⁹⁹Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws.

¹⁰⁰I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.

¹⁰¹I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word.

¹⁰²I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well.

¹⁰³How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.

¹⁰⁴Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

¹⁰⁶I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.

¹⁰⁷I have suffered much, O LORD; restore my life again as you promised.

¹⁰⁸LORD, accept my offering of praise, and teach me your regulations.

¹⁰⁹My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions.

¹¹⁰The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments.

¹¹¹Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight.

¹¹²I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.

¹¹³I hate those with divided loyalties, but I love your instructions.

¹¹⁴You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.

¹¹⁵Get out of my life, you evil-minded people, for I intend to obey the commands of my God.

¹¹⁶LORD, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed.

¹¹⁷Sustain me, and I will be rescued; then I will meditate continually on your decrees.

¹¹⁸But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves.

¹¹⁹You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I love to obey your laws!

¹²⁰I tremble in fear of you; I stand in awe of your regulations.

¹²¹Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right.

¹²²Please guarantee a blessing for me. Don’t let the arrogant oppress me!

¹²³My eyes strain to see your rescue, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.

¹²⁴I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your decrees.

¹²⁵Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws.

¹²⁶LORD, it is time for you to act, for these evil people have violated your instructions.

¹²⁷Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold.

¹²⁸Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way.

¹²⁹Your laws are wonderful. No wonder I obey them!

¹³⁰The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

¹³¹I pant with expectation, longing for your commands.

¹³²Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name.

¹³³Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

¹³⁴Ransom me from the oppression of evil people; then I can obey your commandments.

¹³⁵Look upon me with love; teach me your decrees.

¹³⁶Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions.

¹³⁷O LORD, you are righteous, and your regulations are fair.

¹³⁸Your laws are perfect and completely trustworthy.

¹³⁹I am overwhelmed with indignation, for my enemies have disregarded your words.

¹⁴⁰Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much.

¹⁴¹I am insignificant and despised, but I don’t forget your commandments.

¹⁴²Your justice is eternal, and your instructions are perfectly true.

¹⁴³As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.

¹⁴⁴Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live.

¹⁴⁵I pray with all my heart; answer me, LORD! I will obey your decrees.

¹⁴⁶I cry out to you; rescue me, that I may obey your laws.

¹⁴⁷I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.

¹⁴⁸I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.

¹⁴⁹In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations.

¹⁵⁰Lawless people are coming to attack me; they live far from your instructions.

¹⁵¹But you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true.

¹⁵²I have known from my earliest days that your laws will last forever.

¹⁵³Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions.

¹⁵⁴Argue my case; take my side! Protect my life as you promised.

¹⁵⁵The wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees.

¹⁵⁶LORD, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations.

¹⁵⁷Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from your laws.

¹⁵⁸Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart, because they care nothing for your word.

¹⁵⁹See how I love your commandments, LORD. Give back my life because of your unfailing love.

¹⁶⁰The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.

¹⁶¹Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at your word.

¹⁶²I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.

¹⁶³I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love your instructions.

¹⁶⁴I will praise you seven times a day because all your regulations are just.

¹⁶⁵Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.

¹⁶⁶I long for your rescue, LORD, so I have obeyed your commands.

¹⁶⁷I have obeyed your laws, for I love them very much.

¹⁶⁸Yes, I obey your commandments and laws because you know everything I do.

¹⁶⁹O LORD, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised.

¹⁷⁰Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised.

¹⁷¹Let praise flow from my lips, for you have taught me your decrees.

¹⁷²Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right.

¹⁷³Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow your commandments.

¹⁷⁴O LORD, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight.

¹⁷⁵Let me live so I can praise you, and may your regulations help me.

¹⁷⁶I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.

¹Honor is no more associated with fools than snow with summer or rain with harvest.

²Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.

³Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a fool with a rod to his back!

⁴Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.

⁵Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.

⁶Trusting a fool to convey a message is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison!

⁷A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg.

⁸Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot.

⁹A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk.

¹⁰An employer who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who shoots at random.

¹¹As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.

¹²There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise.

¹³The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!”

¹⁴As a door swings back and forth on its hinges, so the lazy person turns over in bed.

¹⁵Lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth.

¹⁶Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors.

¹⁷Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.

¹⁸Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon

¹⁹is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.”

²⁰Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

²¹A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.

²²Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.

²³Smooth words may hide a wicked heart, just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.

²⁴People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you.

²⁵They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils.

²⁶While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.

²⁷If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself. If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead.

²⁸A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin.

¹Abijam began to rule over Judah in the eighteenth year of Jeroboam’s reign in Israel.

²He reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother was Maacah, the granddaughter of Absalom.

³He committed the same sins as his father before him, and he was not faithful to the LORD his God, as his ancestor David had been.

⁴But for David’s sake, the LORD his God allowed his descendants to continue ruling, shining like a lamp, and he gave Abijam a son to rule after him in Jerusalem.

⁵For David had done what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight and had obeyed the LORD’s commands throughout his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite.

⁶There was war between Abijam and Jeroboam throughout Abijam’s reign.

⁷The rest of the events in Abijam’s reign and everything he did are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah. There was constant war between Abijam and Jeroboam.

⁸When Abijam died, he was buried in the City of David. Then his son Asa became the next king.

⁹Asa began to rule over Judah in the twentieth year of Jeroboam’s reign in Israel.

¹⁰He reigned in Jerusalem forty-one years. His grandmother was Maacah, the granddaughter of Absalom.

¹¹Asa did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight, as his ancestor David had done.

¹²He banished the male and female shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made.

¹³He even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an obscene Asherah pole. He cut down her obscene pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley.

¹⁴Although the pagan shrines were not removed, Asa’s heart remained completely faithful to the LORD throughout his life.

¹⁵He brought into the Temple of the LORD the silver and gold and the various items that he and his father had dedicated.

¹⁶There was constant war between King Asa of Judah and King Baasha of Israel.

¹⁷King Baasha of Israel invaded Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from entering or leaving King Asa’s territory in Judah.

¹⁸Asa responded by removing all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the Temple of the LORD and the royal palace. He sent it with some of his officials to Ben-hadad son of Tabrimmon, son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus, along with this message:

¹⁹“Let there be a treaty between you and me like the one between your father and my father. See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold. Break your treaty with King Baasha of Israel so that he will leave me alone.”

²⁰Ben-hadad agreed to King Asa’s request and sent the commanders of his army to attack the towns of Israel. They conquered the towns of Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and all Kinnereth, and all the land of Naphtali.

²¹As soon as Baasha of Israel heard what was happening, he abandoned his project of fortifying Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah.

²²Then King Asa sent an order throughout Judah, requiring that everyone, without exception, help to carry away the building stones and timbers that Baasha had been using to fortify Ramah. Asa used these materials to fortify the town of Geba in Benjamin and the town of Mizpah.

²³The rest of the events in Asa’s reign — the extent of his power, everything he did, and the names of the cities he built — are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah. In his old age his feet became diseased.

²⁴When Asa died, he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. Then Jehoshaphat, Asa’s son, became the next king.

²⁵Nadab son of Jeroboam began to rule over Israel in the second year of King Asa’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Israel two years.

²⁶But he did what was evil in the LORD’s sight and followed the example of his father, continuing the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.

²⁷Then Baasha son of Ahijah, from the tribe of Issachar, plotted against Nadab and assassinated him while he and the Israelite army were laying siege to the Philistine town of Gibbethon.

²⁸Baasha killed Nadab in the third year of King Asa’s reign in Judah, and he became the next king of Israel.

²⁹He immediately slaughtered all the descendants of King Jeroboam, so that not one of the royal family was left, just as the LORD had promised concerning Jeroboam by the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh.

³⁰This was done because Jeroboam had provoked the anger of the LORD, the God of Israel, by the sins he had committed and the sins he had led Israel to commit.

³¹The rest of the events in Nadab’s reign and everything he did are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel.

³²There was constant war between King Asa of Judah and King Baasha of Israel.

³³Baasha son of Ahijah began to rule over all Israel in the third year of King Asa’s reign in Judah. Baasha reigned in Tirzah twenty-four years.

³⁴But he did what was evil in the LORD’s sight and followed the example of Jeroboam, continuing the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.

¹Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these accusations true?”

²This was Stephen’s reply: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran.

³God told him, ‘Leave your native land and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.’

⁴So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died. Then God brought him here to the land where you now live.

⁵“But God gave him no inheritance here, not even one square foot of land. God did promise, however, that eventually the whole land would belong to Abraham and his descendants — even though he had no children yet.

⁶God also told him that his descendants would live in a foreign land, where they would be oppressed as slaves for 400 years.

⁷‘But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,’ God said, ‘and in the end they will come out and worship me here in this place.’

⁸“God also gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision at that time. So when Abraham became the father of Isaac, he circumcised him on the eighth day. And the practice was continued when Isaac became the father of Jacob, and when Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs of the Israelite nation.

⁹“These patriarchs were jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him

¹⁰and rescued him from all his troubles. And God gave him favor before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom, so that Pharaoh appointed him governor over all of Egypt and put him in charge of the palace.

¹¹“But a famine came upon Egypt and Canaan. There was great misery, and our ancestors ran out of food.

¹²Jacob heard that there was still grain in Egypt, so he sent his sons — our ancestors — to buy some.

¹³The second time they went, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and they were introduced to Pharaoh.

¹⁴Then Joseph sent for his father, Jacob, and all his relatives to come to Egypt, seventy-five persons in all.

¹⁵So Jacob went to Egypt. He died there, as did our ancestors.

¹⁶Their bodies were taken to Shechem and buried in the tomb Abraham had bought for a certain price from Hamor’s sons in Shechem.

¹⁷“As the time drew near when God would fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased.

¹⁸But then a new king came to the throne of Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph.

¹⁹This king exploited our people and oppressed them, forcing parents to abandon their newborn babies so they would die.

²⁰“At that time Moses was born — a beautiful child in God’s eyes. His parents cared for him at home for three months.

²¹When they had to abandon him, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and raised him as her own son.

²²Moses was taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was powerful in both speech and action.

²³“One day when Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his relatives, the people of Israel.

²⁴He saw an Egyptian mistreating an Israelite. So Moses came to the man’s defense and avenged him, killing the Egyptian.

²⁵Moses assumed his fellow Israelites would realize that God had sent him to rescue them, but they didn’t.

²⁶“The next day he visited them again and saw two men of Israel fighting. He tried to be a peacemaker. ‘Men,’ he said, ‘you are brothers. Why are you fighting each other?’

²⁷“But the man in the wrong pushed Moses aside. ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us?’ he asked.

²⁸‘Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?’

²⁹When Moses heard that, he fled the country and lived as a foreigner in the land of Midian. There his two sons were born.

³⁰“Forty years later, in the desert near Mount Sinai, an angel appeared to Moses in the flame of a burning bush.

³¹When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight. As he went to take a closer look, the voice of the LORD called out to him,

³²‘I am the God of your ancestors — the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses shook with terror and did not dare to look.

³³“Then the LORD said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.

³⁴I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groans and have come down to rescue them. Now go, for I am sending you back to Egypt.’

³⁵“So God sent back the same man his people had previously rejected when they demanded, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us?’ Through the angel who appeared to him in the burning bush, God sent Moses to be their ruler and savior.

³⁶And by means of many wonders and miraculous signs, he led them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and through the wilderness for forty years.

³⁷“Moses himself told the people of Israel, ‘God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people.’

³⁸Moses was with our ancestors, the assembly of God’s people in the wilderness, when the angel spoke to him at Mount Sinai. And there Moses received life-giving words to pass on to us.

³⁹“But our ancestors refused to listen to Moses. They rejected him and wanted to return to Egypt.

⁴⁰They told Aaron, ‘Make us some gods who can lead us, for we don’t know what has become of this Moses, who brought us out of Egypt.’

⁴¹So they made an idol shaped like a calf, and they sacrificed to it and celebrated over this thing they had made.

⁴²Then God turned away from them and abandoned them to serve the stars of heaven as their gods! In the book of the prophets it is written, ‘Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?

⁴³No, you carried your pagan gods — the shrine of Molech, the star of your god Rephan, and the images you made to worship them. So I will send you into exile as far away as Babylon.’

⁴⁴“Our ancestors carried the Tabernacle with them through the wilderness. It was constructed according to the plan God had shown to Moses.

⁴⁵Years later, when Joshua led our ancestors in battle against the nations that God drove out of this land, the Tabernacle was taken with them into their new territory. And it stayed there until the time of King David.

⁴⁶“David found favor with God and asked for the privilege of building a permanent Temple for the God of Jacob.

⁴⁷But it was Solomon who actually built it.

⁴⁸However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says,

⁴⁹‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that?’ asks the LORD. ‘Could you build me such a resting place?

⁵⁰Didn’t my hands make both heaven and earth?’

⁵¹“You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!

⁵²Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One — the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered.

⁵³You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.”

⁵⁴The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage.

⁵⁵But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

⁵⁶And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

⁵⁷Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him

⁵⁸and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

⁵⁹As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

⁶⁰He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.