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Strength for Singles - Lessons From Sampson

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Kingdom Masculinity

The Way to True Happiness

What Is the Fear of the Lord?

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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bk2CH">
      <div class="chapter ch34" data-usfm="2CH.34">
         <div class="label">34</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Josiah&#8217;s Reforms</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2CH.34.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="2CH.34.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">He did what was right in the eyes of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> and followed the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="2CH.34.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="2CH.34.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles and idols. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="2CH.34.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Under his direction the altars of the Baals were torn down; he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them, and smashed the Asherah poles and the idols. These he broke to pieces and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="2CH.34.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">He burned the bones of the priests on their altars, and so he purged Judah and Jerusalem. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="2CH.34.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">In the towns of Manasseh, Ephraim and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and in the ruins around them, </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="2CH.34.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">he tore down the altars and the Asherah poles and crushed the idols to powder and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout Israel. Then he went back to Jerusalem.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="2CH.34.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="2CH.34.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">In the eighteenth year of Josiah&#8217;s reign, to purify the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and Maaseiah the ruler of the city, with Joah son of Joahaz, the recorder, to repair the temple of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> his God.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="2CH.34.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="2CH.34.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">They went to Hilkiah the high priest and gave him the money that had been brought into the temple of God, which the Levites who were the gatekeepers had collected from the people of Manasseh, Ephraim and the entire remnant of Israel and from all the people of Judah and Benjamin and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="2CH.34.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Then they entrusted it to the men appointed to supervise the work on the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s temple. These men paid the workers who repaired and restored the temple. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="2CH.34.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">They also gave money to the carpenters and builders to purchase dressed stone, and timber for joists and beams for the buildings that the kings of Judah had allowed to fall into ruin.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="2CH.34.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="2CH.34.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">The workers labored faithfully. Over them to direct them were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites descended from Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, descended from Kohath. The Levites&#8212;all who were skilled in playing musical instruments&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="2CH.34.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">had charge of the laborers and supervised all the workers from job to job. Some of the Levites were secretaries, scribes and gatekeepers.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Book of the Law Found</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="2CH.34.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="2CH.34.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the temple of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> that had been given through Moses. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="2CH.34.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, &#8220;I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">.&#8221; He gave it to Shaphan.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="2CH.34.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="2CH.34.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Then Shaphan took the book to the king and reported to him: &#8220;Your officials are doing everything that has been committed to them. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="2CH.34.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">They have paid out the money that was in the temple of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> and have entrusted it to the supervisors and workers.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="2CH.34.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, &#8220;Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.&#8221; And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="2CH.34.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="2CH.34.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2CH.34.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">34:20 </span><span class="ft">Also called </span><span class="fqa">Akbor son of Micaiah</span></span></span><span class="content"> Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king&#8217;s attendant: </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2CH.34.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">&#8220;Go and inquire of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s anger that is poured out on us because those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2CH.34.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2CH.34.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">Hilkiah and those the king had sent with him</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">34:22 </span><span class="ft">One Hebrew manuscript, Vulgate and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts do not have </span><span class="fqa">had sent with him.</span></span></span><span class="content"> went to speak to the prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">34:22 </span><span class="ft">Also called </span><span class="fqa">Tikvah</span></span></span><span class="content"> the son of Hasrah,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">34:22 </span><span class="ft">Also called </span><span class="fqa">Harhas</span></span></span><span class="content"> keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2CH.34.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="2CH.34.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">She said to them, &#8220;This is what the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="2CH.34.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">&#8216;This is what the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people&#8212;all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah. </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="2CH.34.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all that their hands have made,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">34:25 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">by everything they have done</span></span></span><span class="content"> my anger will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched.&#8217; </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="2CH.34.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, &#8216;This is what the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="2CH.34.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">. </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="2CH.34.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">Now I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here.&#8217;&#8198;&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="2CH.34.28"><span class="content">So they took her answer back to the king.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="2CH.34.28"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="2CH.34.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="2CH.34.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">He went up to the temple of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites&#8212;all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">. </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="2CH.34.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8212;to follow the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="2CH.34.31"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="2CH.34.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to it; the people of Jerusalem did this in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="2CH.34.32"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="2CH.34.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> their God. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, the God of their ancestors.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPSA">
      <div class="chapter ch88" data-usfm="PSA.88">
         <div class="label">88</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 88</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft"><span class="heading">In Hebrew texts 88:1-18 is numbered 88:2-19.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="d"><span class="content">A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. For the director of music. According to </span><span class="tl"><span class="content">mahalath leannoth.</span></span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft">Title: Possibly a tune, &#8220;The Suffering of Affliction&#8221;</span></span></span><span class="content"> A </span><span class="tl"><span class="content">maskil</span></span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft">Title: Probably a literary or musical term</span></span></span><span class="content"> of Heman the Ezrahite.</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.88.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, you are the God who saves me;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.88.1"><span class="content">day and night I cry out to you.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.88.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.88.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">May my prayer come before you;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.88.2"><span class="content">turn your ear to my cry.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.88.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.88.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">I am overwhelmed with troubles</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.88.3"><span class="content">and my life draws near to death.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.88.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.88.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">I am counted among those who go down to the pit;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.88.4"><span class="content">I am like one without strength.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.88.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.88.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">I am set apart with the dead,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.88.5"><span class="content">like the slain who lie in the grave,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.88.5"><span class="content">whom you remember no more,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.88.5"><span class="content">who are cut off from your care.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.88.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.88.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">You have put me in the lowest pit,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.88.6"><span class="content">in the darkest depths.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.88.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.88.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Your wrath lies heavily on me;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.88.7"><span class="content">you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">88:7 </span><span class="ft">The Hebrew has </span><span class="fqa">Selah </span><span class="ft">(a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 10.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.88.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.88.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">You have taken from me my closest friends</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.88.8"><span class="content">and have made me repulsive to them.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.88.8"><span class="content">I am confined and cannot escape;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.88.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.88.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">my eyes are dim with grief.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.88.9"><span class="content">I call to you, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, every day;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.88.9"><span class="content">I spread out my hands to you.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.88.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.88.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Do you show your wonders to the dead?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.88.10"><span class="content">Do their spirits rise up and praise you?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.88.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.88.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Is your love declared in the grave,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.88.11"><span class="content">your faithfulness in Destruction</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">88:11 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Abaddon</span></span></span><span class="content">?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.88.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.88.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Are your wonders known in the place of darkness,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.88.12"><span class="content">or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.88.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.88.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">But I cry to you for help, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.88.13"><span class="content">in the morning my prayer comes before you.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.88.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.88.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Why, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, do you reject me</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.88.14"><span class="content">and hide your face from me?</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.88.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.88.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">From my youth I have suffered and been close to death;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.88.15"><span class="content">I have borne your terrors and am in despair.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.88.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.88.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Your wrath has swept over me;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.88.16"><span class="content">your terrors have destroyed me.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.88.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.88.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">All day long they surround me like a flood;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.88.17"><span class="content">they have completely engulfed me.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.88.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.88.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">You have taken from me friend and neighbor&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.88.18"><span class="content">darkness is my closest friend.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkISA">
      <div class="chapter ch3" data-usfm="ISA.3">
         <div class="label">3</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.3.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">See now, the Lord,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.3.1"><span class="content">the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> Almighty,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.3.1"><span class="content">is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.3.1"><span class="content">both supply and support:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.3.1"><span class="content">all supplies of food and all supplies of water,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.3.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ISA.3.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">the hero and the warrior,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ISA.3.2"><span class="content">the judge and the prophet,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ISA.3.2"><span class="content">the diviner and the elder,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ISA.3.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ISA.3.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">the captain of fifty and the man of rank,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ISA.3.3"><span class="content">the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever enchanter.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ISA.3.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ISA.3.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">&#8220;I will make mere youths their officials;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ISA.3.4"><span class="content">children will rule over them.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ISA.3.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.3.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">People will oppress each other&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.3.5"><span class="content">man against man, neighbor against neighbor.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.3.5"><span class="content">The young will rise up against the old,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.3.5"><span class="content">the nobody against the honored.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.3.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.3.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">A man will seize one of his brothers</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.3.6"><span class="content">in his father&#8217;s house, and say,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.3.6"><span class="content">&#8220;You have a cloak, you be our leader;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.3.6"><span class="content">take charge of this heap of ruins!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.3.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.3.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">But in that day he will cry out,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.3.7"><span class="content">&#8220;I have no remedy.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.3.7"><span class="content">I have no food or clothing in my house;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.3.7"><span class="content">do not make me the leader of the people.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.3.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.3.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Jerusalem staggers,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.3.8"><span class="content">Judah is falling;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.3.8"><span class="content">their words and deeds are against the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.3.8"><span class="content">defying his glorious presence.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.3.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.3.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">The look on their faces testifies against them;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.3.9"><span class="content">they parade their sin like Sodom;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.3.9"><span class="content">they do not hide it.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.3.9"><span class="content">Woe to them!</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.3.9"><span class="content">They have brought disaster upon themselves.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.3.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ISA.3.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Tell the righteous it will be well with them,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ISA.3.10"><span class="content">for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ISA.3.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.3.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Woe to the wicked!</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.3.11"><span class="content">Disaster is upon them!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.3.11"><span class="content">They will be paid back</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.3.11"><span class="content">for what their hands have done.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.3.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.3.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Youths oppress my people,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.3.12"><span class="content">women rule over them.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.3.12"><span class="content">My people, your guides lead you astray;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.3.12"><span class="content">they turn you from the path.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.3.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ISA.3.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> takes his place in court;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ISA.3.13"><span class="content">he rises to judge the people.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ISA.3.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.3.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> enters into judgment</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.3.14"><span class="content">against the elders and leaders of his people:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.3.14"><span class="content">&#8220;It is you who have ruined my vineyard;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.3.14"><span class="content">the plunder from the poor is in your houses.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.3.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ISA.3.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">What do you mean by crushing my people</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ISA.3.15"><span class="content">and grinding the faces of the poor?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="q4"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ISA.3.15"><span class="content">declares the Lord, the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> Almighty.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ISA.3.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.3.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> says,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.3.16"><span class="content">&#8220;The women of Zion are haughty,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.3.16"><span class="content">walking along with outstretched necks,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.3.16"><span class="content">flirting with their eyes,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.3.16"><span class="content">strutting along with swaying hips,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.3.16"><span class="content">with ornaments jingling on their ankles.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.3.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ISA.3.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ISA.3.17"><span class="content">the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> will make their scalps bald.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ISA.3.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ISA.3.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ISA.3.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">the earrings and bracelets and veils, </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ISA.3.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">the headdresses and anklets and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ISA.3.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">the signet rings and nose rings, </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="ISA.3.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="ISA.3.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="ISA.3.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="ISA.3.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Instead of fragrance there will be a stench;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="ISA.3.24"><span class="content">instead of a sash, a rope;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="ISA.3.24"><span class="content">instead of well-dressed hair, baldness;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="ISA.3.24"><span class="content">instead of fine clothing, sackcloth;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="ISA.3.24"><span class="content">instead of beauty, branding.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="ISA.3.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="ISA.3.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Your men will fall by the sword,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="ISA.3.25"><span class="content">your warriors in battle.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="ISA.3.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="ISA.3.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">The gates of Zion will lament and mourn;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="ISA.3.26"><span class="content">destitute, she will sit on the ground.</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkACT">
      <div class="chapter ch8" data-usfm="ACT.8">
         <div class="label">8</div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ACT.8.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">And Saul approved of their killing him.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Church Persecuted and Scattered</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ACT.8.1"><span class="content">On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ACT.8.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ACT.8.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Philip in Samaria</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ACT.8.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ACT.8.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ACT.8.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ACT.8.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ACT.8.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ACT.8.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">So there was great joy in that city.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Simon the Sorcerer</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ACT.8.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ACT.8.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ACT.8.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, &#8220;This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ACT.8.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ACT.8.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ACT.8.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ACT.8.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ACT.8.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ACT.8.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ACT.8.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ACT.8.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ACT.8.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ACT.8.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles&#8217; hands, he offered them money </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ACT.8.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">and said, &#8220;Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ACT.8.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ACT.8.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Peter answered: &#8220;May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ACT.8.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="ACT.8.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="ACT.8.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="ACT.8.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="ACT.8.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Then Simon answered, &#8220;Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="ACT.8.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="ACT.8.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Philip and the Ethiopian</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="ACT.8.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="ACT.8.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, &#8220;Go south to the road&#8212;the desert road&#8212;that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="ACT.8.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">8:27 </span><span class="ft">That is, from the southern Nile region</span></span></span><span class="content"> eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means &#8220;queen of the Ethiopians&#8221;). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="ACT.8.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="ACT.8.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">The Spirit told Philip, &#8220;Go to that chariot and stay near it.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="ACT.8.29"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="ACT.8.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. &#8220;Do you understand what you are reading?&#8221; Philip asked.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="ACT.8.30"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="ACT.8.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">&#8220;How can I,&#8221; he said, &#8220;unless someone explains it to me?&#8221; So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="ACT.8.31"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="ACT.8.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="ACT.8.32"><span class="content">&#8220;He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="ACT.8.32"><span class="content">and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="ACT.8.32"><span class="content">so he did not open his mouth.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="ACT.8.32"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="ACT.8.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="ACT.8.33"><span class="content">Who can speak of his descendants?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="ACT.8.33"><span class="content">For his life was taken from the earth.&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">8:33 </span><span class="ft">Isaiah 53:7,8 (see Septuagint)</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="ACT.8.33"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="ACT.8.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">The eunuch asked Philip, &#8220;Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="ACT.8.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="ACT.8.35"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="ACT.8.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="content">As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, &#8220;Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="ACT.8.37"><span class="label">[37]</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">8:37 </span><span class="ft">Some manuscripts include here </span><span class="fqa">Philip said, &#8220;If you believe with all your heart, you may.&#8221; The eunuch answered, &#8220;I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.&#8221;</span></span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="ACT.8.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. </span></span><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="ACT.8.39"><span class="label">39</span><span class="content">When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. </span></span><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="ACT.8.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="content">Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

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