The Fasting Zone

7-Day Reset: James

Raising the Next Generation: Trusting God’s Plan for Single Mothers

Protect Your Peace

Bible Study 2: Naomi's Journey - Finding Strength in Mentorship

Healing: Embracing God in the Lowest Valleys

When Doubts or Fears Surface: A 3-Day Parenting Plan

Business Owners: 17 Bible Verses You Need to Know

A Family of Prayer

Allowing Our Children to Grow and Go: A 3-Day Parenting Plan

The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkEXO">
      <div class="chapter ch23" data-usfm="EXO.23">
         <div class="label">23</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Laws of Justice and Mercy</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="EXO.23.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">&#8220;Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="EXO.23.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="EXO.23.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">&#8220;Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="EXO.23.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">and do not show favoritism to a poor person in a lawsuit.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="EXO.23.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="EXO.23.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">&#8220;If you come across your enemy&#8217;s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="EXO.23.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="EXO.23.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="EXO.23.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">&#8220;Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="EXO.23.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="EXO.23.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EXO.23.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">&#8220;Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EXO.23.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="EXO.23.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">&#8220;Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Sabbath Laws</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="EXO.23.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="EXO.23.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">&#8220;For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="EXO.23.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what is left. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="EXO.23.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="EXO.23.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">&#8220;Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="EXO.23.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="EXO.23.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">&#8220;Be careful to do everything I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Three Annual Festivals</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="EXO.23.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="EXO.23.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">&#8220;Three times a year you are to celebrate a festival to me.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="EXO.23.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="EXO.23.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">&#8220;Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread; for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Aviv, for in that month you came out of Egypt.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="EXO.23.15"><span class="content">&#8220;No one is to appear before me empty-handed.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="EXO.23.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="EXO.23.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">&#8220;Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="EXO.23.16"><span class="content">&#8220;Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="EXO.23.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="EXO.23.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">&#8220;Three times a year all the men are to appear before the Sovereign </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="EXO.23.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EXO.23.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">&#8220;Do not offer the blood of a sacrifice to me along with anything containing yeast.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EXO.23.18"><span class="content">&#8220;The fat of my festival offerings must not be kept until morning.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EXO.23.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EXO.23.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">&#8220;Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> your God.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EXO.23.19"><span class="content">&#8220;Do not cook a young goat in its mother&#8217;s milk.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">God&#8217;s Angel to Prepare the Way</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EXO.23.19"></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EXO.23.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">&#8220;See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="EXO.23.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="EXO.23.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="EXO.23.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">My angel will go ahead of you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites, and I will wipe them out. </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="EXO.23.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones to pieces. </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="EXO.23.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Worship the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="EXO.23.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="EXO.23.26"></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="EXO.23.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">&#8220;I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="EXO.23.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="EXO.23.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="EXO.23.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="EXO.23.30"></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="EXO.23.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">&#8220;I will establish your borders from the Red Sea</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">23:31 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">the Sea of Reeds</span></span></span><span class="content"> to the Mediterranean Sea,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">23:31 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">to the Sea of the Philistines</span></span></span><span class="content"> and from the desert to the Euphrates River. I will give into your hands the people who live in the land, and you will drive them out before you. </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="EXO.23.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">Do not make a covenant with them or with their gods. </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="EXO.23.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">Do not let them live in your land or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you.&#8221;</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPSA">
      <div class="chapter ch77" data-usfm="PSA.77">
         <div class="label">77</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 77</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="ft"><span class="heading">In Hebrew texts 77:1-20 is numbered 77:2-21.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="d"><span class="content">For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.77.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">I cried out to God for help;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.77.1"><span class="content">I cried out to God to hear me.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.77.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.77.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.77.2"><span class="content">at night I stretched out untiring hands,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.77.2"><span class="content">and I would not be comforted.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.77.2"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.77.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.77.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">I remembered you, God, and I groaned;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.77.3"><span class="content">I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">77:3 </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 verses 9 and 15.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.77.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.77.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">You kept my eyes from closing;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.77.4"><span class="content">I was too troubled to speak.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.77.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.77.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">I thought about the former days,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.77.5"><span class="content">the years of long ago;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.77.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.77.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">I remembered my songs in the night.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.77.6"><span class="content">My heart meditated and my spirit asked:</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.77.6"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.77.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.77.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">&#8220;Will the Lord reject forever?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.77.7"><span class="content">Will he never show his favor again?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.77.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.77.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Has his unfailing love vanished forever?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.77.8"><span class="content">Has his promise failed for all time?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.77.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.77.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Has God forgotten to be merciful?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.77.9"><span class="content">Has he in anger withheld his compassion?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.77.9"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.77.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.77.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Then I thought, &#8220;To this I will appeal:</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.77.10"><span class="content">the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.77.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.77.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">I will remember the deeds of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.77.11"><span class="content">yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.77.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.77.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">I will consider all your works</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.77.12"><span class="content">and meditate on all your mighty deeds.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.77.12"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.77.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.77.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Your ways, God, are holy.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.77.13"><span class="content">What god is as great as our God?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.77.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.77.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">You are the God who performs miracles;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.77.14"><span class="content">you display your power among the peoples.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.77.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.77.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.77.15"><span class="content">the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.77.15"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.77.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.77.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">The waters saw you, God,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.77.16"><span class="content">the waters saw you and writhed;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.77.16"><span class="content">the very depths were convulsed.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.77.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.77.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">The clouds poured down water,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.77.17"><span class="content">the heavens resounded with thunder;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.77.17"><span class="content">your arrows flashed back and forth.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.77.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.77.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.77.18"><span class="content">your lightning lit up the world;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.77.18"><span class="content">the earth trembled and quaked.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.77.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.77.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Your path led through the sea,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.77.19"><span class="content">your way through the mighty waters,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.77.19"><span class="content">though your footprints were not seen.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.77.19"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.77.19"></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PSA.77.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">You led your people like a flock</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PSA.77.20"><span class="content">by the hand of Moses and Aaron.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkMRK">
      <div class="chapter ch9" data-usfm="MRK.9">
         <div class="label">9</div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="MRK.9.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">And he said to them, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Transfiguration</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="MRK.9.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="MRK.9.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="MRK.9.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="MRK.9.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="MRK.9.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="MRK.9.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Peter said to Jesus, &#8220;Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters&#8212;one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="MRK.9.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">(He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="MRK.9.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="MRK.9.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: &#8220;This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="MRK.9.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="MRK.9.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="MRK.9.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="MRK.9.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="MRK.9.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what &#8220;rising from the dead&#8221; meant.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="MRK.9.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="MRK.9.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">And they asked him, &#8220;Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="MRK.9.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="MRK.9.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Jesus replied, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="MRK.9.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="MRK.9.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="MRK.9.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MRK.9.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MRK.9.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="MRK.9.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content"> </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;What are you arguing with them about?&#8221;</span></span><span class="content"> he asked.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="MRK.9.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="MRK.9.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">A man in the crowd answered, &#8220;Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="MRK.9.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="MRK.9.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="MRK.9.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content"> </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;You unbelieving generation,&#8221;</span></span><span class="content"> Jesus replied, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="MRK.9.19"></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="MRK.9.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="MRK.9.20"></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="MRK.9.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Jesus asked the boy&#8217;s father, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;How long has he been like this?&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="MRK.9.21"><span class="content">&#8220;From childhood,&#8221; he answered. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="MRK.9.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">&#8220;It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="MRK.9.22"></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="MRK.9.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content"> </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;If you can&#8217;?&#8221;</span></span><span class="content"> said Jesus. </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Everything is possible for one who believes.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="MRK.9.23"></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="MRK.9.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Immediately the boy&#8217;s father exclaimed, &#8220;I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="MRK.9.24"></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="MRK.9.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;You deaf and mute spirit,&#8221;</span></span><span class="content"> he said, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="MRK.9.25"></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="MRK.9.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, &#8220;He&#8217;s dead.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="MRK.9.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="MRK.9.27"></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="MRK.9.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, &#8220;Why couldn&#8217;t we drive it out?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="MRK.9.28"></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="MRK.9.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">He replied, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;This kind can come out only by prayer.</span></span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">9:29 </span><span class="ft">Some manuscripts </span><span class="fqa">prayer and fasting</span></span></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="MRK.9.29"></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="MRK.9.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="MRK.9.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.&#8221;</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="MRK.9.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="MRK.9.32"></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="MRK.9.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;What were you arguing about on the road?&#8221;</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="MRK.9.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="MRK.9.34"></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="MRK.9.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="MRK.9.35"></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="MRK.9.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="content">He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, </span></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="MRK.9.37"><span class="label">37</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="MRK.9.37"></span><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="MRK.9.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">&#8220;Teacher,&#8221; said John, &#8220;we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="MRK.9.38"></span><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="MRK.9.39"><span class="label">39</span><span class="content"> </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Do not stop him,&#8221;</span></span><span class="content"> Jesus said. </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me,</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="MRK.9.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">for whoever is not against us is for us.</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="MRK.9.41"><span class="label">41</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.</span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Causing to Stumble</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="MRK.9.41"></span><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="MRK.9.42"><span class="label">42</span><span class="content"> </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;If anyone causes one of these little ones&#8212;those who believe in me&#8212;to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="MRK.9.43"><span class="label">43</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v44" data-usfm="MRK.9.44"><span class="label">[44]</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">9:44 </span><span class="ft">Some manuscripts include here the words of verse 48.</span></span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v45" data-usfm="MRK.9.45"><span class="label">45</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v46" data-usfm="MRK.9.46"><span class="label">[46]</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">9:46 </span><span class="ft">Some manuscripts include here the words of verse 48.</span></span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v47" data-usfm="MRK.9.47"><span class="label">47</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v48" data-usfm="MRK.9.48"><span class="label">48</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">where</span></span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v48" data-usfm="MRK.9.48"><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;the worms that eat them do not die,</span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v48" data-usfm="MRK.9.48"><span class="wj"><span class="content">and the fire is not quenched.&#8217;</span></span><span class="content"> </span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">9:48 </span><span class="ft"><span class="ref" usfm="ISA.66.24">Isaiah 66:24</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="m"><span class="verse v48" data-usfm="MRK.9.48"></span><span class="verse v49" data-usfm="MRK.9.49"><span class="label">49</span><span class="content"> </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Everyone will be salted with fire.</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v49" data-usfm="MRK.9.49"></span><span class="verse v50" data-usfm="MRK.9.50"><span class="label">50</span><span class="content"> </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.&#8221;</span></span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

Robert Roberts Sample

Scripture

About this Plan

Related Plans