Building Living Bridges

Redeemed: Ruth’s Story of Restoration

The New Loneliness: Nurturing Connection When You Feel Isolated

Lent: The Journey of Letting Go

Quiet Time Moments for Women

3-Day Bible Plan: How to Truly Love Thy Neighbor in Today’s World

Consider It All Joy

Noah: A Covenant With Humanity

A People Set Apart

The Uniqueness of Jesus

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 bkPSA">
      <div class="chapter ch26" data-usfm="PSA.26">
         <div class="label">26</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 26</span></div><div class="d"><span class="content">Of David.</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.26.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Vindicate me, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.26.1"><span class="content">for I have led a blameless life;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.26.1"><span class="content">I have trusted in the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.26.1"><span class="content">and have not faltered.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.26.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.26.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Test me, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, and try me,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.26.2"><span class="content">examine my heart and my mind;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.26.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.26.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.26.3"><span class="content">and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.26.3"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.26.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.26.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">I do not sit with the deceitful,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.26.4"><span class="content">nor do I associate with hypocrites.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.26.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.26.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">I abhor the assembly of evildoers</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.26.5"><span class="content">and refuse to sit with the wicked.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.26.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.26.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">I wash my hands in innocence,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.26.6"><span class="content">and go about your altar, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.26.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.26.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">proclaiming aloud your praise</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.26.7"><span class="content">and telling of all your wonderful deeds.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.26.7"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.26.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.26.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content"> </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, I love the house where you live,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.26.8"><span class="content">the place where your glory dwells.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.26.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.26.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Do not take away my soul along with sinners,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.26.9"><span class="content">my life with those who are bloodthirsty,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.26.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.26.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">in whose hands are wicked schemes,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.26.10"><span class="content">whose right hands are full of bribes.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.26.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.26.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">I lead a blameless life;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.26.11"><span class="content">deliver me and be merciful to me.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.26.11"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.26.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.26.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">My feet stand on level ground;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.26.12"><span class="content">in the great congregation I will praise the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPRO">
      <div class="chapter ch26" data-usfm="PRO.26">
         <div class="label">26</div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PRO.26.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PRO.26.1"><span class="content">honor is not fitting for a fool.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PRO.26.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.26.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.26.2"><span class="content">an undeserved curse does not come to rest.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.26.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.26.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.26.3"><span class="content">and a rod for the backs of fools!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.26.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.26.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Do not answer a fool according to his folly,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.26.4"><span class="content">or you yourself will be just like him.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.26.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.26.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Answer a fool according to his folly,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.26.5"><span class="content">or he will be wise in his own eyes.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.26.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.26.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Sending a message by the hands of a fool</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.26.6"><span class="content">is like cutting off one&#8217;s feet or drinking poison.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.26.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.26.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Like the useless legs of one who is lame</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.26.7"><span class="content">is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.26.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.26.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Like tying a stone in a sling</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.26.8"><span class="content">is the giving of honor to a fool.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.26.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.26.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Like a thornbush in a drunkard&#8217;s hand</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.26.9"><span class="content">is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.26.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.26.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Like an archer who wounds at random</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.26.10"><span class="content">is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.26.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.26.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">As a dog returns to its vomit,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.26.11"><span class="content">so fools repeat their folly.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.26.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.26.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.26.12"><span class="content">There is more hope for a fool than for them.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.26.12"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.26.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.26.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">A sluggard says, &#8220;There&#8217;s a lion in the road,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.26.13"><span class="content">a fierce lion roaming the streets!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.26.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.26.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">As a door turns on its hinges,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.26.14"><span class="content">so a sluggard turns on his bed.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.26.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.26.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.26.15"><span class="content">he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.26.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.26.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.26.16"><span class="content">than seven people who answer discreetly.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.26.16"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.26.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.26.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.26.17"><span class="content">is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.26.17"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.26.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.26.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Like a maniac shooting</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.26.18"><span class="content">flaming arrows of death</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.26.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.26.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">is one who deceives their neighbor</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.26.19"><span class="content">and says, &#8220;I was only joking!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.26.19"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.26.19"></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.26.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Without wood a fire goes out;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.26.20"><span class="content">without a gossip a quarrel dies down.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.26.20"></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.26.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.26.21"><span class="content">so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.26.21"></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.26.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.26.22"><span class="content">they go down to the inmost parts.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.26.22"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.26.22"></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.26.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.26.23"><span class="content">are fervent</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">26:23 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew; Septuagint </span><span class="fqa">smooth</span></span></span><span class="content"> lips with an evil heart.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.26.23"></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PRO.26.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PRO.26.24"><span class="content">but in their hearts they harbor deceit.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PRO.26.24"></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PRO.26.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Though their speech is charming, do not believe them,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PRO.26.25"><span class="content">for seven abominations fill their hearts.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PRO.26.25"></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PRO.26.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">Their malice may be concealed by deception,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PRO.26.26"><span class="content">but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PRO.26.26"></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PRO.26.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">Whoever digs a pit will fall into it;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PRO.26.27"><span class="content">if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PRO.26.27"></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="PRO.26.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">A lying tongue hates those it hurts,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="PRO.26.28"><span class="content">and a flattering mouth works ruin.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="PRO.26.28"></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkGEN">
      <div class="chapter ch26" data-usfm="GEN.26">
         <div class="label">26</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Isaac and Abimelek</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="GEN.26.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Now there was a famine in the land&#8212;besides the previous famine in Abraham&#8217;s time&#8212;and Isaac went to Abimelek king of the Philistines in Gerar. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="GEN.26.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> appeared to Isaac and said, &#8220;Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="GEN.26.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="GEN.26.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">26:4 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">seed</span></span></span><span class="content"> all nations on earth will be blessed,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">26:4 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">and all nations on earth will use the name of your offspring in blessings </span><span class="ft">(see 48:20)</span></span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="GEN.26.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">because Abraham obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="GEN.26.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">So Isaac stayed in Gerar.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="GEN.26.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="GEN.26.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he said, &#8220;She is my sister,&#8221; because he was afraid to say, &#8220;She is my wife.&#8221; He thought, &#8220;The men of this place might kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is beautiful.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="GEN.26.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="GEN.26.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">When Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelek king of the Philistines looked down from a window and saw Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="GEN.26.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">So Abimelek summoned Isaac and said, &#8220;She is really your wife! Why did you say, &#8216;She is my sister&#8217;?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="GEN.26.9"><span class="content">Isaac answered him, &#8220;Because I thought I might lose my life on account of her.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="GEN.26.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="GEN.26.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Then Abimelek said, &#8220;What is this you have done to us? One of the men might well have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="GEN.26.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="GEN.26.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">So Abimelek gave orders to all the people: &#8220;Anyone who harms this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="GEN.26.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="GEN.26.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> blessed him. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="GEN.26.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="GEN.26.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="GEN.26.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">So all the wells that his father&#8217;s servants had dug in the time of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up, filling them with earth.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="GEN.26.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="GEN.26.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Then Abimelek said to Isaac, &#8220;Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="GEN.26.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="GEN.26.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">So Isaac moved away from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar, where he settled. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="GEN.26.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="GEN.26.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="GEN.26.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Isaac&#8217;s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="GEN.26.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">But the herders of Gerar quarreled with those of Isaac and said, &#8220;The water is ours!&#8221; So he named the well Esek,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">26:20 </span><span class="fq">Esek </span><span class="ft">means </span><span class="fq">dispute</span><span class="fqa">.</span></span></span><span class="content"> because they disputed with him. </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="GEN.26.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">26:21 </span><span class="fq">Sitnah </span><span class="ft">means </span><span class="fqa">opposition.</span></span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="GEN.26.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">26:22 </span><span class="fq">Rehoboth </span><span class="ft">means </span><span class="fq">room</span><span class="fqa">.</span></span></span><span class="content"> saying, &#8220;Now the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> has given us room and we will flourish in the land.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="GEN.26.22"></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="GEN.26.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">From there he went up to Beersheba. </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="GEN.26.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">That night the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> appeared to him and said, &#8220;I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="GEN.26.24"></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="GEN.26.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="GEN.26.25"></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="GEN.26.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">Meanwhile, Abimelek had come to him from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his personal adviser and Phicol the commander of his forces. </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="GEN.26.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">Isaac asked them, &#8220;Why have you come to me, since you were hostile to me and sent me away?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="GEN.26.27"></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="GEN.26.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">They answered, &#8220;We saw clearly that the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> was with you; so we said, &#8216;There ought to be a sworn agreement between us&#8217;&#8212;between us and you. Let us make a treaty with you </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="GEN.26.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">that you will do us no harm, just as we did not harm you but always treated you well and sent you away peacefully. And now you are blessed by the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="GEN.26.29"></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="GEN.26.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">Isaac then made a feast for them, and they ate and drank. </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="GEN.26.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">Early the next morning the men swore an oath to each other. Then Isaac sent them on their way, and they went away peacefully.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="GEN.26.31"></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="GEN.26.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">That day Isaac&#8217;s servants came and told him about the well they had dug. They said, &#8220;We&#8217;ve found water!&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="GEN.26.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">He called it Shibah,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">26:33 </span><span class="fq">Shibah </span><span class="ft">can mean </span><span class="fqa">oath </span><span class="ft">or </span><span class="fqa">seven.</span></span></span><span class="content"> and to this day the name of the town has been Beersheba.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">26:33 </span><span class="fq">Beersheba </span><span class="ft">can mean </span><span class="fqa">well of the oath </span><span class="ft">and </span><span class="fqa">well of seven.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Jacob Takes Esau&#8217;s Blessing</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="GEN.26.33"></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="GEN.26.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="GEN.26.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.</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 ch26" data-usfm="ACT.26">
         <div class="label">26</div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ACT.26.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Then Agrippa said to Paul, &#8220;You have permission to speak for yourself.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ACT.26.1"><span class="content">So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ACT.26.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">&#8220;King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ACT.26.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ACT.26.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ACT.26.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">&#8220;The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ACT.26.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ACT.26.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ACT.26.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ACT.26.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ACT.26.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ACT.26.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">&#8220;I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ACT.26.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord&#8217;s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ACT.26.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ACT.26.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ACT.26.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">&#8220;On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ACT.26.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ACT.26.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">26:14 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">Hebrew</span></span></span><span class="content"> </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8216;Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.&#8217;</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ACT.26.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ACT.26.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">&#8220;Then I asked, &#8216;Who are you, Lord?&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ACT.26.15"><span class="content">&#8220; </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8216;I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,&#8217;</span></span><span class="content"> the Lord replied. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ACT.26.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8216;Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ACT.26.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ACT.26.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.&#8217;</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ACT.26.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ACT.26.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">&#8220;So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ACT.26.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ACT.26.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="ACT.26.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="ACT.26.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="ACT.26.23"></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="ACT.26.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">At this point Festus interrupted Paul&#8217;s defense. &#8220;You are out of your mind, Paul!&#8221; he shouted. &#8220;Your great learning is driving you insane.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="ACT.26.24"></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="ACT.26.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">&#8220;I am not insane, most excellent Festus,&#8221; Paul replied. &#8220;What I am saying is true and reasonable. </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="ACT.26.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="ACT.26.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="ACT.26.27"></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="ACT.26.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">Then Agrippa said to Paul, &#8220;Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="ACT.26.28"></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="ACT.26.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">Paul replied, &#8220;Short time or long&#8212;I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="ACT.26.29"></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="ACT.26.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="ACT.26.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">After they left the room, they began saying to one another, &#8220;This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="ACT.26.31"></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="ACT.26.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">Agrippa said to Festus, &#8220;This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.&#8221;</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkREV">
      <div class="chapter ch4" data-usfm="REV.4">
         <div class="label">4</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Throne in Heaven</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="REV.4.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.&#8221;</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="REV.4.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="REV.4.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="REV.4.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="REV.4.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">4:5 </span><span class="ft">That is, the sevenfold Spirit</span></span></span><span class="content"> of God. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="REV.4.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="REV.4.6"><span class="content">In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="REV.4.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="REV.4.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="REV.4.8"></span></div><div class="qc"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="REV.4.8"><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Holy, holy, holy</span></span></div><div class="qc"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="REV.4.8"><span class="content">is the Lord God Almighty,&#8217;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">4:8 </span><span class="ft"><span class="ref" usfm="ISA.6.3">Isaiah 6:3</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="qc"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="REV.4.8"><span class="content">who was, and is, and is to come.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="REV.4.8"></span></div><div class="m"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="REV.4.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="REV.4.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="REV.4.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="REV.4.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="REV.4.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">&#8220;You are worthy, our Lord and God,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="REV.4.11"><span class="content">to receive glory and honor and power,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="REV.4.11"><span class="content">for you created all things,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="REV.4.11"><span class="content">and by your will they were created</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="REV.4.11"><span class="content">and have their being.&#8221;</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

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