We're So Blessed: A Fun 5-Day Family Devotional From CAIN

Freedom in Forgiveness: Discover the Healing in Letting Go by Sara Brunsvold

Lent: The Journey of Letting Go

TheLionWithin.Us: 3 Questions to Unlock Deeper Insights in God’s Word

Living for Christ at Home: An Encouragement for Teens

The Benefit of Doubt: How Confronting Your Deepest Questions Can Lead to a Richer Faith

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

Spiritual Beings

Chosen and Complete: Embracing God's Plan Beyond Marriage

The Armor of God: Well Used Against Injury

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 bkHEB">
      <div class="chapter ch7" data-usfm="HEB.7">
         <div class="label">7</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Melchizedek the Priest</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="HEB.7.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="HEB.7.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means &#8220;king of righteousness&#8221;; then also, &#8220;king of Salem&#8221; means &#8220;king of peace.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="HEB.7.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="HEB.7.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="HEB.7.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="HEB.7.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people&#8212;that is, from their fellow Israelites&#8212;even though they also are descended from Abraham. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="HEB.7.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="HEB.7.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="HEB.7.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HEB.7.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="HEB.7.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Jesus Like Melchizedek</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="HEB.7.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="HEB.7.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood&#8212;and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood&#8212;why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="HEB.7.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="HEB.7.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="HEB.7.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="HEB.7.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="HEB.7.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="HEB.7.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">For it is declared:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="HEB.7.17"><span class="content">&#8220;You are a priest forever,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="HEB.7.17"><span class="content">in the order of Melchizedek.&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">7:17 </span><span class="ft"><span class="ref" usfm="PSA.110.4">Psalm 110:4</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="HEB.7.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="HEB.7.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="HEB.7.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="HEB.7.19"></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="HEB.7.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="HEB.7.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="HEB.7.21"><span class="content">&#8220;The Lord has sworn</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="HEB.7.21"><span class="content">and will not change his mind:</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="HEB.7.21"><span class="content">&#8216;You are a priest forever.&#8217;&#8198;&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">7:21 </span><span class="ft"><span class="ref" usfm="PSA.110.4">Psalm 110:4</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="m"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="HEB.7.21"></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="HEB.7.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="HEB.7.22"></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="HEB.7.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="HEB.7.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="HEB.7.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Therefore he is able to save completely</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">7:25 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">forever</span></span></span><span class="content"> those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="HEB.7.25"></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="HEB.7.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">Such a high priest truly meets our need&#8212;one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="HEB.7.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="HEB.7.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkECC">
      <div class="chapter ch5" data-usfm="ECC.5">
         <div class="label">5</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Fulfill Your Vow to God</span></div><div class="p"><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="ft">In Hebrew texts 5:1 is numbered 4:17, and 5:2-20 is numbered 5:1-19.</span><span class="ft"> </span></span></span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.5.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.5.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.5.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Do not be quick with your mouth,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.5.2"><span class="content">do not be hasty in your heart</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.5.2"><span class="content">to utter anything before God.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.5.2"><span class="content">God is in heaven</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.5.2"><span class="content">and you are on earth,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.5.2"><span class="content">so let your words be few.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.5.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.5.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">A dream comes when there are many cares,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.5.3"><span class="content">and many words mark the speech of a fool.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.5.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.5.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.5.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.5.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, &#8220;My vow was a mistake.&#8221; Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.5.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Riches Are Meaningless</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.5.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.5.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.5.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.5.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.5.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Whoever loves money never has enough;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.5.10"><span class="content">whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.5.10"><span class="content">This too is meaningless.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.5.10"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.5.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.5.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">As goods increase,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.5.11"><span class="content">so do those who consume them.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.5.11"><span class="content">And what benefit are they to the owners</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.5.11"><span class="content">except to feast their eyes on them?</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.5.11"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.5.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.5.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">The sleep of a laborer is sweet,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.5.12"><span class="content">whether they eat little or much,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.5.12"><span class="content">but as for the rich, their abundance</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.5.12"><span class="content">permits them no sleep.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.5.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.5.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.5.13"><span class="content">wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.5.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.5.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">or wealth lost through some misfortune,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.5.14"><span class="content">so that when they have children</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.5.14"><span class="content">there is nothing left for them to inherit.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.5.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.5.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Everyone comes naked from their mother&#8217;s womb,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.5.15"><span class="content">and as everyone comes, so they depart.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.5.15"><span class="content">They take nothing from their toil</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.5.15"><span class="content">that they can carry in their hands.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.5.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.5.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">This too is a grievous evil:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.5.16"><span class="content">As everyone comes, so they depart,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.5.16"><span class="content">and what do they gain,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.5.16"><span class="content">since they toil for the wind?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.5.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.5.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">All their days they eat in darkness,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.5.17"><span class="content">with great frustration, affliction and anger.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.5.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ECC.5.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them&#8212;for this is their lot. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ECC.5.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil&#8212;this is a gift of God. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ECC.5.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

New International Version

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkLUK">
      <div class="chapter ch16" data-usfm="LUK.16.9">
         <div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="LUK.16.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="LUK.16.9"></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

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