The Year of God's Divine Agenda

WHAT IS CHRISTMAS TO YOU?

When Christmas Isn’t Supposed to Be This Way: A 5-Day Reading Plan for Pregnancy Loss

Rediscovering Hope: Experiencing God’s Healing to Expect Again

Faith-Fueled Leadership: Embracing Gratitude and Grace

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

Wives Who Win for Christ: Influencing Your Unsaved Husband Through Discipleship by Dr. Treal Ravenel

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

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

Sharing Jesus Beyond Christmas

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 ch98" data-usfm="PSA.98">
         <div class="label">98</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 98</span></div><div class="d"><span class="content">A psalm.</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.98.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Sing to the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> a new song,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.98.1"><span class="content">for he has done marvelous things;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.98.1"><span class="content">his right hand and his holy arm</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.98.1"><span class="content">have worked salvation for him.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.98.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.98.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> has made his salvation known</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.98.2"><span class="content">and revealed his righteousness to the nations.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.98.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.98.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">He has remembered his love</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.98.3"><span class="content">and his faithfulness to Israel;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.98.3"><span class="content">all the ends of the earth have seen</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.98.3"><span class="content">the salvation of our God.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.98.3"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.98.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.98.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Shout for joy to the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, all the earth,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.98.4"><span class="content">burst into jubilant song with music;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.98.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.98.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">make music to the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> with the harp,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.98.5"><span class="content">with the harp and the sound of singing,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.98.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.98.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">with trumpets and the blast of the ram&#8217;s horn&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.98.6"><span class="content">shout for joy before the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, the King.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.98.6"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.98.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.98.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Let the sea resound, and everything in it,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.98.7"><span class="content">the world, and all who live in it.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.98.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.98.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Let the rivers clap their hands,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.98.8"><span class="content">let the mountains sing together for joy;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.98.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.98.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">let them sing before the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.98.9"><span class="content">for he comes to judge the earth.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.98.9"><span class="content">He will judge the world in righteousness</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.98.9"><span class="content">and the peoples with equity.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkISA">
      <div class="chapter ch47" data-usfm="ISA.47">
         <div class="label">47</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Fall of Babylon</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.47.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">&#8220;Go down, sit in the dust,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.47.1"><span class="content">Virgin Daughter Babylon;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.47.1"><span class="content">sit on the ground without a throne,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.47.1"><span class="content">queen city of the Babylonians.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">47:1 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">Chaldeans</span><span class="ft">; also in verse 5</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.47.1"><span class="content">No more will you be called</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.47.1"><span class="content">tender or delicate.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.47.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ISA.47.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Take millstones and grind flour;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ISA.47.2"><span class="content">take off your veil.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ISA.47.2"><span class="content">Lift up your skirts, bare your legs,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ISA.47.2"><span class="content">and wade through the streams.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ISA.47.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ISA.47.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Your nakedness will be exposed</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ISA.47.3"><span class="content">and your shame uncovered.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ISA.47.3"><span class="content">I will take vengeance;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ISA.47.3"><span class="content">I will spare no one.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ISA.47.3"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ISA.47.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ISA.47.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Our Redeemer&#8212;the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> Almighty is his name&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ISA.47.4"><span class="content">is the Holy One of Israel.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ISA.47.4"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ISA.47.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.47.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">&#8220;Sit in silence, go into darkness,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.47.5"><span class="content">queen city of the Babylonians;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.47.5"><span class="content">no more will you be called</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.47.5"><span class="content">queen of kingdoms.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.47.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.47.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">I was angry with my people</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.47.6"><span class="content">and desecrated my inheritance;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.47.6"><span class="content">I gave them into your hand,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.47.6"><span class="content">and you showed them no mercy.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.47.6"><span class="content">Even on the aged</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.47.6"><span class="content">you laid a very heavy yoke.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.47.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.47.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">You said, &#8216;I am forever&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.47.7"><span class="content">the eternal queen!&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.47.7"><span class="content">But you did not consider these things</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.47.7"><span class="content">or reflect on what might happen.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.47.7"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.47.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.47.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">&#8220;Now then, listen, you lover of pleasure,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.47.8"><span class="content">lounging in your security</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.47.8"><span class="content">and saying to yourself,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.47.8"><span class="content">&#8216;I am, and there is none besides me.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.47.8"><span class="content">I will never be a widow</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.47.8"><span class="content">or suffer the loss of children.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.47.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.47.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Both of these will overtake you</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.47.9"><span class="content">in a moment, on a single day:</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.47.9"><span class="content">loss of children and widowhood.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.47.9"><span class="content">They will come upon you in full measure,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.47.9"><span class="content">in spite of your many sorceries</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.47.9"><span class="content">and all your potent spells.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.47.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ISA.47.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">You have trusted in your wickedness</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ISA.47.10"><span class="content">and have said, &#8216;No one sees me.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ISA.47.10"><span class="content">Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ISA.47.10"><span class="content">when you say to yourself,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ISA.47.10"><span class="content">&#8216;I am, and there is none besides me.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ISA.47.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.47.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Disaster will come upon you,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.47.11"><span class="content">and you will not know how to conjure it away.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.47.11"><span class="content">A calamity will fall upon you</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.47.11"><span class="content">that you cannot ward off with a ransom;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.47.11"><span class="content">a catastrophe you cannot foresee</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.47.11"><span class="content">will suddenly come upon you.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.47.11"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.47.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.47.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">&#8220;Keep on, then, with your magic spells</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.47.12"><span class="content">and with your many sorceries,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.47.12"><span class="content">which you have labored at since childhood.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.47.12"><span class="content">Perhaps you will succeed,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.47.12"><span class="content">perhaps you will cause terror.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.47.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ISA.47.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">All the counsel you have received has only worn you out!</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ISA.47.13"><span class="content">Let your astrologers come forward,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ISA.47.13"><span class="content">those stargazers who make predictions month by month,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ISA.47.13"><span class="content">let them save you from what is coming upon you.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ISA.47.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.47.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Surely they are like stubble;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.47.14"><span class="content">the fire will burn them up.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.47.14"><span class="content">They cannot even save themselves</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.47.14"><span class="content">from the power of the flame.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.47.14"><span class="content">These are not coals for warmth;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.47.14"><span class="content">this is not a fire to sit by.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.47.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ISA.47.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">That is all they are to you&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ISA.47.15"><span class="content">these you have dealt with</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ISA.47.15"><span class="content">and labored with since childhood.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ISA.47.15"><span class="content">All of them go on in their error;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ISA.47.15"><span class="content">there is not one that can save you.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkISA">
      <div class="chapter ch48" data-usfm="ISA.48">
         <div class="label">48</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Stubborn Israel</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.48.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">&#8220;Listen to this, you descendants of Jacob,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.48.1"><span class="content">you who are called by the name of Israel</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.48.1"><span class="content">and come from the line of Judah,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.48.1"><span class="content">you who take oaths in the name of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.48.1"><span class="content">and invoke the God of Israel&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.48.1"><span class="content">but not in truth or righteousness&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ISA.48.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ISA.48.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">you who call yourselves citizens of the holy city</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ISA.48.2"><span class="content">and claim to rely on the God of Israel&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ISA.48.2"><span class="content">the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> Almighty is his name:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ISA.48.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ISA.48.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">I foretold the former things long ago,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ISA.48.3"><span class="content">my mouth announced them and I made them known;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ISA.48.3"><span class="content">then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ISA.48.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ISA.48.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">For I knew how stubborn you were;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ISA.48.4"><span class="content">your neck muscles were iron,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ISA.48.4"><span class="content">your forehead was bronze.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ISA.48.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.48.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Therefore I told you these things long ago;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.48.5"><span class="content">before they happened I announced them to you</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.48.5"><span class="content">so that you could not say,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.48.5"><span class="content">&#8216;My images brought them about;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.48.5"><span class="content">my wooden image and metal god ordained them.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ISA.48.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.48.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">You have heard these things; look at them all.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.48.6"><span class="content">Will you not admit them?</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.48.6"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.48.6"><span class="content">&#8220;From now on I will tell you of new things,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.48.6"><span class="content">of hidden things unknown to you.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ISA.48.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.48.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">They are created now, and not long ago;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.48.7"><span class="content">you have not heard of them before today.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.48.7"><span class="content">So you cannot say,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.48.7"><span class="content">&#8216;Yes, I knew of them.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ISA.48.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.48.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">You have neither heard nor understood;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.48.8"><span class="content">from of old your ears have not been open.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.48.8"><span class="content">Well do I know how treacherous you are;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.48.8"><span class="content">you were called a rebel from birth.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.48.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.48.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">For my own name&#8217;s sake I delay my wrath;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.48.9"><span class="content">for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.48.9"><span class="content">so as not to destroy you completely.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ISA.48.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ISA.48.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">See, I have refined you, though not as silver;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ISA.48.10"><span class="content">I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ISA.48.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.48.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.48.11"><span class="content">How can I let myself be defamed?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.48.11"><span class="content">I will not yield my glory to another.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Israel Freed</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ISA.48.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.48.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">&#8220;Listen to me, Jacob,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.48.12"><span class="content">Israel, whom I have called:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.48.12"><span class="content">I am he;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.48.12"><span class="content">I am the first and I am the last.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ISA.48.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ISA.48.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">My own hand laid the foundations of the earth,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ISA.48.13"><span class="content">and my right hand spread out the heavens;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ISA.48.13"><span class="content">when I summon them,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ISA.48.13"><span class="content">they all stand up together.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ISA.48.13"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ISA.48.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.48.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">&#8220;Come together, all of you, and listen:</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.48.14"><span class="content">Which of the idols has foretold these things?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.48.14"><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s chosen ally</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.48.14"><span class="content">will carry out his purpose against Babylon;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.48.14"><span class="content">his arm will be against the Babylonians.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">48:14 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">Chaldeans</span><span class="ft">; also in verse 20</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ISA.48.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ISA.48.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">I, even I, have spoken;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ISA.48.15"><span class="content">yes, I have called him.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ISA.48.15"><span class="content">I will bring him,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ISA.48.15"><span class="content">and he will succeed in his mission.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ISA.48.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.48.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">&#8220;Come near me and listen to this:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.48.16"><span class="content">&#8220;From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.48.16"><span class="content">at the time it happens, I am there.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.48.16"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.48.16"><span class="content">And now the Sovereign </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> has sent me,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.48.16"><span class="content">endowed with his Spirit.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.48.16"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ISA.48.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ISA.48.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">This is what the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> says&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ISA.48.17"><span class="content">your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ISA.48.17"><span class="content">&#8220;I am the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> your God,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ISA.48.17"><span class="content">who teaches you what is best for you,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ISA.48.17"><span class="content">who directs you in the way you should go.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ISA.48.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ISA.48.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">If only you had paid attention to my commands,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ISA.48.18"><span class="content">your peace would have been like a river,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ISA.48.18"><span class="content">your well-being like the waves of the sea.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ISA.48.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ISA.48.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Your descendants would have been like the sand,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ISA.48.19"><span class="content">your children like its numberless grains;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ISA.48.19"><span class="content">their name would never be blotted out</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ISA.48.19"><span class="content">nor destroyed from before me.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ISA.48.19"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ISA.48.19"></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ISA.48.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Leave Babylon,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ISA.48.20"><span class="content">flee from the Babylonians!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ISA.48.20"><span class="content">Announce this with shouts of joy</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ISA.48.20"><span class="content">and proclaim it.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ISA.48.20"><span class="content">Send it out to the ends of the earth;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ISA.48.20"><span class="content">say, &#8220;The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> has redeemed his servant Jacob.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ISA.48.20"></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ISA.48.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ISA.48.21"><span class="content">he made water flow for them from the rock;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ISA.48.21"><span class="content">he split the rock</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ISA.48.21"><span class="content">and water gushed out.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ISA.48.21"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ISA.48.21"></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="ISA.48.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">&#8220;There is no peace,&#8221; says the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, &#8220;for the wicked.&#8221;</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bk1CO">
      <div class="chapter ch7" data-usfm="1CO.7">
         <div class="label">7</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Concerning Married Life</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="1CO.7.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Now for the matters you wrote about: &#8220;It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="1CO.7.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="1CO.7.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="1CO.7.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="1CO.7.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1CO.7.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">I say this as a concession, not as a command. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1CO.7.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1CO.7.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1CO.7.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Now to the unmarried</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">7:8 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">widowers</span></span></span><span class="content"> and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="1CO.7.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="1CO.7.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1CO.7.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1CO.7.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1CO.7.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="1CO.7.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="1CO.7.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="1CO.7.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="1CO.7.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="1CO.7.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="1CO.7.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Concerning Change of Status</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="1CO.7.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="1CO.7.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="1CO.7.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="1CO.7.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God&#8217;s commands is what counts. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="1CO.7.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="1CO.7.20"></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="1CO.7.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Were you a slave when you were called? Don&#8217;t let it trouble you&#8212;although if you can gain your freedom, do so. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="1CO.7.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord&#8217;s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ&#8217;s slave. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="1CO.7.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="1CO.7.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Concerning the Unmarried</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="1CO.7.24"></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="1CO.7.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord&#8217;s mercy is trustworthy. </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="1CO.7.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="1CO.7.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="1CO.7.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="1CO.7.28"></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="1CO.7.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="1CO.7.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="1CO.7.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="1CO.7.31"></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="1CO.7.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord&#8217;s affairs&#8212;how he can please the Lord. </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="1CO.7.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world&#8212;how he can please his wife&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="1CO.7.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord&#8217;s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world&#8212;how she can please her husband. </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="1CO.7.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="1CO.7.35"></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="1CO.7.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="content">If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">7:36 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage</span></span></span><span class="content"> and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. </span></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="1CO.7.37"><span class="label">37</span><span class="content">But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin&#8212;this man also does the right thing. </span></span><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="1CO.7.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">7:36-38 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fv">36 </span><span class="fqa">If anyone thinks he is not treating his daughter properly, and if she is getting along in years </span><span class="ft">(or </span><span class="fqa">if her passions are too strong</span><span class="ft">)</span><span class="fqa">, and he feels she ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. He should let her get married. </span><span class="fv">37 </span><span class="fqa">But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind to keep the virgin unmarried&#8212;this man also does the right thing. </span><span class="fv">38 </span><span class="fqa">So then, he who gives his virgin in marriage does right, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="1CO.7.38"></span><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="1CO.7.39"><span class="label">39</span><span class="content">A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. </span></span><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="1CO.7.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="content">In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is&#8212;and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

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