Lent

From Death to Life - 12 Day Easter Plan

Faith That Stands in Every Season

In the Valley of the Shadow

The Total Man

Journey Through 1 Thessalonians

The Ultimate Game Plan - 21 Chronological Bible Story Devotional

Steady Hearts in Shaky Seasons: A 5-Day Journey Through Psalm 37 by Alison Kiriinya

Devoted by Krissy Nordhoff

Finding God’s Love in Suffering—a 7-Day Plan for When the Journey Hurts

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 bk1SA">
      <div class="chapter ch21" data-usfm="1SA.21">
         <div class="label">21</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">David at Nob</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft">  </span><span class="ft">In Hebrew texts 21:1-15 is numbered 21:2-16.</span><span class="ft">  </span></span></span><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="1SA.21.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">David went to Nob, to Ahimelek the priest. Ahimelek trembled when he met him, and asked, &#8220;Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="1SA.21.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="1SA.21.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">David answered Ahimelek the priest, &#8220;The king sent me on a mission and said to me, &#8216;No one is to know anything about the mission I am sending you on.&#8217; As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="1SA.21.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you can find.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="1SA.21.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="1SA.21.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">But the priest answered David, &#8220;I don&#8217;t have any ordinary bread on hand; however, there is some consecrated bread here&#8212;provided the men have kept themselves from women.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="1SA.21.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="1SA.21.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">David replied, &#8220;Indeed women have been kept from us, as usual whenever</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">21:5 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">from us in the past few days since</span></span></span><span class="content"> I set out. The men&#8217;s bodies are holy even on missions that are not holy. How much more so today!&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1SA.21.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> and replaced by hot bread on the day it was taken away.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1SA.21.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1SA.21.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Now one of Saul&#8217;s servants was there that day, detained before the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">; he was Doeg the Edomite, Saul&#8217;s chief shepherd.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1SA.21.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1SA.21.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">David asked Ahimelek, &#8220;Don&#8217;t you have a spear or a sword here? I haven&#8217;t brought my sword or any other weapon, because the king&#8217;s mission was urgent.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1SA.21.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="1SA.21.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">The priest replied, &#8220;The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="1SA.21.9"><span class="content">David said, &#8220;There is none like it; give it to me.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">David at Gath</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="1SA.21.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1SA.21.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1SA.21.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">But the servants of Achish said to him, &#8220;Isn&#8217;t this David, the king of the land? Isn&#8217;t he the one they sing about in their dances:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1SA.21.11"><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Saul has slain his thousands,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1SA.21.11"><span class="content">and David his tens of thousands&#8217;?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1SA.21.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="1SA.21.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="1SA.21.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="1SA.21.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="1SA.21.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Achish said to his servants, &#8220;Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me? </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="1SA.21.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me? Must this man come into my house?&#8221;</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPSA">
      <div class="chapter ch34" data-usfm="PSA.34">
         <div class="label">34</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 34</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft"><span class="heading">This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.</span></span></span></span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft"><span class="heading">In Hebrew texts 34:1-22 is numbered 34:2-23.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="d"><span class="content">Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.34.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">I will extol the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> at all times;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.34.1"><span class="content">his praise will always be on my lips.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.34.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.34.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">I will glory in the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.34.2"><span class="content">let the afflicted hear and rejoice.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.34.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.34.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Glorify the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> with me;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.34.3"><span class="content">let us exalt his name together.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.34.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.34.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">I sought the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, and he answered me;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.34.4"><span class="content">he delivered me from all my fears.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.34.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.34.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Those who look to him are radiant;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.34.5"><span class="content">their faces are never covered with shame.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.34.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.34.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">This poor man called, and the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> heard him;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.34.6"><span class="content">he saved him out of all his troubles.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.34.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.34.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">The angel of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> encamps around those who fear him,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.34.7"><span class="content">and he delivers them.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.34.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.34.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Taste and see that the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> is good;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.34.8"><span class="content">blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.34.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.34.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Fear the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, you his holy people,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.34.9"><span class="content">for those who fear him lack nothing.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.34.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.34.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">The lions may grow weak and hungry,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.34.10"><span class="content">but those who seek the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> lack no good thing.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.34.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.34.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Come, my children, listen to me;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.34.11"><span class="content">I will teach you the fear of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.34.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.34.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Whoever of you loves life</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.34.12"><span class="content">and desires to see many good days,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.34.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.34.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">keep your tongue from evil</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.34.13"><span class="content">and your lips from telling lies.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.34.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.34.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Turn from evil and do good;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.34.14"><span class="content">seek peace and pursue it.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.34.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.34.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">The eyes of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> are on the righteous,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.34.15"><span class="content">and his ears are attentive to their cry;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.34.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.34.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">but the face of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> is against those who do evil,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.34.16"><span class="content">to blot out their name from the earth.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.34.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.34.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">The righteous cry out, and the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> hears them;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.34.17"><span class="content">he delivers them from all their troubles.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.34.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.34.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> is close to the brokenhearted</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.34.18"><span class="content">and saves those who are crushed in spirit.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.34.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.34.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">The righteous person may have many troubles,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.34.19"><span class="content">but the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> delivers him from them all;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.34.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PSA.34.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">he protects all his bones,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PSA.34.20"><span class="content">not one of them will be broken.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PSA.34.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PSA.34.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Evil will slay the wicked;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PSA.34.21"><span class="content">the foes of the righteous will be condemned.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PSA.34.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PSA.34.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> will rescue his servants;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PSA.34.22"><span class="content">no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPSA">
      <div class="chapter ch56" data-usfm="PSA.56">
         <div class="label">56</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 56</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft"><span class="heading">In Hebrew texts 56:1-13 is numbered 56:2-14.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="d"><span class="content">For the director of music. To the tune of &#8220;A Dove on Distant Oaks.&#8221; Of David. A </span><span class="tl"><span class="content">miktam.</span></span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft">Title: Probably a literary or musical term</span></span></span><span class="content"> When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.56.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Be merciful to me, my God,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.56.1"><span class="content">for my enemies are in hot pursuit;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.56.1"><span class="content">all day long they press their attack.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.56.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.56.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">My adversaries pursue me all day long;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.56.2"><span class="content">in their pride many are attacking me.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.56.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.56.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.56.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.56.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">In God, whose word I praise&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.56.4"><span class="content">in God I trust and am not afraid.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.56.4"><span class="content">What can mere mortals do to me?</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.56.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.56.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">All day long they twist my words;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.56.5"><span class="content">all their schemes are for my ruin.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.56.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.56.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">They conspire, they lurk,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.56.6"><span class="content">they watch my steps,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.56.6"><span class="content">hoping to take my life.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.56.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.56.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Because of their wickedness do not</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">56:7 </span><span class="ft">Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text does not have </span><span class="fq">do not</span><span class="ft">.</span></span></span><span class="content"> let them escape;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.56.7"><span class="content">in your anger, God, bring the nations down.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.56.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.56.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Record my misery;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.56.8"><span class="content">list my tears on your scroll</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">56:8 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">misery; / put my tears in your wineskin</span></span></span><span class="content">&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.56.8"><span class="content">are they not in your record?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.56.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.56.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Then my enemies will turn back</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.56.9"><span class="content">when I call for help.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.56.9"><span class="content">By this I will know that God is for me.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.56.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.56.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">In God, whose word I praise,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.56.10"><span class="content">in the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, whose word I praise&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.56.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.56.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">in God I trust and am not afraid.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.56.11"><span class="content">What can man do to me?</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.56.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.56.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">I am under vows to you, my God;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.56.12"><span class="content">I will present my thank offerings to you.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.56.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.56.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">For you have delivered me from death</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.56.13"><span class="content">and my feet from stumbling,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.56.13"><span class="content">that I may walk before God</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.56.13"><span class="content">in the light of life.</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkMAT">
      <div class="chapter ch12" data-usfm="MAT.12">
         <div class="label">12</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="MAT.12.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="MAT.12.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, &#8220;Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="MAT.12.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="MAT.12.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">He answered, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Haven&#8217;t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="MAT.12.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread&#8212;which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="MAT.12.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Or haven&#8217;t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="MAT.12.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="MAT.12.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">If you had known what these words mean, &#8216;I desire mercy, not sacrifice,&#8217;</span></span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">12:7 </span><span class="ft"><span class="ref" data-usfm="HOS.6.6">Hosea 6:6</span></span></span></span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">you would not have condemned the innocent.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="MAT.12.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="MAT.12.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="MAT.12.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="MAT.12.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, &#8220;Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="MAT.12.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="MAT.12.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">He said to them, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="MAT.12.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="MAT.12.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="MAT.12.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Then he said to the man, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Stretch out your hand.&#8221;</span></span><span class="content"> So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="MAT.12.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">God&#8217;s Chosen Servant</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="MAT.12.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MAT.12.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="MAT.12.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">He warned them not to tell others about him. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="MAT.12.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="MAT.12.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="MAT.12.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">&#8220;Here is my servant whom I have chosen,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="MAT.12.18"><span class="content">the one I love, in whom I delight;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="MAT.12.18"><span class="content">I will put my Spirit on him,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="MAT.12.18"><span class="content">and he will proclaim justice to the nations.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="MAT.12.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="MAT.12.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">He will not quarrel or cry out;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="MAT.12.19"><span class="content">no one will hear his voice in the streets.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="MAT.12.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="MAT.12.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">A bruised reed he will not break,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="MAT.12.20"><span class="content">and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="MAT.12.20"><span class="content">till he has brought justice through to victory.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="MAT.12.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="MAT.12.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">In his name the nations will put their hope.&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">12:21 </span><span class="ft"><span class="ref" data-usfm="ISA.42.1+ISA.42.2+ISA.42.3+ISA.42.4">Isaiah 42:1-4</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Jesus and Beelzebul</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="MAT.12.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="MAT.12.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="MAT.12.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">All the people were astonished and said, &#8220;Could this be the Son of David?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="MAT.12.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="MAT.12.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, &#8220;It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="MAT.12.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="MAT.12.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="MAT.12.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="MAT.12.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="MAT.12.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="MAT.12.28"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="MAT.12.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man&#8217;s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="MAT.12.29"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="MAT.12.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="MAT.12.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="MAT.12.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="MAT.12.32"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="MAT.12.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="MAT.12.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="MAT.12.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="MAT.12.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="MAT.12.37"><span class="label">37</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Sign of Jonah</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="MAT.12.37"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="MAT.12.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, &#8220;Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="MAT.12.38"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="MAT.12.39"><span class="label">39</span><span class="content">He answered, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="MAT.12.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="MAT.12.41"><span class="label">41</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="MAT.12.42"><span class="label">42</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon&#8217;s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="MAT.12.42"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="MAT.12.43"><span class="label">43</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v44" data-usfm="MAT.12.44"><span class="label">44</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Then it says, &#8216;I will return to the house I left.&#8217; When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v45" data-usfm="MAT.12.45"><span class="label">45</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Jesus&#8217; Mother and Brothers</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v45" data-usfm="MAT.12.45"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v46" data-usfm="MAT.12.46"><span class="label">46</span><span class="content">While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. </span></span><span class="verse v47" data-usfm="MAT.12.47"><span class="label">47</span><span class="content">Someone told him, &#8220;Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v47" data-usfm="MAT.12.47"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v48" data-usfm="MAT.12.48"><span class="label">48</span><span class="content">He replied to him, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?&#8221;</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v49" data-usfm="MAT.12.49"><span class="label">49</span><span class="content">Pointing to his disciples, he said, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Here are my mother and my brothers.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v50" data-usfm="MAT.12.50"><span class="label">50</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.&#8221;</span></span></span></div>
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