The Battle of Pride vs. Humility

Reconciling Grace

Satan, You Can’t Rule My Emotions

Lessons From Donkeys

The Power of Gratitude

Healing Family Relationships Through Forgiveness

From Lament to Hope: Wellbeing and Happiness in the Psalms

Radical Relaxation: Your 5-Day Stress Release Plan

Debt-Free by 31: 3 Biblical Keys That Made It Happen

A Teen's Guide To: Learning to Be Fearless Through Jesus

New International Version

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkEZR">
      <div class="chapter ch2" data-usfm="EZR.2.40+EZR.2.41+EZR.2.42+EZR.2.43+EZR.2.44+EZR.2.45+EZR.2.46+EZR.2.47+EZR.2.48+EZR.2.49+EZR.2.50+EZR.2.51+EZR.2.52+EZR.2.53+EZR.2.54+EZR.2.55+EZR.2.56+EZR.2.57+EZR.2.58+EZR.2.59+EZR.2.60+EZR.2.61+EZR.2.62+EZR.2.63+EZR.2.64+EZR.2.65+EZR.2.66+EZR.2.67+EZR.2.68+EZR.2.69+EZR.2.70">
         <div class="mi"><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="EZR.2.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="content">The Levites:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="EZR.2.40"><span class="content">  </span><span class="content">  </span></span></div><div class="mi"><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="EZR.2.40"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="EZR.2.41"><span class="label">41</span><span class="content">The musicians:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="EZR.2.41"><span class="content">  </span><span class="content">  </span></span></div><div class="mi"><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="EZR.2.41"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="EZR.2.42"><span class="label">42</span><span class="content">The gatekeepers of the temple:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="EZR.2.42"><span class="content">  </span><span class="content">  </span></span></div><div class="mi"><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="EZR.2.42"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="EZR.2.43"><span class="label">43</span><span class="content">The temple servants:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v54" data-usfm="EZR.2.54"><span class="content">  </span><span class="content">  </span></span></div><div class="mi"><span class="verse v54" data-usfm="EZR.2.54"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v55" data-usfm="EZR.2.55"><span class="label">55</span><span class="content">The descendants of the servants of Solomon:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v57" data-usfm="EZR.2.57"><span class="content">  </span><span class="content">  </span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v58" data-usfm="EZR.2.58"><span class="content">  </span><span class="content">  </span></span></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v58" data-usfm="EZR.2.58"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v59" data-usfm="EZR.2.59"><span class="label">59</span><span class="content">The following came up from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show that their families were descended from Israel:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v60" data-usfm="EZR.2.60"><span class="content">  </span><span class="content">  </span></span></div><div class="mi"><span class="verse v60" data-usfm="EZR.2.60"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v61" data-usfm="EZR.2.61"><span class="label">61</span><span class="content">And from among the priests:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v61" data-usfm="EZR.2.61"><span class="content">  </span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v62" data-usfm="EZR.2.62"><span class="label">62</span><span class="content">These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. </span></span><span class="verse v63" data-usfm="EZR.2.63"><span class="label">63</span><span class="content">The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v63" data-usfm="EZR.2.63"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v64" data-usfm="EZR.2.64"><span class="label">64</span><span class="content">The whole company numbered 42,360, </span></span><span class="verse v65" data-usfm="EZR.2.65"><span class="label">65</span><span class="content">besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 200 male and female singers. </span></span><span class="verse v66" data-usfm="EZR.2.66"><span class="label">66</span><span class="content">They had 736 horses, 245 mules, </span></span><span class="verse v67" data-usfm="EZR.2.67"><span class="label">67</span><span class="content">435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v67" data-usfm="EZR.2.67"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v68" data-usfm="EZR.2.68"><span class="label">68</span><span class="content">When they arrived at the house of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. </span></span><span class="verse v69" data-usfm="EZR.2.69"><span class="label">69</span><span class="content">According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:69 </span><span class="ft">That is, about 1,100 pounds or about 500 kilograms</span></span></span><span class="content"> of gold, 5,000 minas</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:69 </span><span class="ft">That is, about 3 tons or about 2.8 metric tons</span></span></span><span class="content"> of silver and 100 priestly garments.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v69" data-usfm="EZR.2.69"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v70" data-usfm="EZR.2.70"><span class="label">70</span><span class="content">The priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers and the temple servants settled in their own towns, along with some of the other people, and the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns.</span></span></div>
      </div>
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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 bkECC">
      <div class="chapter ch3" data-usfm="ECC.3">
         <div class="label">3</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">A Time for Everything</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.3.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">There is a time for everything,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.3.1"><span class="content">and a season for every activity under the heavens:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.3.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.3.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">a time to be born and a time to die,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.3.2"><span class="content">a time to plant and a time to uproot,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.3.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.3.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">a time to kill and a time to heal,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.3.3"><span class="content">a time to tear down and a time to build,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.3.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.3.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">a time to weep and a time to laugh,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.3.4"><span class="content">a time to mourn and a time to dance,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.3.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.3.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.3.5"><span class="content">a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.3.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.3.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">a time to search and a time to give up,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.3.6"><span class="content">a time to keep and a time to throw away,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.3.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.3.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">a time to tear and a time to mend,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.3.7"><span class="content">a time to be silent and a time to speak,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.3.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.3.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">a time to love and a time to hate,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.3.8"><span class="content">a time for war and a time for peace.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.3.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.3.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">What do workers gain from their toil? </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.3.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.3.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">3:11 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">also placed ignorance in the human heart, so that</span></span></span><span class="content"> no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.3.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.3.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil&#8212;this is the gift of God. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.3.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.3.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.3.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Whatever is has already been,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.3.15"><span class="content">and what will be has been before;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.3.15"><span class="content">and God will call the past to account.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">3:15 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">God calls back the past</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.3.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.3.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">And I saw something else under the sun:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.3.16"><span class="content">In the place of judgment&#8212;wickedness was there,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.3.16"><span class="content">in the place of justice&#8212;wickedness was there.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.3.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.3.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">I said to myself,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.3.17"><span class="content">&#8220;God will bring into judgment</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.3.17"><span class="content">both the righteous and the wicked,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.3.17"><span class="content">for there will be a time for every activity,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.3.17"><span class="content">a time to judge every deed.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.3.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ECC.3.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">I also said to myself, &#8220;As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ECC.3.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">3:19 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">spirit</span></span></span><span class="content">; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ECC.3.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ECC.3.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ECC.3.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="ECC.3.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkECC">
      <div class="chapter ch4" data-usfm="ECC.4">
         <div class="label">4</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Oppression, Toil, Friendlessness</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.4.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.4.1"><span class="content">I saw the tears of the oppressed&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.4.1"><span class="content">and they have no comforter;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.4.1"><span class="content">power was on the side of their oppressors&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.4.1"><span class="content">and they have no comforter.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.4.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.4.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">And I declared that the dead,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.4.2"><span class="content">who had already died,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.4.2"><span class="content">are happier than the living,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.4.2"><span class="content">who are still alive.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.4.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.4.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">But better than both</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.4.3"><span class="content">is the one who has never been born,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.4.3"><span class="content">who has not seen the evil</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.4.3"><span class="content">that is done under the sun.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.4.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.4.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person&#8217;s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.4.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.4.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Fools fold their hands</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.4.5"><span class="content">and ruin themselves.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.4.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.4.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Better one handful with tranquillity</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.4.6"><span class="content">than two handfuls with toil</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.4.6"><span class="content">and chasing after the wind.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.4.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.4.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.4.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">There was a man all alone;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">he had neither son nor brother.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">There was no end to his toil,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">&#8220;For whom am I toiling,&#8221; he asked,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">&#8220;and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">This too is meaningless&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">a miserable business!</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.4.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Two are better than one,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.4.9"><span class="content">because they have a good return for their labor:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.4.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.4.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">If either of them falls down,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.4.10"><span class="content">one can help the other up.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.4.10"><span class="content">But pity anyone who falls</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.4.10"><span class="content">and has no one to help them up.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.4.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.4.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.4.11"><span class="content">But how can one keep warm alone?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.4.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.4.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Though one may be overpowered,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.4.12"><span class="content">two can defend themselves.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.4.12"><span class="content">A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Advancement Is Meaningless</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.4.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.4.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.4.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.4.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king&#8217;s successor. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.4.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkACT">
      <div class="chapter ch7" data-usfm="ACT.7.30+ACT.7.31+ACT.7.32+ACT.7.33+ACT.7.34+ACT.7.35+ACT.7.36+ACT.7.37+ACT.7.38+ACT.7.39+ACT.7.40+ACT.7.41+ACT.7.42+ACT.7.43+ACT.7.44+ACT.7.45+ACT.7.46+ACT.7.47+ACT.7.48+ACT.7.49+ACT.7.50+ACT.7.51+ACT.7.52+ACT.7.53+ACT.7.54+ACT.7.55+ACT.7.56+ACT.7.57+ACT.7.58+ACT.7.59+ACT.7.60">
         <div class="p"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="ACT.7.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">&#8220;After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="ACT.7.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="ACT.7.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">&#8216;I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.&#8217;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">7:32 </span><span class="ft">Exodus 3:6</span></span></span><span class="content"> Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="ACT.7.32"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="ACT.7.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">&#8220;Then the Lord said to him, &#8216;Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="ACT.7.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.&#8217;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">7:34 </span><span class="ft">Exodus 3:5,7,8,10</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="ACT.7.34"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="ACT.7.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">&#8220;This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, &#8216;Who made you ruler and judge?&#8217; He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. </span></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="ACT.7.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="content">He led them out of Egypt and performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the wilderness.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="ACT.7.36"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="ACT.7.37"><span class="label">37</span><span class="content">&#8220;This is the Moses who told the Israelites, &#8216;God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.&#8217;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">7:37 </span><span class="ft">Deut. 18:15</span></span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="ACT.7.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="ACT.7.38"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="ACT.7.39"><span class="label">39</span><span class="content">&#8220;But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. </span></span><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="ACT.7.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="content">They told Aaron, &#8216;Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt&#8212;we don&#8217;t know what has happened to him!&#8217;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">7:40 </span><span class="ft">Exodus 32:1</span></span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="ACT.7.41"><span class="label">41</span><span class="content">That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in what their own hands had made. </span></span><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="ACT.7.42"><span class="label">42</span><span class="content">But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon and stars. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="ACT.7.42"><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="ACT.7.42"><span class="content">forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="ACT.7.42"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="ACT.7.43"><span class="label">43</span><span class="content">You have taken up the tabernacle of Molek</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="ACT.7.43"><span class="content">and the star of your god Rephan,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="ACT.7.43"><span class="content">the idols you made to worship.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="ACT.7.43"><span class="content">Therefore I will send you into exile&#8217;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">7:43 </span><span class="ft">Amos 5:25-27 (see Septuagint)</span></span></span><span class="content"> beyond Babylon.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="ACT.7.43"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v44" data-usfm="ACT.7.44"><span class="label">44</span><span class="content">&#8220;Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. </span></span><span class="verse v45" data-usfm="ACT.7.45"><span class="label">45</span><span class="content">After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, </span></span><span class="verse v46" data-usfm="ACT.7.46"><span class="label">46</span><span class="content">who enjoyed God&#8217;s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">7:46 </span><span class="ft">Some early manuscripts </span><span class="fqa">the house of Jacob</span></span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v47" data-usfm="ACT.7.47"><span class="label">47</span><span class="content">But it was Solomon who built a house for him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v47" data-usfm="ACT.7.47"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v48" data-usfm="ACT.7.48"><span class="label">48</span><span class="content">&#8220;However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v48" data-usfm="ACT.7.48"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v49" data-usfm="ACT.7.49"><span class="label">49</span><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Heaven is my throne,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v49" data-usfm="ACT.7.49"><span class="content">and the earth is my footstool.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v49" data-usfm="ACT.7.49"><span class="content">What kind of house will you build for me?</span></span></div><div class="q4"><span class="verse v49" data-usfm="ACT.7.49"><span class="content">says the Lord.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v49" data-usfm="ACT.7.49"><span class="content">Or where will my resting place be?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v49" data-usfm="ACT.7.49"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v50" data-usfm="ACT.7.50"><span class="label">50</span><span class="content">Has not my hand made all these things?&#8217;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">7:50 </span><span class="ft">Isaiah 66:1,2</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v50" data-usfm="ACT.7.50"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v51" data-usfm="ACT.7.51"><span class="label">51</span><span class="content">&#8220;You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! </span></span><span class="verse v52" data-usfm="ACT.7.52"><span class="label">52</span><span class="content">Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v53" data-usfm="ACT.7.53"><span class="label">53</span><span class="content">you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Stoning of Stephen</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v53" data-usfm="ACT.7.53"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v54" data-usfm="ACT.7.54"><span class="label">54</span><span class="content">When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. </span></span><span class="verse v55" data-usfm="ACT.7.55"><span class="label">55</span><span class="content">But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. </span></span><span class="verse v56" data-usfm="ACT.7.56"><span class="label">56</span><span class="content">&#8220;Look,&#8221; he said, &#8220;I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v56" data-usfm="ACT.7.56"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v57" data-usfm="ACT.7.57"><span class="label">57</span><span class="content">At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, </span></span><span class="verse v58" data-usfm="ACT.7.58"><span class="label">58</span><span class="content">dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v58" data-usfm="ACT.7.58"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v59" data-usfm="ACT.7.59"><span class="label">59</span><span class="content">While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, &#8220;Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v60" data-usfm="ACT.7.60"><span class="label">60</span><span class="content">Then he fell on his knees and cried out, &#8220;Lord, do not hold this sin against them.&#8221; When he had said this, he fell asleep.</span></span></div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkJAS">
      <div class="chapter ch4" data-usfm="JAS.4">
         <div class="label">4</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Submit Yourselves to God</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="JAS.4.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don&#8217;t they come from your desires that battle within you? </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="JAS.4.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="JAS.4.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="JAS.4.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="JAS.4.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">You adulterous people,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">4:4 </span><span class="ft">An allusion to covenant unfaithfulness; see Hosea 3:1.</span></span></span><span class="content"> don&#8217;t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="JAS.4.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">4:5 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">that the spirit he caused to dwell in us envies intensely; </span><span class="ft">or </span><span class="fqa">that the Spirit he caused to dwell in us longs jealously</span></span></span><span class="content">? </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="JAS.4.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="JAS.4.6"><span class="content">&#8220;God opposes the proud</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="JAS.4.6"><span class="content">but shows favor to the humble.&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">4:6 </span><span class="ft">Prov. 3:34</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="JAS.4.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="JAS.4.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="JAS.4.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="JAS.4.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="JAS.4.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="JAS.4.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="JAS.4.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">4:11 </span><span class="ft">The Greek word for </span><span class="fq">brother or sister </span><span class="ft">(<span class="tl">adelphos</span>) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God&#8217;s family.</span></span></span><span class="content"> or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="JAS.4.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you&#8212;who are you to judge your neighbor?</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Boasting About Tomorrow</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="JAS.4.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="JAS.4.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Now listen, you who say, &#8220;Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="JAS.4.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="JAS.4.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Instead, you ought to say, &#8220;If it is the Lord&#8217;s will, we will live and do this or that.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="JAS.4.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="JAS.4.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn&#8217;t do it, it is sin for them.</span></span></div>
      </div>
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