July 9 - Morning
"When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge."
- Proverbs 21:11
- Proverbs 21:11
Learning from the Leader
The mocker is set in his way and will not change. The mocker is a leader that the simple will follow. The simple is directionless and looking for leadership, so the simple will follow the mocker. But, if the mocker is punished that same simpleton will see firsthand that he does not want to walk in the way of the mocker. The mocker’s failure becomes the simpleton’s lesson.
While the simple learn from observation and experience, the wise man can learn from instruction. Because of this the wise man can avoid many of the hard lessons the simple must learn from life experience. Just as the simple will follow and learn from the punishment of the mocker, the simple can also follow the wise and learn by observation of the success and prosperity of the wise man’s lifestyle.
“Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.” - Proverbs 19:25
A mocker cannot be taught, corrected, or even, beaten into wisdom:
- Proverbs 9:7 - correct a mocker and be insulted
- Proverbs 9:8 - rebuke a mocker and they will hate you.
- Proverbs 15:12 - mockers resent correction
But, the teaching, penalizing, correcting and beating the mocker will educate the simple man and lead him toward wisdom.
Nhh (Hb) – to lead (Eng) - The Hebrew word nhh means “to lead” and “to guide” as in
Genesis 24:48 and Nehemiah 9:12. Nhh appears in general use as the word “lead” in
Numbers 23:7 where, “Balak lead me here from Aram,” and Proverbs 18:16 where a person’s gift opens the door of opportunity and leads them into the presence of mighty men.
I will not be the mocker nor will I follow the mocker.
I will identify the behavior of the mocker and will, instead, lead by speaking and seeking wisdom.
I will identify the behavior of the mocker and will, instead, lead by speaking and seeking wisdom.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Discernment concerning truth and deception
Church
An outpouring of the Holy Spirit
Nation
Unemployment
World
Indonesia
Someone to Quote
“Theology is for everyone. Indeed, everyone needs to be a theologian. In reality, everyone is a theologian — of one sort or another. And therein lies the problem. There is nothing wrong with being an amateur theologian or a professional theologian, but there is everything wrong with being an ignorant or sloppy theologian.”
- Charles Ryrie
Something to Ponder
30-100 Clement of Rome
- Knew and worked with Paul. - Mentioned in Philippians 4:3.
- According to Origen he was a disciple of the apostles.
Irenaeus writes: “He had the preaching of the apostles still echoing in his ears and their doctrine in front of his eyes.”
- Learned to use Septuagint from Paul and Luke
- He wrote a letter from Rome to the Corinthians called “First Clement”. It had been referred to by other writers but was not discovered until the 1600’s.
- Clement wrote the Corinthians because that church had overthrown its own leadership.
- Clement appealed to the Word of God as final authority and referred to 1 Cor. 1:10. Clement gave testimony to: Trinity, divinity of Christ, salvation only by Christ, necessity of repentance, necessity of faith, justification by grace, sanctification by Holy Spirit, unity of the church, fruit of the Spirit.
- Clement was the pastor of Rome and knew no higher office other than the local pastor or bishop.
- Clement wrote to a church of apostolic foundation with a tone of authority and thus revealed how easily and innocently the papacy began.
-100 years after his death this same position in the same church would take authority and would excommunicate whole churches for much smaller differences
- Knew and worked with Paul. - Mentioned in Philippians 4:3.
- According to Origen he was a disciple of the apostles.
Irenaeus writes: “He had the preaching of the apostles still echoing in his ears and their doctrine in front of his eyes.”
- Learned to use Septuagint from Paul and Luke
- He wrote a letter from Rome to the Corinthians called “First Clement”. It had been referred to by other writers but was not discovered until the 1600’s.
- Clement wrote the Corinthians because that church had overthrown its own leadership.
- Clement appealed to the Word of God as final authority and referred to 1 Cor. 1:10. Clement gave testimony to: Trinity, divinity of Christ, salvation only by Christ, necessity of repentance, necessity of faith, justification by grace, sanctification by Holy Spirit, unity of the church, fruit of the Spirit.
- Clement was the pastor of Rome and knew no higher office other than the local pastor or bishop.
- Clement wrote to a church of apostolic foundation with a tone of authority and thus revealed how easily and innocently the papacy began.
-100 years after his death this same position in the same church would take authority and would excommunicate whole churches for much smaller differences
Here’s a Fact
In 64 AD Paul wrote to Titus, who was on the isle of Crete, to tell Titus that Paul would spend the winter in Nicopolis.
"As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there." - Titus 3:12
In the remains of the city Nicopolis can be seen today along with a large monument to Augustus’ victory at Actium, a stadium, a theater, a bathhouse, and the walls of the city and a small odium from the days of Augustus. These would all have been in use the year Paul spent the winter in Nicopolis. (Details)
"As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there." - Titus 3:12
In the remains of the city Nicopolis can be seen today along with a large monument to Augustus’ victory at Actium, a stadium, a theater, a bathhouse, and the walls of the city and a small odium from the days of Augustus. These would all have been in use the year Paul spent the winter in Nicopolis. (Details)
Proverb
"Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment." - Proverbs 10:13
Coach’s Corner
Personal growth increases your personal potential. The failure to learn and the refusal to change is the rejection of increasing your opportunity for success.
2 Samuel 17
New International Version (NIV)
17 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king 3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.” 4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.
5 But Absalom said, “Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say as well.” 6 When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.”
7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 8 You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.
11 “So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba—as numerous as the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. 12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not so much as a pebble is left.”
14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.
15 Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. 16 Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”
17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel. A female servant was to go and inform them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they could not risk being seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left at once and went to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. 19 His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it.
20 When Absalom’s men came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”
The woman answered them, “They crossed over the brook.” The men searched but found no one, so they returned to Jerusalem.
21 After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, “Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you.” 22 So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.
23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.
Absalom’s Death
24 David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether, an Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. 26 The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim 28 brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.”
New International Version (NIV)
17 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king 3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.” 4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.
5 But Absalom said, “Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say as well.” 6 When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.”
7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 8 You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.
11 “So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba—as numerous as the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. 12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not so much as a pebble is left.”
14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.
15 Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. 16 Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”
17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel. A female servant was to go and inform them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they could not risk being seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left at once and went to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. 19 His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it.
20 When Absalom’s men came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”
The woman answered them, “They crossed over the brook.” The men searched but found no one, so they returned to Jerusalem.
21 After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, “Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you.” 22 So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.
23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.
Absalom’s Death
24 David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether, an Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. 26 The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim 28 brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.”
Ezekiel 1
New International Version (NIV)
Ezekiel’s Inaugural Vision
1 In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.
2 On the fifth of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin— 3 the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the Lord was on him.
4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, 5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, 6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved.
10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body. 12 Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. 13 The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. 14 The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.
15 As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. 16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. 17 As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went. 18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around.
19 When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. 20 Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome. 23 Under the vault their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body. 24 When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings.
25 Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. 26 Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.
This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
New International Version (NIV)
Ezekiel’s Inaugural Vision
1 In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.
2 On the fifth of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin— 3 the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the Lord was on him.
4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, 5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, 6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved.
10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body. 12 Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. 13 The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. 14 The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.
15 As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. 16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. 17 As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went. 18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around.
19 When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. 20 Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome. 23 Under the vault their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body. 24 When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings.
25 Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. 26 Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.
This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
Isaiah 1-2
New International Version (NIV)
1 The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
A Rebellious Nation
2
Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.
3
The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”
4
Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.
5
Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted.
6
From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness— only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with olive oil.
7
Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.
8
Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a city under siege.
9
Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.
10
Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
11
“The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the Lord. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
12
When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts?
13
Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
14
Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.
15
When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening.
Your hands are full of blood!
16
Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.
17
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
19
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;
20
but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
21
See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers!
22
Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water.
23
Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.
24
Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies.
25
I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.
26
I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”
27
Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.
28
But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the Lord will perish.
29
“You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen.
30
You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water.
31
The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.”
The Mountain of the Lord
2 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days
the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4
He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
5
Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
The Day of the Lord
6
You, Lord, have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs.
7
Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots.
8
Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.
9
So people will be brought low and everyone humbled— do not forgive them.
10
Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty!
11
The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
12
The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled),
13
for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty, and all the oaks of Bashan,
14
for all the towering mountains and all the high hills,
15
for every lofty tower and every fortified wall,
16
for every trading ship and every stately vessel.
17
The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day,
18
and the idols will totally disappear.
19
People will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth.
20
In that day people will throw away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and idols of gold, which they made to worship.
21
They will flee to caverns in the rocks and to the overhanging crags from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth.
22
Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?
New International Version (NIV)
1 The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
A Rebellious Nation
2
Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.
3
The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”
4
Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.
5
Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted.
6
From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness— only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with olive oil.
7
Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.
8
Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a city under siege.
9
Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.
10
Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
11
“The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the Lord. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
12
When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts?
13
Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
14
Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.
15
When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening.
Your hands are full of blood!
16
Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.
17
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
19
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;
20
but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
21
See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers!
22
Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water.
23
Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.
24
Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies.
25
I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.
26
I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”
27
Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.
28
But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the Lord will perish.
29
“You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen.
30
You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water.
31
The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.”
The Mountain of the Lord
2 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days
the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4
He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
5
Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
The Day of the Lord
6
You, Lord, have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs.
7
Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots.
8
Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.
9
So people will be brought low and everyone humbled— do not forgive them.
10
Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty!
11
The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
12
The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled),
13
for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty, and all the oaks of Bashan,
14
for all the towering mountains and all the high hills,
15
for every lofty tower and every fortified wall,
16
for every trading ship and every stately vessel.
17
The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day,
18
and the idols will totally disappear.
19
People will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth.
20
In that day people will throw away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and idols of gold, which they made to worship.
21
They will flee to caverns in the rocks and to the overhanging crags from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth.
22
Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?