tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30479315846103651322024-03-13T04:20:19.819-07:00SOAPAnnaLizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04442674588221370860noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047931584610365132.post-85628554946902091302011-01-17T08:22:00.000-08:002011-01-17T08:23:21.648-08:00Day 7Reading through the Bible:<br /><br />Romans 1-2<br /><br />Romans 1<br /><br /> 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God- 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spiritof holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.<br /><br /> 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:<br /><br /> Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.<br />Paul's Longing to Visit Rome<br /> 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.<br /><br /> 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong- 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.<br /><br /> 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.<br /><br /> 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."<br />God's Wrath Against Mankind<br /> 18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.<br /><br /> 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.<br /><br /> 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-who is forever praised. Amen.<br /><br /> 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.<br /><br /> 28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.<br /><br /><br />Romans 2<br />God's Righteous Judgment<br /> 1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?<br /><br /> 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God "will give to each person according to what he has done." 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.<br /><br /> 12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.<br />The Jews and the Law<br /> 17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth- 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."<br /><br /> 25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.<br /><br /> 28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.AnnaLizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04442674588221370860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047931584610365132.post-23834212567568824992009-06-04T07:13:00.000-07:002009-06-04T07:21:03.822-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; "><h1 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Today's Life<br />Journal Reading</span></h1><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Proverbs 28,29; Psalms 60; Romans 16<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible" style="display: inline; ">Read Now</a></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><br /><br />I am beginning to love reading the Proverbs. The more I read it, the more I'm understanding what a fool is and what it means to be wise. I also am learning about the corruption of the desire of riches and what it means to be unwise with what you have. Over and over again it says that better to be poor ... than to be rich and be a fool or suffer. Hmmm.<br /><br />I also like the Romans part there where it says<blockquote>17I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.20The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. <br /> The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.</blockquote> Keep away from "those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are <b>"contrary to the teaching you have learned."</b> So that means, stay away from those fools who put their hope in material things. I always get wrapped up in the now and need to remember that God is in control of everything and that things here on earth are temporal but the work of the Lord is eternal. What comfort it is to know that we are being taken care of by a supernatural being and not to worry about "what will burn in the fire". And God himself will crush the evil one under our feet. Mmm, thank you Lord! I also love the closing of the letter:<blockquote>25Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him— 27to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.</blockquote>. Yes, to Him be glory, praise and honor both now and forever more. AMEN!!AnnaLizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04442674588221370860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047931584610365132.post-63693681005495622552009-06-03T06:58:00.000-07:002009-06-03T06:59:48.585-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; "><h1 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Today's Life<br />Journal Reading</span></h1><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Proverbs 25,26,27; Romans 15<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible" style="display: inline; ">Read Now</a></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14px;">I confess I didn't really understand today's reading. I'm distracted at the minute... I will have to go back and re-read as well as pick up the life bible for more understanding of the proverbs. Romans is easier to understand but with the Proverbs it seems kinda vague...</span></div>AnnaLizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04442674588221370860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047931584610365132.post-40249047773535671362009-06-02T07:19:00.001-07:002009-06-02T07:20:36.661-07:00i've finally came back to the reading of the Word. i needed this. i'm not sure i fully understand the principles here so i'll have to come back and re-read after work:<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; "><h1 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(255, 255, 0); text-align: left; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal arial, sans-serif; ">Today's Life<br />Journal Reading</h1>Proverbs 22,23,24; Romans 14<br /><a href="http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible" style="display: inline; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Read Now</a></span><br /><br />http://lifejournal.cc/AnnaLizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04442674588221370860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047931584610365132.post-83002145847527855522009-02-12T07:50:00.000-08:002009-02-12T07:54:08.955-08:00Galatians 1:6-9; Galatians 1:11-16; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:10-14; Galatians 3:22; Galatians 4:1-7; Galatians 5:1-4; Galatians 5:13; Galatians 5:1Basically the food for today is the emphasis on the last verses in chapter 6. That law and grace don't mix. Christ's grace covers everything so that I don't have to obey everything in order to make it to heaven.<br /><br />I also like how we are a workmanship of Christ created to do good unto Him, to the glory of God. =)<br /><br /><h3>Galatians 1:6-9; Galatians 1:11-16; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:10-14; Galatians 3:22; Galatians 4:1-7; Galatians 5:1-4; Galatians 5:13; Galatians 5:16-25; Galatians 6:1-10</h3>AnnaLizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04442674588221370860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047931584610365132.post-58286159486336394402009-02-11T11:30:00.000-08:002009-02-11T11:55:13.956-08:00Day Four in my Study of Acts 18<h3>Acts 18:22; Acts 15:39-18:22; Galatians 2:11-13; Galatians 2:14-16; Hebrews 12:5-11; Acts 18:23-28; Matthew 3:1-6; Luke 3:3-4 (New International Version)</h3> <table style="width: 283px; height: 5721px;" id="table1" class="multipassage" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr class="tablenav" bgcolor="#cccccc"> <th align="left" width="100%"><strong>New International Version (NIV)</strong></th></tr><tr><td class="multipassage-box" width="100%"><strong>Acts 18:22</strong><br /><p> </p><p class="txt-sm" style="white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/play.php?aid=3&book=51&chapter=18" title="Listen to this passage">Listen to this passage</a><br /><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=5&source=1&seq=i.51.18.1" title="View commentary related to this passage">View commentary related to this passage</a></p><p> </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27567" class="sup">22</span>When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.</p><p><br /></p><p> </p><div class="publisher-info-bottom"> <strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=31">New International Version</a> (NIV)</strong><p> Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by <a href="http://www.ibs.org/">International Bible Society</a></p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=22"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=22" lt="NIV at IBS" title="NIV at IBS" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=10"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=10" lt="International Bible Society" title="International Bible Society" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=26"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=26" lt="NIV at Zondervan" title="NIV at Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=2"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=2" lt="Zondervan" title="Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a><br /></div></td></tr><tr><td class="multipassage-box" width="100%"><strong>Acts 15:39-18:22</strong><br /><p> </p><p class="txt-sm" style="white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/play.php?aid=3&book=51&chapter=15" title="Listen to this passage">Listen to this passage</a><br /><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=5&source=1&seq=i.51.16.1" title="View commentary related to this passage">View commentary related to this passage</a></p><p> </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27469" class="sup">39</span>They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, <span id="en-NIV-27470" class="sup">40</span>but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. <span id="en-NIV-27471" class="sup">41</span>He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.</p><h4>Acts 16</h4><h5>Timothy Joins Paul and Silas </h5> <span id="en-NIV-27472" class="sup">1</span>He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. <span id="en-NIV-27473" class="sup">2</span>The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. <span id="en-NIV-27474" class="sup">3</span>Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. <span id="en-NIV-27475" class="sup">4</span>As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. <span id="en-NIV-27476" class="sup">5</span>So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.<h5>Paul's Vision of the Man of Macedonia </h5> <span id="en-NIV-27477" class="sup">6</span>Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. <span id="en-NIV-27478" class="sup">7</span>When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. <span id="en-NIV-27479" class="sup">8</span>So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. <span id="en-NIV-27480" class="sup">9</span>During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." <span id="en-NIV-27481" class="sup">10</span>After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.<h5>Lydia's Conversion in Philippi </h5> <span id="en-NIV-27482" class="sup">11</span>From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. <span id="en-NIV-27483" class="sup">12</span>From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. <p> <span id="en-NIV-27484" class="sup">13</span>On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. <span id="en-NIV-27485" class="sup">14</span>One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. <span id="en-NIV-27486" class="sup">15</span>When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.</p><h5>Paul and Silas in Prison </h5> <span id="en-NIV-27487" class="sup">16</span>Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. <span id="en-NIV-27488" class="sup">17</span>This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." <span id="en-NIV-27489" class="sup">18</span>She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her. <p> <span id="en-NIV-27490" class="sup">19</span>When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. <span id="en-NIV-27491" class="sup">20</span>They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar <span id="en-NIV-27492" class="sup">21</span>by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice." </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27493" class="sup">22</span>The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. <span id="en-NIV-27494" class="sup">23</span>After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. <span id="en-NIV-27495" class="sup">24</span>Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27496" class="sup">25</span>About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. <span id="en-NIV-27497" class="sup">26</span>Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. <span id="en-NIV-27498" class="sup">27</span>The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. <span id="en-NIV-27499" class="sup">28</span>But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27500" class="sup">29</span>The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. <span id="en-NIV-27501" class="sup">30</span>He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27502" class="sup">31</span>They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." <span id="en-NIV-27503" class="sup">32</span>Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. <span id="en-NIV-27504" class="sup">33</span>At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. <span id="en-NIV-27505" class="sup">34</span>The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27506" class="sup">35</span>When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: "Release those men." <span id="en-NIV-27507" class="sup">36</span>The jailer told Paul, "The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace." </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27508" class="sup">37</span>But Paul said to the officers: "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out." </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27509" class="sup">38</span>The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. <span id="en-NIV-27510" class="sup">39</span>They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. <span id="en-NIV-27511" class="sup">40</span>After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left.</p><h4>Acts 17</h4><h5>In Thessalonica </h5> <span id="en-NIV-27512" class="sup">1</span>When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. <span id="en-NIV-27513" class="sup">2</span>As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, <span id="en-NIV-27514" class="sup">3</span>explaining and proving that the Christ<sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2018:22;%2015:39%20-%2018:22;%20galatians%202:11-13;%202:14-16;%20hebrews%2012:5-11;%20acts%2018:23-28;%20matthew%203:1-6;%20luke%203:3-4&version=31#fen-NIV-27514a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,<sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2018:22;%2015:39%20-%2018:22;%20galatians%202:11-13;%202:14-16;%20hebrews%2012:5-11;%20acts%2018:23-28;%20matthew%203:1-6;%20luke%203:3-4&version=31#fen-NIV-27514b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup>" he said. <span id="en-NIV-27515" class="sup">4</span>Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. <p> <span id="en-NIV-27516" class="sup">5</span>But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.<sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2018:22;%2015:39%20-%2018:22;%20galatians%202:11-13;%202:14-16;%20hebrews%2012:5-11;%20acts%2018:23-28;%20matthew%203:1-6;%20luke%203:3-4&version=31#fen-NIV-27516c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup> <span id="en-NIV-27517" class="sup">6</span>But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, <span id="en-NIV-27518" class="sup">7</span>and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus." <span id="en-NIV-27519" class="sup">8</span>When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. <span id="en-NIV-27520" class="sup">9</span>Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.</p><h5>In Berea </h5> <span id="en-NIV-27521" class="sup">10</span>As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. <span id="en-NIV-27522" class="sup">11</span>Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. <span id="en-NIV-27523" class="sup">12</span>Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. <p> <span id="en-NIV-27524" class="sup">13</span>When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, they went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. <span id="en-NIV-27525" class="sup">14</span>The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. <span id="en-NIV-27526" class="sup">15</span>The men who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.</p><h5>In Athens </h5> <span id="en-NIV-27527" class="sup">16</span>While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. <span id="en-NIV-27528" class="sup">17</span>So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. <span id="en-NIV-27529" class="sup">18</span>A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. <span id="en-NIV-27530" class="sup">19</span>Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? <span id="en-NIV-27531" class="sup">20</span>You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean." <span id="en-NIV-27532" class="sup">21</span>(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) <p> <span id="en-NIV-27533" class="sup">22</span>Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. <span id="en-NIV-27534" class="sup">23</span>For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27535" class="sup">24</span>"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. <span id="en-NIV-27536" class="sup">25</span>And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. <span id="en-NIV-27537" class="sup">26</span>From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. <span id="en-NIV-27538" class="sup">27</span>God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. <span id="en-NIV-27539" class="sup">28</span>'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27540" class="sup">29</span>"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. <span id="en-NIV-27541" class="sup">30</span>In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. <span id="en-NIV-27542" class="sup">31</span>For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27543" class="sup">32</span>When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." <span id="en-NIV-27544" class="sup">33</span>At that, Paul left the Council. <span id="en-NIV-27545" class="sup">34</span>A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.</p><h4>Acts 18</h4><h5>In Corinth </h5> <span id="en-NIV-27546" class="sup">1</span>After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. <span id="en-NIV-27547" class="sup">2</span>There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, <span id="en-NIV-27548" class="sup">3</span>and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. <span id="en-NIV-27549" class="sup">4</span>Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. <p> <span id="en-NIV-27550" class="sup">5</span>When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.<sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2018:22;%2015:39%20-%2018:22;%20galatians%202:11-13;%202:14-16;%20hebrews%2012:5-11;%20acts%2018:23-28;%20matthew%203:1-6;%20luke%203:3-4&version=31#fen-NIV-27550d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</sup> <span id="en-NIV-27551" class="sup">6</span>But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27552" class="sup">7</span>Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. <span id="en-NIV-27553" class="sup">8</span>Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27554" class="sup">9</span>One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. <span id="en-NIV-27555" class="sup">10</span>For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." <span id="en-NIV-27556" class="sup">11</span>So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27557" class="sup">12</span>While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. <span id="en-NIV-27558" class="sup">13</span>"This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law." </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27559" class="sup">14</span>Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. <span id="en-NIV-27560" class="sup">15</span>But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." <span id="en-NIV-27561" class="sup">16</span>So he had them ejected from the court. <span id="en-NIV-27562" class="sup">17</span>Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.</p><h5>Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos </h5> <span id="en-NIV-27563" class="sup">18</span>Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. <span id="en-NIV-27564" class="sup">19</span>They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. <span id="en-NIV-27565" class="sup">20</span>When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. <span id="en-NIV-27566" class="sup">21</span>But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. <span id="en-NIV-27567" class="sup">22</span>When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.<p><strong>Footnotes:</strong></p><ol type="a"><li id="fen-NIV-27514a"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2018:22;%2015:39%20-%2018:22;%20galatians%202:11-13;%202:14-16;%20hebrews%2012:5-11;%20acts%2018:23-28;%20matthew%203:1-6;%20luke%203:3-4&version=31#en-NIV-27514" title="Go to Acts 17:3">Acts 17:3</a> Or Messiah</li><li id="fen-NIV-27514b"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2018:22;%2015:39%20-%2018:22;%20galatians%202:11-13;%202:14-16;%20hebrews%2012:5-11;%20acts%2018:23-28;%20matthew%203:1-6;%20luke%203:3-4&version=31#en-NIV-27514" title="Go to Acts 17:3">Acts 17:3</a> Or Messiah</li><li id="fen-NIV-27516c"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2018:22;%2015:39%20-%2018:22;%20galatians%202:11-13;%202:14-16;%20hebrews%2012:5-11;%20acts%2018:23-28;%20matthew%203:1-6;%20luke%203:3-4&version=31#en-NIV-27516" title="Go to Acts 17:5">Acts 17:5</a> Or the assembly of the people</li><li id="fen-NIV-27550d"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2018:22;%2015:39%20-%2018:22;%20galatians%202:11-13;%202:14-16;%20hebrews%2012:5-11;%20acts%2018:23-28;%20matthew%203:1-6;%20luke%203:3-4&version=31#en-NIV-27550" title="Go to Acts 18:5">Acts 18:5</a> Or Messiah; also in verse 28</li></ol><br /><br /><p> </p><div class="publisher-info-bottom"> <strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=31">New International Version</a> (NIV)</strong><p> Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by <a href="http://www.ibs.org/">International Bible Society</a></p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=22"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=22" lt="NIV at IBS" title="NIV at IBS" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=10"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=10" lt="International Bible Society" title="International Bible Society" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=26"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=26" lt="NIV at Zondervan" title="NIV at Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=2"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=2" lt="Zondervan" title="Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a><br /></div></td></tr><tr><td class="multipassage-box" width="100%"><strong>Galatians 2:11-13</strong><br /><p> </p><p class="txt-sm" style="white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/play.php?aid=3&book=55&chapter=2" title="Listen to this passage">Listen to this passage</a><br /><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=7&source=1&seq=i.55.2.2" title="View commentary related to this passage">View commentary related to this passage</a></p><p> </p><h5>Paul Opposes Peter </h5> <span id="en-NIV-29077" class="sup">11</span>When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. <span id="en-NIV-29078" class="sup">12</span>Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. <span id="en-NIV-29079" class="sup">13</span>The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.<p><br /></p><p> </p><div class="publisher-info-bottom"> <strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=31">New International Version</a> (NIV)</strong><p> Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by <a href="http://www.ibs.org/">International Bible Society</a></p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=22"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=22" lt="NIV at IBS" title="NIV at IBS" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=10"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=10" lt="International Bible Society" title="International Bible Society" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=26"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=26" lt="NIV at Zondervan" title="NIV at Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=2"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=2" lt="Zondervan" title="Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a><br /></div></td></tr><tr><td class="multipassage-box" width="100%"><strong>Galatians 2:14-16</strong><br /><p> </p><p class="txt-sm" style="white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/play.php?aid=3&book=55&chapter=2" title="Listen to this passage">Listen to this passage</a><br /><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=7&source=1&seq=i.55.2.2" title="View commentary related to this passage">View commentary related to this passage</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-29080" class="sup">14</span>When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-29081" class="sup">15</span>"We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' <span id="en-NIV-29082" class="sup">16</span>know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.</p><p><br /></p><p> </p><div class="publisher-info-bottom"> <strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=31">New International Version</a> (NIV)</strong><p> Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by <a href="http://www.ibs.org/">International Bible Society</a></p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=22"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=22" lt="NIV at IBS" title="NIV at IBS" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=10"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=10" lt="International Bible Society" title="International Bible Society" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=26"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=26" lt="NIV at Zondervan" title="NIV at Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=2"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=2" lt="Zondervan" title="Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a><br /></div></td></tr><tr><td class="multipassage-box" width="100%"><strong>Hebrews 12:5-11</strong><br /><p> </p><p class="txt-sm" style="white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/play.php?aid=3&book=65&chapter=12" title="Listen to this passage">Listen to this passage</a></p><p> </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-30202" class="sup">5</span>And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:<br /> "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,<br /> and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,<br /> <span id="en-NIV-30203" class="sup">6</span>because the Lord disciplines those he loves,<br /> and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."<sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2018:22;%2015:39%20-%2018:22;%20galatians%202:11-13;%202:14-16;%20hebrews%2012:5-11;%20acts%2018:23-28;%20matthew%203:1-6;%20luke%203:3-4&version=31#fen-NIV-30203a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-30204" class="sup">7</span>Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? <span id="en-NIV-30205" class="sup">8</span>If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. <span id="en-NIV-30206" class="sup">9</span>Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! <span id="en-NIV-30207" class="sup">10</span>Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. <span id="en-NIV-30208" class="sup">11</span>No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.</p><p><strong>Footnotes:</strong></p><ol type="a"><li id="fen-NIV-30203a"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2018:22;%2015:39%20-%2018:22;%20galatians%202:11-13;%202:14-16;%20hebrews%2012:5-11;%20acts%2018:23-28;%20matthew%203:1-6;%20luke%203:3-4&version=31#en-NIV-30203" title="Go to Hebrews 12:6">Hebrews 12:6</a> Prov. 3:11,12</li></ol></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />The cities on Paul's second missionary journey that stand out to me is, of course in Berea. I like the good that happened there. The Bereans were eager to hear the word. And Paul's personality traits that I find most admirable is that he's resilient despite the opposition. As if that's not enough, he takes a vow and performs the outward stuff to show it. By this time I would think that he'd be drained and couldn't take on another "thing". <br /><br />From Galatians I find tragic that Barnabas was led astray. Peter was disciplined and that's gotta hurt. I don't take discipline well from God. I feel ultra crummy and don't like myself. Then I get in this guilty, pity, boo hoo mode that eats at my soul. I'm workin' on not getting disciplined in the first place and recovering quickly, after discipline. Ouch.AnnaLizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04442674588221370860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047931584610365132.post-28535787043555977522009-02-10T11:02:00.000-08:002009-02-10T14:09:31.711-08:00Leviticus 13; Leviticus 14; Acts 17<h3>Leviticus 13; Leviticus 14; Acts 17 (New International Version)</h3> <table style="width: 310px; height: 6569px;" id="table1" class="multipassage" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr class="tablenav" bgcolor="#cccccc"> <th align="left" width="100%"><strong>New International Version (NIV)</strong></th></tr><tr><td class="multipassage-box" width="100%"><strong>Leviticus 13 </strong><br /><p> </p><p class="txt-sm" style="white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/play.php?aid=3&book=3&chapter=13" title="Listen to this passage">Listen to this passage</a></p><p> </p><h4>Leviticus 13</h4><h5> Regulations About Infectious Skin Diseases </h5> <span id="en-NIV-3054" class="sup">1</span> The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, <span id="en-NIV-3055" class="sup">2</span> "When anyone has a swelling or a rash or a bright spot on his skin that may become an infectious skin disease, <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#fen-NIV-3055a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#fen-NIV-3055b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup> who is a priest. <span id="en-NIV-3056" class="sup">3</span> The priest is to examine the sore on his skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be more than skin deep, <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#fen-NIV-3056c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup> it is an infectious skin disease. When the priest examines him, he shall pronounce him ceremonially unclean. <span id="en-NIV-3057" class="sup">4</span> If the spot on his skin is white but does not appear to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest is to put the infected person in isolation for seven days. <span id="en-NIV-3058" class="sup">5</span> On the seventh day the priest is to examine him, and if he sees that the sore is unchanged and has not spread in the skin, he is to keep him in isolation another seven days. <span id="en-NIV-3059" class="sup">6</span> On the seventh day the priest is to examine him again, and if the sore has faded and has not spread in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a rash. The man must wash his clothes, and he will be clean. <span id="en-NIV-3060" class="sup">7</span> But if the rash does spread in his skin after he has shown himself to the priest to be pronounced clean, he must appear before the priest again. <span id="en-NIV-3061" class="sup">8</span> The priest is to examine him, and if the rash has spread in the skin, he shall pronounce him unclean; it is an infectious disease. <p> <span id="en-NIV-3062" class="sup">9</span> "When anyone has an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to the priest. <span id="en-NIV-3063" class="sup">10</span> The priest is to examine him, and if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white and if there is raw flesh in the swelling, <span id="en-NIV-3064" class="sup">11</span> it is a chronic skin disease and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. He is not to put him in isolation, because he is already unclean. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3065" class="sup">12</span> "If the disease breaks out all over his skin and, so far as the priest can see, it covers all the skin of the infected person from head to foot, <span id="en-NIV-3066" class="sup">13</span> the priest is to examine him, and if the disease has covered his whole body, he shall pronounce that person clean. Since it has all turned white, he is clean. <span id="en-NIV-3067" class="sup">14</span> But whenever raw flesh appears on him, he will be unclean. <span id="en-NIV-3068" class="sup">15</span> When the priest sees the raw flesh, he shall pronounce him unclean. The raw flesh is unclean; he has an infectious disease. <span id="en-NIV-3069" class="sup">16</span> Should the raw flesh change and turn white, he must go to the priest. <span id="en-NIV-3070" class="sup">17</span> The priest is to examine him, and if the sores have turned white, the priest shall pronounce the infected person clean; then he will be clean. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3071" class="sup">18</span> "When someone has a boil on his skin and it heals, <span id="en-NIV-3072" class="sup">19</span> and in the place where the boil was, a white swelling or reddish-white spot appears, he must present himself to the priest. <span id="en-NIV-3073" class="sup">20</span> The priest is to examine it, and if it appears to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has turned white, the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is an infectious skin disease that has broken out where the boil was. <span id="en-NIV-3074" class="sup">21</span> But if, when the priest examines it, there is no white hair in it and it is not more than skin deep and has faded, then the priest is to put him in isolation for seven days. <span id="en-NIV-3075" class="sup">22</span> If it is spreading in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is infectious. <span id="en-NIV-3076" class="sup">23</span> But if the spot is unchanged and has not spread, it is only a scar from the boil, and the priest shall pronounce him clean. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3077" class="sup">24</span> "When someone has a burn on his skin and a reddish-white or white spot appears in the raw flesh of the burn, <span id="en-NIV-3078" class="sup">25</span> the priest is to examine the spot, and if the hair in it has turned white, and it appears to be more than skin deep, it is an infectious disease that has broken out in the burn. The priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is an infectious skin disease. <span id="en-NIV-3079" class="sup">26</span> But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in the spot and if it is not more than skin deep and has faded, then the priest is to put him in isolation for seven days. <span id="en-NIV-3080" class="sup">27</span> On the seventh day the priest is to examine him, and if it is spreading in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is an infectious skin disease. <span id="en-NIV-3081" class="sup">28</span> If, however, the spot is unchanged and has not spread in the skin but has faded, it is a swelling from the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a scar from the burn. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3082" class="sup">29</span> "If a man or woman has a sore on the head or on the chin, <span id="en-NIV-3083" class="sup">30</span> the priest is to examine the sore, and if it appears to be more than skin deep and the hair in it is yellow and thin, the priest shall pronounce that person unclean; it is an itch, an infectious disease of the head or chin. <span id="en-NIV-3084" class="sup">31</span> But if, when the priest examines this kind of sore, it does not seem to be more than skin deep and there is no black hair in it, then the priest is to put the infected person in isolation for seven days. <span id="en-NIV-3085" class="sup">32</span> On the seventh day the priest is to examine the sore, and if the itch has not spread and there is no yellow hair in it and it does not appear to be more than skin deep, <span id="en-NIV-3086" class="sup">33</span> he must be shaved except for the diseased area, and the priest is to keep him in isolation another seven days. <span id="en-NIV-3087" class="sup">34</span> On the seventh day the priest is to examine the itch, and if it has not spread in the skin and appears to be no more than skin deep, the priest shall pronounce him clean. He must wash his clothes, and he will be clean. <span id="en-NIV-3088" class="sup">35</span> But if the itch does spread in the skin after he is pronounced clean, <span id="en-NIV-3089" class="sup">36</span> the priest is to examine him, and if the itch has spread in the skin, the priest does not need to look for yellow hair; the person is unclean. <span id="en-NIV-3090" class="sup">37</span> If, however, in his judgment it is unchanged and black hair has grown in it, the itch is healed. He is clean, and the priest shall pronounce him clean. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3091" class="sup">38</span> "When a man or woman has white spots on the skin, <span id="en-NIV-3092" class="sup">39</span> the priest is to examine them, and if the spots are dull white, it is a harmless rash that has broken out on the skin; that person is clean. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3093" class="sup">40</span> "When a man has lost his hair and is bald, he is clean. <span id="en-NIV-3094" class="sup">41</span> If he has lost his hair from the front of his scalp and has a bald forehead, he is clean. <span id="en-NIV-3095" class="sup">42</span> But if he has a reddish-white sore on his bald head or forehead, it is an infectious disease breaking out on his head or forehead. <span id="en-NIV-3096" class="sup">43</span> The priest is to examine him, and if the swollen sore on his head or forehead is reddish-white like an infectious skin disease, <span id="en-NIV-3097" class="sup">44</span> the man is diseased and is unclean. The priest shall pronounce him unclean because of the sore on his head. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3098" class="sup">45</span> "The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#fen-NIV-3098d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</sup> cover the lower part of his face and cry out, 'Unclean! Unclean!' <span id="en-NIV-3099" class="sup">46</span> As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp.</p><h5> Regulations About Mildew </h5> <span id="en-NIV-3100" class="sup">47</span> "If any clothing is contaminated with mildew—any woolen or linen clothing, <span id="en-NIV-3101" class="sup">48</span> any woven or knitted material of linen or wool, any leather or anything made of leather- <span id="en-NIV-3102" class="sup">49</span> and if the contamination in the clothing, or leather, or woven or knitted material, or any leather article, is greenish or reddish, it is a spreading mildew and must be shown to the priest. <span id="en-NIV-3103" class="sup">50</span> The priest is to examine the mildew and isolate the affected article for seven days. <span id="en-NIV-3104" class="sup">51</span> On the seventh day he is to examine it, and if the mildew has spread in the clothing, or the woven or knitted material, or the leather, whatever its use, it is a destructive mildew; the article is unclean. <span id="en-NIV-3105" class="sup">52</span> He must burn up the clothing, or the woven or knitted material of wool or linen, or any leather article that has the contamination in it, because the mildew is destructive; the article must be burned up. <p> <span id="en-NIV-3106" class="sup">53</span> "But if, when the priest examines it, the mildew has not spread in the clothing, or the woven or knitted material, or the leather article, <span id="en-NIV-3107" class="sup">54</span> he shall order that the contaminated article be washed. Then he is to isolate it for another seven days. <span id="en-NIV-3108" class="sup">55</span> After the affected article has been washed, the priest is to examine it, and if the mildew has not changed its appearance, even though it has not spread, it is unclean. Burn it with fire, whether the mildew has affected one side or the other. <span id="en-NIV-3109" class="sup">56</span> If, when the priest examines it, the mildew has faded after the article has been washed, he is to tear the contaminated part out of the clothing, or the leather, or the woven or knitted material. <span id="en-NIV-3110" class="sup">57</span> But if it reappears in the clothing, or in the woven or knitted material, or in the leather article, it is spreading, and whatever has the mildew must be burned with fire. <span id="en-NIV-3111" class="sup">58</span> The clothing, or the woven or knitted material, or any leather article that has been washed and is rid of the mildew, must be washed again, and it will be clean." </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3112" class="sup">59</span> These are the regulations concerning contamination by mildew in woolen or linen clothing, woven or knitted material, or any leather article, for pronouncing them clean or unclean.</p><p><strong>Footnotes:</strong></p><ol type="a"><li id="fen-NIV-3055a"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#en-NIV-3055" title="Go to Leviticus 13:2">Leviticus 13:2</a> Traditionally <i> leprosy </i> ; the Hebrew word was used for various diseases affecting the skin-not necessarily leprosy; also elsewhere in this chapter. </li><li id="fen-NIV-3055b"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#en-NIV-3055" title="Go to Leviticus 13:2">Leviticus 13:2</a> Or <i> descendants </i> </li><li id="fen-NIV-3056c"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#en-NIV-3056" title="Go to Leviticus 13:3">Leviticus 13:3</a> Or <i> be lower than the rest of the skin </i> ; also elsewhere in this chapter </li><li id="fen-NIV-3098d"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#en-NIV-3098" title="Go to Leviticus 13:45">Leviticus 13:45</a> Or <i> clothes, uncover his head </i> </li></ol><br /><br /><p> </p><div class="publisher-info-bottom"> <strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=31">New International Version</a> (NIV)</strong><p> Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by <a href="http://www.ibs.org/">International Bible Society</a></p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=22"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=22" lt="NIV at IBS" title="NIV at IBS" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=10"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=10" lt="International Bible Society" title="International Bible Society" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=26"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=26" lt="NIV at Zondervan" title="NIV at Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=2"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=2" lt="Zondervan" title="Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a><br /></div></td></tr><tr><td class="multipassage-box" width="100%"><strong>Leviticus 14 </strong><br /><p> </p><p class="txt-sm" style="white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/play.php?aid=3&book=3&chapter=14" title="Listen to this passage">Listen to this passage</a></p><p> </p><h4>Leviticus 14</h4><h5> Cleansing From Infectious Skin Diseases </h5> <span id="en-NIV-3113" class="sup">1</span> The LORD said to Moses, <span id="en-NIV-3114" class="sup">2</span> "These are the regulations for the diseased person at the time of his ceremonial cleansing, when he is brought to the priest: <span id="en-NIV-3115" class="sup">3</span> The priest is to go outside the camp and examine him. If the person has been healed of his infectious skin disease, <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#fen-NIV-3115a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> <span id="en-NIV-3116" class="sup">4</span> the priest shall order that two live clean birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed. <span id="en-NIV-3117" class="sup">5</span> Then the priest shall order that one of the birds be killed over fresh water in a clay pot. <span id="en-NIV-3118" class="sup">6</span> He is then to take the live bird and dip it, together with the cedar wood, the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, into the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. <span id="en-NIV-3119" class="sup">7</span> Seven times he shall sprinkle the one to be cleansed of the infectious disease and pronounce him clean. Then he is to release the live bird in the open fields. <p> <span id="en-NIV-3120" class="sup">8</span> "The person to be cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair and bathe with water; then he will be ceremonially clean. After this he may come into the camp, but he must stay outside his tent for seven days. <span id="en-NIV-3121" class="sup">9</span> On the seventh day he must shave off all his hair; he must shave his head, his beard, his eyebrows and the rest of his hair. He must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and he will be clean. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3122" class="sup">10</span> "On the eighth day he must bring two male lambs and one ewe lamb a year old, each without defect, along with three-tenths of an ephah <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#fen-NIV-3122b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup> of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, and one log <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#fen-NIV-3122c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup> of oil. <span id="en-NIV-3123" class="sup">11</span> The priest who pronounces him clean shall present both the one to be cleansed and his offerings before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3124" class="sup">12</span> "Then the priest is to take one of the male lambs and offer it as a guilt offering, along with the log of oil; he shall wave them before the LORD as a wave offering. <span id="en-NIV-3125" class="sup">13</span> He is to slaughter the lamb in the holy place where the sin offering and the burnt offering are slaughtered. Like the sin offering, the guilt offering belongs to the priest; it is most holy. <span id="en-NIV-3126" class="sup">14</span> The priest is to take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the lobe of the right ear of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. <span id="en-NIV-3127" class="sup">15</span> The priest shall then take some of the log of oil, pour it in the palm of his own left hand, <span id="en-NIV-3128" class="sup">16</span> dip his right forefinger into the oil in his palm, and with his finger sprinkle some of it before the LORD seven times. <span id="en-NIV-3129" class="sup">17</span> The priest is to put some of the oil remaining in his palm on the lobe of the right ear of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot, on top of the blood of the guilt offering. <span id="en-NIV-3130" class="sup">18</span> The rest of the oil in his palm the priest shall put on the head of the one to be cleansed and make atonement for him before the LORD. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3131" class="sup">19</span> "Then the priest is to sacrifice the sin offering and make atonement for the one to be cleansed from his uncleanness. After that, the priest shall slaughter the burnt offering <span id="en-NIV-3132" class="sup">20</span> and offer it on the altar, together with the grain offering, and make atonement for him, and he will be clean. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3133" class="sup">21</span> "If, however, he is poor and cannot afford these, he must take one male lamb as a guilt offering to be waved to make atonement for him, together with a tenth of an ephah <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#fen-NIV-3133d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</sup> of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, a log of oil, <span id="en-NIV-3134" class="sup">22</span> and two doves or two young pigeons, which he can afford, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3135" class="sup">23</span> "On the eighth day he must bring them for his cleansing to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, before the LORD. <span id="en-NIV-3136" class="sup">24</span> The priest is to take the lamb for the guilt offering, together with the log of oil, and wave them before the LORD as a wave offering. <span id="en-NIV-3137" class="sup">25</span> He shall slaughter the lamb for the guilt offering and take some of its blood and put it on the lobe of the right ear of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. <span id="en-NIV-3138" class="sup">26</span> The priest is to pour some of the oil into the palm of his own left hand, <span id="en-NIV-3139" class="sup">27</span> and with his right forefinger sprinkle some of the oil from his palm seven times before the LORD. <span id="en-NIV-3140" class="sup">28</span> Some of the oil in his palm he is to put on the same places he put the blood of the guilt offering—on the lobe of the right ear of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. <span id="en-NIV-3141" class="sup">29</span> The rest of the oil in his palm the priest shall put on the head of the one to be cleansed, to make atonement for him before the LORD. <span id="en-NIV-3142" class="sup">30</span> Then he shall sacrifice the doves or the young pigeons, which the person can afford, <span id="en-NIV-3143" class="sup">31</span> one <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#fen-NIV-3143e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]</sup> as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, together with the grain offering. In this way the priest will make atonement before the LORD on behalf of the one to be cleansed." </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3144" class="sup">32</span> These are the regulations for anyone who has an infectious skin disease and who cannot afford the regular offerings for his cleansing.</p><h5> Cleansing From Mildew </h5> <span id="en-NIV-3145" class="sup">33</span> The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, <span id="en-NIV-3146" class="sup">34</span> "When you enter the land of Canaan, which I am giving you as your possession, and I put a spreading mildew in a house in that land, <span id="en-NIV-3147" class="sup">35</span> the owner of the house must go and tell the priest, 'I have seen something that looks like mildew in my house.' <span id="en-NIV-3148" class="sup">36</span> The priest is to order the house to be emptied before he goes in to examine the mildew, so that nothing in the house will be pronounced unclean. After this the priest is to go in and inspect the house. <span id="en-NIV-3149" class="sup">37</span> He is to examine the mildew on the walls, and if it has greenish or reddish depressions that appear to be deeper than the surface of the wall, <span id="en-NIV-3150" class="sup">38</span> the priest shall go out the doorway of the house and close it up for seven days. <span id="en-NIV-3151" class="sup">39</span> On the seventh day the priest shall return to inspect the house. If the mildew has spread on the walls, <span id="en-NIV-3152" class="sup">40</span> he is to order that the contaminated stones be torn out and thrown into an unclean place outside the town. <span id="en-NIV-3153" class="sup">41</span> He must have all the inside walls of the house scraped and the material that is scraped off dumped into an unclean place outside the town. <span id="en-NIV-3154" class="sup">42</span> Then they are to take other stones to replace these and take new clay and plaster the house. <p> <span id="en-NIV-3155" class="sup">43</span> "If the mildew reappears in the house after the stones have been torn out and the house scraped and plastered, <span id="en-NIV-3156" class="sup">44</span> the priest is to go and examine it and, if the mildew has spread in the house, it is a destructive mildew; the house is unclean. <span id="en-NIV-3157" class="sup">45</span> It must be torn down—its stones, timbers and all the plaster—and taken out of the town to an unclean place. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3158" class="sup">46</span> "Anyone who goes into the house while it is closed up will be unclean till evening. <span id="en-NIV-3159" class="sup">47</span> Anyone who sleeps or eats in the house must wash his clothes. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3160" class="sup">48</span> "But if the priest comes to examine it and the mildew has not spread after the house has been plastered, he shall pronounce the house clean, because the mildew is gone. <span id="en-NIV-3161" class="sup">49</span> To purify the house he is to take two birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop. <span id="en-NIV-3162" class="sup">50</span> He shall kill one of the birds over fresh water in a clay pot. <span id="en-NIV-3163" class="sup">51</span> Then he is to take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet yarn and the live bird, dip them into the blood of the dead bird and the fresh water, and sprinkle the house seven times. <span id="en-NIV-3164" class="sup">52</span> He shall purify the house with the bird's blood, the fresh water, the live bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop and the scarlet yarn. <span id="en-NIV-3165" class="sup">53</span> Then he is to release the live bird in the open fields outside the town. In this way he will make atonement for the house, and it will be clean." </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-3166" class="sup">54</span> These are the regulations for any infectious skin disease, for an itch, <span id="en-NIV-3167" class="sup">55</span> for mildew in clothing or in a house, <span id="en-NIV-3168" class="sup">56</span> and for a swelling, a rash or a bright spot, <span id="en-NIV-3169" class="sup">57</span> to determine when something is clean or unclean.<br /> These are the regulations for infectious skin diseases and mildew.</p><p><strong>Footnotes:</strong></p><ol type="a"><li id="fen-NIV-3115a"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#en-NIV-3115" title="Go to Leviticus 14:3">Leviticus 14:3</a> Traditionally <i> leprosy </i> ; the Hebrew word was used for various diseases affecting the skin-not necessarily leprosy; also elsewhere in this chapter. </li><li id="fen-NIV-3122b"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#en-NIV-3122" title="Go to Leviticus 14:10">Leviticus 14:10</a> That is, probably about 6 quarts (about 6.5 liters) </li><li id="fen-NIV-3122c"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#en-NIV-3122" title="Go to Leviticus 14:10">Leviticus 14:10</a> That is, probably about 2/3 pint (about 0.3 liter also in verses 12, 15, 21 and 24 </li><li id="fen-NIV-3133d"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#en-NIV-3133" title="Go to Leviticus 14:21">Leviticus 14:21</a> That is, probably about 2 quarts (about 2 liters) </li><li id="fen-NIV-3143e"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#en-NIV-3143" title="Go to Leviticus 14:31">Leviticus 14:31</a> Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew <i> 31 such as the person can afford, one </i> </li></ol><br /><br /><p> </p><div class="publisher-info-bottom"> <strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=31">New International Version</a> (NIV)</strong><p> Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by <a href="http://www.ibs.org/">International Bible Society</a></p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=22"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=22" lt="NIV at IBS" title="NIV at IBS" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=10"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=10" lt="International Bible Society" title="International Bible Society" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=26"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=26" lt="NIV at Zondervan" title="NIV at Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=2"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=2" lt="Zondervan" title="Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a><br /></div></td></tr><tr><td class="multipassage-box" width="100%"><strong>Acts 17 </strong><br /><p> </p><p class="txt-sm" style="white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/play.php?aid=3&book=51&chapter=17" title="Listen to this passage">Listen to this passage</a><br /><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=5&source=1&seq=i.51.17.1" title="View commentary related to this passage">View commentary related to this passage</a></p><p> </p><h4>Acts 17</h4><h5>In Thessalonica </h5> <span id="en-NIV-27512" class="sup">1</span>When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. <span id="en-NIV-27513" class="sup">2</span>As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, <span id="en-NIV-27514" class="sup">3</span>explaining and proving that the Christ<sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#fen-NIV-27514a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,<sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#fen-NIV-27514b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup>" he said. <span id="en-NIV-27515" class="sup">4</span>Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. <p> <span id="en-NIV-27516" class="sup">5</span>But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.<sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#fen-NIV-27516c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup> <span id="en-NIV-27517" class="sup">6</span>But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, <span id="en-NIV-27518" class="sup">7</span>and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus." <span id="en-NIV-27519" class="sup">8</span>When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. <span id="en-NIV-27520" class="sup">9</span>Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.</p><h5>In Berea </h5> <span id="en-NIV-27521" class="sup">10</span>As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. <span id="en-NIV-27522" class="sup">11</span>Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. <span id="en-NIV-27523" class="sup">12</span>Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. <p> <span id="en-NIV-27524" class="sup">13</span>When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, they went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. <span id="en-NIV-27525" class="sup">14</span>The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. <span id="en-NIV-27526" class="sup">15</span>The men who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.</p><h5>In Athens </h5> <span id="en-NIV-27527" class="sup">16</span>While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. <span id="en-NIV-27528" class="sup">17</span>So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. <span id="en-NIV-27529" class="sup">18</span>A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. <span id="en-NIV-27530" class="sup">19</span>Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? <span id="en-NIV-27531" class="sup">20</span>You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean." <span id="en-NIV-27532" class="sup">21</span>(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) <p> <span id="en-NIV-27533" class="sup">22</span>Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. <span id="en-NIV-27534" class="sup">23</span>For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27535" class="sup">24</span>"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. <span id="en-NIV-27536" class="sup">25</span>And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. <span id="en-NIV-27537" class="sup">26</span>From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. <span id="en-NIV-27538" class="sup">27</span>God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. <span id="en-NIV-27539" class="sup">28</span>'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27540" class="sup">29</span>"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. <span id="en-NIV-27541" class="sup">30</span>In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. <span id="en-NIV-27542" class="sup">31</span>For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27543" class="sup">32</span>When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." <span id="en-NIV-27544" class="sup">33</span>At that, Paul left the Council. <span id="en-NIV-27545" class="sup">34</span>A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.</p><p><strong>Footnotes:</strong></p><ol type="a"><li id="fen-NIV-27514a"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#en-NIV-27514" title="Go to Acts 17:3">Acts 17:3</a> Or Messiah</li><li id="fen-NIV-27514b"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#en-NIV-27514" title="Go to Acts 17:3">Acts 17:3</a> Or Messiah</li><li id="fen-NIV-27516c"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013,14;%20Acts%2017#en-NIV-27516" title="Go to Acts 17:5">Acts 17:5</a> Or the assembly of the people</li></ol><br /><br /><p> </p><div class="publisher-info-bottom"> <strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=31">New International Version</a> (NIV)</strong><p> Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by <a href="http://www.ibs.org/">International Bible Society</a></p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=22"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=22" lt="NIV at IBS" title="NIV at IBS" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=10"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=10" lt="International Bible Society" title="International Bible Society" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=26"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=26" lt="NIV at Zondervan" title="NIV at Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=2"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=2" lt="Zondervan" title="Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />SOAP<br />LEVITICUS<br />OBSERVATIONS:<br />Leviticus 13:28- Hmm, the first mention of "woman" in this passage. See the verses before it? It just says "man".<br />Leviticus 13:40- Haha, now the Word talks about the bald. Haha. Daddeo, you're deem clean in this passage! =)<br />Lev 13:47 -Mildew?? We've had this problem here. Interesting these passages.<br /><br />They seemed to be particularly particular with the ceremonially clean and unclean. The priests also seem like they had other roles as Priests. Were they Doctors and Real-Estate inspectors? Sure seems like it. Quite a resume, those Priests.<br /><br />And the skin diseases. I'm assuming that's leprosy. That's what BibleGateway.com seems to have at the footnotes. After trying to search "1445BC and leprosy and treatment" I came up with nothing. What I do gather is that this is contagious and the isolation from one's "tent" and others would probably be the best for everyone since there were no hospital rooms with isolation precautions and stuff.<br /><br />APPLICATION<br />There is a life that is taken and blood shed to make the unclean clean. The death of the bird and the release of the live one confirms that blood must be shed in order to make the unclean clean. It relates and reminds me of Jesus' sacrifical death on the cross for those of us who are walking around with a humongous wound that's oozing all kinds of yucky fluids because we haven't kept our hurts and wounds clean.<br /><br />My pastor spoke of this this weekend past. He said that he's hurting from loosing his first-born son, whom he was ultra close to, as all 4 of their family members are. He said it and explained it very well that if we are hurting inside, we are to take care of that wound and keep it clean like you would a physical wound on your body. You don't let anything near it that would cause it to get worse and eat at your body. The infectious bad stuff includes the following:<br />a. Ongoing denial.<br />Pastor Ron gave a great analogy of how he was alone, walking to his car after a meeting and he was telling himself that he has two sons instead of the reality that he has only one living. He said that it felt good to deny the fact that one of his sons is gone. He said this is unhealthy grieving and could make the wound worse.<br />b. Thoughts of voilence toward self or others.<br />Here he basically said that he can't dwell on the punishment of the murders of his son. It's not healthy for him to expose his wound to these types of thoughts.<br />c. Severe depression.<br />Here he said that he wasn't talking about sadness. Severe depression is, he says, one who doesn't eat, doesn't sleep and doesn't care about anything. He/our church and I encourage those, who are on depression medication, to take it. Not to be ashamed and to take care of the body that the Lord has given. We are reminded of our friend Dave Peter's who's son skipped his medication and took his own life. For that reason, we encourage and don't judge those who take medication for depression.<br />d. Unrelenting anger.<br />I think that speaks for itself.<br />e. Vengeance fantansies.<br />This too.<br />f. Feeling bitterness towards those you feel "let you down"<br />And he closed this section of the notes saying:<br />6. A poisoned wound will infect other relationships. We can't afford to turn one loss into two.<br /><br />This passage in Leviticus confirms the message that I heard on Sunday. I love that my Lord is consistent in his Word and communication to me. Currently I have no open wounds on my body, physically but I tend to pick at my old wounds only for it to bleed again and get all over my husband and children. It's not about me, its about my opportunity to know God. In these times that I pick at my wound and in these times that wounds are created, are times when I call out to the Great Physician to heal my wound(s).<br /><br />PRAYER:<br />Lord, help me to stop picking at old wounds. You know I'm good at that and you know how it ruins my appearance and the blood and puss gets all over my sweet hubby and kids. I want to always remember that you're the Great Physician and I'm the mommy doctor to my little family and my little family only. Well, perhaps a consultant for others too, after I've healed.<br /><br />ACTS SOAP<br />OBSERVATION<br />Again, I'm currently breaking down the book of Acts in <a href="http://www.communitybiblestudy.org/">CBS</a>, so my OAP is a mesh of what I've learned so far in that book and Deb and Sharon's amazing lectures.<br /><br />It seems as though Paul and his friends are faithfully serving the Lord and they get hit, each time, with physical and verbal opposition. Isn't it a closed door when that happens?<br /><br />APPLICATION<br />I like what our book had to say on this. Eileen Guder-Triplett writes,<br /><blockquote><br />APPLY what you have learned. Consider the emotions Paul may have had in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens: fear, anger, joy, peace, loneliness, anxiety, inadequacy, depression, and many more. Despite the emotions, and sometimes alone, Paul went on in faithfulness to God. What emotions cause you to make spiritual detours? What is their source or reason? With Paul as an example, what can you do now to move through the emotions that threaten to stop you from seeking and serving God? (11)<br /></blockquote><br />Ouch. I had the privilege to share the devotional at CBS last week. That is when we wrapped up Acts 17. Trying to avoid my emotional side to cry, I wrote this. I hope someone finds a blessing in it even though its a bit dry:<br /><blockquote><br />I just turned 63 yesterday. Don’t I look great? Haha. In reflection of the past 30 years I’ve learned quite a bit. Bought real estate, graduated from college twice, met the love of my life, was entrusted to my three lovely, intellectual beauties I call children, and more that I can’t think of right now. One thing I’m most proud of is that I actually know my life’s purpose and that is to know God more and more. The best thing about this is that I just learned how to do it recently. My latest mood is that of poor self worth. I feel like I should be doing more for the kingdom, using my many talents and abilities to paint the world Jesus so to speak.<br /><br />Doesn’t Ephesians 2:10 say 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do? Am I being lazy or complacent? Our commentary is encouraging when it says otherwise:<br /><br />Regarding Acts 17:22-29:<br />"THINK ABOUT Paul's challenge to those first-century Athenians as a statement to us as well: God gave us life for the specific purpose of an opportunity<br />to know Him. The reason for our existence is not to engage in intellectual puruits, not to beautify the world by using our artistic talent, not to gratify our own sensual desires. Are you searching for God? Are you seeking to know Him better?"<br /><br />I can’t tell you what a relief that is. I’m an island girl by blood, but also love the serene, bird chirping, humid, tropical rainforest type, quiet peace that the slow island life represents. When I’m quiet, and even listening to my instrumental guitar, island music, I can hear the Lord clearly and feel very intimate with him and marvel at the little, cheap thrills (as I call them) in life.<br /><br />Since learning how to journal by SOAP (read Scripture, write my Observation, write an Application and Pray), I revived my journaling. Everything, including my faith, is not about me but about God. To seek after God and take the opportunity to know him. In a book I saw online by a wonderful Christian author, it says, “we can be miserably dissatisfied if we accept Christ’s salvation yet reject the fullness of daily relationship that satisfies. Like Paul, I'm encouraged to take every opportunity to know Him: when I'm 10 minutes late to CBS, when slander is spoken to me as well as when I hear my kids sing the song "How Great is our God" in perfect harmony. Also when my hubbie holds my face and tells me how much he loves me, each moment of my life is an opportunity to know Him. I have renewed peace and comfort in my new found purpose in life.<br /></blockquote><br /><br />PRAYER<br />Lord, its my fervent prayer that I open my eyes to actually see you that I could hear your voice, KNOW it and OBEY it. Thank you for you. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.AnnaLizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04442674588221370860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047931584610365132.post-11496540769884560632009-01-31T08:36:00.000-08:002009-01-31T09:38:58.422-08:00Exodus 28; Exodus 29; Acts 7When Sharon had us de-brief from the conference last Thursday, I forgot that Wayne mentioned a suggestion to journaling in regards to devotion. That is to SOAP:<br /><br />S = Scripture<br />o = Observation<br />A = Application (how does it apply to me)<br />P = Prayer<br /><br />My scripture is always taken from BibleGateway.com because, well, I just like it. Sometimes I'll cross reference to an online Revised Standard Bible to get more understanding. Thank you to BibleGateway.com. All links are intact to credit BibleGateway and its affiliates who contribute to making this bible available online.<br /><br />This scripture passage in all its formatting glory is best viewed here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207<br /><h3>Exodus 28; Exodus 29; Acts 7 (New International Version)</h3> <table style="width: 325px; height: 6741px;" id="table1" class="multipassage" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr class="tablenav" bgcolor="#cccccc"> <th align="left" width="100%"><strong>New International Version (NIV)</strong></th></tr><tr><td class="multipassage-box" width="100%"><strong>Exodus 28 </strong><br /><p> </p><p class="txt-sm" style="white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/play.php?aid=3&book=2&chapter=28" title="Listen to this passage">Listen to this passage</a></p><p> </p><h4>Exodus 28</h4><h5> The Priestly Garments </h5> <span id="en-NIV-2295" class="sup">1</span> "Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests. <span id="en-NIV-2296" class="sup">2</span> Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and honor. <span id="en-NIV-2297" class="sup">3</span> Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. <span id="en-NIV-2298" class="sup">4</span> These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. <span id="en-NIV-2299" class="sup">5</span> Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.<h5> The Ephod </h5> <span id="en-NIV-2300" class="sup">6</span> "Make the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen—the work of a skilled craftsman. <span id="en-NIV-2301" class="sup">7</span> It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened. <span id="en-NIV-2302" class="sup">8</span> Its skillfully woven waistband is to be like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen. <p> <span id="en-NIV-2303" class="sup">9</span> "Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel <span id="en-NIV-2304" class="sup">10</span> in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other. <span id="en-NIV-2305" class="sup">11</span> Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings <span id="en-NIV-2306" class="sup">12</span> and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the LORD. <span id="en-NIV-2307" class="sup">13</span> Make gold filigree settings <span id="en-NIV-2308" class="sup">14</span> and two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings.</p><h5> The Breastpiece </h5> <span id="en-NIV-2309" class="sup">15</span> "Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions—the work of a skilled craftsman. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. <span id="en-NIV-2310" class="sup">16</span> It is to be square—a span <sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-2310a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> long and a span wide—and folded double. <span id="en-NIV-2311" class="sup">17</span> Then mount four rows of precious stones on it. In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz and a beryl; <span id="en-NIV-2312" class="sup">18</span> in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire <sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-2312b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup> and an emerald; <span id="en-NIV-2313" class="sup">19</span> in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; <span id="en-NIV-2314" class="sup">20</span> in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. <sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-2314c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup> Mount them in gold filigree settings. <span id="en-NIV-2315" class="sup">21</span> There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes. <p> <span id="en-NIV-2316" class="sup">22</span> "For the breastpiece make braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. <span id="en-NIV-2317" class="sup">23</span> Make two gold rings for it and fasten them to two corners of the breastpiece. <span id="en-NIV-2318" class="sup">24</span> Fasten the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece, <span id="en-NIV-2319" class="sup">25</span> and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. <span id="en-NIV-2320" class="sup">26</span> Make two gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod. <span id="en-NIV-2321" class="sup">27</span> Make two more gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod. <span id="en-NIV-2322" class="sup">28</span> The rings of the breastpiece are to be tied to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband, so that the breastpiece will not swing out from the ephod. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-2323" class="sup">29</span> "Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD. <span id="en-NIV-2324" class="sup">30</span> Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD.</p><h5> Other Priestly Garments </h5> <span id="en-NIV-2325" class="sup">31</span> "Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, <span id="en-NIV-2326" class="sup">32</span> with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar <sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-2326d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</sup> around this opening, so that it will not tear. <span id="en-NIV-2327" class="sup">33</span> Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. <span id="en-NIV-2328" class="sup">34</span> The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. <span id="en-NIV-2329" class="sup">35</span> Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die. <p> <span id="en-NIV-2330" class="sup">36</span> "Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal:HOLY TO THE LORD. <span id="en-NIV-2331" class="sup">37</span> Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. <span id="en-NIV-2332" class="sup">38</span> It will be on Aaron's forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron's forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-2333" class="sup">39</span> "Weave the tunic of fine linen and make the turban of fine linen. The sash is to be the work of an embroiderer. <span id="en-NIV-2334" class="sup">40</span> Make tunics, sashes and headbands for Aaron's sons, to give them dignity and honor. <span id="en-NIV-2335" class="sup">41</span> After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-2336" class="sup">42</span> "Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. <span id="en-NIV-2337" class="sup">43</span> Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die.<br /> "This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants.</p><p><strong>Footnotes:</strong></p><ol type="a"><li id="fen-NIV-2310a"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-2310" title="Go to Exodus 28:16">Exodus 28:16</a> That is, about 9 inches (about 22 centimeters) </li><li id="fen-NIV-2312b"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-2312" title="Go to Exodus 28:18">Exodus 28:18</a> Or <i> lapis lazuli </i> </li><li id="fen-NIV-2314c"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-2314" title="Go to Exodus 28:20">Exodus 28:20</a> The precise identification of some of these precious stones is uncertain. </li><li id="fen-NIV-2326d"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-2326" title="Go to Exodus 28:32">Exodus 28:32</a> The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain. </li></ol><br /><br /><p> </p><div class="publisher-info-bottom"> <strong><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=31">New International Version</a> (NIV)</strong><p> Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by <a href="http://www.ibs.org/">International Bible Society</a></p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=22"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=22" lt="NIV at IBS" title="NIV at IBS" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=10"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=10" lt="International Bible Society" title="International Bible Society" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=26"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=26" lt="NIV at Zondervan" title="NIV at Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=2"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=2" lt="Zondervan" title="Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a><br /></div></td></tr><tr><td class="multipassage-box" width="100%"><strong>Exodus 29 </strong><br /><p> </p><p class="txt-sm" style="white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/play.php?aid=3&book=2&chapter=29" title="Listen to this passage">Listen to this passage</a></p><p> </p><h4>Exodus 29</h4><h5> Consecration of the Priests </h5> <span id="en-NIV-2338" class="sup">1</span> "This is what you are to do to consecrate them, so they may serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without defect. <span id="en-NIV-2339" class="sup">2</span> And from fine wheat flour, without yeast, make bread, and cakes mixed with oil, and wafers spread with oil. <span id="en-NIV-2340" class="sup">3</span> Put them in a basket and present them in it—along with the bull and the two rams. <span id="en-NIV-2341" class="sup">4</span> Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water. <span id="en-NIV-2342" class="sup">5</span> Take the garments and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breastpiece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband. <span id="en-NIV-2343" class="sup">6</span> Put the turban on his head and attach the sacred diadem to the turban. <span id="en-NIV-2344" class="sup">7</span> Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head. <span id="en-NIV-2345" class="sup">8</span> Bring his sons and dress them in tunics <span id="en-NIV-2346" class="sup">9</span> and put headbands on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons. <sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-2346a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance. In this way you shall ordain Aaron and his sons. <p> <span id="en-NIV-2347" class="sup">10</span> "Bring the bull to the front of the Tent of Meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head. <span id="en-NIV-2348" class="sup">11</span> Slaughter it in the LORD's presence at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. <span id="en-NIV-2349" class="sup">12</span> Take some of the bull's blood and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest of it at the base of the altar. <span id="en-NIV-2350" class="sup">13</span> Then take all the fat around the inner parts, the covering of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar. <span id="en-NIV-2351" class="sup">14</span> But burn the bull's flesh and its hide and its offal outside the camp. It is a sin offering. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-2352" class="sup">15</span> "Take one of the rams, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head. <span id="en-NIV-2353" class="sup">16</span> Slaughter it and take the blood and sprinkle it against the altar on all sides. <span id="en-NIV-2354" class="sup">17</span> Cut the ram into pieces and wash the inner parts and the legs, putting them with the head and the other pieces. <span id="en-NIV-2355" class="sup">18</span> Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the LORD by fire. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-2356" class="sup">19</span> "Take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head. <span id="en-NIV-2357" class="sup">20</span> Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then sprinkle blood against the altar on all sides. <span id="en-NIV-2358" class="sup">21</span> And take some of the blood on the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-2359" class="sup">22</span> "Take from this ram the fat, the fat tail, the fat around the inner parts, the covering of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh. (This is the ram for the ordination.) <span id="en-NIV-2360" class="sup">23</span> From the basket of bread made without yeast, which is before the LORD, take a loaf, and a cake made with oil, and a wafer. <span id="en-NIV-2361" class="sup">24</span> Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and wave them before the LORD as a wave offering. <span id="en-NIV-2362" class="sup">25</span> Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering for a pleasing aroma to the LORD, an offering made to the LORD by fire. <span id="en-NIV-2363" class="sup">26</span> After you take the breast of the ram for Aaron's ordination, wave it before the LORD as a wave offering, and it will be your share. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-2364" class="sup">27</span> "Consecrate those parts of the ordination ram that belong to Aaron and his sons: the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. <span id="en-NIV-2365" class="sup">28</span> This is always to be the regular share from the Israelites for Aaron and his sons. It is the contribution the Israelites are to make to the LORD from their fellowship offerings. <sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-2365b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup> </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-2366" class="sup">29</span> "Aaron's sacred garments will belong to his descendants so that they can be anointed and ordained in them. <span id="en-NIV-2367" class="sup">30</span> The son who succeeds him as priest and comes to the Tent of Meeting to minister in the Holy Place is to wear them seven days. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-2368" class="sup">31</span> "Take the ram for the ordination and cook the meat in a sacred place. <span id="en-NIV-2369" class="sup">32</span> At the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, Aaron and his sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the bread that is in the basket. <span id="en-NIV-2370" class="sup">33</span> They are to eat these offerings by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration. But no one else may eat them, because they are sacred. <span id="en-NIV-2371" class="sup">34</span> And if any of the meat of the ordination ram or any bread is left over till morning, burn it up. It must not be eaten, because it is sacred. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-2372" class="sup">35</span> "Do for Aaron and his sons everything I have commanded you, taking seven days to ordain them. <span id="en-NIV-2373" class="sup">36</span> Sacrifice a bull each day as a sin offering to make atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it. <span id="en-NIV-2374" class="sup">37</span> For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-2375" class="sup">38</span> "This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old. <span id="en-NIV-2376" class="sup">39</span> Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight. <span id="en-NIV-2377" class="sup">40</span> With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah <sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-2377c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup> of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin <sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-2377d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</sup> of oil from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering. <span id="en-NIV-2378" class="sup">41</span> Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and its drink offering as in the morning—a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the LORD by fire. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-2379" class="sup">42</span> "For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD. There I will meet you and speak to you; <span id="en-NIV-2380" class="sup">43</span> there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-2381" class="sup">44</span> "So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. <span id="en-NIV-2382" class="sup">45</span> Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. <span id="en-NIV-2383" class="sup">46</span> They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.</p><p><strong>Footnotes:</strong></p><ol type="a"><li id="fen-NIV-2346a"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-2346" title="Go to Exodus 29:9">Exodus 29:9</a> Hebrew; Septuagint <i> on them </i> </li><li id="fen-NIV-2365b"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-2365" title="Go to Exodus 29:28">Exodus 29:28</a> Traditionally <i> peace offerings </i> </li><li id="fen-NIV-2377c"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-2377" title="Go to Exodus 29:40">Exodus 29:40</a> That is, probably about 2 quarts (about 2 liters) </li><li id="fen-NIV-2377d"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-2377" title="Go to Exodus 29:40">Exodus 29:40</a> That is, probably about 1 quart (about 1 liter) </li></ol><br /><br /><p> </p><div class="publisher-info-bottom"> <strong><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=31">New International Version</a> (NIV)</strong><p> Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by <a href="http://www.ibs.org/">International Bible Society</a></p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=22"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=22" lt="NIV at IBS" title="NIV at IBS" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=10"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=10" lt="International Bible Society" title="International Bible Society" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=26"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=26" lt="NIV at Zondervan" title="NIV at Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=2"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=2" lt="Zondervan" title="Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a><br /></div></td></tr><tr><td class="multipassage-box" width="100%"><strong>Acts 7 </strong><br /><p> </p><p class="txt-sm" style="white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/play.php?aid=3&book=51&chapter=7" title="Listen to this passage">Listen to this passage</a><br /><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=5&source=1&seq=i.51.7.1" title="View commentary related to this passage">View commentary related to this passage</a></p><p> </p><h4>Acts 7</h4><h5>Stephen's Speech to the Sanhedrin </h5> <span id="en-NIV-27107" class="sup">1</span>Then the high priest asked him, "Are these charges true?" <p> <span id="en-NIV-27108" class="sup">2</span>To this he replied: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran. <span id="en-NIV-27109" class="sup">3</span>'Leave your country and your people,' God said, 'and go to the land I will show you.'<sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-27109a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27110" class="sup">4</span>"So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. <span id="en-NIV-27111" class="sup">5</span>He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child. <span id="en-NIV-27112" class="sup">6</span>God spoke to him in this way: 'Your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. <span id="en-NIV-27113" class="sup">7</span>But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,' God said, 'and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.'<sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-27113b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup> <span id="en-NIV-27114" class="sup">8</span>Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27115" class="sup">9</span>"Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him <span id="en-NIV-27116" class="sup">10</span>and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27117" class="sup">11</span>"Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our fathers could not find food. <span id="en-NIV-27118" class="sup">12</span>When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. <span id="en-NIV-27119" class="sup">13</span>On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph's family. <span id="en-NIV-27120" class="sup">14</span>After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all. <span id="en-NIV-27121" class="sup">15</span>Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died. <span id="en-NIV-27122" class="sup">16</span>Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27123" class="sup">17</span>"As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased. <span id="en-NIV-27124" class="sup">18</span>Then another king, who knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt. <span id="en-NIV-27125" class="sup">19</span>He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our forefathers by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27126" class="sup">20</span>"At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child.<sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-27126c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup>For three months he was cared for in his father's house. <span id="en-NIV-27127" class="sup">21</span>When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. <span id="en-NIV-27128" class="sup">22</span>Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27129" class="sup">23</span>"When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. <span id="en-NIV-27130" class="sup">24</span>He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. <span id="en-NIV-27131" class="sup">25</span>Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. <span id="en-NIV-27132" class="sup">26</span>The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, 'Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?' </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27133" class="sup">27</span>"But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, 'Who made you ruler and judge over us? <span id="en-NIV-27134" class="sup">28</span>Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'<sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-27134d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</sup> <span id="en-NIV-27135" class="sup">29</span>When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27136" class="sup">30</span>"After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. <span id="en-NIV-27137" class="sup">31</span>When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord's voice: <span id="en-NIV-27138" class="sup">32</span>'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.'<sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-27138e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]</sup> Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27139" class="sup">33</span>"Then the Lord said to him, 'Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is holy ground. <span id="en-NIV-27140" class="sup">34</span>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.'<sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-27140f" title="See footnote f">f</a>]</sup> </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27141" class="sup">35</span>"This is the same Moses whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. <span id="en-NIV-27142" class="sup">36</span>He led them out of Egypt and did wonders and miraculous signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea<sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-27142g" title="See footnote g">g</a>]</sup> and for forty years in the desert. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27143" class="sup">37</span>"This is that Moses who told the Israelites, 'God will send you a prophet like me from your own people.'<sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-27143h" title="See footnote h">h</a>]</sup> <span id="en-NIV-27144" class="sup">38</span>He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27145" class="sup">39</span>"But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. <span id="en-NIV-27146" class="sup">40</span>They told Aaron, 'Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don't know what has happened to him!'<sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-27146i" title="See footnote i">i</a>]</sup> <span id="en-NIV-27147" class="sup">41</span>That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and held a celebration in honor of what their hands had made. <span id="en-NIV-27148" class="sup">42</span>But God turned away and gave them over to the worship of the heavenly bodies. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets:<br /> " 'Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings<br /> forty years in the desert, O house of Israel?<br /> <span id="en-NIV-27149" class="sup">43</span>You have lifted up the shrine of Molech<br /> and the star of your god Rephan,<br /> the idols you made to worship.<br /> Therefore I will send you into exile'<sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-27149j" title="See footnote j">j</a>]</sup> beyond Babylon. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27150" class="sup">44</span>"Our forefathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. <span id="en-NIV-27151" class="sup">45</span>Having received the tabernacle, our fathers 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 id="en-NIV-27152" class="sup">46</span>who enjoyed God's favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.<sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-27152k" title="See footnote k">k</a>]</sup> <span id="en-NIV-27153" class="sup">47</span>But it was Solomon who built the house for him. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27154" class="sup">48</span>"However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says:<br /> <span id="en-NIV-27155" class="sup">49</span>" 'Heaven is my throne,<br /> and the earth is my footstool.<br /> What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord.<br /> Or where will my resting place be?<br /> <span id="en-NIV-27156" class="sup">50</span>Has not my hand made all these things?'<sup>[<a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#fen-NIV-27156l" title="See footnote l">l</a>]</sup> </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27157" class="sup">51</span>"You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! <span id="en-NIV-27158" class="sup">52</span>Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— <span id="en-NIV-27159" class="sup">53</span>you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."</p><h5>The Stoning of Stephen </h5> <span id="en-NIV-27160" class="sup">54</span>When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. <span id="en-NIV-27161" class="sup">55</span>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 id="en-NIV-27162" class="sup">56</span>"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." <p> <span id="en-NIV-27163" class="sup">57</span>At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, <span id="en-NIV-27164" class="sup">58</span>dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-27165" class="sup">59</span>While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." <span id="en-NIV-27166" class="sup">60</span>Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.</p><p><strong>Footnotes:</strong></p><ol type="a"><li id="fen-NIV-27109a"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-27109" title="Go to Acts 7:3">Acts 7:3</a> Gen. 12:1</li><li id="fen-NIV-27113b"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-27113" title="Go to Acts 7:7">Acts 7:7</a> Gen. 15:13,14</li><li id="fen-NIV-27126c"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-27126" title="Go to Acts 7:20">Acts 7:20</a> Or was fair in the sight of God</li><li id="fen-NIV-27134d"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-27134" title="Go to Acts 7:28">Acts 7:28</a> Exodus 2:14</li><li id="fen-NIV-27138e"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-27138" title="Go to Acts 7:32">Acts 7:32</a> Exodus 3:6</li><li id="fen-NIV-27140f"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-27140" title="Go to Acts 7:34">Acts 7:34</a> Exodus 3:5,7,8,10</li><li id="fen-NIV-27142g"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-27142" title="Go to Acts 7:36">Acts 7:36</a> That is, Sea of Reeds</li><li id="fen-NIV-27143h"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-27143" title="Go to Acts 7:37">Acts 7:37</a> Deut. 18:15</li><li id="fen-NIV-27146i"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-27146" title="Go to Acts 7:40">Acts 7:40</a> Exodus 32:1</li><li id="fen-NIV-27149j"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-27149" title="Go to Acts 7:43">Acts 7:43</a> Amos 5:25-27</li><li id="fen-NIV-27152k"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-27152" title="Go to Acts 7:46">Acts 7:46</a> Some early manuscripts the house of Jacob</li><li id="fen-NIV-27156l"><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Exodus%2028,29;%20Acts%207#en-NIV-27156" title="Go to Acts 7:50">Acts 7:50</a> Isaiah 66:1,2</li></ol><br /><br /><p> </p><div class="publisher-info-bottom"> <strong><a href="http://mobile.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=31">New International Version</a> (NIV)</strong><p> Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by <a href="http://www.ibs.org/">International Bible Society</a></p><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=22"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=22" lt="NIV at IBS" title="NIV at IBS" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=10"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=10" lt="International Bible Society" title="International Bible Society" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=26"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=26" lt="NIV at Zondervan" title="NIV at Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgclick.php?what=2"><img src="http://www.biblegateway.com/bg_versions/bgview.php?what=2" lt="Zondervan" title="Zondervan" align="center" border="0" /></a> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">------------------SOAP--------------------</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">My SOAP interpretations</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">My OBSERVATION of the Exodus scriptures are that not only was Aaron adorned with the High Priest garments of beautiful details and fabrics but his sons were also dressed so that they receive honor as well. Then they were intended to be priests as well. I had to google a lot of the details because I didn't know what they are. The best image I found was this one from </span><a style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PLATE4DX.jpg">Wikipedia</a><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PLATE4DX.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 415px; height: 521px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/PLATE4DX.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">See all the details? It brought more clarity when I saw this.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">My APPLICATION is that like Aaron's sons, I am the daughter of the Most High, High, High Priest of Priests and I am, spiritually/metaphorically, draped with his clothes. The problem is that I don't always show this. So I need to steer my innermost motives towards my High Priest; my Abba daddy (which, thanks to Wikipedia again is "an invocation to God, expressive of a close personal or filial relation of the speaker to God")</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">My PRAYER is this: </span><i><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">Dear Abba Daddy, Help me to represent you and remember what you've done for your people which is a work that is on going till your return.</span></i><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">--------------------end of my SOAP-----------------------</span><br /><br />Since my little one is ill right now and wants something to eat, I'm gonna take what I've learned from my study of Acts 7 this year in my <a href="http://www.communitybiblestudy.org/">CBS class.</a> Meshed here is my OAP part of my SOAP:<br />Acts 7:1-9 I see that Abraham is the (Genesis 12:1-3) leader, (Hebrews 11:9) he is heirs with the same promise and had a close relationship with God. GOd answered his prayers. Someone else in my group said that Abe is a leader of a great nation, a faithful, obedient heir.<br /><br />The characteristics I found that was outstanding with Abe is that when he sacrificed his son, God rewarded his obedience. He had faith, obedience and trust in the Almighty.<br /><br />What I thought about the purpose of Joseph's suffering in Egypt was obviously, what men intended for bad, God intended for good.<br /><br />What I think about Moses killing the Egyptian and its inclusion in this account is that the people didn't trust Moses and it relates because God had Moses as part of His plan to carry His will out. God's power gives and not his own human power.<br /><br />From Acts 7:51-60 What I find most moving about Stephens account is that Stephens faith is unwavering. Though the murders and opposition always came his way, he didn't take it as a closed door. He kept his eyes heavenward to accomplish the goal which is Jesus Christ.<br /><br />My application (as written in my study of this book): <i>Stephen was able to die as a strong witness to the grace of GOd because he had lived "full of faith and of the Holy Spirit".</i> SO for me, I will choose to walk in the Spirit today, knowing that in the Spirit I can also face what tomorrow brings.AnnaLizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04442674588221370860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047931584610365132.post-28009588546144471402009-01-28T08:20:00.000-08:002009-01-31T08:36:01.480-08:00Exodus 21, 22; Psalm 12; Acts 4After having the privilege to hear <a href="http://www.enewhope.org/index2.php">Wayne Cordiero</a> speak at the Leadership Conference, I've revived journaling... for now. I have a journal that I kept since my Junior year of high school and have skipped about, ohhh, 10 years. Here's a hopeful rebirth of journaling.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 368px; height: 165px;" src="http://www.lifejournal.cc/bible/bible.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Exodus 21; Exodus 22; Psalm 12; Acts 4 (New International Version)<br />New International Version (NIV)<br />Exodus 21<br /><br />Listen to this passage<br /><br />Exodus 21<br /><br /> 1 "These are the laws you are to set before them:<br />Hebrew Servants<br /> 2 "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. 3 If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him. 4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.<br /><br /> 5 "But if the servant declares, 'I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,' 6 then his master must take him before the judges. [a] He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.<br /><br /> 7 "If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as menservants do. 8 If she does not please the master who has selected her for himself, [b] he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, because he has broken faith with her. 9 If he selects her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter. 10 If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights. 11 If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.<br />Personal Injuries<br /> 12 "Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death. 13 However, if he does not do it intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate. 14 But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death.<br /><br /> 15 "Anyone who attacks [c] his father or his mother must be put to death.<br /><br /> 16 "Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death.<br /><br /> 17 "Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.<br /><br /> 18 "If men quarrel and one hits the other with a stone or with his fist [d] and he does not die but is confined to bed, 19 the one who struck the blow will not be held responsible if the other gets up and walks around outside with his staff; however, he must pay the injured man for the loss of his time and see that he is completely healed.<br /><br /> 20 "If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, 21 but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property.<br /><br /> 22 "If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely [e] but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.<br /><br /> 26 "If a man hits a manservant or maidservant in the eye and destroys it, he must let the servant go free to compensate for the eye. 27 And if he knocks out the tooth of a manservant or maidservant, he must let the servant go free to compensate for the tooth.<br /><br /> 28 "If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull must be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. 29 If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull must be stoned and the owner also must be put to death. 30 However, if payment is demanded of him, he may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded. 31 This law also applies if the bull gores a son or daughter. 32 If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels [f] of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull must be stoned.<br /><br /> 33 "If a man uncovers a pit or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the owner of the pit must pay for the loss; he must pay its owner, and the dead animal will be his.<br /><br /> 35 "If a man's bull injures the bull of another and it dies, they are to sell the live one and divide both the money and the dead animal equally. 36 However, if it was known that the bull had the habit of goring, yet the owner did not keep it penned up, the owner must pay, animal for animal, and the dead animal will be his.<br /><br />Footnotes:<br /><br /> 1. Exodus 21:6 Or before God<br /> 2. Exodus 21:8 Or master so that he does not choose her<br /> 3. Exodus 21:15 Or kills<br /> 4. Exodus 21:18 Or with a tool<br /> 5. Exodus 21:22 Or she has a miscarriage<br /> 6. Exodus 21:32 That is, about 12 ounces (about 0.3 kilogram)<br /><br /><br /><br />New International Version (NIV)<br /><br />Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society<br />[NIV at IBS] [International Bible Society] [NIV at Zondervan] [Zondervan]<br />Exodus 22<br /><br />Listen to this passage<br /><br />Exodus 22<br />Protection of Property<br /> 1 "If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.<br /><br /> 2 "If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; 3 but if it happens [a] after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed.<br /> "A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for his theft.<br /><br /> 4 "If the stolen animal is found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double.<br /><br /> 5 "If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in another man's field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.<br /><br /> 6 "If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns shocks of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.<br /><br /> 7 "If a man gives his neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor's house, the thief, if he is caught, must pay back double. 8 But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges [b] to determine whether he has laid his hands on the other man's property. 9 In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, 'This is mine,' both parties are to bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges declare [c] guilty must pay back double to his neighbor.<br /><br /> 10 "If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep or any other animal to his neighbor for safekeeping and it dies or is injured or is taken away while no one is looking, 11 the issue between them will be settled by the taking of an oath before the LORD that the neighbor did not lay hands on the other person's property. The owner is to accept this, and no restitution is required. 12 But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, he must make restitution to the owner. 13 If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, he shall bring in the remains as evidence and he will not be required to pay for the torn animal.<br /><br /> 14 "If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, he must make restitution. 15 But if the owner is with the animal, the borrower will not have to pay. If the animal was hired, the money paid for the hire covers the loss.<br />Social Responsibility<br /> 16 "If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife. 17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins.<br /><br /> 18 "Do not allow a sorceress to live.<br /><br /> 19 "Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal must be put to death.<br /><br /> 20 "Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed. [d]<br /><br /> 21 "Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.<br /><br /> 22 "Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. 23 If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. 24 My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.<br /><br /> 25 "If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest. [e] 26 If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset, 27 because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.<br /><br /> 28 "Do not blaspheme God [f] or curse the ruler of your people.<br /><br /> 29 "Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. [g]<br /> "You must give me the firstborn of your sons. 30 Do the same with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.<br /><br /> 31 "You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs.<br /><br />Footnotes:<br /><br /> 1. Exodus 22:3 Or if he strikes him<br /> 2. Exodus 22:8 Or before God ; also in verse<br /> 3. Exodus 22:9 Or whom God declares<br /> 4. Exodus 22:20 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the LORD, often by totally destroying them.<br /> 5. Exodus 22:25 Or excessive interest<br /> 6. Exodus 22:28 Or Do not revile the judges<br /> 7. Exodus 22:29 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.<br /><br /><br /><br />New International Version (NIV)<br /><br />Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society<br />[NIV at IBS] [International Bible Society] [NIV at Zondervan] [Zondervan]<br />Psalm 12<br /><br />Listen to this passage<br /><br />Psalm 12<br />For the director of music. According to sheminith . A psalm of David. [a]<br /> 1 Help, LORD, for the godly are no more;<br /> the faithful have vanished from among men.<br /><br /> 2 Everyone lies to his neighbor;<br /> their flattering lips speak with deception.<br /><br /> 3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips<br /> and every boastful tongue<br /><br /> 4 that says, "We will triumph with our tongues;<br /> we own our lips [b] —who is our master?"<br /><br /> 5 "Because of the oppression of the weak<br /> and the groaning of the needy,<br /> I will now arise," says the LORD.<br /> "I will protect them from those who malign them."<br /><br /> 6 And the words of the LORD are flawless,<br /> like silver refined in a furnace of clay,<br /> purified seven times.<br /><br /> 7 O LORD, you will keep us safe<br /> and protect us from such people forever.<br /><br /> 8 The wicked freely strut about<br /> when what is vile is honored among men.<br /><br />Footnotes:<br /><br /> 1. Psalm 12:1 Title: Probably a musical term<br /> 2. Psalm 12:4 Or / our lips are our plowshares<br /><br /><br /><br />New International Version (NIV)<br /><br />Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society<br />[NIV at IBS] [International Bible Society] [NIV at Zondervan] [Zondervan]<br />Acts 4<br /><br />Listen to this passage<br />View commentary related to this passage<br /><br />Acts 4<br />Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin<br /> 1The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.<br /><br /> 5The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. 7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?"<br /><br /> 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11He is<br /> " 'the stone you builders rejected,<br /> which has become the capstone.[a]'[b] 12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."<br /><br /> 13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16"What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name."<br /><br /> 18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."<br /><br /> 21After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.<br />The Believers' Prayer<br /> 23On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:<br /> " 'Why do the nations rage<br /> and the peoples plot in vain?<br /> 26The kings of the earth take their stand<br /> and the rulers gather together<br /> against the Lord<br /> and against his Anointed One.[c]'[d] 27Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people[e] of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."<br /><br /> 31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.<br />The Believers Share Their Possessions<br /> 32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.<br /><br /> 36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.<br /><br />Footnotes:<br /><br /> 1. Acts 4:11 Or cornerstone<br /> 2. Acts 4:11 Psalm 118:22<br /> 3. Acts 4:26 That is, Christ or Messiah<br /> 4. Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2<br /> 5. Acts 4:27 The Greek is plural.<br /><br />What these verses mean to me are that God has our best interest in mind. I'm also going to be extra cautious that I don't curse my Mother or Father as it means death for me. Though the old testament was rules and laws made for the Israelites, I think the principle still stands today. God has good reason for those otherwise I don't think they'd be in the bible.<br /><br />All those rules and regulations also remind me that I'm not perfect and his free gift of Salvation is what saves me from trying to do "good works/things" or following every single one of those in an attempt to get to heaven. Whew. Thank you Lord for your mercy and blood shed on the cross that sets me free from <I>doing</i> in order to get to heaven. That's one special gift Jesus Christ gave!<br /><br />The Acts verse reminds me that I can't do anything, and I do mean anything, without the Holy Spirit backing me up. If I had a dollar for everytime I did something(s) without the Holy Spirit's guidance. I've ruined special relationships and dragged my name through the toilet sewer because I was the reason and the center instead of doing the "others centered" and doing unto the Lord. All I need to do is do everything like it's for a King. Afterall that's who He is.AnnaLizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04442674588221370860noreply@blogger.com0