1 Kings 19 Cross References - NSB

¹ King Ahab told his wife Jezebel everything Elijah had done. He told how he put all the prophets of Baal to death. ² She sent a message to Elijah: »May the gods strike me dead if by this time tomorrow I do not do the same thing to you that you did to the prophets.« ³ Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He took his servant and went to Beersheba in Judah. He left the servant there. ⁴ Elijah walked a whole day into the wilderness. He stopped and sat down under a broom plant and wished he would die. »It is just too much, Jehovah,« he prayed. »Take away my life. I could just as well be dead.« ⁵ Stretching himself on the earth, he went to sleep under the broom-plant. An angel touched him and said: »Get up and eat some food.« ⁶ Looking up, he saw near his head a cake cooked on coals and a bottle of water. So he ate food and drink water and went to sleep again. ⁷ The angel of Jehovah came again a second time, and touched him and said: »Get up and have some food, or you will not have strength for the journey.« ⁸ So he got up and took food and drink. He was strengthened to go for forty days and forty nights, to Horeb, the mountain of God. ⁹ He went into a cave and spent the night. The word of Jehovah came to him, saying: »What are you doing here, Elijah?« ¹⁰ He said: »I have been zealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts. The children of Israel have not kept your agreement (covenant). They have destroyed your altars. They killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I, am the only one living. Now they seek to take my life too.« ¹¹ Then he said: »Go out and take your place on the mountain before Jehovah.« Jehovah passed by and the force of a great wind parted the mountains. Rocks were broken before Jehovah but Jehovah was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but Jehovah was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake a fire, but Jehovah was not in the fire. And after the fire, the sounds of a soft breathe. ¹³ Elijah heard it and went out covering his face with his robe. He stood by the entrance of the cave. He heard a voice saying: »What are you doing here, Elijah?« ¹⁴ He replied: »I have been very zealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts. The children of Israel have not kept your agreement. They have torn down your altars. They killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I, am the only one living. Now they seek to take my life.« ¹⁵ Jehovah said to him: »Go back on your way through the wasteland to Damascus.« When you get there, put holy oil on Hazael to make him king over Aram, ¹⁶ »And also anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, making him king over Israel; and Elisha, the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, to be prophet in your place. ¹⁷ »Whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will put to death. Whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will put to death. ¹⁸ »I will leave seven thousand people alive in Israel; all those who are loyal to me and have not bowed to Baal or kissed his idol.« ¹⁹ Elijah left there and found Elisha plowing with a team of bulls. There were eleven teams ahead of him. He was plowing with the last one. Elijah took off his cloak and put it on Elisha. ²⁰ Elisha then left his bulls and ran after Elijah. He said: »Let me kiss my father and mother good-bye and then I will go with you.« Elijah answered, »All right, go back. I am not stopping you!« ²¹ Then Elisha went to his team of bulls, killed them, and cooked the meat. He used the yoke as fuel for the fire. He gave the meat to the people, and they ate it. Then he followed Elijah as his helper.

⁹ But Jehovah God called to the man: »Where are you?«

¹² »When the Egyptians see you, they will say: ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but will let you live. ¹³ »Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake, and my life will be spared because of you.«

¹⁵ He divided his forces against them by night. He and his servants routed them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus.

¹⁷ The sun went down and it was dark. A smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.

⁸ He said: »Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?« »I am running away from my mistress Sarai,« she answered.

¹⁵ When the water in the skin was used up, she left the boy under one of the bushes. ¹⁶ She sat across from him at a distance. She thought: »I cannot watch the boy die.« She sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice and wept.

³¹ Therefore he called that place Beer-sheba, because there the two of them took an oath.

¹¹ As soon as the sun went down he stopped for the night. He took one of the stones from that place, put it under his head, and lay down there. ¹² He had a dream in which he saw a stairway set up on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven. He saw the angels of God going up and coming down on it. ¹³ Jehovah was standing above the stairway. He proclaimed: »I am Jehovah, the God of your grandfather Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give the land on which you are lying to you and your descendants. ¹⁴ »Your descendants will be like the dust on the earth. You will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. Every family on earth will be blessed through you and through your descendants. ¹⁵ »Remember, I am with you. I will watch over you wherever you go. I will also bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I do what I have promised you.«

¹⁵ When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian by a well.

¹ One day Moses was taking care of the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock across the desert to Sinai, the holy mountain. ² There the angel of Jehovah appeared to him in a flame of fire coming from the middle of a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire but that it was not burning up.

⁵ God said: »Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground. ⁶ »I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.« Moses covered his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

²⁸ He said to Moses: »Get out of my sight! Do not let me ever see you again! On the day I do, you will die!«

⁹ »The enemy said: ‘I will pursue them! I will catch them! I will divide the loot! I will take all I want! I will use my sword! I will take all they have!’«

¹⁶ On the morning of the third day there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain. A very loud trumpet sounded. It caused all the people in the camp to tremble.

¹⁸ Mount Sinai was all in smoke because Jehovah descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace. The whole mountain quaked violently!

²⁰ Jehovah descended on the top of Mount Sinai. Jehovah called Moses to the top of the mountain. Moses climbed to the peak of Mount Sinai.

⁵ »Do not worship them or serve them. I, Jehovah your God, am a God demanding exclusive devotion. (I do not tolerate rivals.) I will not share your affection with any other god. I punish children for their parents’ sins to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.

¹⁸ The people heard the thunder and the trumpet blast. They saw the lightning and the smoking mountain. They trembled with fear and stood at a distance.

¹² Jehovah said to Moses: »Come up on the mountain and stay here for a while. I will give you the two stone tablets on which I have written the laws that my people must obey.« ¹³ Moses and Joshua his assistant got ready. Moses started up the mountain to meet with God.

¹⁸ Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain. He was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

²¹ Then Jehovah said: »Look, there is a place near me. Stand by this rocky cliff.

²¹ Then Jehovah said: »Look, there is a place near me. Stand by this rocky cliff. ²² »When my glory passes by, I will put you in a crevice in the cliff and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.

²² »When my glory passes by, I will put you in a crevice in the cliff and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. ²³ »Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back, but my face must not be seen.«

²³ »Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back, but my face must not be seen.«

² »Be ready in the morning. Come up on Mount Sinai and present yourself to me there on top of the mountain.

⁶ Jehovah then passed in front of him and called out: »I, Jehovah, am a God who is full of compassion and pity. I am not easily angered and show great love and faithfulness.

¹⁴ »Do not worship any other god but Jehovah for his reputation is filled with zeal, and he is a God who demands exclusive devotion.

²⁸ Moses was there with Jehovah forty days and forty nights. He did not eat bread or drink water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments (Ten Words).

¹⁵ »If you treat me like this have pity on me and kill me. That way I will not have to endure my shame any longer.«

¹⁸ Jehovah said to Moses: »Take Joshua son of Nun, a capable man, and place your hands on his head. ¹⁹ »Have him stand in front of Eleazar the priest and the entire congregation, and there before them all proclaim him as your successor. ²⁰ »Give him some of your authority, so that the whole congregation of Israel will obey him.

¹¹ Jehovah said to Moses: »Phinehas, son of Eleazar and grandson of the priest Aaron, turned my fury away from the Israelites. Since he stood up for me, I did not have to stand up for myself and destroy them.

¹³ »My promise is that he and his descendants will be priests for a very long time because he stood up for his God. He made peace with Jehovah for the Israelites.«

¹¹ »Tell your children how you went close and stood at the foot of the mountain covered with thick clouds of dark smoke and fire blazing up to the sky. ¹² »Tell them how Jehovah spoke to you from the fire. Tell them that you heard him speak but did not see him in any form at all.

⁹ »When I went up on the mountain to get the stone tablets, the tablets of the promise that Jehovah made to you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights without food or water. ¹⁰ »Then Jehovah gave me the two stone tablets inscribed by God’s finger (Holy Spirit). On them were written all the words Jehovah spoke to you from the fire on the mountain on the day of the assembly. ¹¹ »At the end of forty days and nights Jehovah gave me the two stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant.

¹⁸ »I fell down before Jehovah. Like the first, forty days and nights I did not eat or drink. This was because of all your sin you committed in doing what was evil in the sight of Jehovah to provoke Him to anger.

³³ »Did people ever hear the voice of God speaking out of the middle of the fire, as you have heard, and live?

²⁵ »Then men will say: ‘Because they forsook the covenant of Jehovah, the God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

²⁰ »When I bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to their fathers, and they have eaten and are satisfied and become prosperous, then they will turn to other gods and serve them, and spurn me and break my covenant.

²⁵ »Your locks will be iron and bronze. According to your days, so will your leisurely walk be.

²² The three hundred blew the trumpets. Jehovah set every man’s sword against his companions. They turned on each other throughout all the army. The army fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, to Tabbath.

¹¹ The angel of Jehovah came to the village of Ophrah. He sat under the oak tree that belonged to Joash, a man of the clan of Abiezer. His son Gideon was secretly threshing wheat in a wine press, so that the Midianites would not see him.

¹⁷ »Wherever you die, I will die. That is where I will be buried. May Jehovah’s worst punishment come upon me if I let anything but death separate me from you!«

¹ David thought to himself: »One of these days Saul will kill me. The best thing for me to do is escape to Philistia. Saul will give up looking for me in Israel. Then I will be safe.«

¹⁴ »The spirit, what does it look like?« He asked. »It is an old man,« she answered. »He wears a cloak.« Saul knew it was Samuel. So he bowed to the ground in respect.

¹⁵ There was panic among the army in the field. All the troops in the military post trembled with fear. The raiding party also trembled in fear. The earth shook, and there was a panic sent from God.

²² Araunah said: »Take what you want and offer your sacrifice. Here are some cattle for the sacrifice. You can use the threshing-boards and the wooden yokes for the fire.«

²⁸ Joab received news of this for Joab had been one of Adonijah's supporters. He was not on Absalom's side. Then Joab went in flight to the Tent of Jehovah and put his hands on the corners of the altar.

¹² Baana son of Ahilud: the cities of Taanach, Megiddo, and all the region near Beth Shan, near the town of Zarethan, south of the town of Jezreel, as far as the city of Abel Meholah and the city of Jokmeam.

²⁵ As long as he lived, the people throughout Judah and Israel lived in safety. Each family had its own grapevines and fig trees.

¹⁴ He rode after the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree. »Are you the man of God who came from Judah?« He asked. »I am.« Came his reply.

⁴⁰ Elijah said to them: »Take the prophets of Baal. Do not let one of them get away.« So they took them, and Elijah made them go down to the stream Kishon, and executed them there.

⁴² So Ahab went up to have food and drink. Elijah went up to the top of Carmel. He bowed down to the earth and put his face between his knees. ⁴³ He told his servant to look in the direction of the sea. After he looked the servant said: »There is nothing.« Elijah said: »Go again seven times.« So he went seven times.

² She sent a message to Elijah: »May the gods strike me dead if by this time tomorrow I do not do the same thing to you that you did to the prophets.« ³ Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He took his servant and went to Beersheba in Judah. He left the servant there.

⁹ He went into a cave and spent the night. The word of Jehovah came to him, saying: »What are you doing here, Elijah?«

⁹ He went into a cave and spent the night. The word of Jehovah came to him, saying: »What are you doing here, Elijah?« ¹⁰ He said: »I have been zealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts. The children of Israel have not kept your agreement (covenant). They have destroyed your altars. They killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I, am the only one living. Now they seek to take my life too.«

¹³ Elijah heard it and went out covering his face with his robe. He stood by the entrance of the cave. He heard a voice saying: »What are you doing here, Elijah?« ¹⁴ He replied: »I have been very zealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts. The children of Israel have not kept your agreement. They have torn down your altars. They killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I, am the only one living. Now they seek to take my life.«

¹⁹ Elijah left there and found Elisha plowing with a team of bulls. There were eleven teams ahead of him. He was plowing with the last one. Elijah took off his cloak and put it on Elisha. ²⁰ Elisha then left his bulls and ran after Elijah. He said: »Let me kiss my father and mother good-bye and then I will go with you.« Elijah answered, »All right, go back. I am not stopping you!« ²¹ Then Elisha went to his team of bulls, killed them, and cooked the meat. He used the yoke as fuel for the fire. He gave the meat to the people, and they ate it. Then he followed Elijah as his helper.

¹⁰ Benhadad sent Ahab the following message: »May the gods strike me dead if there will be enough dust left from Samaria to give a handful to each soldier who follows me.«

¹³ A prophet approached King Ahab of Israel and said: »This is what Jehovah says: ‘Have you seen this large army? I will hand it over to you today. Then you will know that I am Jehovah.’«

²² Then the prophet came up to the king of Israel, and said: »Now make yourself strong. Be careful what you do. Otherwise a year from now the king of Aram will come up against you again.«

³⁵ A man of the sons of the prophets said to his neighbors by the word of Jehovah: »Give me a wound.« But the man would not.

¹⁰ »If I am a man of God,« Elijah answered: »Let fire come down from heaven and kill you and your men!« At once fire came down and killed the officer and his men.

³ A group of prophets who lived at Bethel asked Elisha: »Do you know that Jehovah is going to take your master away from you today?« »Yes, I know,« Elisha answered. »But let us not talk about it.«

⁸ Then Elijah took off his cloak. He rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided, and he and Elisha crossed to the other side on dry ground. ⁹ Elijah said to Elisha: »Tell me what you want me to do for you before I am taken from you.« Elisha answered: »Let me receive a double share of your spirit (power).«

¹¹ They kept talking as they walked. Then suddenly a chariot of fire pulled by horses of fire came between them. Elijah was taken up into the physical heaven (the sky) by a whirlwind.

¹³ He picked up Elijah's cloak that had fallen from him. He returned to stand by the bank of the Jordan. ¹⁴ Elisha struck the water with Elijah's cloak and said: »Where is Jehovah, the God of Elijah?« Then he struck the water again, and it divided, and he walked over to the other side. ¹⁵ The fifty prophets from Jericho saw him and said: »The power of Elijah is on Elisha!« So they went to meet him and bowed down before him.

²³ Elisha left Jericho to go to Bethel. On the way some boys came out of a town and taunted and made fun of him. They shouted: »Get out of here, baldy!« ²⁴ Elisha turned around and glared at them. He cursed them in the name of Jehovah. Then two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys to pieces.

¹¹ King Jehoshaphat asked: »Do we have a prophet here to consult Jehovah?« An officer of King Joram's forces answered: »Elisha son of Shaphat is here who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.«

³¹ It was as if he copied the evil ways of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. He took as his wife Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Zidon, and became a servant and worshipper of Baal.

⁶ The ravens took him bread in the morning and meat in the evening. And he drank water from the brook.

⁹ »Go now to Zarephath, in Zidon, and live there. I have given orders to a widow woman there to see that you have food.« ¹⁰ He went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, he saw a widow woman gathering sticks. He said to her: »Will you give me a little water in a vessel for my drink?« ¹¹ As she was going to get it, he said: »And get me some bread.« ¹² Then she said: »By the life of Jehovah your God, I have nothing but a little meal, and a drop of oil in the bottle; and now I am getting two sticks together so that I may go in and make it ready for me and my son, so that we may have a meal before our death.« ¹³ Elijah said to her: »Have no fear. Go and do as you said, but first make me a little cake of it and come and give it to me. Then make something for yourself and your son. ¹⁴ »For this is the word of Jehovah, the God of Israel: ‘Your supply of meal will not come to an end. The bottle will never be without oil, till the day when Jehovah sends rain on the earth.’« ¹⁵ She did as Elijah told her and they all had food for a long time.

⁴ When Jezebel massacred the prophets of Jehovah, Obadiah took a hundred of them, and hid them secretly in a hole in the rock, fifty at a time, and gave them bread and water.

¹⁰ »By the life of Jehovah your God, there is not a nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent in search of you. When they said: He is not here; he made them take an oath that they had not seen you.

¹⁷ Ahab saw Elijah. He said: »Is it you, Israel’s troublemaker?«

²⁰ So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and assembled the prophets together at Mount Carmel.

²² Then Elijah said to the people: »I, even I, am the only living prophet of Jehovah but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.«

³⁰ Then Elijah said to all the people: »Come near to me.« Then all the people came near. He repaired the altar of Jehovah that was broken down.

³⁸ Then the fire of Jehovah came down. It burned up the offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and drinking up the water in the drain.

⁴¹ He quickly took the headband from his eyes. The king of Israel saw that he was one of the prophets. ⁴² He said to him: »These are the words of Jehovah: ‘Because you have let go from your hands the man whom I had put to the curse, your life will be taken for his life, and your people for his people.’«

⁵ Jezebel his wife came to him and asked: »Why is your spirit so bitter that you have no desire for food?« ⁶ He replied: »I was talking to Naboth the Jezreelite. I said to him: ‘Let me have your garden for money, or, if it pleases you, I will give you another garden for it.’ ‘But he said: »I will not give you my garden.«’« ⁷ Then his wife Jezebel said: »Are you now the ruler of Israel? Get up, eat and be happy. I will give you the garden of Naboth the Jezreelite.«

²⁵ No one else devoted himself so completely to doing wrong in Jehovah’s sight as Ahab all at the urging of his wife Jezebel.

⁸ Ahab answered: »There is one more, Micaiah son of Imlah. But I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, always something bad.« »The king should not say such things!« Jehoshaphat replied.

³¹ He exclaimed: »May God strike me dead if Elisha is not beheaded before the day is over!«

⁷ Elisha went to Damascus when King Benhadad of Syria was sick. The king was told that Elisha was there. ⁸ He said to Hazael, one of his officials: »Take a gift to the prophet and ask him to consult Jehovah to find out whether or not I am going to get well.« ⁹ Hazael loaded forty camels with all kinds of the finest products of Damascus and went to Elisha. Hazael said: »Your servant, King Benhadad sent me to ask if he will recover from his sickness.« ¹⁰ Elisha answered: »Jehovah has revealed to me that he will die. However go to him and tell him that he will recover.« ¹¹ Elisha stared at him in horror until Hazael became ill at ease. Suddenly Elisha burst into tears. ¹² »Why are you crying?« Hazael asked. »Because I know the horrible things you will do against the people of Israel,« Elisha answered. »You will burn their fortresses, slaughter their finest young men, batter their children to death, and rip open their pregnant women.«

¹² »Why are you crying?« Hazael asked. »Because I know the horrible things you will do against the people of Israel,« Elisha answered. »You will burn their fortresses, slaughter their finest young men, batter their children to death, and rip open their pregnant women.« ¹³ »How could I ever be that powerful?« Hazael asked. »I am nobody, only a dog.« Elisha replied: »Jehovah has revealed to me that you will be king of Syria.« ¹⁴ Hazael returned to Benhadad, who asked him: »What did Elisha say?« »He told me that you will certainly get well,« Hazael answered. ¹⁵ The following day Hazael took a blanket, soaked it in water, and smothered the king. Hazael succeeded Benhadad as king of Syria.

²⁸ King Ahaziah joined King Joram of Israel in a war against King Hazael of Syria. The armies clashed at Ramoth in Gilead. Joram was wounded in battle.

¹ Elisha the prophet called one of the young prophets and said to him: »Prepare to go to Ramoth in Gilead. Take this jar of olive oil with you. ² »When you get there look for Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat and grandson of Nimshi. Take him to a private room away from his companions. ³ »Pour this olive oil on his head, and say: ‘Jehovah anoints you king of Israel. Then leave there as fast as you can.’« ⁴ The young prophet went to Ramoth. ⁵ He found the army officers in conference. He said: »I have a message for you.« Jehu asked: »Who are you speaking to?« »To you, captain.« He replied. ⁶ The two of them went indoors. The prophet poured the olive oil on Jehu's head and said to him: »Jehovah, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anoint you king of my people Israel. ⁷ »‘You are to kill your master the king of the house of Ahab. I am punishing Jezebel for murdering my prophets and my other servants. ⁸ »‘The entire house of Ahab will perish. I will get rid of every male in his family, young and old alike. ⁹ »‘I will treat his family as I did the families of King Jeroboam son of Nebat and of King Baasha son of Ahijah. ¹⁰ »‘Jezebel will not be buried. Dogs in the territory of Jezreel will eat her body.’« After saying this, the young prophet opened the door and fled. ¹¹ Jehu went back to his fellow officers. They asked him: »Is everything all right? What did this mad fellow want with you?« Jehu answered: »You know what he wanted.« ¹² »No we do not!« They replied. »Tell us what he said!« They asked. »He told me that Jehovah says: ‘I anoint you king of Israel.’« ¹³ At once Jehu's fellow officers spread their cloaks at the top of the steps for Jehu to stand on. They blew trumpets and shouted: »Jehu is king!« ¹⁴ So Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, plotted against Joram. Joram and all the army of Israel were keeping watch on Ramoth-gilead against Hazael, king of Aram:

¹⁴ So Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, plotted against Joram. Joram and all the army of Israel were keeping watch on Ramoth-gilead against Hazael, king of Aram:

¹⁴ So Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, plotted against Joram. Joram and all the army of Israel were keeping watch on Ramoth-gilead against Hazael, king of Aram: ¹⁵ King Joram went back to Jezreel to recuperate from the wounds he received from the Aramaeans when he fought against Hazael, king of Aram. Jehu said: »If this is your purpose let no one get away to give news of it in Jezreel.« ¹⁶ So Jehu got into his carriage and went to Jezreel. Joram was ill in bed there and Ahaziah, king of Judah came to see him. ¹⁷ The watchman on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu and his company coming. He said: »I see a company of people.« Joram said: »Send out a horseman to them and let him ask: ‘Do you come in peace?’« ¹⁸ So a horseman went out to them and said: »The king asks: ‘Do you come in peace? ‘« Jehu said: »What have you to do with peace? Follow me.« The watchman reported that the horseman reached the group and was returning. ¹⁹ A second man was sent out on horseback. He approached them and asked the same thing: »Do you come in peace?« Jehu replied: »What have you to do with peace? Follow me.« ²⁰ The watchman reported: »He went up to them and has not come back. The driving is like the driving of Jehu, son of Nimshi, for he is driving violently.« ²¹ Joram said: »Get ready.« They prepared his chariot and Joram, king of Israel, with Ahaziah, king of Judah, went out in their chariots to meet Jehu. They came face to face with him at the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. ²² When Joram saw Jehu he said: »Do you come in peace, Jehu?« He said in reply: »What peace is possible while all the land is full of the disgusting sins of your mother Jezebel, and her secret arts of witchcraft?« ²³ Then Joram turned his horses and fled. He said to Ahaziah: »Broken faith, O Ahaziah!« ²⁴ Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and sent an arrow, wounding Joram between the arms. The arrow came out at his heart, and he went down on his face in his chariot. ²⁵ Jehu said to Bidkar, his captain: »Pick him up, and put him in the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. I remember when you and I were riding together after Ahab, his father. Jehovah offered this prophesy against him.

¹⁴ He ordered: »Take them alive.« So they took them alive and then killed them at the cistern of the shearing house. He killed all forty-two of them. ¹⁵ When he left there he met Jehonadab, the son of Rechab. He greeted him and said to him: »Is your heart true to mine, as mine is to yours?« Jehonadab in answer said: »It is.« Jehu said: »If it is give me your hand.« He gave him his hand and he made him come up into his chariot. ¹⁶ He said: »Come with me and see how I am on fire with zeal for Jehovah’s cause.« So he made him go with him in his chariot. ¹⁷ When Jehu arrived at Samaria, he put to death all those of Ahab's family who were still in Samaria. There were no more of them, as Jehovah had said to Elijah. ¹⁸ Jehu assembled all the people and said to them: »Ahab was Baal's servant in a small way, but Jehu will be his servant on a great scale. ¹⁹ »Now send for all the prophets of Baal, all his servants and priests, to come to me. Let no one stay away for I have a great offering to make to Baal. Anyone who is not present will be put to death.« Jehu did this with deceit. It was his purpose to destroy the servants of Baal. ²⁰ Jehu said: »Let there be a special holy meeting for the worship of Baal.« So a public statement was made. ²¹ Jehu sent through all Israel; and all the servants of Baal came, not one kept away. They entered the house of Baal. It was full from one end to the other end. ²² Jehu said to the keeper of the robes: »Get out robes for all the servants of Baal.« So he got out robes for them. ²³ Jehu, with Jehonadab, the son of Rechab, went into the house of Baal. He said to the servants of Baal: »Make a search with care, to see that no servant of Jehovah is with you, but only servants of Baal.« ²⁴ They went in to make offerings and burned offerings. Jehu put eighty men outside. He told them: »If any man whom I give into your hands escapes, he who lets him go will forfeit his own life for that life.« ²⁵ As soon as he finished offering the burned offering Jehu said to the armed men and the captains: »Go in and put them to death! Do not let one come out!« So they put them to the sword. Pulling the images to the ground, they went into the holy place of the house of Baal.

³² Jehovah began to reduce the size of Israel's territory. King Hazael of Syria conquered all the Israelite territory

³ The wrath of Jehovah burned against Israel! He gave them up into the power of Hazael, king of Aram, and into the power of Benhadad, the son of Hazael, again and again.

²² Israel was crushed under the power of Hazael, king of Aram, all the days of Jehoahaz.

¹⁰ »Tell King Hezekiah of Judah: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be put under the control of the king of Assyria. ¹¹ »‘You heard what the kings of Assyria did to all countries. They totally destroyed them. Will you be rescued? ¹² »‘Did the gods of the nations that my ancestors destroyed rescue Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar?

²² »‘Whom are you defying and slandering? Against whom are you shouting? Who are you looking at so arrogantly? It is the Holy One of Israel!

²⁷ »I know when you get up and sit down. I know when you go out and come in. I know how you rage against me. ²⁸ »Since you rage against me and you boast in my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bridle in your mouth. I will make you go back the way you came.

²⁰ »Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter in heart? ²¹ »They long for death that does not come. They search for it more than for hidden treasure. ²² »They are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave.

¹⁶ »Something stood there. I could not tell what it was. A vague image was in front of my eyes. I heard a soft voice say:

²⁷ and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand,

⁷ »No fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy upon you.

¹ JEHOVAH ANSWERED JOB OUT OF THE WINDSTORM:

¹² Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed (happy) are all who take refuge (put trust) in him.

⁷ The angel of Jehovah camps around those who reverence him, and he rescues them.

¹⁰ Young lions go hungry and may starve, but those who seek Jehovah’s help have all the good things they need.

³ Trust Jehovah and do good things. Live in the land, and practice being faithful.

³ Our God will come and will not keep silent. A devouring fire is in front of him and a raging storm is around him.

⁸ The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: Sinai was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

⁹ Zeal for your house consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.

³⁷ Their hearts were not loyal to him. They were not faithful to his promise.

⁷⁰ He chose his servant David. He took him from the sheep pens. ⁷¹ He brought him from tending the ewes that had lambs so that David could be the shepherd of the people of Jacob, of Israel, the people who belonged to Jehovah. ⁷² With unselfish devotion David became their shepherd. With skill he guided them.

¹³ Jehovah has compassion for those who reverence him just as a father has compassion for his children. ¹⁴ For he knows our conception and he remembers that we are dust.

¹³⁹ My zeal has consumed me, for the reason that my adversaries have forgotten your words.

¹ Do not brag about tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring.

² Above him were seraphs, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.

⁵ »Woe to me!« I cried. »I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips (a sinner) and I live among a people of unclean (filthy) lips (speech) (language). My eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of Hosts.«

³⁰ Jehovah will make his majestic voice heard. He will come with all his might, with furious anger, with firestorms, windstorms, rainstorms, and hailstones.

⁴ Woe to the sinful nation, people heavy with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, sons who are corrupt! They have forsaken Jehovah! They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They have turned away from him.

⁹ If Jehovah of Hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.

²⁰ In that day the remnant of Israel, the survivors of the house of Jacob, will no longer rely on the one who defeated them. They will truly rely on Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel. ²¹ A remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty (Powerful) God. Yes, a remnant will return! ²² Your people, O Israel, are like the sand of the sea. Yet only a remnant within them will return. Overwhelming and righteous destruction has been decreed.

⁴ But with righteousness he will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth (power of his words), and with the spirit (breath) of his lips he will destroy the wicked.

¹⁷ Terror and traps and snares will be your lot, you people of the earth. ¹⁸ Those who flee in terror will fall into a trap, and those who escape the trap will step into a snare. Destruction falls on you from the heavens. The world is shaken beneath you.

¹⁶ This man will dwell on the heights. His refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and he will have water.

²³ »Kings will be your guardians. Their princesses will be your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth. They will lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am Jehovah. Those who hopefully wait for me will not be put to shame.

¹² »I, even I, am the one who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men? The sons of men are like grass! ¹³ »You forget Jehovah your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. Will you live in constant terror of the human oppressor, who is bent on your destruction? Will you fear your enemies from morning until night?

¹ This is WHAT JEHOVAH SAYS ABOUT CYRUS, his anointed one: »I have held him by his right hand so he could conquer the nations ahead of him; that he could strip kings of their power, and open doors ahead of him so that the gates would not be shut.

¹⁰ »Today I have appointed you in charge of nations and kingdoms. You will uproot and tear down. You will destroy and overthrow. You will build and plant.«

¹⁸ »Why are you going to Egypt to drink water from the Nile (Shihor) River? You will not gain anything by going to Assyria to drink water from the Euphrates River.

³⁰ »I have punished your children without results. They did not respond to correction. You killed my prophets like a raging lion.

² I wish I had a dwelling in the desert. I would abandon my people and go away from them. They are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.

¹ For Zion's sake I will not remain silent. For Jerusalem's sake I will not rest until its righteousness shines like the sunrise and its salvation burns brightly like a torch.

⁶ »I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem. They will never be silent day or night. Whoever calls on Jehovah, do not allow yourselves any rest, ⁷ and do not give him any rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it an object of praise throughout the earth.«

¹⁴ Cursed is the day when I was born. Let the day not be blessed when my mother bore me! ¹⁵ Cursed is the man who brought the news to my father, saying: »A baby boy has been born to you!« He made him very happy. ¹⁶ But let that man be like the cities Jehovah overthrew without relenting. Let him hear an outcry in the morning and a shout of alarm at noon. ¹⁷ He did not kill me before birth, so that my mother would have been my grave, and her womb ever pregnant. ¹⁸ Why did I ever come forth from the womb to look on trouble and sorrow? My days have been spent in shame!

⁹ »They will answer: ‘Because they abandoned the covenant of Jehovah their God and bowed down to other gods and served them.«’

² This is what Jehovah said to me: »Make leather straps and a wooden yoke, and strap the yoke on your neck. ³ »Then send messages to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon, with messengers who have come to King Zedekiah of Judah in Jerusalem. ⁴ »Give them an order for their masters: This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Say this to your masters, ⁵ »I used my great strength and my powerful arm to make the earth along with the people and the animals on it. I give it to anyone I please. ⁶ »Now I have handed all these countries over to my servant King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I have even made wild animals serve him. ⁷ »All nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until Babylon is defeated. Then many nations and great kings will make him their slave. ⁸ »Suppose nations or kingdoms will not serve or surrender to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I will punish those nations by wars, famines, and plagues, until I have put an end to them by Nebuchadnezzar's power,« says Jehovah. ⁹ »Do not listen to prophets, mediums, and interpreters of dreams, fortunetellers, or sorcerers who tell you, ‘You will never serve the king of Babylon.’ ¹⁰ »They prophesy lies to you. They will cause you to be taken far from your lands. I will scatter you, and you will die. ¹¹ »If a nation surrender to the king of Babylon and serve him I will let it stay in its own land. People will farm the land and live on it,« says Jehovah.«’« ¹² I spoke the same message to King Zedekiah of Judah: »Surrender to the king of Babylon, serve him and his people, and you will stay alive. ¹³ »Why should you and your people die in wars, famines, and plagues? Jehovah has threatened the nations that do not serve the king of Babylon. ¹⁴ »Do not listen to the prophets who tell you, ‘You will never serve the king of Babylon.’ They prophesy lies to you. ¹⁵ »I did not send them,« declares Jehovah. »They prophesy lies in my name. So I will scatter you, and you and the prophets will die.’« ¹⁶ I also spoke this message to the priests and all the people. This is what Jehovah said to me: »Do not listen to the prophets who tell you that the utensils of Jehovah’s Temple will be brought back from Babylon soon. They prophesy lies to you.« ¹⁷ »Do not listen to them. Instead, serve the king of Babylon, and live. Why should this city be turned into rubble? ¹⁸ »If they are prophets and Jehovah is speaking to them, they should beg Jehovah of Hosts not to allow the utensils that are left in Jehovah’s Temple, in the royal palace of Judah, and in Jerusalem to be taken away to Babylon. ¹⁹ »Jehovah of Host reports concerning the pillars, concerning the sea, concerning the stands and concerning the rest of the vessels that are left in this city, ²⁰ which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take when he carried into exile Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem. ²¹ ‘»Thus says Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that are left in the House of Jehovah and in the house of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem, ²² »They will be carried to Babylon and they will be there until the day I visit them,« declares Jehovah. »Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.«’«

⁴ I saw a storm coming from the north. There was an immense cloud with flashing lightning surrounded by a bright light. The center of the lightning looked like glowing metal.

⁷ So I prophesied as I was commanded. As I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling. The bones came together, bone to its bone.

¹⁵ They looked better when the ten days ended! They were fairer in appearance and fatter in flesh than the young people who ate the king’s special food.

¹⁵ »Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, zither, pipes, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, good! But if you do not worship it you will be thrown into the midst of a blazing furnace that same hour. What god will be able to rescue you from my hand?«

³⁰ »For ships of Kittim will come against him. He will be grieved and will return. He will have indignation against the holy covenant and will do what he pleases. He will even return, and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.

¹¹ »Ephraim is oppressed. He is crushed in judgment because he was content to walk after man's command.

⁵ »Therefore I cut you in pieces by my prophets. I have killed you with the words of my mouth. My judgments flashed like lightning upon you.

⁷ »Like Adam, they have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful to me there.

⁴ »I will send fire to the house of Hazael and it will devour the palaces of Ben-hadad.

¹⁴ »Flight will perish from the swift! The strong will not increase his strength. The mighty will not save himself.

¹⁹ »Like a man who ran from a lion, and a bear met him! So he went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.

² »Travel to Calneh and observe. From there go to the great Hamath. Then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are they better off than these kingdoms? Is their territory greater than your territory?

¹² Amaziah said to Amos: »Go, run away, you seer. Go into the land of Judah. Eat bread and prophesy there. ¹³ »Do not prophesy any more at Bethel for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a royal house.« ¹⁴ Amos told Amaziah, »I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son. I was a herdsman, and a grower of sycamore figs.

¹⁹ He said: I will make you know what will happen in the final time of indignation for the vision is for the appointed time of the end.

²¹ While I was speaking in prayer, the spirit person [who looked like a man] Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, was inspired to come quickly and touch me. It was about the time of the evening offering.

⁹ Yet I heard the sound of his words. When I heard the sound of his words I fell with my face toward the ground into a deep sleep. ¹⁰ A hand touched me and set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

² »They sin more and more. They make idols from silver for themselves. These idols are skillfully made. All of them are the work of craftsmen. People say this about the Israelites: They offer sacrifices and kiss calf-shaped idols.

³ Jonah tried to run away from the presence of Jehovah (YHWH). He went to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. He paid the fare and boarded it to go with them to Tarshish away from the presence of Jehovah. ⁴ Jehovah sent out a great windstorm upon the sea and the ship was about to break up.

³ »Now, O Jehovah, please take my life from me for it is better for me to die than to live.«

⁸ When the sun rose God prepared a sultry (burning hot) east wind. So the sun beat upon the head of Jonah and he grew faint. He requested for himself that he might die. He said: »It is better for me to die than to live!«

¹⁶ »The statutes of Omri and the works of the house of Ahab are observed. You walk in their counsels. I will make you desolation! The inhabitants will be hissed. You will bear the reproach of my people.«

² The godly (loyal) (holy) man has perished from the earth. There is none upright among men! They all lie in wait for blood. Every man hunts his own brother with a net.

³ Jehovah is slow to anger, and great in power! He will by no means reprieve the guilty (leave them unpunished). Jehovah has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm. The clouds are the dust of his feet.

⁵ The mountains quake because of him, and the hills melt. The earth trembles (shakes) (heaves) at his presence, yes, the world, and all that dwells in it. ⁶ Who can stand before his indignation (displeasure)? Who can resist (withstand) (endure) the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken to pieces by him.

⁸ »Are you better than Noamon, which sits by the streams of the Nile with water surrounding her? The sea was her defense. The water was her wall.

³ God came from Teman. He is the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens! The earth is full of his praise. ⁴ His brightness is like the sun. He has rays of power coming from his hand! There was protection in his power. ⁵ Before him go the pestilence, and fiery bolts go forth at his feet.

⁶ He answered: »This is the word of Jehovah to Zerubbabel.« Then Jehovah of Hosts said: ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.’«

⁵ »He will say I am no prophet! I am a tiller of the ground. I have been made a slave from my youth.

⁵ »You will flee by the valley of my mountains. For the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel. Yes you will flee the same as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Jehovah my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

⁴ »You should remember the Law of Moses my servant. I commanded the statutes and ordinances (regulations and judgments) to him at Horeb for all Israel. ⁵ »Behold! I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible Day of Jehovah comes.

²⁶ »Look at the birds of the sky, they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you worth more than they?

³² »All people go in search of these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

²¹ One of his disciples said: »Lord, first allow me to go bury my father.« ²² But Jesus said to him: »Follow me; and leave the dead to bury their own dead.«

⁹ Jesus moved on. He then saw Matthew seated at his work collecting taxes. He said to him: »Follow me.« He rose and followed him.

² He fasted forty days and nights, and was very hungry.

¹¹ Then the Devil left Jesus, and the angels came and served him.

¹⁸ Jesus walked on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. There he saw Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother. They were fishermen. ¹⁹ He said to them: »Follow me and I will teach you to catch people.« ²⁰ At once they abandoned their nets and followed him.

²² Instantly they left the boat and their father, and went with him.

⁷ »Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many places.

⁷⁰ In front of everybody, he replied: »I do not know what you are talking about.« ⁷¹ When he reached the gate, another saw him and said: »This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.« ⁷² Again he denied with an oath: »I have no knowledge of the man.« ⁷³ A few moments later, those who were near approached and said to Peter: »Indeed, you are one of them, because the way you speak gives you away.« ⁷⁴ Then with curses and oaths he said: »I do not know the man!« And immediately a rooster crowed.

⁵¹ The veil (curtain) of the temple was ripped in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks split. ⁵² The tombs were split open and many [dead] bodies were tossed upright [on the ground]. ⁵³ [They came out of the tombs after his resurrection.] (Manuscript text unclear.) Many people saw them. ⁵⁴ The centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus saw the earthquake. Filled with much fear of the things that were done, they proclaimed: »Truly, this was the Son of God!«

¹ After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother up into a high mountain alone. ² While they watched, Jesus’ appearance changed (transformed) (transfigured) in their presence. His face was as bright as the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. ³ Moses and Elijah appeared, and they were talking to him.

²⁷ Then Peter said: »See, we have given up everything to follow you. What then will we have?«

⁵⁶ »This has taken place so that the writings of the prophets will come true.« Then all his disciples left him.

² Suddenly there was a great earthquake, as an angel of God descended from heaven and rolled away the stone and sat on it.

¹³ Satan tempted Jesus. This lasted forty days. The angels took care of Jesus.

² Jesus said: »I am concerned for these people because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat. ³ »If I send them away to their houses with no food they will be weak and faint. Some of them have a long way to go.«

² He spent forty days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. He did not eat anything during those days so when it was over he was hungry.

²⁷ »There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet. Only one of them was cleansed, Naaman the Syrian.«

²⁸ He gave up everything and followed him. ²⁹ Levi made him a great feast in his house. There was a large group of tax collectors and of others that were sitting at the meal with them.

⁶¹ Another said: »I will follow you Lord, but first let me go say good by to my relatives.« ⁶² Jesus responded: »No man, who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.«

¹⁷ His disciples remembered what was written. ‘Zeal for your house shall eat me up.’ (Psalm 69:9)

⁶ Jacob’s well was there. It was about the sixth hour when Jesus arrived. Being weary from the journey he sat down by the well.

⁵ Jesus said to them: »Children, have you anything to eat?« They answered him: »No.«

⁹ When they got to land, they saw a fire of coals and fish laid on it, and bread.

¹⁵ When they had eaten Jesus said to Simon Peter: »Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?« He said: »Yes Lord; you know I have affection for you.« Jesus said to him: »Feed my lambs.« ¹⁶ He spoke to him a second time: »Simon, son of John, do you love me?« He replied: »Yes Lord, you know I have affection for you.« Then Jesus said: »Shepherd my sheep.« ¹⁷ The third time Jesus said to him: »Simon, son of John, do you have affection for me?« Peter was grieved. Because he said to him the third time, do you have affection for me? Peter replied: »Lord, you know all things; you know I have affection for you!« Jesus said to him: »Feed my sheep.«

² Suddenly there came a sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind. It filled the house where they were sitting.

³⁶ »Therefore let all the house of Israel know for sure that God has made that same Jesus, whom you impaled, both Lord and Christ.« (Acts 10:36) ³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were stabbed to the heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles: »Men and brothers, what shall we do?«

² He asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, that if he found any there who belonged to The Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ As he journeyed to Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shined around him.

³⁷ They all wept profusely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him. (embraced him) (hugged him) (Genesis 45:14)

⁴ When he apprehended him, he put him in prison. He turned him over to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him. After Passover he would be presented to the people. ⁵ Peter was kept in prison. Prayer was made without ceasing by the congregation to God for him. ⁶ It was the night before Herod was to bring him to trial. Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. He was bound with two chains. Sentries stood guard at the prison door. ⁷ Suddenly God’s angel came to him. A light shined in the prison. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up saying: »Get up quickly.« And his chains fell off of his hands.

⁵ They preached the Word of God in the synagogues of the Jews at Salamis. John was also there as an attendant.

⁹ Are we Jews in any better condition than the people of the nations? Not at all! I have already shown that Jews and the people of the nations are all under the power of sin.

² God has not rejected his people whom he first knew. Do you remember what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he made intercession to God against Israel? ³ »Jehovah, they have killed your prophets, and torn down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life.« (1 Kings 19:14, 18) ⁴ What does God say in answer to him? »I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.«

⁴ What does God say in answer to him? »I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.« ⁵ Even so at this present time there is a remnant chosen according to God’s grace.

¹⁰ Why do you judge your brother? Why do you look down on your brother with contempt? We will all stand before the judgment seat of God (Theos). ¹¹ It is written: As I live, says Jehovah, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will acknowledge (confess to) Jehovah. (Isaiah 45:23) ¹² So then every one of us will give account of himself to God.

⁷ I was given a painful physical ailment that will keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw. It acts as Satan's messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud.

⁹ He told me: »My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in weakness.« Most gladly therefore, I would rather glory in my infirmities (frailities), that the power of Christ may rest upon me (cover me like a tent) (descend upon me) (abide with me). (Isaiah 40:29-31)

²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² If I live in the flesh this will bring fruit from my labor. I do not know what to choose. ²³ I am hard pressed between the two. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ for it is far better. ²⁴ Yet to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.

¹⁰ that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth,

¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Take Mark with you, for he is useful to me for ministering.

¹³ I would have kept him with me, that in your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the good news. ¹⁴ Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for those who will be heirs of salvation?

⁹ »‘It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. They were not faithful to the covenant I made with them, and so I paid no attention to them.

³⁸ The world was not worthy of them! They wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched, to Mount Sinai with its blazing fire, the darkness and the gloom, the storm. ¹⁹ You have not come to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of a voice. When the people heard the voice, they begged not to hear another word. ²⁰ They could not bear the order: »If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.« ²¹ The sight was so terrible (formidable) (fearful) that Moses said: »I am full of fear and trembling.«

²⁶ His voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised: »I will once more shake not only the earth but also heaven.«

²⁹ Our God is a destroying (consuming) fire.

⁵ You should be free from the love of money. Be content with what you have, for he has said: »I will not leave you. I will not forsake you.«

¹⁴ You do not know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a vapor (puff of air) that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

¹⁷ He received honor and glory from God the Father when he heard the voice from the Majestic Glory: »This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.« ¹⁸ We heard this voice from out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

¹³ Come now, you that say, »Today or tomorrow we will go to this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and make profit.«

¹⁹ The temple of God was opened in heaven. There was seen in his temple the ark of his covenant. And there were lightnings and voices and thunder and an earthquake and great hail.

¹⁸ There were voices, and thunders, and lightnings. There was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

²¹ The rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of the one who sat on the horse. All the birds were filled with their flesh.

¹¹ I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it. From before him the earth and heaven fled away. There was found no place for them.