# verses

book: Ezek
contenido:
The omen in his right hand says, ‘Jerusalem!’ With battering rams his soldiers will go against the gates, shouting for the kill. They will put up siege towers and build ramps against the walls.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The people of Jerusalem will think it is a false omen, because of their treaty with the Babylonians. But the king of Babylon will remind the people of their rebellion. Then he will attack and capture them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Again and again you remind me of your sin and your guilt. You don’t even try to hide it! In everything you do, your sins are obvious for all to see. So now the time of your punishment has come!


book: Ezek
contenido:
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Take off your jeweled crown, for the old order changes. Now the lowly will be exalted, and the mighty will be brought down.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Destruction! Destruction! I will surely destroy the kingdom. And it will not be restored until the one appears who has the right to judge it. Then I will hand it over to him.


book: Ezek
contenido:
A Message for the Ammonites “And now, son of man, prophesy concerning the Ammonites and their mockery. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: “A sword, a sword is drawn for your slaughter. It is polished to destroy, flashing like lightning!


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your prophets have given false visions, and your fortune-tellers have told lies. The sword will fall on the necks of the wicked for whom the day of final reckoning has come.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Now return the sword to its sheath, for in your own country, the land of your birth, I will pass judgment upon you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will pour out my fury on you and blow on you with the fire of my anger. I will hand you over to cruel men who are skilled in destruction.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You will be fuel for the fire, and your blood will be spilled in your own land. You will be utterly wiped out, your memory lost to history, for I, the Lord, have spoken!”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of man, are you ready to judge Jerusalem? Are you ready to judge this city of murderers? Publicly denounce her detestable sins,


book: Ezek
contenido:
and give her this message from the Sovereign Lord: O city of murderers, doomed and damned—city of idols, filthy and foul—


book: Ezek
contenido:
you are guilty because of the blood you have shed. You are defiled because of the idols you have made. Your day of destruction has come! You have reached the end of your years. I will make you an object of mockery throughout the world.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Fathers and mothers are treated with contempt. Foreigners are forced to pay for protection. Orphans and widows are wronged and oppressed among you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
People accuse others falsely and send them to their death. You are filled with idol worshipers and people who do obscene things.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Within your walls live men who commit adultery with their neighbors’ wives, who defile their daughters-in-law, or who rape their own sisters.


book: Ezek
contenido:
There are hired murderers, loan racketeers, and extortioners everywhere. They never even think of me and my commands, says the Sovereign Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
How strong and courageous will you be in my day of reckoning? I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I said.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And when I have been dishonored among the nations because of you, you will know that I am the Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of man, the people of Israel are the worthless slag that remains after silver is smelted. They are the dross that is left over—a useless mixture of copper, tin, iron, and lead.


book: Ezek
contenido:
So tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you are all worthless slag, I will bring you to my crucible in Jerusalem.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Just as copper, iron, lead, and tin are melted down in a furnace, I will melt you down in the heat of my fury.


book: Ezek
contenido:
and you will melt like silver in fierce heat. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have poured out my fury on you.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: In the day of my indignation, you will be like a polluted land, a land without rain.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your princes plot conspiracies just as lions stalk their prey. They devour innocent people, seizing treasures and extorting wealth. They make many widows in the land.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your priests have violated my instructions and defiled my holy things. They make no distinction between what is holy and what is not. And they do not teach my people the difference between what is ceremonially clean and unclean. They disregard my Sabbath days so that I am dishonored among them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people’s lives for money!


book: Ezek
contenido:
And your prophets cover up for them by announcing false visions and making lying predictions. They say, ‘My message is from the Sovereign Lord,’ when the Lord hasn’t spoken a single word to them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.


book: Ezek
contenido:
So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The older girl was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. I married them, and they bore me sons and daughters. I am speaking of Samaria and Jerusalem, for Oholah is Samaria and Oholibah is Jerusalem.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Then Oholah lusted after other lovers instead of me, and she gave her love to the Assyrian officers.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They were all attractive young men, captains and commanders dressed in handsome blue, charioteers driving their horses.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And so she prostituted herself with the most desirable men of Assyria, worshiping their idols and defiling herself.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For when she left Egypt, she did not leave her spirit of prostitution behind. She was still as lewd as in her youth, when the Egyptians slept with her, fondled her breasts, and used her as a prostitute.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They stripped her, took away her children as their slaves, and then killed her. After she received her punishment, her reputation was known to every woman in the land.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Yet even though Oholibah saw what had happened to Oholah, her sister, she followed right in her footsteps. And she was even more depraved, abandoning herself to her lust and prostitution.


book: Ezek
contenido:
She fawned over all the Assyrian officers—those captains and commanders in handsome uniforms, those charioteers driving their horses—all of them attractive young men.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Then she carried her prostitution even further. She fell in love with pictures that were painted on a wall—pictures of Babylonian military officers, outfitted in striking red uniforms.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Handsome belts encircled their waists, and flowing turbans crowned their heads. They were dressed like chariot officers from the land of Babylonia.


book: Ezek
contenido:
When she saw these paintings, she longed to give herself to them, so she sent messengers to Babylonia to invite them to come to her.


book: Ezek
contenido:
So they came and committed adultery with her, defiling her in the bed of love. After being defiled, however, she rejected them in disgust.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“In the same way, I became disgusted with Oholibah and rejected her, just as I had rejected her sister, because she flaunted herself before them and gave herself to satisfy their lusts.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Yet she turned to even greater prostitution, remembering her youth when she was a prostitute in Egypt.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And so, Oholibah, you relived your former days as a young girl in Egypt, when you first allowed your breasts to be fondled.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Lord’s Judgment of Oholibah “Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will send your lovers against you from every direction—those very nations from which you turned away in disgust.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For the Babylonians will come with all the Chaldeans from Pekod and Shoa and Koa. And all the Assyrians will come with them—handsome young captains, commanders, chariot officers, and other high-ranking officers, all riding their horses.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They will all come against you from the north with chariots, wagons, and a great army prepared for attack. They will take up positions on every side, surrounding you with men armed with shields and helmets. And I will hand you over to them for punishment so they can do with you as they please.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will turn my jealous anger against you, and they will deal harshly with you. They will cut off your nose and ears, and any survivors will then be slaughtered by the sword. Your children will be taken away as captives, and everything that is left will be burned.


book: Ezek
contenido:
In this way, I will put a stop to the lewdness and prostitution you brought from Egypt. You will never again cast longing eyes on those things or fondly remember your time in Egypt.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will surely hand you over to your enemies, to those you loathe, those you rejected.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They will treat you with hatred and rob you of all you own, leaving you stark naked. The shame of your prostitution will be exposed to all the world.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You brought all this on yourself by prostituting yourself to other nations, defiling yourself with all their idols.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Because you have followed in your sister’s footsteps, I will force you to drink the same cup of terror she drank.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Yes, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “You will drink from your sister’s cup of terror, a cup that is large and deep. It is filled to the brim with scorn and derision.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Drunkenness and anguish will fill you, for your cup is filled to the brim with distress and desolation, the same cup your sister Samaria drank.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You will drain that cup of terror to the very bottom. Then you will smash it to pieces and beat your breast in anguish. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And because you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You must bear the consequences of all your lewdness and prostitution.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Lord’s Judgment on Both Sisters The Lord said to me, “Son of man, you must accuse Oholah and Oholibah of all their detestable sins.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They have committed both adultery and murder—adultery by worshiping idols and murder by burning as sacrifices the children they bore to me.


book: Ezek
contenido:
On the very day that they sacrificed their children to their idols, they boldly came into my Temple to worship! They came in and defiled my house.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“You sisters sent messengers to distant lands to get men. Then when they arrived, you bathed yourselves, painted your eyelids, and put on your finest jewels for them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You sat with them on a beautifully embroidered couch and put my incense and my special oil on a table that was spread before you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
From your room came the sound of many men carousing. They were lustful men and drunkards from the wilderness, who put bracelets on your wrists and beautiful crowns on your heads.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But righteous people will judge these sister cities for what they really are—adulterers and murderers.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Now this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Bring an army against them and hand them over to be terrorized and plundered.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For their enemies will stone them and kill them with swords. They will butcher their sons and daughters and burn their homes.


book: Ezek
contenido:
In this way, I will put an end to lewdness and idolatry in the land, and my judgment will be a warning to others not to follow their wicked example.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You will be fully repaid for all your prostitution—your worship of idols. Yes, you will suffer the full penalty. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Sign of the Cooking Pot On January 15, during the ninth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, this message came to me from the Lord:


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of man, write down today’s date, because on this very day the king of Babylon is beginning his attack against Jerusalem.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then give these rebels an illustration with this message from the Sovereign Lord: “Put a pot on the fire, and pour in some water.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Use only the best sheep from the flock, and heap fuel on the fire beneath the pot. Bring the pot to a boil, and cook the bones along with the meat.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Now this is what the Sovereign Lord says: What sorrow awaits Jerusalem, the city of murderers! She is a cooking pot whose corruption can’t be cleaned out. Take the meat out in random order, for no piece is better than another.


book: Ezek
contenido:
For the blood of her murders is splashed on the rocks. It isn’t even spilled on the ground, where the dust could cover it!


book: Ezek
contenido:
So I will splash her blood on a rock for all to see, an expression of my anger and vengeance against her.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: What sorrow awaits Jerusalem, the city of murderers! I myself will pile up the fuel beneath her.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Yes, heap on the wood! Let the fire roar to make the pot boil. Cook the meat with many spices, and afterward burn the bones.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your impurity is your lewdness and the corruption of your idolatry. I tried to cleanse you, but you refused. So now you will remain in your filth until my fury against you has been satisfied.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“I, the Lord, have spoken! The time has come, and I won’t hold back. I will not change my mind, and I will have no pity on you. You will be judged on the basis of all your wicked actions, says the Sovereign Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of man, with one blow I will take away your dearest treasure. Yet you must not show any sorrow at her death. Do not weep; let there be no tears.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Groan silently, but let there be no wailing at her grave. Do not uncover your head or take off your sandals. Do not perform the usual rituals of mourning or accept any food brought to you by consoling friends.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
So I proclaimed this to the people the next morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did everything I had been told to do.


book: Ezek
contenido:
and I was told to give this message to the people of Israel. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will defile my Temple, the source of your security and pride, the place your heart delights in. Your sons and daughters whom you left behind in Judea will be slaughtered by the sword.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then you will do as Ezekiel has done. You will not mourn in public or console yourselves by eating the food brought by friends.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your heads will remain covered, and your sandals will not be taken off. You will not mourn or weep, but you will waste away because of your sins. You will mourn privately for all the evil you have done.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Ezekiel is an example for you; you will do just as he has done. And when that time comes, you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then the Lord said to me, “Son of man, on the day I take away their stronghold—their joy and glory, their heart’s desire, their dearest treasure—I will also take away their sons and daughters.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And on that day a survivor from Jerusalem will come to you in Babylon and tell you what has happened.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And when he arrives, your voice will suddenly return so you can talk to him, and you will be a symbol for these people. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Give the Ammonites this message from the Sovereign Lord: Hear the word of the Sovereign Lord! Because you cheered when my Temple was defiled, mocked Israel in her desolation, and laughed at Judah as she went away into exile,


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will allow nomads from the eastern deserts to overrun your country. They will set up their camps among you and pitch their tents on your land. They will harvest all your fruit and drink the milk from your livestock.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will turn the city of Rabbah into a pasture for camels, and all the land of the Ammonites into a resting place for sheep and goats. Then you will know that I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you clapped and danced and cheered with glee at the destruction of my people,


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will raise my fist of judgment against you. I will give you as plunder to many nations. I will cut you off from being a nation and destroy you completely. Then you will know that I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
A Message for Moab “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because the people of Moab have said that Judah is just like all the other nations,


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will open up their eastern flank and wipe out their glorious frontier towns—Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will hand Moab over to nomads from the eastern deserts, just as I handed over Ammon. Yes, the Ammonites will no longer be counted among the nations.


book: Ezek
contenido:
In the same way, I will bring my judgment down on the Moabites. Then they will know that I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
A Message for Edom “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Edom have sinned greatly by avenging themselves against the people of Judah.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Therefore, says the Sovereign Lord, I will raise my fist of judgment against Edom. I will wipe out its people and animals with the sword. I will make a wasteland of everything from Teman to Dedan.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will accomplish this by the hand of my people of Israel. They will carry out my vengeance with anger, and Edom will know that this vengeance is from me. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!


book: Ezek
contenido:
A Message for Philistia “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Philistia have acted against Judah out of bitter revenge and long-standing contempt.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will raise my fist of judgment against the land of the Philistines. I will wipe out the Kerethites and utterly destroy the people who live by the sea.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will execute terrible vengeance against them to punish them for what they have done. And when I have inflicted my revenge, they will know that I am the Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
A Message for Tyre On February 3, during the twelfth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, this message came to me from the Lord:


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of man, Tyre has rejoiced over the fall of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Ha! She who was the gateway to the rich trade routes to the east has been broken, and I am the heir! Because she has been made desolate, I will become wealthy!’


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am your enemy, O Tyre, and I will bring many nations against you, like the waves of the sea crashing against your shoreline.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They will destroy the walls of Tyre and tear down its towers. I will scrape away its soil and make it a bare rock!


book: Ezek
contenido:
It will be just a rock in the sea, a place for fishermen to spread their nets, for I have spoken, says the Sovereign Lord. Tyre will become the prey of many nations,


book: Ezek
contenido:
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: From the north I will bring King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon against Tyre. He is king of kings and brings his horses, chariots, charioteers, and great army.


book: Ezek
contenido:
First he will destroy your mainland villages. Then he will attack you by building a siege wall, constructing a ramp, and raising a roof of shields against you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The hooves of his horses will choke the city with dust, and the noise of the charioteers and chariot wheels will shake your walls as they storm through your broken gates.


book: Ezek
contenido:
His horsemen will trample through every street in the city. They will butcher your people, and your strong pillars will topple.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“They will plunder all your riches and merchandise and break down your walls. They will destroy your lovely homes and dump your stones and timbers and even your dust into the sea.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will make your island a bare rock, a place for fishermen to spread their nets. You will never be rebuilt, for I, the Lord, have spoken. Yes, the Sovereign Lord has spoken!


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Effect of Tyre’s Destruction “This is what the Sovereign Lord says to Tyre: The whole coastline will tremble at the sound of your fall, as the screams of the wounded echo in the continuing slaughter.


book: Ezek
contenido:
All the seaport rulers will step down from their thrones and take off their royal robes and beautiful clothing. They will sit on the ground trembling with horror at your destruction.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then they will wail for you, singing this funeral song: “O famous island city, once ruler of the sea, how you have been destroyed! Your people, with their naval power, once spread fear around the world.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will make Tyre an uninhabited ruin, like many others. I will bury you beneath the terrible waves of enemy attack. Great seas will swallow you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will send you to the pit to join those who descended there long ago. Your city will lie in ruins, buried beneath the earth, like those in the pit who have entered the world of the dead. You will have no place of respect here in the land of the living.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will bring you to a terrible end, and you will exist no more. You will be looked for, but you will never again be found. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”


book: Ezek
contenido:
that mighty gateway to the sea, the trading center of the world. Give Tyre this message from the Sovereign Lord: “You boasted, O Tyre, ‘My beauty is perfect!’


book: Ezek
contenido:
You were like a great ship built of the finest cypress from Senir. They took a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They carved your oars from the oaks of Bashan. Your deck of pine from the coasts of Cyprus was inlaid with ivory.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your sails were made of Egypt’s finest linen, and they flew as a banner above you. You stood beneath blue and purple awnings made bright with dyes from the coasts of Elishah.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Wise old craftsmen from Gebal did the caulking. Ships from every land came with goods to barter for your trade.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Men from distant Persia, Lydia, and Libya served in your great army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls, giving you great honor.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Men from Arvad and Helech stood on your walls. Your towers were manned by men from Gammad. Their shields hung on your walls, completing your beauty.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Merchants came to you from Dedan. Numerous coastlands were your captive markets; they brought payment in ivory tusks and ebony wood.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Syria sent merchants to buy your rich variety of goods. They traded turquoise, purple dyes, embroidery, fine linen, and jewelry of coral and rubies.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Judah and Israel traded for your wares, offering wheat from Minnith, figs, honey, olive oil, and balm.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Damascus sent merchants to buy your rich variety of goods, bringing wine from Helbon and white wool from Zahar.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Greeks from Uzal came to trade for your merchandise. Wrought iron, cassia, and fragrant calamus were bartered for your wares.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Arabians and the princes of Kedar sent merchants to trade lambs and rams and male goats in exchange for your goods.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The merchants of Sheba and Raamah came with all kinds of spices, jewels, and gold in exchange for your wares.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They brought choice fabrics to trade—blue cloth, embroidery, and multicolored carpets rolled up and bound with cords.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Destruction of Tyre “But look! Your oarsmen have taken you into stormy seas! A mighty eastern gale has wrecked you in the heart of the sea!


book: Ezek
contenido:
Everything is lost— your riches and wares, your sailors and pilots, your ship builders, merchants, and warriors. On the day of your ruin, everyone on board sinks into the depths of the sea.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They shave their heads in grief for you and dress themselves in burlap. They weep for you with bitter anguish and deep mourning.


book: Ezek
contenido:
As they wail and mourn over you, they sing this sad funeral song: ‘Was there ever such a city as Tyre, now silent at the bottom of the sea?


book: Ezek
contenido:
The merchandise you traded satisfied the desires of many nations. Kings at the ends of the earth were enriched by your trade.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Now you are a wrecked ship, broken at the bottom of the sea. All your merchandise and crew have gone down with you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
All who live along the coastlands are appalled at your terrible fate. Their kings are filled with horror and look on with twisted faces.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The merchants among the nations shake their heads at the sight of you, for you have come to a horrible end and will exist no more.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of man, give the prince of Tyre this message from the Sovereign Lord: “In your great pride you claim, ‘I am a god! I sit on a divine throne in the heart of the sea.’ But you are only a man and not a god, though you boast that you are a god.


book: Ezek
contenido:
With your wisdom and understanding you have amassed great wealth— gold and silver for your treasuries.


book: Ezek
contenido:
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I will now bring against you a foreign army, the terror of the nations. They will draw their swords against your marvelous wisdom and defile your splendor!


book: Ezek
contenido:
They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die in the heart of the sea, pierced with many wounds.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Will you then boast, ‘I am a god!’ to those who kill you? To them you will be no god but merely a man!


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of man, sing this funeral song for the king of Tyre. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: “You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and exquisite in beauty.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You were in Eden, the garden of God. Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone— red carnelian, pale-green peridot, white moonstone, blue-green beryl, onyx, green jasper, blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emerald— all beautifully crafted for you and set in the finest gold. They were given to you on the day you were created.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I ordained and anointed you as the mighty angelic guardian. You had access to the holy mountain of God and walked among the stones of fire.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day evil was found in you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your rich commerce led you to violence, and you sinned. So I banished you in disgrace from the mountain of God. I expelled you, O mighty guardian, from your place among the stones of fire.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You defiled your sanctuaries with your many sins and your dishonest trade. So I brought fire out from within you, and it consumed you. I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching.


book: Ezek
contenido:
All who knew you are appalled at your fate. You have come to a terrible end, and you will exist no more.”


book: Ezek
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Give the people of Sidon this message from the Sovereign Lord: “I am your enemy, O Sidon, and I will reveal my glory by what I do to you. When I bring judgment against you and reveal my holiness among you, everyone watching will know that I am the Lord.


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I will send a plague against you, and blood will be spilled in your streets. The attack will come from every direction, and your people will lie slaughtered within your walls. Then everyone will know that I am the Lord.


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contenido:
No longer will Israel’s scornful neighbors prick and tear at her like briers and thorns. For then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.


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Restoration for Israel “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Israel will again live in their own land, the land I gave my servant Jacob. For I will gather them from the distant lands where I have scattered them. I will reveal to the nations of the world my holiness among my people.


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They will live safely in Israel and build homes and plant vineyards. And when I punish the neighboring nations that treated them with contempt, they will know that I am the Lord their God.”


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contenido:
A Message for Egypt On January 7, during the tenth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, this message came to me from the Lord:


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Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: “I am your enemy, O Pharaoh, king of Egypt— you great monster, lurking in the streams of the Nile. For you have said, ‘The Nile River is mine; I made it for myself.’


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I will leave you and all your fish stranded in the wilderness to die. You will lie unburied on the open ground, for I have given you as food to the wild animals and birds.


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All the people of Egypt will know that I am the Lord, for to Israel you were just a staff made of reeds.


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When Israel leaned on you, you splintered and broke and stabbed her in the armpit. When she put her weight on you, you gave way, and her back was thrown out of joint.


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“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will bring an army against you, O Egypt, and destroy both people and animals.


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The land of Egypt will become a desolate wasteland, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord. “Because you said, ‘The Nile River is mine; I made it,’


book: Ezek
contenido:
I am now the enemy of both you and your river. I will make the land of Egypt a totally desolate wasteland, from Migdol to Aswan, as far south as the border of Ethiopia.


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For forty years not a soul will pass that way, neither people nor animals. It will be completely uninhabited.


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I will make Egypt desolate, and it will be surrounded by other desolate nations. Its cities will be empty and desolate for forty years, surrounded by other ruined cities. I will scatter the Egyptians to distant lands.


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“But this is what the Sovereign Lord also says: At the end of the forty years I will bring the Egyptians home again from the nations to which they have been scattered.


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I will restore the prosperity of Egypt and bring its people back to the land of Pathros in southern Egypt from which they came. But Egypt will remain an unimportant, minor kingdom.


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contenido:
“Then Israel will no longer be tempted to trust in Egypt for help. Egypt’s shattered condition will remind Israel of how sinful she was to trust Egypt in earlier days. Then Israel will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.”


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Nebuchadnezzar to Conquer Egypt On April 26, the first day of the new year, during the twenty-seventh year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, this message came to me from the Lord:


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contenido:
“Son of man, the army of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon fought so hard against Tyre that the warriors’ heads were rubbed bare and their shoulders were raw and blistered. Yet Nebuchadnezzar and his army won no plunder to compensate them for all their work.


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Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. He will carry off its wealth, plundering everything it has so he can pay his army.


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Yes, I have given him the land of Egypt as a reward for his work, says the Sovereign Lord, because he was working for me when he destroyed Tyre.


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“And the day will come when I will cause the ancient glory of Israel to revive, and then, Ezekiel, your words will be respected. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”


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contenido:
for the terrible day is almost here— the day of the Lord! It is a day of clouds and gloom, a day of despair for the nations.


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contenido:
A sword will come against Egypt, and those who are slaughtered will cover the ground. Its wealth will be carried away and its foundations destroyed. The land of Ethiopia will be ravished.


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contenido:
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, all Arabia, and all their other allies will be destroyed in that war.


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“For this is what the Lord says: All of Egypt’s allies will fall, and the pride of her power will end. From Migdol to Aswan they will be slaughtered by the sword, says the Sovereign Lord.


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Egypt will be desolate, surrounded by desolate nations, and its cities will be in ruins, surrounded by other ruined cities.


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And the people of Egypt will know that I am the Lord when I have set Egypt on fire and destroyed all their allies.


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At that time I will send swift messengers in ships to terrify the complacent Ethiopians. Great panic will come upon them on that day of Egypt’s certain destruction. Watch for it! It is sure to come!


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“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: By the power of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, I will destroy the hordes of Egypt.


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He and his armies—the most ruthless of all— will be sent to demolish the land. They will make war against Egypt until slaughtered Egyptians cover the ground.


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contenido:
I will dry up the Nile River and sell the land to wicked men. I will destroy the land of Egypt and everything in it by the hands of foreigners. I, the Lord, have spoken!


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“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will smash the idols of Egypt and the images at Memphis. There will be no rulers left in Egypt; terror will sweep the land.


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I will pour out my fury on Pelusium, the strongest fortress of Egypt, and I will stamp out the hordes of Thebes.


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Yes, I will set fire to all Egypt! Pelusium will be racked with pain; Thebes will be torn apart; Memphis will live in constant terror.


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The young men of Heliopolis and Bubastis will die in battle, and the women will be taken away as slaves.


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When I come to break the proud strength of Egypt, it will be a dark day for Tahpanhes, too. A dark cloud will cover Tahpanhes, and its daughters will be led away as captives.


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The Broken Arms of Pharaoh On April 29, during the eleventh year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, this message came to me from the Lord:


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. His arm has not been put in a cast so that it may heal. Neither has it been bound up with a splint to make it strong enough to hold a sword.


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Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am the enemy of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt! I will break both of his arms—the good arm along with the broken one—and I will make his sword clatter to the ground.


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I will strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king and put my sword in his hand. But I will break the arms of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he will lie there mortally wounded, groaning in pain.


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I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, while the arms of Pharaoh fall useless to his sides. And when I put my sword in the hand of Babylon’s king and he brings it against the land of Egypt, Egypt will know that I am the Lord.


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I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, dispersing them throughout the earth. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”


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Egypt Compared to Fallen Assyria On June 21, during the eleventh year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, this message came to me from the Lord:


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“Son of man, give this message to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and all his hordes: “To whom would you compare your greatness?


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You are like mighty Assyria, which was once like a cedar of Lebanon, with beautiful branches that cast deep forest shade and with its top high among the clouds.


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Deep springs watered it and helped it to grow tall and luxuriant. The water flowed around it like a river, streaming to all the trees nearby.


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This great tree towered high, higher than all the other trees around it. It prospered and grew long thick branches because of all the water at its roots.


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The birds nested in its branches, and in its shade all the wild animals gave birth. All the great nations of the world lived in its shadow.


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It was strong and beautiful, with wide-spreading branches, for its roots went deep into abundant water.


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contenido:
No other cedar in the garden of God could rival it. No cypress had branches to equal it; no plane tree had boughs to compare. No tree in the garden of God came close to it in beauty.


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Because I made this tree so beautiful, and gave it such magnificent foliage, it was the envy of all the other trees of Eden, the garden of God.


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contenido:
“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because Egypt became proud and arrogant, and because it set itself so high above the others, with its top reaching to the clouds,


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I will hand it over to a mighty nation that will destroy it as its wickedness deserves. I have already discarded it.


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contenido:
A foreign army—the terror of the nations—has cut it down and left it fallen on the ground. Its branches are scattered across the mountains and valleys and ravines of the land. All those who lived in its shadow have gone away and left it lying there.


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Let the tree of no other nation proudly exult in its own prosperity, though it be higher than the clouds and it be watered from the depths. For all are doomed to die, to go down to the depths of the earth. They will land in the pit along with everyone else on earth.


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“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When Assyria went down to the grave, I made the deep springs mourn. I stopped its rivers and dried up its abundant water. I clothed Lebanon in black and caused the trees of the field to wilt.


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I made the nations shake with fear at the sound of its fall, for I sent it down to the grave with all the others who descend to the pit. And all the other proud trees of Eden, the most beautiful and the best of Lebanon, the ones whose roots went deep into the water, took comfort to find it there with them in the depths of the earth.


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Its allies, too, were all destroyed and had passed away. They had gone down to the grave—all those nations that had lived in its shade.


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“O Egypt, to which of the trees of Eden will you compare your strength and glory? You, too, will be brought down to the depths with all these other nations. You will lie there among the outcasts who have died by the sword. This will be the fate of Pharaoh and all his hordes. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”


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A Warning for Pharaoh On March 3, during the twelfth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, this message came to me from the Lord:


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“Son of man, mourn for Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and give him this message: “You think of yourself as a strong young lion among the nations, but you are really just a sea monster, heaving around in your own rivers, stirring up mud with your feet.


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Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will send many people to catch you in my net and haul you out of the water.


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I will leave you stranded on the land to die. All the birds of the heavens will land on you, and the wild animals of the whole earth will gorge themselves on you.


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contenido:
I will drench the earth with your gushing blood all the way to the mountains, filling the ravines to the brim.


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When I blot you out, I will veil the heavens and darken the stars. I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give you its light.


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contenido:
I will darken the bright stars overhead and cover your land in darkness. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!


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contenido:
“I will disturb many hearts when I bring news of your downfall to distant nations you have never seen.


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Yes, I will shock many lands, and their kings will be terrified at your fate. They will shudder in fear for their lives as I brandish my sword before them on the day of your fall.


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contenido:
I will destroy your hordes with the swords of mighty warriors— the terror of the nations. They will shatter the pride of Egypt, and all its hordes will be destroyed.


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contenido:
I will destroy all your flocks and herds that graze beside the streams. Never again will people or animals muddy those waters with their feet.


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Then I will let the waters of Egypt become calm again, and they will flow as smoothly as olive oil, says the Sovereign Lord.


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And when I destroy Egypt and strip you of everything you own and strike down all your people, then you will know that I am the Lord.


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Yes, this is the funeral song they will sing for Egypt. Let all the nations mourn. Let them mourn for Egypt and its hordes. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”


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contenido:
Egypt Falls into the Pit On March 17, during the twelfth year, another message came to me from the Lord:


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of man, weep for the hordes of Egypt and for the other mighty nations. For I will send them down to the world below in company with those who descend to the pit.


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contenido:
Say to them, ‘O Egypt, are you lovelier than the other nations? No! So go down to the pit and lie there among the outcasts.’


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The Egyptians will fall with the many who have died by the sword, for the sword is drawn against them. Egypt and its hordes will be dragged away to their judgment.


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contenido:
Down in the grave mighty leaders will mockingly welcome Egypt and its allies, saying, ‘They have come down; they lie among the outcasts, hordes slaughtered by the sword.’


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Their graves are in the depths of the pit, and they are surrounded by their allies. They struck terror in the hearts of people everywhere, but now they have been slaughtered by the sword.


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contenido:
“Elam lies there surrounded by the graves of all its hordes, those who were slaughtered by the sword. They struck terror in the hearts of people everywhere, but now they have descended as outcasts to the world below. Now they lie in the pit and share the shame of those who have gone before them.


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They have a resting place among the slaughtered, surrounded by the graves of all their hordes. Yes, they terrorized the nations while they lived, but now they lie in shame with others in the pit, all of them outcasts, slaughtered by the sword.


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“Meshech and Tubal are there, surrounded by the graves of all their hordes. They once struck terror in the hearts of people everywhere. But now they are outcasts, all slaughtered by the sword.


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They are not buried in honor like their fallen heroes, who went down to the grave with their weapons—their shields covering their bodies and their swords beneath their heads. Their guilt rests upon them because they brought terror to everyone while they were still alive.


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“Edom is there with its kings and princes. Mighty as they were, they also lie among those slaughtered by the sword, with the outcasts who have gone down to the pit.


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“All the princes of the north and the Sidonians are there with others who have died. Once a terror, they have been put to shame. They lie there as outcasts with others who were slaughtered by the sword. They share the shame of all who have descended to the pit.


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“When Pharaoh and his entire army arrive, he will take comfort that he is not alone in having his hordes killed, says the Sovereign Lord.


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contenido:
Although I have caused his terror to fall upon all the living, Pharaoh and his hordes will lie there among the outcasts who were slaughtered by the sword. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”


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“Son of man, give your people this message: ‘When I bring an army against a country, the people of that land choose one of their own to be a watchman.


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They heard the alarm but ignored it, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives.


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But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.’


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“Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.


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If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to tell them to change their ways, then they will die in their sins, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths.


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But if you warn them to repent and they don’t repent, they will die in their sins, but you will have saved yourself.


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The Watchman’s Message “Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: You are saying, ‘Our sins are heavy upon us; we are wasting away! How can we survive?’


book: Ezek
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As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?


book: Ezek
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“Son of man, give your people this message: The righteous behavior of righteous people will not save them if they turn to sin, nor will the wicked behavior of wicked people destroy them if they repent and turn from their sins.


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When I tell righteous people that they will live, but then they sin, expecting their past righteousness to save them, then none of their righteous acts will be remembered. I will destroy them for their sins.


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And suppose I tell some wicked people that they will surely die, but then they turn from their sins and do what is just and right.


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For instance, they might give back a debtor’s security, return what they have stolen, and obey my life-giving laws, no longer doing what is evil. If they do this, then they will surely live and not die.


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None of their past sins will be brought up again, for they have done what is just and right, and they will surely live.


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“Your people are saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right,’ but it is they who are not doing what’s right.


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For again I say, when righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and turn to evil, they will die.


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O people of Israel, you are saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right.’ But I judge each of you according to your deeds.”


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Explanation of Jerusalem’s Fall On January 8, during the twelfth year of our captivity, a survivor from Jerusalem came to me and said, “The city has fallen!”


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contenido:
The previous evening the Lord had taken hold of me and given me back my voice. So I was able to speak when this man arrived the next morning.


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“Son of man, the scattered remnants of Judah living among the ruined cities keep saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he gained possession of the entire land. We are many; surely the land has been given to us as a possession.’


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So tell these people, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You eat meat with blood in it, you worship idols, and you murder the innocent. Do you really think the land should be yours?


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“Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live, those living in the ruins will die by the sword. And I will send wild animals to eat those living in the open fields. Those hiding in the forts and caves will die of disease.


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I will completely destroy the land and demolish her pride. Her arrogant power will come to an end. The mountains of Israel will be so desolate that no one will even travel through them.


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When I have completely destroyed the land because of their detestable sins, then they will know that I am the Lord.’


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“Son of man, your people talk about you in their houses and whisper about you at the doors. They say to each other, ‘Come on, let’s go hear the prophet tell us what the Lord is saying!’


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So my people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money.


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You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don’t act on it!


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But when all these terrible things happen to them—as they certainly will—then they will know a prophet has been among them.”


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“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep?


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You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty.


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They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them.


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As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, you abandoned my flock and left them to be attacked by every wild animal. And though you were my shepherds, you didn’t search for my sheep when they were lost. You took care of yourselves and left the sheep to starve.


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This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I now consider these shepherds my enemies, and I will hold them responsible for what has happened to my flock. I will take away their right to feed the flock, and I will stop them from feeding themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths; the sheep will no longer be their prey.


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The Good Shepherd “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep.


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I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.


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I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live.


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Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills.


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I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!


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“And as for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says to his people: I will judge between one animal of the flock and another, separating the sheep from the goats.


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Isn’t it enough for you to keep the best of the pastures for yourselves? Must you also trample down the rest? Isn’t it enough for you to drink clear water for yourselves? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?


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“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will surely judge between the fat sheep and the scrawny sheep.


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For you fat sheep pushed and butted and crowded my sick and hungry flock until you scattered them to distant lands.


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So I will rescue my flock, and they will no longer be abused. I will judge between one animal of the flock and another.


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And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them.


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And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among my people. I, the Lord, have spoken!


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The Lord’s Covenant of Peace “I will make a covenant of peace with my people and drive away the dangerous animals from the land. Then they will be able to camp safely in the wildest places and sleep in the woods without fear.


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I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing.


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The orchards and fields of my people will yield bumper crops, and everyone will live in safety. When I have broken their chains of slavery and rescued them from those who enslaved them, then they will know that I am the Lord.


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They will no longer be prey for other nations, and wild animals will no longer devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will frighten them.


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“And I will make their land famous for its crops, so my people will never again suffer from famines or the insults of foreign nations.


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In this way, they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them. And they will know that they, the people of Israel, are my people, says the Sovereign Lord.


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You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”


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Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: “I am your enemy, O Mount Seir, and I will raise my fist against you to destroy you completely.


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“Your eternal hatred for the people of Israel led you to butcher them when they were helpless, when I had already punished them for all their sins.


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As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, since you show no distaste for blood, I will give you a bloodbath of your own. Your turn has come!


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I will fill your mountains with the dead. Your hills, your valleys, and your ravines will be filled with people slaughtered by the sword.


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I will make you desolate forever. Your cities will never be rebuilt. Then you will know that I am the Lord.


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“For you said, ‘The lands of Israel and Judah will be ours. We will take possession of them. What do we care that the Lord is there!’


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Therefore, as surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I will pay back your angry deeds with my own. I will punish you for all your acts of anger, envy, and hatred. And I will make myself known to Israel by what I do to you.


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Then you will know that I, the Lord, have heard every contemptuous word you spoke against the mountains of Israel. For you said, ‘They are desolate; they have been given to us as food to eat!’


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You rejoiced at the desolation of Israel’s territory. Now I will rejoice at yours! You will be wiped out, you people of Mount Seir and all who live in Edom! Then you will know that I am the Lord.


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Restoration for Israel “Son of man, prophesy to Israel’s mountains. Give them this message: O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord!


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contenido:
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Your enemies have taunted you, saying, ‘Aha! Now the ancient heights belong to us!’


book: Ezek
contenido:
Therefore, son of man, give the mountains of Israel this message from the Sovereign Lord: Your enemies have attacked you from all directions, making you the property of many nations and the object of much mocking and slander.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign Lord. He speaks to the hills and mountains, ravines and valleys, and to ruined wastes and long-deserted cities that have been destroyed and mocked by the surrounding nations.


book: Ezek
contenido:
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My jealous anger burns against these nations, especially Edom, because they have shown utter contempt for me by gleefully taking my land for themselves as plunder.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Therefore, prophesy to the hills and mountains, the ravines and valleys of Israel. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am furious that you have suffered shame before the surrounding nations.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I have taken a solemn oath that those nations will soon have their own shame to endure.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“But the mountains of Israel will produce heavy crops of fruit for my people—for they will be coming home again soon!


book: Ezek
contenido:
See, I care about you, and I will pay attention to you. Your ground will be plowed and your crops planted.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will greatly increase the population of Israel, and the ruined cities will be rebuilt and filled with people.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will increase not only the people, but also your animals. O mountains of Israel, I will bring people to live on you once again. I will make you even more prosperous than you were before. Then you will know that I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will cause my people to walk on you once again, and you will be their territory. You will never again rob them of their children.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The other nations taunt you, saying, ‘Israel is a land that devours its own people and robs them of their children!’


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will not let you hear those other nations insult you, and you will no longer be mocked by them. You will not be a land that causes its nation to fall, says the Sovereign Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of man, when the people of Israel were living in their own land, they defiled it by the evil way they lived. To me their conduct was as unclean as a woman’s menstrual cloth.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But when they were scattered among the nations, they brought shame on my holy name. For the nations said, ‘These are the people of the Lord, but he couldn’t keep them safe in his own land!’


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Therefore, give the people of Israel this message from the Sovereign Lord: I am bringing you back, but not because you deserve it. I am doing it to protect my holy name, on which you brought shame while you were scattered among the nations.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will show how holy my great name is—the name on which you brought shame among the nations. And when I reveal my holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign Lord, then the nations will know that I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And you will live in Israel, the land I gave your ancestors long ago. You will be my people, and I will be your God.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will cleanse you of your filthy behavior. I will give you good crops of grain, and I will send no more famines on the land.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will give you great harvests from your fruit trees and fields, and never again will the surrounding nations be able to scoff at your land for its famines.


book: Ezek
contenido:
But remember, says the Sovereign Lord, I am not doing this because you deserve it. O my people of Israel, you should be utterly ashamed of all you have done!


book: Ezek
contenido:
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I cleanse you from your sins, I will repopulate your cities, and the ruins will be rebuilt.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And when I bring you back, people will say, ‘This former wasteland is now like the Garden of Eden! The abandoned and ruined cities now have strong walls and are filled with people!’


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then the surrounding nations that survive will know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruins and replanted the wasteland. For I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I say.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am ready to hear Israel’s prayers and to increase their numbers like a flock.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They will be as numerous as the sacred flocks that fill Jerusalem’s streets at the time of her festivals. The ruined cities will be crowded with people once more, and everyone will know that I am the Lord.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
A Valley of Dry Bones The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones.


book: Ezek
contenido:
He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord!


book: Ezek
contenido:
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again!


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’


book: Ezek
contenido:
Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken!’”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of man, take a piece of wood and carve on it these words: ‘This represents Judah and its allied tribes.’ Then take another piece and carve these words on it: ‘This represents Ephraim and the northern tribes of Israel.’


book: Ezek
contenido:
say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take Ephraim and the northern tribes and join them to Judah. I will make them one piece of wood in my hand.’


book: Ezek
contenido:
And give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: I will gather the people of Israel from among the nations. I will bring them home to their own land from the places where they have been scattered.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will unify them into one nation on the mountains of Israel. One king will rule them all; no longer will they be divided into two nations or into two kingdoms.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They will never again pollute themselves with their idols and vile images and rebellion, for I will save them from their sinful backsliding. I will cleanse them. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“My servant David will be their king, and they will have only one shepherd. They will obey my regulations and be careful to keep my decrees.


book: Ezek
contenido:
They will live in the land I gave my servant Jacob, the land where their ancestors lived. They and their children and their grandchildren after them will live there forever, generation after generation. And my servant David will be their prince forever.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting covenant. I will give them their land and increase their numbers, and I will put my Temple among them forever.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And when my Temple is among them forever, the nations will know that I am the Lord, who makes Israel holy.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Son of man, turn and face Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws to lead you out with your whole army—your horses and charioteers in full armor and a great horde armed with shields and swords.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Gomer and all its armies will also join you, along with the armies of Beth-togarmah from the distant north, and many others.


book: Ezek
contenido:
A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be enjoying peace after recovering from war and after its people have returned from many lands to the mountains of Israel.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You and all your allies—a vast and awesome army—will roll down on them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: At that time evil thoughts will come to your mind, and you will devise a wicked scheme.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You will say, ‘Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages! I will march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence!


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will go to those formerly desolate cities that are now filled with people who have returned from exile in many nations. I will capture vast amounts of plunder, for the people are rich with livestock and other possessions now. They think the whole world revolves around them!’


book: Ezek
contenido:
But Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish will ask, ‘Do you really think the armies you have gathered can rob them of silver and gold? Do you think you can drive away their livestock and seize their goods and carry off plunder?’


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Therefore, son of man, prophesy against Gog. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: When my people are living in peace in their land, then you will rouse yourself.


book: Ezek
contenido:
and you will attack my people Israel, covering their land like a cloud. At that time in the distant future, I will bring you against my land as everyone watches, and my holiness will be displayed by what happens to you, Gog. Then all the nations will know that I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“This is what the Sovereign Lord asks: Are you the one I was talking about long ago, when I announced through Israel’s prophets that in the future I would bring you against my people?


book: Ezek
contenido:
But this is what the Sovereign Lord says: When Gog invades the land of Israel, my fury will boil over!


book: Ezek
contenido:
All living things—the fish in the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals of the field, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people on earth—will quake in terror at my presence. Mountains will be thrown down; cliffs will crumble; walls will fall to the earth.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will summon the sword against you on all the hills of Israel, says the Sovereign Lord. Your men will turn their swords against each other.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will punish you and your armies with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur!


book: Ezek
contenido:
In this way, I will show my greatness and holiness, and I will make myself known to all the nations of the world. Then they will know that I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Slaughter of Gog’s Hordes “Son of man, prophesy against Gog. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: I am your enemy, O Gog, ruler of the nations of Meshech and Tubal.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will turn you around and drive you toward the mountains of Israel, bringing you from the distant north.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I will knock the bow from your left hand and the arrows from your right hand, and I will leave you helpless.


book: Ezek
contenido:
You and your army and your allies will all die on the mountains. I will feed you to the vultures and wild animals.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will rain down fire on Magog and on all your allies who live safely on the coasts. Then they will know that I am the Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“In this way, I will make known my holy name among my people of Israel. I will not let anyone bring shame on it. And the nations, too, will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.


book: Ezek
contenido:
That day of judgment will come, says the Sovereign Lord. Everything will happen just as I have declared it.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“Then the people in the towns of Israel will go out and pick up your small and large shields, bows and arrows, javelins and spears, and they will use them for fuel. There will be enough to last them seven years!


book: Ezek
contenido:
They won’t need to cut wood from the fields or forests, for these weapons will give them all the fuel they need. They will plunder those who planned to plunder them, and they will rob those who planned to rob them, says the Sovereign Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And I will make a vast graveyard for Gog and his hordes in the Valley of the Travelers, east of the Dead Sea. It will block the way of those who travel there, and they will change the name of the place to the Valley of Gog’s Hordes.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Everyone in Israel will help, for it will be a glorious victory for Israel when I demonstrate my glory on that day, says the Sovereign Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“After seven months, teams of men will be appointed to search the land for skeletons to bury, so the land will be made clean again.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Whenever bones are found, a marker will be set up so the burial crews will take them to be buried in the Valley of Gog’s Hordes.


book: Ezek
contenido:
(There will be a town there named Hamonah, which means ‘horde.’) And so the land will finally be cleansed.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“And now, son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Call all the birds and wild animals. Say to them: Gather together for my great sacrificial feast. Come from far and near to the mountains of Israel, and there eat flesh and drink blood!


book: Ezek
contenido:
Eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of princes as though they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls—all fattened animals from Bashan!


book: Ezek
contenido:
Gorge yourselves with flesh until you are glutted; drink blood until you are drunk. This is the sacrificial feast I have prepared for you.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Feast at my banquet table—feast on horses and charioteers, on mighty men and all kinds of valiant warriors, says the Sovereign Lord.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“In this way, I will demonstrate my glory to the nations. Everyone will see the punishment I have inflicted on them and the power of my fist when I strike.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The nations will then know why Israel was sent away to exile—it was punishment for sin, for they were unfaithful to their God. Therefore, I turned away from them and let their enemies destroy them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Restoration for God’s People “So now, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will end the captivity of my people; I will have mercy on all Israel, for I jealously guard my holy reputation!


book: Ezek
contenido:
They will accept responsibility for their past shame and unfaithfulness after they come home to live in peace in their own land, with no one to bother them.


book: Ezek
contenido:
When I bring them home from the lands of their enemies, I will display my holiness among them for all the nations to see.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then my people will know that I am the Lord their God, because I sent them away to exile and brought them home again. I will leave none of my people behind.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And I will never again turn my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit upon the people of Israel. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The New Temple Area On April 28, during the twenty-fifth year of our captivity—fourteen years after the fall of Jerusalem—the Lord took hold of me.


book: Ezek
contenido:
In a vision from God he took me to the land of Israel and set me down on a very high mountain. From there I could see toward the south what appeared to be a city.


book: Ezek
contenido:
As he brought me nearer, I saw a man whose face shone like bronze standing beside a gateway entrance. He was holding in his hand a linen measuring cord and a measuring rod.


book: Ezek
contenido:
He said to me, “Son of man, watch and listen. Pay close attention to everything I show you. You have been brought here so I can show you many things. Then you will return to the people of Israel and tell them everything you have seen.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The East Gateway I could see a wall completely surrounding the Temple area. The man took a measuring rod that was 10 1⁄2 feet long and measured the wall, and the wall was 10 1⁄2 feet thick and 10 1⁄2 feet high.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he went over to the eastern gateway. He climbed the steps and measured the threshold of the gateway; it was 10 1⁄2 feet front to back.


book: Ezek
contenido:
There were guard alcoves on each side built into the gateway passage. Each of these alcoves was 10 1⁄2 feet square, with a distance between them of 8 3⁄4 feet along the passage wall. The gateway’s inner threshold, which led to the entry room at the inner end of the gateway passage, was 10 1⁄2 feet front to back.


book: Ezek
contenido:
It was 14 feet across, with supporting columns 3 1⁄2 feet thick. This entry room was at the inner end of the gateway structure, facing toward the Temple.


book: Ezek
contenido:
There were three guard alcoves on each side of the gateway passage. Each had the same measurements, and the dividing walls separating them were also identical.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The man measured the gateway entrance, which was 17 1⁄2 feet wide at the opening and 22 3⁄4 feet wide in the gateway passage.


book: Ezek
contenido:
In front of each of the guard alcoves was a 21-inch curb. The alcoves themselves were 10 1⁄2 feet on each side.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he measured the entire width of the gateway, measuring the distance between the back walls of facing guard alcoves; this distance was 43 3⁄4 feet.


book: Ezek
contenido:
He measured the dividing walls all along the inside of the gateway up to the entry room of the gateway; this distance was 105 feet.


book: Ezek
contenido:
There were recessed windows that narrowed inward through the walls of the guard alcoves and their dividing walls. There were also windows in the entry room. The surfaces of the dividing walls were decorated with carved palm trees.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Outer Courtyard Then the man brought me through the gateway into the outer courtyard of the Temple. A stone pavement ran along the walls of the courtyard, and thirty rooms were built against the walls, opening onto the pavement.


book: Ezek
contenido:
This pavement flanked the gates and extended out from the walls into the courtyard the same distance as the gateway entrance. This was the lower pavement.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then the man measured across the Temple’s outer courtyard between the outer and inner gateways; the distance was 175 feet.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Here, too, there were three guard alcoves on each side, with dividing walls and an entry room. All the measurements matched those of the east gateway. The gateway passage was 87 1⁄2 feet long and 43 3⁄4 feet wide between the back walls of facing guard alcoves.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The windows, the entry room, and the palm tree decorations were identical to those in the east gateway. There were seven steps leading up to the gateway entrance, and the entry room was at the inner end of the gateway passage.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Here on the north side, just as on the east, there was another gateway leading to the Temple’s inner courtyard directly opposite this outer gateway. The distance between the two gateways was 175 feet.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The South Gateway Then the man took me around to the south gateway and measured its various parts, and they were exactly the same as in the others.


book: Ezek
contenido:
It had windows along the walls as the others did, and there was an entry room where the gateway passage opened into the outer courtyard. And like the others, the gateway passage was 87 1⁄2 feet long and 43 3⁄4 feet wide between the back walls of facing guard alcoves.


book: Ezek
contenido:
This gateway also had a stairway of seven steps leading up to it, and an entry room at the inner end, and palm tree decorations along the dividing walls.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And here again, directly opposite the outer gateway, was another gateway that led into the inner courtyard. The distance between the two gateways was 175 feet.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Gateways to the Inner Courtyard Then the man took me to the south gateway leading into the inner courtyard. He measured it, and it had the same measurements as the other gateways.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Its guard alcoves, dividing walls, and entry room were the same size as those in the others. It also had windows along its walls and in the entry room. And like the others, the gateway passage was 87 1⁄2 feet long and 43 3⁄4 feet wide.


book: Ezek
contenido:
(The entry rooms of the gateways leading into the inner courtyard were 14 feet across and 43 3⁄4 feet wide.)


book: Ezek
contenido:
The entry room to the south gateway faced into the outer courtyard. It had palm tree decorations on its columns, and there were eight steps leading to its entrance.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he took me to the east gateway leading to the inner courtyard. He measured it, and it had the same measurements as the other gateways.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Its guard alcoves, dividing walls, and entry room were the same size as those of the others, and there were windows along the walls and in the entry room. The gateway passage measured 87 1⁄2 feet long and 43 3⁄4 feet wide.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Its entry room faced into the outer courtyard. It had palm tree decorations on its columns, and there were eight steps leading to its entrance.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he took me around to the north gateway leading to the inner courtyard. He measured it, and it had the same measurements as the other gateways.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The guard alcoves, dividing walls, and entry room of this gateway had the same measurements as in the others and the same window arrangements. The gateway passage measured 87 1⁄2 feet long and 43 3⁄4 feet wide.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Its entry room faced into the outer courtyard, and it had palm tree decorations on the columns. There were eight steps leading to its entrance.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Rooms for Preparing Sacrifices A door led from the entry room of one of the inner gateways into a side room, where the meat for sacrifices was washed.


book: Ezek
contenido:
On each side of this entry room were two tables, where the sacrificial animals were slaughtered for the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Outside the entry room, on each side of the stairs going up to the north entrance, were two more tables.


book: Ezek
contenido:
So there were eight tables in all—four inside and four outside—where the sacrifices were cut up and prepared.


book: Ezek
contenido:
There were also four tables of finished stone for preparation of the burnt offerings, each 31 1⁄2 inches square and 21 inches high. On these tables were placed the butchering knives and other implements for slaughtering the sacrificial animals.


book: Ezek
contenido:
There were hooks, each 3 inches long, fastened to the foyer walls. The sacrificial meat was laid on the tables.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Rooms for the Priests Inside the inner courtyard were two rooms, one beside the north gateway, facing south, and the other beside the south gateway, facing north.


book: Ezek
contenido:
And the man said to me, “The room beside the north inner gate is for the priests who supervise the Temple maintenance.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The room beside the south inner gate is for the priests in charge of the altar—the descendants of Zadok—for they alone of all the Levites may approach the Lord to minister to him.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
The Inner Courtyard and Temple Then the man measured the inner courtyard, and it was a square, 175 feet wide and 175 feet across. The altar stood in the courtyard in front of the Temple.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he brought me to the entry room of the Temple. He measured the walls on either side of the opening to the entry room, and they were 8 3⁄4 feet thick. The entrance itself was 24 1⁄2 feet wide, and the walls on each side of the entrance were an additional 5 1⁄4 feet long.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The entry room was 35 feet wide and 21 feet deep. There were ten steps leading up to it, with a column on each side.


book: Ezek
contenido:
After that, the man brought me into the sanctuary of the Temple. He measured the walls on either side of its doorway, and they were 10 1⁄2 feet thick.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The doorway was 17 1⁄2 feet wide, and the walls on each side of it were 8 3⁄4 feet long. The sanctuary itself was 70 feet long and 35 feet wide.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he went beyond the sanctuary into the inner room. He measured the walls on either side of its entrance, and they were 3 1⁄2 feet thick. The entrance was 10 1⁄2 feet wide, and the walls on each side of the entrance were 12 1⁄4 feet long.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The inner room of the sanctuary was 35 feet long and 35 feet wide. “This,” he told me, “is the Most Holy Place.”


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then he measured the wall of the Temple, and it was 10 1⁄2 feet thick. There was a row of rooms along the outside wall; each room was 7 feet wide.


book: Ezek
contenido:
These side rooms were built in three levels, one above the other, with thirty rooms on each level. The supports for these side rooms rested on exterior ledges on the Temple wall; they did not extend into the wall.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Each level was wider than the one below it, corresponding to the narrowing of the Temple wall as it rose higher. A stairway led up from the bottom level through the middle level to the top level.


book: Ezek
contenido:
I saw that the Temple was built on a terrace, which provided a foundation for the side rooms. This terrace was 10 1⁄2 feet high.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The outer wall of the Temple’s side rooms was 8 3⁄4 feet thick. This left an open area between these side rooms


book: Ezek
contenido:
and the row of rooms along the outer wall of the inner courtyard. This open area was 35 feet wide, and it went all the way around the Temple.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Two doors opened from the side rooms into the terrace yard, which was 8 3⁄4 feet wide. One door faced north and the other south.


book: Ezek
contenido:
A large building stood on the west, facing the Temple courtyard. It was 122 1⁄2 feet wide and 157 1⁄2 feet long, and its walls were 8 3⁄4 feet thick.


book: Ezek
contenido:
Then the man measured the Temple, and it was 175 feet long. The courtyard around the building, including its walls, was an additional 175 feet in length.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The building to the west, including its two walls, was also 175 feet wide. The sanctuary, the inner room, and the entry room of the Temple


book: Ezek
contenido:
were all paneled with wood, as were the frames of the recessed windows. The inner walls of the Temple were paneled with wood above and below the windows.


book: Ezek
contenido:
The space above the door leading into the inner room, and its walls inside and out, were also paneled.


book: Ezek
contenido:
All the walls were decorated with carvings of cherubim, each with two faces, and there was a carving of a palm tree between each of the cherubim.


book: Ezek
contenido:
One face—that of a man—looked toward the palm tree on one side. The other face—that of a young lion—looked toward the palm tree on the other side. The figures were carved all along the inside of the Temple,


book: Ezek
contenido:
There were square columns at the entrance to the sanctuary, and the ones at the entrance of the Most Holy Place were similar.


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There was an altar made of wood, 5 1⁄4 feet high and 3 1⁄2 feet across. Its corners, base, and sides were all made of wood. “This,” the man told me, “is the table that stands in the Lord’s presence.”


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The doors leading into the sanctuary were decorated with carved cherubim and palm trees, just as on the walls. And there was a wooden roof at the front of the entry room to the Temple.


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On both sides of the entry room were recessed windows decorated with carved palm trees. The side rooms along the outside wall also had roofs.


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Rooms for the Priests Then the man led me out of the Temple courtyard by way of the north gateway. We entered the outer courtyard and came to a group of rooms against the north wall of the inner courtyard.


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One block of rooms overlooked the 35-foot width of the inner courtyard. Another block of rooms looked out onto the pavement of the outer courtyard. The two blocks were built three levels high and stood across from each other.


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Between the two blocks of rooms ran a walkway 17 1⁄2 feet wide. It extended the entire 175 feet of the complex, and all the doors faced north.


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Each of the two upper levels of rooms was narrower than the one beneath it because the upper levels had to allow space for walkways in front of them.


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Since there were three levels and they did not have supporting columns as in the courtyards, each of the upper levels was set back from the level beneath it.


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This wall added length to the outer block of rooms, which extended for only 87 1⁄2 feet, while the inner block—the rooms toward the Temple—extended for 175 feet.


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On the south side of the Temple there were two blocks of rooms just south of the inner courtyard between the Temple and the outer courtyard. These rooms were arranged just like the rooms on the north.


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contenido:
There was a walkway between the two blocks of rooms just like the complex on the north side of the Temple. This complex of rooms was the same length and width as the other one, and it had the same entrances and doors. The dimensions of each were identical.


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So there was an entrance in the wall facing the doors of the inner block of rooms, and another on the east at the end of the interior walkway.


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Then the man told me, “These rooms that overlook the Temple from the north and south are holy. Here the priests who offer sacrifices to the Lord will eat the most holy offerings. And because these rooms are holy, they will be used to store the sacred offerings—the grain offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings.


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When the priests leave the sanctuary, they must not go directly to the outer courtyard. They must first take off the clothes they wore while ministering, because these clothes are holy. They must put on other clothes before entering the parts of the building complex open to the public.”


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When the man had finished measuring the inside of the Temple area, he led me out through the east gateway to measure the entire perimeter.


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So the area was 875 feet on each side with a wall all around it to separate what was holy from what was common.


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Suddenly, the glory of the God of Israel appeared from the east. The sound of his coming was like the roar of rushing waters, and the whole landscape shone with his glory.


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This vision was just like the others I had seen, first by the Kebar River and then when he came to destroy Jerusalem. I fell face down on the ground.


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Then the Spirit took me up and brought me into the inner courtyard, and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple.


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And I heard someone speaking to me from within the Temple, while the man who had been measuring stood beside me.


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The Lord said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place where I will rest my feet. I will live here forever among the people of Israel. They and their kings will not defile my holy name any longer by their adulterous worship of other gods or by honoring the relics of their kings who have died.


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They put their idol altars right next to mine with only a wall between them and me. They defiled my holy name by such detestable sin, so I consumed them in my anger.


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Now let them stop worshiping other gods and honoring the relics of their kings, and I will live among them forever.


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“Son of man, describe to the people of Israel the Temple I have shown you, so they will be ashamed of all their sins. Let them study its plan,


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and they will be ashamed of what they have done. Describe to them all the specifications of the Temple—including its entrances and exits—and everything else about it. Tell them about its decrees and laws. Write down all these specifications and decrees as they watch so they will be sure to remember and follow them.


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And this is the basic law of the Temple: absolute holiness! The entire top of the mountain where the Temple is built is holy. Yes, this is the basic law of the Temple.


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The Altar “These are the measurements of the altar: There is a gutter all around the altar 21 inches deep and 21 inches wide, with a curb 9 inches wide around its edge. And this is the height of the altar:


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From the gutter the altar rises 3 1⁄2 feet to a lower ledge that surrounds the altar and is 21 inches wide. From the lower ledge the altar rises 7 feet to the upper ledge that is also 21 inches wide.


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The top of the altar, the hearth, rises another 7 feet higher, with a horn rising up from each of the four corners.


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The upper ledge also forms a square, measuring 24 1⁄2 feet by 24 1⁄2 feet, with a 21-inch gutter and a 10 1⁄2-inch curb all around the edge. There are steps going up the east side of the altar.”


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Then he said to me, “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: These will be the regulations for the burning of offerings and the sprinkling of blood when the altar is built.


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At that time, the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok, who minister before me, are to be given a young bull for a sin offering, says the Sovereign Lord.


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You will take some of its blood and smear it on the four horns of the altar, the four corners of the upper ledge, and the curb that runs around that ledge. This will cleanse and make atonement for the altar.


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Then take the young bull for the sin offering and burn it at the appointed place outside the Temple area.


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“On the second day, sacrifice as a sin offering a young male goat that has no physical defects. Then cleanse and make atonement for the altar again, just as you did with the young bull.


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When you have finished the cleansing ceremony, offer another young bull that has no defects and a perfect ram from the flock.


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You are to present them to the Lord, and the priests are to sprinkle salt on them and offer them as a burnt offering to the Lord.


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“Every day for seven days a male goat, a young bull, and a ram from the flock will be sacrificed as a sin offering. None of these animals may have physical defects of any kind.


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Do this each day for seven days to cleanse and make atonement for the altar, thus setting it apart for holy use.


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On the eighth day, and on each day afterward, the priests will sacrifice on the altar the burnt offerings and peace offerings of the people. Then I will accept you. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”


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The Prince, Levites, and Priests Then the man brought me back to the east gateway in the outer wall of the Temple area, but it was closed.


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And the Lord said to me, “This gate must remain closed; it will never again be opened. No one will ever open it and pass through, for the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered here. Therefore, it must always remain shut.


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Only the prince himself may sit inside this gateway to feast in the Lord’s presence. But he may come and go only through the entry room of the gateway.”


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Then the man brought me through the north gateway to the front of the Temple. I looked and saw that the glory of the Lord filled the Temple of the Lord, and I fell face down on the ground.


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And the Lord said to me, “Son of man, take careful notice. Use your eyes and ears, and listen to everything I tell you about the regulations concerning the Lord’s Temple. Take careful note of the procedures for using the Temple’s entrances and exits.


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And give these rebels, the people of Israel, this message from the Sovereign Lord: O people of Israel, enough of your detestable sins!


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You have brought uncircumcised foreigners into my sanctuary—people who have no heart for God. In this way, you defiled my Temple even as you offered me my food, the fat and blood of sacrifices. In addition to all your other detestable sins, you have broken my covenant.


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Instead of safeguarding my sacred rituals, you have hired foreigners to take charge of my sanctuary.


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“So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: No foreigners, including those who live among the people of Israel, will enter my sanctuary if they have not been circumcised and have not surrendered themselves to the Lord.


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And the men of the tribe of Levi who abandoned me when Israel strayed away from me to worship idols must bear the consequences of their unfaithfulness.


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They may still be Temple guards and gatekeepers, and they may slaughter the animals brought for burnt offerings and be present to help the people.


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But they encouraged my people to worship idols, causing Israel to fall into deep sin. So I have taken a solemn oath that they must bear the consequences for their sins, says the Sovereign Lord.


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They may not approach me to minister as priests. They may not touch any of my holy things or the holy offerings, for they must bear the shame of all the detestable sins they have committed.


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They are to serve as the Temple caretakers, taking charge of the maintenance work and performing general duties.


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“However, the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok continued to minister faithfully in the Temple when Israel abandoned me for idols. These men will serve as my ministers. They will stand in my presence and offer the fat and blood of the sacrifices, says the Sovereign Lord.


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They alone will enter my sanctuary and approach my table to serve me. They will fulfill all my requirements.


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“When they enter the gateway to the inner courtyard, they must wear only linen clothing. They must wear no wool while on duty in the inner courtyard or in the Temple itself.


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They must wear linen turbans and linen undergarments. They must not wear anything that would cause them to perspire.


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When they return to the outer courtyard where the people are, they must take off the clothes they wear while ministering to me. They must leave them in the sacred rooms and put on other clothes so they do not endanger anyone by transmitting holiness to them through this clothing.


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“They must neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow too long. Instead, they must trim it regularly.


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They may choose their wives only from among the virgins of Israel or the widows of the priests. They may not marry other widows or divorced women.


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They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and unclean.


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“They will serve as judges to resolve any disagreements among my people. Their decisions must be based on my regulations. And the priests themselves must obey my instructions and decrees at all the sacred festivals, and see to it that the Sabbaths are set apart as holy days.


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“A priest must not defile himself by being in the presence of a dead person unless it is his father, mother, child, brother, or unmarried sister. In such cases it is permitted.


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Even then, he can return to his Temple duties only after being ceremonially cleansed and then waiting for seven days.


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The first day he returns to work and enters the inner courtyard and the sanctuary, he must offer a sin offering for himself, says the Sovereign Lord.


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“The priests will not have any property or possession of land, for I alone am their special possession.


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Their food will come from the gifts and sacrifices brought to the Temple by the people—the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Whatever anyone sets apart for the Lord will belong to the priests.


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The first of the ripe fruits and all the gifts brought to the Lord will go to the priests. The first samples of each grain harvest and the first of your flour must also be given to the priests so the Lord will bless your homes.


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The priests may not eat meat from any bird or animal that dies a natural death or that dies after being attacked by another animal.


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Division of the Land “When you divide the land among the tribes of Israel, you must set aside a section for the Lord as his holy portion. This piece of land will be 8 1⁄3 miles long and 6 2⁄3 miles wide. The entire area will be holy.


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A section of this land, measuring 875 feet by 875 feet, will be set aside for the Temple. An additional strip of land 87 1⁄2 feet wide is to be left empty all around it.


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Within the larger sacred area, measure out a portion of land 8 1⁄3 miles long and 3 1⁄3 miles wide. Within it the sanctuary of the Most Holy Place will be located.


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This area will be holy, set aside for the priests who minister to the Lord in the sanctuary. They will use it for their homes, and my Temple will be located within it.


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The strip of sacred land next to it, also 8 1⁄3 miles long and 3 1⁄3 miles wide, will be a living area for the Levites who work at the Temple. It will be their possession and a place for their towns.


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“Adjacent to the larger sacred area will be a section of land 8 1⁄3 miles long and 1 2⁄3 miles wide. This will be set aside for a city where anyone in Israel can live.


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“Two special sections of land will be set apart for the prince. One section will share a border with the east side of the sacred lands and city, and the second section will share a border on the west side. Then the far eastern and western borders of the prince’s lands will line up with the eastern and western boundaries of the tribal areas.


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These sections of land will be the prince’s allotment. Then my princes will no longer oppress and rob my people; they will assign the rest of the land to the people, giving an allotment to each tribe.


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Rules for the Princes “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Enough, you princes of Israel! Stop your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Quit robbing and cheating my people out of their land. Stop expelling them from their homes, says the Sovereign Lord.


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The homer will be your standard unit for measuring volume. The ephah and the bath will each measure one-tenth of a homer.


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The standard unit for weight will be the silver shekel. One shekel will consist of twenty gerahs, and sixty shekels will be equal to one mina.


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Special Offerings and Celebrations “You must give this tax to the prince: one bushel of wheat or barley for every 60 you harvest,


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and one sheep or goat for every 200 in your flocks in Israel. These will be the grain offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings that will make atonement for the people who bring them, says the Sovereign Lord.


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The prince will be required to provide offerings that are given at the religious festivals, the new moon celebrations, the Sabbath days, and all other similar occasions. He will provide the sin offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings, liquid offerings, and peace offerings to purify the people of Israel, making them right with the Lord.


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“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In early spring, on the first day of each new year, sacrifice a young bull with no defects to purify the Temple.


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The priest will take blood from this sin offering and put it on the doorposts of the Temple, the four corners of the upper ledge of the altar, and the gateposts at the entrance to the inner courtyard.


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Do this also on the seventh day of the new year for anyone who has sinned through error or ignorance. In this way, you will purify the Temple.


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“On the fourteenth day of the first month, you must celebrate the Passover. This festival will last for seven days. The bread you eat during that time must be made without yeast.


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On the day of Passover the prince will provide a young bull as a sin offering for himself and the people of Israel.


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On each of the seven days of the feast he will prepare a burnt offering to the Lord, consisting of seven young bulls and seven rams without defects. A male goat will also be given each day for a sin offering.


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The prince will provide a basket of flour as a grain offering and a gallon of olive oil with each young bull and ram.


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“During the seven days of the Festival of Shelters, which occurs every year in early autumn, the prince will provide these same sacrifices for the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the grain offering, along with the required olive oil.


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“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The east gateway of the inner courtyard will be closed during the six workdays each week, but it will be open on Sabbath days and the days of new moon celebrations.


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The prince will enter the entry room of the gateway from the outside. Then he will stand by the gatepost while the priest offers his burnt offering and peace offering. He will bow down in worship inside the gateway passage and then go back out the way he came. The gateway will not be closed until evening.


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The common people will bow down and worship the Lord in front of this gateway on Sabbath days and the days of new moon celebrations.


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“Each Sabbath day the prince will present to the Lord a burnt offering of six lambs and one ram, all with no defects.


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He will present a grain offering of a basket of choice flour to go with the ram and whatever amount of flour he chooses to go with each lamb, and he is to offer one gallon of olive oil for each basket of flour.


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At the new moon celebrations, he will bring one young bull, six lambs, and one ram, all with no defects.


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With the young bull he must bring a basket of choice flour for a grain offering. With the ram he must bring another basket of flour. And with each lamb he is to bring whatever amount of flour he chooses to give. With each basket of flour he must offer one gallon of olive oil.


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But when the people come in through the north gateway to worship the Lord during the religious festivals, they must leave by the south gateway. And those who entered through the south gateway must leave by the north gateway. They must never leave by the same gateway they came in, but must always use the opposite gateway.


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“So at the special feasts and sacred festivals, the grain offering will be a basket of choice flour with each young bull, another basket of flour with each ram, and as much flour as the prince chooses to give with each lamb. Give one gallon of olive oil with each basket of flour.


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When the prince offers a voluntary burnt offering or peace offering to the Lord, the east gateway to the inner courtyard will be opened for him, and he will offer his sacrifices as he does on Sabbath days. Then he will leave, and the gateway will be shut behind him.


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“Each morning you must sacrifice a one-year-old lamb with no defects as a burnt offering to the Lord.


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With the lamb, a grain offering must also be given to the Lord—about three quarts of flour with a third of a gallon of olive oil to moisten the choice flour. This will be a permanent law for you.


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The lamb, the grain offering, and the olive oil must be given as a daily sacrifice every morning without fail.


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“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: If the prince gives a gift of land to one of his sons as his inheritance, it will belong to him and his descendants forever.


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But if the prince gives a gift of land from his inheritance to one of his servants, the servant may keep it only until the Year of Jubilee, which comes every fiftieth year. At that time the land will return to the prince. But when the prince gives gifts to his sons, those gifts will be permanent.


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And the prince may never take anyone’s property by force. If he gives property to his sons, it must be from his own land, for I do not want any of my people unjustly evicted from their property.”


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The Temple Kitchens In my vision, the man brought me through the entrance beside the gateway and led me to the sacred rooms assigned to the priests, which faced toward the north. He showed me a place at the extreme west end of these rooms.


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He explained, “This is where the priests will cook the meat from the guilt offerings and sin offerings and bake the flour from the grain offerings into bread. They will do it here to avoid carrying the sacrifices through the outer courtyard and endangering the people by transmitting holiness to them.”


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Then he brought me back to the outer courtyard and led me to each of its four corners. In each corner I saw an enclosure.


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Along the inside of these walls was a ledge of stone with fireplaces under the ledge all the way around.


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The man said to me, “These are the kitchens to be used by the Temple assistants to boil the sacrifices offered by the people.”


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The River of Healing In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side.


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The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway.


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Measuring as he went, he took me along the stream for 1,750 feet and then led me across. The water was up to my ankles.


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He measured off another 1,750 feet and led me across again. This time the water was up to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist.


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Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through.


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Then he said to me, “This river flows east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea. The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure.


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There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows.


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Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean.


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Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.”


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Boundaries for the Land This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Divide the land in this way for the twelve tribes of Israel: The descendants of Joseph will be given two shares of land.


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Otherwise each tribe will receive an equal share. I took a solemn oath and swore that I would give this land to your ancestors, and it will now come to you as your possession.


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“These are the boundaries of the land: The northern border will run from the Mediterranean toward Hethlon, then on through Lebo-hamath to Zedad;


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then it will run to Berothah and Sibraim, which are on the border between Damascus and Hamath, and finally to Hazer-hatticon, on the border of Hauran.


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So the northern border will run from the Mediterranean to Hazar-enan, on the border between Hamath to the north and Damascus to the south.


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“The eastern border starts at a point between Hauran and Damascus and runs south along the Jordan River between Israel and Gilead, past the Dead Sea and as far south as Tamar. This will be the eastern border.


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“The southern border will go west from Tamar to the waters of Meribah at Kadesh and then follow the course of the Brook of Egypt to the Mediterranean. This will be the southern border.


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“On the west side, the Mediterranean itself will be your border from the southern border to the point where the northern border begins, opposite Lebo-hamath.


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Distribute the land as an allotment for yourselves and for the foreigners who have joined you and are raising their families among you. They will be like native-born Israelites to you and will receive an allotment among the tribes.


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These foreigners are to be given land within the territory of the tribe with whom they now live. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!


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Division of the Land “Here is the list of the tribes of Israel and the territory each is to receive. The territory of Dan is in the extreme north. Its boundary line follows the Hethlon road to Lebo-hamath and then runs on to Hazar-enan on the border of Damascus, with Hamath to the north. Dan’s territory extends all the way across the land of Israel from east to west.


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“South of Judah is the land set aside for a special purpose. It will be 8 1⁄3 miles wide and will extend as far east and west as the tribal territories, with the Temple at the center.


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For the priests there will be a strip of land measuring 8 1⁄3 miles long by 3 1⁄3 miles wide, with the Lord’s Temple at the center.


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This area is set aside for the ordained priests, the descendants of Zadok who served me faithfully and did not go astray with the people of Israel and the rest of the Levites.


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It will be their special portion when the land is distributed, the most sacred land of all. Next to the priests’ territory will lie the land where the other Levites will live.


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“The land allotted to the Levites will be the same size and shape as that belonging to the priests—8 1⁄3 miles long and 3 1⁄3 miles wide. Together these portions of land will measure 8 1⁄3 miles long by 6 2⁄3 miles wide.


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None of this special land may ever be sold or traded or used by others, for it belongs to the Lord; it is set apart as holy.


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“An additional strip of land 8 1⁄3 miles long by 1 2⁄3 miles wide, south of the sacred Temple area, will be allotted for public use—homes, pasturelands, and common lands, with a city at the center.


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Outside the city there will be a farming area that stretches 3 1⁄3 miles to the east and 3 1⁄3 miles to the west along the border of the sacred area. This farmland will produce food for the people working in the city.


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This entire area—including the sacred lands and the city—is a square that measures 8 1⁄3 miles on each side.


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“The areas that remain, to the east and to the west of the sacred lands and the city, will belong to the prince. Each of these areas will be 8 1⁄3 miles wide, extending in opposite directions to the eastern and western borders of Israel, with the sacred lands and the sanctuary of the Temple in the center.


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So the prince’s land will include everything between the territories allotted to Judah and Benjamin, except for the areas set aside for the sacred lands and the city.


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“These are the territories allotted to the rest of the tribes. Benjamin’s territory lies just south of the prince’s lands, and it extends across the entire land of Israel from east to west.


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South of Benjamin’s territory lies that of Simeon, also extending across the land from east to west.


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The southern border of Gad runs from Tamar to the waters of Meribah at Kadesh and then follows the Brook of Egypt to the Mediterranean.


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“These are the allotments that will be set aside for each tribe’s exclusive possession. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!


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contenido:
The Gates of the City “These will be the exits to the city: On the north wall, which is 1 1⁄2 miles long,


book: Ezek
contenido:
there will be three gates, each one named after a tribe of Israel. The first will be named for Reuben, the second for Judah, and the third for Levi.


book: Ezek
contenido:
“The distance around the entire city will be 6 miles. And from that day the name of the city will be ‘The Lord Is There.’”


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel in Nebuchadnezzar’s Court During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.


book: Dan
contenido:
The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God. So Nebuchadnezzar took them back to the land of Babylonia and placed them in the treasure-house of his god.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.”


book: Dan
contenido:
The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service.


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah.


book: Dan
contenido:
The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego.


book: Dan
contenido:
But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.


book: Dan
contenido:
But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.


book: Dan
contenido:
“At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.”


book: Dan
contenido:
At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king.


book: Dan
contenido:
So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.


book: Dan
contenido:
God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.


book: Dan
contenido:
When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar.


book: Dan
contenido:
The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service.


book: Dan
contenido:
Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.


book: Dan
contenido:
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream One night during the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had such disturbing dreams that he couldn’t sleep.


book: Dan
contenido:
He called in his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers, and he demanded that they tell him what he had dreamed. As they stood before the king,


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the astrologers answered the king in Aramaic, “Long live the king! Tell us the dream, and we will tell you what it means.”


book: Dan
contenido:
But the king said to the astrologers, “I am serious about this. If you don’t tell me what my dream was and what it means, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be turned into heaps of rubble!


book: Dan
contenido:
But if you tell me what I dreamed and what the dream means, I will give you many wonderful gifts and honors. Just tell me the dream and what it means!”


book: Dan
contenido:
The king replied, “I know what you are doing! You’re stalling for time because you know I am serious when I say,


book: Dan
contenido:
‘If you don’t tell me the dream, you are doomed.’ So you have conspired to tell me lies, hoping I will change my mind. But tell me the dream, and then I’ll know that you can tell me what it means.”


book: Dan
contenido:
The astrologers replied to the king, “No one on earth can tell the king his dream! And no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer!


book: Dan
contenido:
The king’s demand is impossible. No one except the gods can tell you your dream, and they do not live here among people.”


book: Dan
contenido:
The king was furious when he heard this, and he ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be executed.


book: Dan
contenido:
When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion.


book: Dan
contenido:
He asked Arioch, “Why has the king issued such a harsh decree?” So Arioch told him all that had happened.


book: Dan
contenido:
He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon.


book: Dan
contenido:
He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.


book: Dan
contenido:
He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.


book: Dan
contenido:
I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel Interprets the Dream Then Daniel went in to see Arioch, whom the king had ordered to execute the wise men of Babylon. Daniel said to him, “Don’t kill the wise men. Take me to the king, and I will tell him the meaning of his dream.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Arioch quickly took Daniel to the king and said, “I have found one of the captives from Judah who will tell the king the meaning of his dream!”


book: Dan
contenido:
The king said to Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar), “Is this true? Can you tell me what my dream was and what it means?”


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel replied, “There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king’s secret.


book: Dan
contenido:
But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed.


book: Dan
contenido:
“While Your Majesty was sleeping, you dreamed about coming events. He who reveals secrets has shown you what is going to happen.


book: Dan
contenido:
And it is not because I am wiser than anyone else that I know the secret of your dream, but because God wants you to understand what was in your heart.


book: Dan
contenido:
“In your vision, Your Majesty, you saw standing before you a huge, shining statue of a man. It was a frightening sight.


book: Dan
contenido:
The head of the statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze,


book: Dan
contenido:
As you watched, a rock was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands. It struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits.


book: Dan
contenido:
The whole statue was crushed into small pieces of iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold. Then the wind blew them away without a trace, like chaff on a threshing floor. But the rock that knocked the statue down became a great mountain that covered the whole earth.


book: Dan
contenido:
Your Majesty, you are the greatest of kings. The God of heaven has given you sovereignty, power, strength, and honor.


book: Dan
contenido:
He has made you the ruler over all the inhabited world and has put even the wild animals and birds under your control. You are the head of gold.


book: Dan
contenido:
“But after your kingdom comes to an end, another kingdom, inferior to yours, will rise to take your place. After that kingdom has fallen, yet a third kingdom, represented by bronze, will rise to rule the world.


book: Dan
contenido:
Following that kingdom, there will be a fourth one, as strong as iron. That kingdom will smash and crush all previous empires, just as iron smashes and crushes everything it strikes.


book: Dan
contenido:
The feet and toes you saw were a combination of iron and baked clay, showing that this kingdom will be divided. Like iron mixed with clay, it will have some of the strength of iron.


book: Dan
contenido:
This mixture of iron and clay also shows that these kingdoms will try to strengthen themselves by forming alliances with each other through intermarriage. But they will not hold together, just as iron and clay do not mix.


book: Dan
contenido:
“During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever.


book: Dan
contenido:
That is the meaning of the rock cut from the mountain, though not by human hands, that crushed to pieces the statue of iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. The great God was showing the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its meaning is certain.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Nebuchadnezzar Rewards Daniel Then King Nebuchadnezzar threw himself down before Daniel and worshiped him, and he commanded his people to offer sacrifices and burn sweet incense before him.


book: Dan
contenido:
The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the king appointed Daniel to a high position and gave him many valuable gifts. He made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men.


book: Dan
contenido:
At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court.


book: Dan
contenido:
Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold Statue King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command!


book: Dan
contenido:
When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue.


book: Dan
contenido:
So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.


book: Dan
contenido:
You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments.


book: Dan
contenido:
But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in,


book: Dan
contenido:
Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up?


book: Dan
contenido:
I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”


book: Dan
contenido:
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.


book: Dan
contenido:
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.


book: Dan
contenido:
But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”


book: Dan
contenido:
The Blazing Furnace Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.


book: Dan
contenido:
So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments.


book: Dan
contenido:
And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in.


book: Dan
contenido:
But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!


book: Dan
contenido:
Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.


book: Dan
contenido:
Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.


book: Dan
contenido:
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream about a Tree King Nebuchadnezzar sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you!


book: Dan
contenido:
“I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me.


book: Dan
contenido:
How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, his rule through all generations.


book: Dan
contenido:
So I issued an order calling in all the wise men of Babylon, so they could tell me what my dream meant.


book: Dan
contenido:
When all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers came in, I told them the dream, but they could not tell me what it meant.


book: Dan
contenido:
At last Daniel came in before me, and I told him the dream. (He was named Belteshazzar after my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)


book: Dan
contenido:
“I said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too great for you to solve. Now tell me what my dream means.


book: Dan
contenido:
“‘While I was lying in my bed, this is what I dreamed. I saw a large tree in the middle of the earth.


book: Dan
contenido:
It had fresh green leaves, and it was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. All the world was fed from this tree.


book: Dan
contenido:
The messenger shouted, “Cut down the tree and lop off its branches! Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit! Chase the wild animals from its shade and the birds from its branches.


book: Dan
contenido:
But leave the stump and the roots in the ground, bound with a band of iron and bronze and surrounded by tender grass. Now let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the wild animals among the plants of the field.


book: Dan
contenido:
For this has been decreed by the messengers; it is commanded by the holy ones, so that everyone may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. He gives them to anyone he chooses— even to the lowliest of people.”


book: Dan
contenido:
“‘Belteshazzar, that was the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now tell me what it means, for none of the wise men of my kingdom can do so. But you can tell me because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.’


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel Explains the Dream “Upon hearing this, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) was overcome for a time, frightened by the meaning of the dream. Then the king said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, don’t be alarmed by the dream and what it means.’ “Belteshazzar replied, ‘I wish the events foreshadowed in this dream would happen to your enemies, my lord, and not to you!


book: Dan
contenido:
The tree you saw was growing very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see.


book: Dan
contenido:
It had fresh green leaves and was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches.


book: Dan
contenido:
That tree, Your Majesty, is you. For you have grown strong and great; your greatness reaches up to heaven, and your rule to the ends of the earth.


book: Dan
contenido:
“‘Then you saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, “Cut down the tree and destroy it. But leave the stump and the roots in the ground, bound with a band of iron and bronze and surrounded by tender grass. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven. Let him live with the animals of the field for seven periods of time.”


book: Dan
contenido:
“‘This is what the dream means, Your Majesty, and what the Most High has declared will happen to my lord the king.


book: Dan
contenido:
You will be driven from human society, and you will live in the fields with the wild animals. You will eat grass like a cow, and you will be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.


book: Dan
contenido:
But the stump and roots of the tree were left in the ground. This means that you will receive your kingdom back again when you have learned that heaven rules.


book: Dan
contenido:
“‘King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.’


book: Dan
contenido:
As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’


book: Dan
contenido:
“While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom.


book: Dan
contenido:
You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.’


book: Dan
contenido:
“That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws.


book: Dan
contenido:
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal.


book: Dan
contenido:
All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’


book: Dan
contenido:
“When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”


book: Dan
contenido:
The Writing on the Wall Many years later King Belshazzar gave a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles, and he drank wine with them.


book: Dan
contenido:
While Belshazzar was drinking the wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver cups that his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. He wanted to drink from them with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines.


book: Dan
contenido:
So they brought these gold cups taken from the Temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank from them.


book: Dan
contenido:
While they drank from them they praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.


book: Dan
contenido:
Suddenly, they saw the fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster wall of the king’s palace, near the lampstand. The king himself saw the hand as it wrote,


book: Dan
contenido:
and his face turned pale with fright. His knees knocked together in fear and his legs gave way beneath him.


book: Dan
contenido:
The king shouted for the enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers to be brought before him. He said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever can read this writing and tell me what it means will be dressed in purple robes of royal honor and will have a gold chain placed around his neck. He will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom!”


book: Dan
contenido:
But when all the king’s wise men had come in, none of them could read the writing or tell him what it meant.


book: Dan
contenido:
But when the queen mother heard what was happening, she hurried to the banquet hall. She said to Belshazzar, “Long live the king! Don’t be so pale and frightened.


book: Dan
contenido:
There is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods. During Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, this man was found to have insight, understanding, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your predecessor, the king—your predecessor King Nebuchadnezzar—made him chief over all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers of Babylon.


book: Dan
contenido:
This man Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, has exceptional ability and is filled with divine knowledge and understanding. He can interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel Explains the Writing So Daniel was brought in before the king. The king asked him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles brought from Judah by my predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar?


book: Dan
contenido:
I have heard that you have the spirit of the gods within you and that you are filled with insight, understanding, and wisdom.


book: Dan
contenido:
My wise men and enchanters have tried to read the words on the wall and tell me their meaning, but they cannot do it.


book: Dan
contenido:
I am told that you can give interpretations and solve difficult problems. If you can read these words and tell me their meaning, you will be clothed in purple robes of royal honor, and you will have a gold chain placed around your neck. You will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel answered the king, “Keep your gifts or give them to someone else, but I will tell you what the writing means.


book: Dan
contenido:
Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, majesty, glory, and honor to your predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar.


book: Dan
contenido:
He made him so great that people of all races and nations and languages trembled before him in fear. He killed those he wanted to kill and spared those he wanted to spare. He honored those he wanted to honor and disgraced those he wanted to disgrace.


book: Dan
contenido:
But when his heart and mind were puffed up with arrogance, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.


book: Dan
contenido:
He was driven from human society. He was given the mind of a wild animal, and he lived among the wild donkeys. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them.


book: Dan
contenido:
For you have proudly defied the Lord of heaven and have had these cups from his Temple brought before you. You and your nobles and your wives and concubines have been drinking wine from them while praising gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods that neither see nor hear nor know anything at all. But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!


book: Dan
contenido:
This is what these words mean: Mene means ‘numbered’—God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel in the Lions’ Den Darius the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province.


book: Dan
contenido:
The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king’s interests.


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.


book: Dan
contenido:
So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.”


book: Dan
contenido:
We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions.


book: Dan
contenido:
And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”


book: Dan
contenido:
But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.


book: Dan
contenido:
So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?” “Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.


book: Dan
contenido:
In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.”


book: Dan
contenido:
So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”


book: Dan
contenido:
A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel.


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contenido:
Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.


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contenido:
When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”


book: Dan
contenido:
My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”


book: Dan
contenido:
The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.


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contenido:
Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you!


book: Dan
contenido:
“I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end.


book: Dan
contenido:
He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel’s Vision of Four Beasts Earlier, during the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon, Daniel had a dream and saw visions as he lay in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is what he saw.


book: Dan
contenido:
In my vision that night, I, Daniel, saw a great storm churning the surface of a great sea, with strong winds blowing from every direction.


book: Dan
contenido:
The first beast was like a lion with eagles’ wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off, and it was left standing with its two hind feet on the ground, like a human being. And it was given a human mind.


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contenido:
Then I saw a second beast, and it looked like a bear. It was rearing up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And I heard a voice saying to it, “Get up! Devour the flesh of many people!”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the third of these strange beasts appeared, and it looked like a leopard. It had four bird’s wings on its back, and it had four heads. Great authority was given to this beast.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then in my vision that night, I saw a fourth beast—terrifying, dreadful, and very strong. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet. It was different from any of the other beasts, and it had ten horns.


book: Dan
contenido:
As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.


book: Dan
contenido:
I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire,


book: Dan
contenido:
and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened.


book: Dan
contenido:
I continued to watch because I could hear the little horn’s boastful speech. I kept watching until the fourth beast was killed and its body was destroyed by fire.


book: Dan
contenido:
The other three beasts had their authority taken from them, but they were allowed to live a while longer.


book: Dan
contenido:
As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.


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contenido:
He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.


book: Dan
contenido:
So I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him what it all meant. He explained it to me like this:


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contenido:
But in the end, the holy people of the Most High will be given the kingdom, and they will rule forever and ever.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one so different from the others and so terrifying. It had devoured and crushed its victims with iron teeth and bronze claws, trampling their remains beneath its feet.


book: Dan
contenido:
I also asked about the ten horns on the fourth beast’s head and the little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the other horns. This horn had seemed greater than the others, and it had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.


book: Dan
contenido:
until the Ancient One—the Most High—came and judged in favor of his holy people. Then the time arrived for the holy people to take over the kingdom.


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contenido:
Then he said to me, “This fourth beast is the fourth world power that will rule the earth. It will be different from all the others. It will devour the whole world, trampling and crushing everything in its path.


book: Dan
contenido:
Its ten horns are ten kings who will rule that empire. Then another king will arise, different from the other ten, who will subdue three of them.


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contenido:
He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time.


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contenido:
“But then the court will pass judgment, and all his power will be taken away and completely destroyed.


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contenido:
Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him.”


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contenido:
That was the end of the vision. I, Daniel, was terrified by my thoughts and my face was pale with fear, but I kept these things to myself.


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and Goat During the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign, I, Daniel, saw another vision, following the one that had already appeared to me.


book: Dan
contenido:
In this vision I was at the fortress of Susa, in the province of Elam, standing beside the Ulai River.


book: Dan
contenido:
As I looked up, I saw a ram with two long horns standing beside the river. One of the horns was longer than the other, even though it had grown later than the other one.


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contenido:
The ram butted everything out of his way to the west, to the north, and to the south, and no one could stand against him or help his victims. He did as he pleased and became very great.


book: Dan
contenido:
While I was watching, suddenly a male goat appeared from the west, crossing the land so swiftly that he didn’t even touch the ground. This goat, which had one very large horn between its eyes,


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contenido:
headed toward the two-horned ram that I had seen standing beside the river, rushing at him in a rage.


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contenido:
The goat charged furiously at the ram and struck him, breaking off both his horns. Now the ram was helpless, and the goat knocked him down and trampled him. No one could rescue the ram from the goat’s power.


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contenido:
The goat became very powerful. But at the height of his power, his large horn was broken off. In the large horn’s place grew four prominent horns pointing in the four directions of the earth.


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contenido:
Then from one of the prominent horns came a small horn whose power grew very great. It extended toward the south and the east and toward the glorious land of Israel.


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contenido:
Its power reached to the heavens, where it attacked the heavenly army, throwing some of the heavenly beings and some of the stars to the ground and trampling them.


book: Dan
contenido:
It even challenged the Commander of heaven’s army by canceling the daily sacrifices offered to him and by destroying his Temple.


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contenido:
The army of heaven was restrained from responding to this rebellion. So the daily sacrifice was halted, and truth was overthrown. The horn succeeded in everything it did.


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contenido:
Then I heard two holy ones talking to each other. One of them asked, “How long will the events of this vision last? How long will the rebellion that causes desecration stop the daily sacrifices? How long will the Temple and heaven’s army be trampled on?”


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contenido:
The other replied, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the Temple will be made right again.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Gabriel Explains the Vision As I, Daniel, was trying to understand the meaning of this vision, someone who looked like a man stood in front of me.


book: Dan
contenido:
And I heard a human voice calling out from the Ulai River, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of his vision.”


book: Dan
contenido:
As Gabriel approached the place where I was standing, I became so terrified that I fell with my face to the ground. “Son of man,” he said, “you must understand that the events you have seen in your vision relate to the time of the end.”


book: Dan
contenido:
While he was speaking, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground. But Gabriel roused me with a touch and helped me to my feet.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then he said, “I am here to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath. What you have seen pertains to the very end of time.


book: Dan
contenido:
The shaggy male goat represents the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes represents the first king of the Greek Empire.


book: Dan
contenido:
The four prominent horns that replaced the one large horn show that the Greek Empire will break into four kingdoms, but none as great as the first.


book: Dan
contenido:
“At the end of their rule, when their sin is at its height, a fierce king, a master of intrigue, will rise to power.


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contenido:
He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people.


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contenido:
He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning. He will even take on the Prince of princes in battle, but he will be broken, though not by human power.


book: Dan
contenido:
“This vision about the 2,300 evenings and mornings is true. But none of these things will happen for a long time, so keep this vision a secret.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for several days. Afterward I got up and performed my duties for the king, but I was greatly troubled by the vision and could not understand it.


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel’s Prayer for His People It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians.


book: Dan
contenido:
During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years.


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contenido:
So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.


book: Dan
contenido:
I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands.


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contenido:
But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations.


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contenido:
We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.


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contenido:
“Lord, you are in the right; but as you see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us, including the people of Judah and Jerusalem and all Israel, scattered near and far, wherever you have driven us because of our disloyalty to you.


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contenido:
O Lord, we and our kings, princes, and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you.


book: Dan
contenido:
We have not obeyed the Lord our God, for we have not followed the instructions he gave us through his servants the prophets.


book: Dan
contenido:
All Israel has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice. “So now the solemn curses and judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured down on us because of our sin.


book: Dan
contenido:
You have kept your word and done to us and our rulers exactly as you warned. Never has there been such a disaster as happened in Jerusalem.


book: Dan
contenido:
Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the Lord our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth.


book: Dan
contenido:
Therefore, the Lord has brought upon us the disaster he prepared. The Lord our God was right to do all of these things, for we did not obey him.


book: Dan
contenido:
“O Lord our God, you brought lasting honor to your name by rescuing your people from Egypt in a great display of power. But we have sinned and are full of wickedness.


book: Dan
contenido:
In view of all your faithful mercies, Lord, please turn your furious anger away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. All the neighboring nations mock Jerusalem and your people because of our sins and the sins of our ancestors.


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contenido:
“O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary.


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contenido:
“O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.


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contenido:
“O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Gabriel’s Message about the Anointed One I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the Lord my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain.


book: Dan
contenido:
As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice.


book: Dan
contenido:
The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.


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contenido:
“A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.


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contenido:
Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times.


book: Dan
contenido:
“After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple. The end will come with a flood, and war and its miseries are decreed from that time to the very end.


book: Dan
contenido:
The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven, but after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Daniel’s Vision of a Messenger In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship.


book: Dan
contenido:
All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.


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contenido:
His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.


book: Dan
contenido:
Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide.


book: Dan
contenido:
So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.


book: Dan
contenido:
And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.


book: Dan
contenido:
But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.


book: Dan
contenido:
Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak.


book: Dan
contenido:
How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.”


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contenido:
“Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”


book: Dan
contenido:
He replied, “Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece will come.


book: Dan
contenido:
Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince.


book: Dan
contenido:
11 I have been standing beside Michael to support and strengthen him since the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede.)


book: Dan
contenido:
Kings of the South and North “Now then, I will reveal the truth to you. Three more Persian kings will reign, to be succeeded by a fourth, far richer than the others. He will use his wealth to stir up everyone to fight against the kingdom of Greece.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Then a mighty king will rise to power who will rule with great authority and accomplish everything he sets out to do.


book: Dan
contenido:
But at the height of his power, his kingdom will be broken apart and divided into four parts. It will not be ruled by the king’s descendants, nor will the kingdom hold the authority it once had. For his empire will be uprooted and given to others.


book: Dan
contenido:
“The king of the south will increase in power, but one of his own officials will become more powerful than he and will rule his kingdom with great strength.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Some years later an alliance will be formed between the king of the north and the king of the south. The daughter of the king of the south will be given in marriage to the king of the north to secure the alliance, but she will lose her influence over him, and so will her father. She will be abandoned along with her supporters.


book: Dan
contenido:
But when one of her relatives becomes king of the south, he will raise an army and enter the fortress of the king of the north and defeat him.


book: Dan
contenido:
When he returns to Egypt, he will carry back their idols with him, along with priceless articles of gold and silver. For some years afterward he will leave the king of the north alone.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Later the king of the north will invade the realm of the king of the south but will soon return to his own land.


book: Dan
contenido:
However, the sons of the king of the north will assemble a mighty army that will advance like a flood and carry the battle as far as the enemy’s fortress.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Then, in a rage, the king of the south will rally against the vast forces assembled by the king of the north and will defeat them.


book: Dan
contenido:
After the enemy army is swept away, the king of the south will be filled with pride and will execute many thousands of his enemies. But his success will be short lived.


book: Dan
contenido:
“A few years later the king of the north will return with a fully equipped army far greater than before.


book: Dan
contenido:
At that time there will be a general uprising against the king of the south. Violent men among your own people will join them in fulfillment of this vision, but they will not succeed.


book: Dan
contenido:
Then the king of the north will come and lay siege to a fortified city and capture it. The best troops of the south will not be able to stand in the face of the onslaught.


book: Dan
contenido:
“The king of the north will march onward unopposed; none will be able to stop him. He will pause in the glorious land of Israel, intent on destroying it.


book: Dan
contenido:
He will make plans to come with the might of his entire kingdom and will form an alliance with the king of the south. He will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom from within, but his plan will fail.


book: Dan
contenido:
“After this, he will turn his attention to the coastland and conquer many cities. But a commander from another land will put an end to his insolence and cause him to retreat in shame.


book: Dan
contenido:
“His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. But after a very brief reign, he will die, though not from anger or in battle.


book: Dan
contenido:
“The next to come to power will be a despicable man who is not in line for royal succession. He will slip in when least expected and take over the kingdom by flattery and intrigue.


book: Dan
contenido:
With deceitful promises, he will make various alliances. He will become strong despite having only a handful of followers.


book: Dan
contenido:
Without warning he will enter the richest areas of the land. Then he will distribute among his followers the plunder and wealth of the rich—something his predecessors had never done. He will plot the overthrow of strongholds, but this will last for only a short while.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Then he will stir up his courage and raise a great army against the king of the south. The king of the south will go to battle with a mighty army, but to no avail, for there will be plots against him.


book: Dan
contenido:
Seeking nothing but each other’s harm, these kings will plot against each other at the conference table, attempting to deceive each other. But it will make no difference, for the end will come at the appointed time.


book: Dan
contenido:
“The king of the north will then return home with great riches. On the way he will set himself against the people of the holy covenant, doing much damage before continuing his journey.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Then at the appointed time he will once again invade the south, but this time the result will be different.


book: Dan
contenido:
For warships from western coastlands will scare him off, and he will withdraw and return home. But he will vent his anger against the people of the holy covenant and reward those who forsake the covenant.


book: Dan
contenido:
“His army will take over the Temple fortress, pollute the sanctuary, put a stop to the daily sacrifices, and set up the sacrilegious object that causes desecration.


book: Dan
contenido:
He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed.


book: Dan
contenido:
And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.


book: Dan
contenido:
“The king will do as he pleases, exalting himself and claiming to be greater than every god, even blaspheming the God of gods. He will succeed, but only until the time of wrath is completed. For what has been determined will surely take place.


book: Dan
contenido:
He will have no respect for the gods of his ancestors, or for the god loved by women, or for any other god, for he will boast that he is greater than them all.


book: Dan
contenido:
Instead of these, he will worship the god of fortresses—a god his ancestors never knew—and lavish on him gold, silver, precious stones, and expensive gifts.


book: Dan
contenido:
Claiming this foreign god’s help, he will attack the strongest fortresses. He will honor those who submit to him, appointing them to positions of authority and dividing the land among them as their reward.


book: Dan
contenido:
“Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the king of the north. The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood.


book: Dan
contenido:
He will enter the glorious land of Israel, and many nations will fall, but Moab, Edom, and the best part of Ammon will escape.


book: Dan
contenido:
He will gain control over the gold, silver, and treasures of Egypt, and the Libyans and Ethiopians will be his servants.


book: Dan
contenido:
“But then news from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in great anger to destroy and obliterate many.


book: Dan
contenido:
He will stop between the glorious holy mountain and the sea and will pitch his royal tents. But while he is there, his time will suddenly run out, and no one will help him.


book: Dan
contenido:
The Time of the End “At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.


book: Dan
contenido:
Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.


book: Dan
contenido:
Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.


book: Dan
contenido:
But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”


book: Dan
contenido:
One of them asked the man dressed in linen, who was now standing above the river, “How long will it be until these shocking events are over?”


book: Dan
contenido:
The man dressed in linen, who was standing above the river, raised both his hands toward heaven and took a solemn oath by the One who lives forever, saying, “It will go on for a time, times, and half a time. When the shattering of the holy people has finally come to an end, all these things will have happened.”


book: Dan
contenido:
I heard what he said, but I did not understand what he meant. So I asked, “How will all this finally end, my lord?”


book: Dan
contenido:
But he said, “Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is kept secret and sealed until the time of the end.


book: Dan
contenido:
Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials. But the wicked will continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will know what it means.


book: Dan
contenido:
“From the time the daily sacrifice is stopped and the sacrilegious object that causes desecration is set up to be worshiped, there will be 1,290 days.


book: Dan
contenido:
“As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.”


book: Hos
contenido:
The Lord gave this message to Hosea son of Beeri during the years when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah, and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.


book: Hos
contenido:
Hosea’s Wife and Children When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.”


book: Hos
contenido:
And the Lord said, “Name the child Jezreel, for I am about to punish King Jehu’s dynasty to avenge the murders he committed at Jezreel. In fact, I will bring an end to Israel’s independence.


book: Hos
contenido:
Soon Gomer became pregnant again and gave birth to a daughter. And the Lord said to Hosea, “Name your daughter Lo-ruhamah—‘Not loved’—for I will no longer show love to the people of Israel or forgive them.


book: Hos
contenido:
But I will show love to the people of Judah. I will free them from their enemies—not with weapons and armies or horses and charioteers, but by my power as the Lord their God.”


book: Hos
contenido:
And the Lord said, “Name him Lo-ammi—‘Not my people’—for Israel is not my people, and I am not their God.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Yet the time will come when Israel’s people will be like the sands of the seashore—too many to count! Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said, ‘You are children of the living God.’


book: Hos
contenido:
Then the people of Judah and Israel will unite together. They will choose one leader for themselves, and they will return from exile together. What a day that will be—the day of Jezreel—when God will again plant his people in his land.


book: Hos
contenido:
“In that day you will call your brothers Ammi—‘My people.’ And you will call your sisters Ruhamah—‘The ones I love.’


book: Hos
contenido:
Charges against an Unfaithful Wife “But now bring charges against Israel—your mother— for she is no longer my wife, and I am no longer her husband. Tell her to remove the prostitute’s makeup from her face and the clothing that exposes her breasts.


book: Hos
contenido:
Otherwise, I will strip her as naked as she was on the day she was born. I will leave her to die of thirst, as in a dry and barren wilderness.


book: Hos
contenido:
Their mother is a shameless prostitute and became pregnant in a shameful way. She said, ‘I’ll run after other lovers and sell myself to them for food and water, for clothing of wool and linen, and for olive oil and drinks.’


book: Hos
contenido:
“For this reason I will fence her in with thornbushes. I will block her path with a wall to make her lose her way.


book: Hos
contenido:
When she runs after her lovers, she won’t be able to catch them. She will search for them but not find them. Then she will think, ‘I might as well return to my husband, for I was better off with him than I am now.’


book: Hos
contenido:
She doesn’t realize it was I who gave her everything she has— the grain, the new wine, the olive oil; I even gave her silver and gold. But she gave all my gifts to Baal.


book: Hos
contenido:
“But now I will take back the ripened grain and new wine I generously provided each harvest season. I will take away the wool and linen clothing I gave her to cover her nakedness.


book: Hos
contenido:
I will strip her naked in public, while all her lovers look on. No one will be able to rescue her from my hands.


book: Hos
contenido:
I will put an end to her annual festivals, her new moon celebrations, and her Sabbath days— all her appointed festivals.


book: Hos
contenido:
I will destroy her grapevines and fig trees, things she claims her lovers gave her. I will let them grow into tangled thickets, where only wild animals will eat the fruit.


book: Hos
contenido:
I will punish her for all those times when she burned incense to her images of Baal, when she put on her earrings and jewels and went out to look for her lovers but forgot all about me,” says the Lord.


book: Hos
contenido:
The Lord’s Love for Unfaithful Israel “But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.


book: Hos
contenido:
I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt.


book: Hos
contenido:
On that day I will make a covenant with all the wild animals and the birds of the sky and the animals that scurry along the ground so they will not harm you. I will remove all weapons of war from the land, all swords and bows, so you can live unafraid in peace and safety.


book: Hos
contenido:
I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion.


book: Hos
contenido:
“In that day, I will answer,” says the Lord. “I will answer the sky as it pleads for clouds. And the sky will answer the earth with rain.


book: Hos
contenido:
Then the earth will answer the thirsty cries of the grain, the grapevines, and the olive trees. And they in turn will answer, ‘Jezreel’—‘God plants!’


book: Hos
contenido:
At that time I will plant a crop of Israelites and raise them for myself. I will show love to those I called ‘Not loved.’ And to those I called ‘Not my people,’ I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’ And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’”


book: Hos
contenido:
Hosea’s Wife Is Redeemed Then the Lord said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.”


book: Hos
contenido:
Then I said to her, “You must live in my house for many days and stop your prostitution. During this time, you will not have sexual relations with anyone, not even with me.”


book: Hos
contenido:
This shows that Israel will go a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests, or even idols!


book: Hos
contenido:
But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the Lord their God and to David’s descendant, their king. In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the Lord and of his goodness.


book: Hos
contenido:
The Lord’s Case against Israel Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel! The Lord has brought charges against you, saying: “There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land.


book: Hos
contenido:
You make vows and break them; you kill and steal and commit adultery. There is violence everywhere— one murder after another.


book: Hos
contenido:
That is why your land is in mourning, and everyone is wasting away. Even the wild animals, the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea are disappearing.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Don’t point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame! My complaint, you priests, is with you.


book: Hos
contenido:
So you will stumble in broad daylight, and your false prophets will fall with you in the night. And I will destroy Israel, your mother.


book: Hos
contenido:
My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children.


book: Hos
contenido:
The more priests there are, the more they sin against me. They have exchanged the glory of God for the shame of idols.


book: Hos
contenido:
“When the people bring their sin offerings, the priests get fed. So the priests are glad when the people sin!


book: Hos
contenido:
‘And what the priests do, the people also do.’ So now I will punish both priests and people for their wicked deeds.


book: Hos
contenido:
They will eat and still be hungry. They will play the prostitute and gain nothing from it, for they have deserted the Lord


book: Hos
contenido:
They ask a piece of wood for advice! They think a stick can tell them the future! Longing after idols has made them foolish. They have played the prostitute, serving other gods and deserting their God.


book: Hos
contenido:
They offer sacrifices to idols on the mountaintops. They go up into the hills to burn incense in the pleasant shade of oaks, poplars, and terebinth trees. “That is why your daughters turn to prostitution, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery.


book: Hos
contenido:
But why should I punish them for their prostitution and adultery? For your men are doing the same thing, sinning with whores and shrine prostitutes. O foolish people! You refuse to understand, so you will be destroyed.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Though you, Israel, are a prostitute, may Judah avoid such guilt. Do not join the false worship at Gilgal or Beth-aven, even though they take oaths there in the Lord’s name.


book: Hos
contenido:
Israel is stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. So should the Lord feed her like a lamb in a lush pasture?


book: Hos
contenido:
When the rulers of Israel finish their drinking, off they go to find some prostitutes. They love shame more than honor.


book: Hos
contenido:
The Failure of Israel’s Leaders “Hear this, you priests. Pay attention, you leaders of Israel. Listen, you members of the royal family. Judgment has been handed down against you. For you have led the people into a snare by worshiping the idols at Mizpah and Tabor.


book: Hos
contenido:
You have dug a deep pit to trap them at Acacia Grove. But I will settle with you for what you have done.


book: Hos
contenido:
I know what you are like, O Ephraim. You cannot hide yourself from me, O Israel. You have left me as a prostitute leaves her husband; you are utterly defiled.


book: Hos
contenido:
Your deeds won’t let you return to your God. You are a prostitute through and through, and you do not know the Lord.


book: Hos
contenido:
“The arrogance of Israel testifies against her; Israel and Ephraim will stumble under their load of guilt. Judah, too, will fall with them.


book: Hos
contenido:
When they come with their flocks and herds to offer sacrifices to the Lord, they will not find him, because he has withdrawn from them.


book: Hos
contenido:
They have betrayed the honor of the Lord, bearing children that are not his. Now their false religion will devour them along with their wealth.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Sound the alarm in Gibeah! Blow the trumpet in Ramah! Raise the battle cry in Beth-aven! Lead on into battle, O warriors of Benjamin!


book: Hos
contenido:
The people of Israel will be crushed and broken by my judgment because they are determined to worship idols.


book: Hos
contenido:
“When Israel and Judah saw how sick they were, Israel turned to Assyria— to the great king there— but he could neither help nor cure them.


book: Hos
contenido:
I will be like a lion to Israel, like a strong young lion to Judah. I will tear them to pieces! I will carry them off, and no one will be left to rescue them.


book: Hos
contenido:
Then I will return to my place until they admit their guilt and turn to me. For as soon as trouble comes, they will earnestly search for me.”


book: Hos
contenido:
A Call to Repentance “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds.


book: Hos
contenido:
Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”


book: Hos
contenido:
“O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?” asks the Lord. “For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight.


book: Hos
contenido:
I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces— to slaughter you with my words, with judgments as inescapable as light.


book: Hos
contenido:
I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.


book: Hos
contenido:
Priests form bands of robbers, waiting in ambush for their victims. They murder travelers along the road to Shechem and practice every kind of sin.


book: Hos
contenido:
Yes, I have seen something horrible in Ephraim and Israel: My people are defiled by prostituting themselves with other gods!


book: Hos
contenido:
“O Judah, a harvest of punishment is also waiting for you, though I wanted to restore the fortunes of my people.


book: Hos
contenido:
Israel’s Love for Wickedness “I want to heal Israel, but its sins are too great. Samaria is filled with liars. Thieves are on the inside and bandits on the outside!


book: Hos
contenido:
Its people don’t realize that I am watching them. Their sinful deeds are all around them, and I see them all.


book: Hos
contenido:
They are all adulterers, always aflame with lust. They are like an oven that is kept hot while the baker is kneading the dough.


book: Hos
contenido:
Their hearts are like an oven blazing with intrigue. Their plot smolders through the night, and in the morning it breaks out like a raging fire.


book: Hos
contenido:
Burning like an oven, they consume their leaders. They kill their kings one after another, and no one cries to me for help.


book: Hos
contenido:
“The people of Israel mingle with godless foreigners, making themselves as worthless as a half-baked cake!


book: Hos
contenido:
Worshiping foreign gods has sapped their strength, but they don’t even know it. Their hair is gray, but they don’t realize they’re old and weak.


book: Hos
contenido:
Their arrogance testifies against them, yet they don’t return to the Lord their God or even try to find him.


book: Hos
contenido:
“The people of Israel have become like silly, witless doves, first calling to Egypt, then flying to Assyria for help.


book: Hos
contenido:
But as they fly about, I will throw my net over them and bring them down like a bird from the sky. I will punish them for all the evil they do.


book: Hos
contenido:
“What sorrow awaits those who have deserted me! Let them die, for they have rebelled against me. I wanted to redeem them, but they have told lies about me.


book: Hos
contenido:
They do not cry out to me with sincere hearts. Instead, they sit on their couches and wail. They cut themselves, begging foreign gods for grain and new wine, and they turn away from me.


book: Hos
contenido:
They look everywhere except to the Most High. They are as useless as a crooked bow. Their leaders will be killed by their enemies because of their insolence toward me. Then the people of Egypt will laugh at them.


book: Hos
contenido:
Israel Harvests the Whirlwind “Sound the alarm! The enemy descends like an eagle on the people of the Lord, for they have broken my covenant and revolted against my law.


book: Hos
contenido:
But it is too late. The people of Israel have rejected what is good, and now their enemies will chase after them.


book: Hos
contenido:
The people have appointed kings without my consent, and princes without my knowledge. By making idols for themselves from their silver and gold, they have brought about their own destruction.


book: Hos
contenido:
“O Samaria, I reject this calf— this idol you have made. My fury burns against you. How long will you be incapable of innocence?


book: Hos
contenido:
This calf you worship, O Israel, was crafted by your own hands! It is not God! Therefore, it must be smashed to bits.


book: Hos
contenido:
“They have planted the wind and will harvest the whirlwind. The stalks of grain wither and produce nothing to eat. And even if there is any grain, foreigners will eat it.


book: Hos
contenido:
Like a wild donkey looking for a mate, they have gone up to Assyria. The people of Israel have sold themselves— sold themselves to many lovers.


book: Hos
contenido:
But though they have sold themselves to many allies, I will now gather them together for judgment. Then they will writhe under the burden of the great king.


book: Hos
contenido:
The people of Israel love their rituals of sacrifice, but to me their sacrifices are all meaningless. I will hold my people accountable for their sins, and I will punish them. They will return to Egypt.


book: Hos
contenido:
Israel has forgotten its Maker and built great palaces, and Judah has fortified its cities. Therefore, I will send down fire on their cities and will burn up their fortresses.”


book: Hos
contenido:
Hosea Announces Israel’s Punishment O people of Israel, do not rejoice as other nations do. For you have been unfaithful to your God, hiring yourselves out like prostitutes, worshiping other gods on every threshing floor.


book: Hos
contenido:
You may no longer stay here in the Lord’s land. Instead, you will return to Egypt, and in Assyria you will eat food that is ceremonially unclean.


book: Hos
contenido:
There you will make no offerings of wine to the Lord. None of your sacrifices there will please him. They will be unclean, like food touched by a person in mourning. All who present such sacrifices will be defiled. They may eat this food themselves, but they may not offer it to the Lord.


book: Hos
contenido:
Even if you escape destruction from Assyria, Egypt will conquer you, and Memphis will bury you. Nettles will take over your treasures of silver; thistles will invade your ruined homes.


book: Hos
contenido:
The time of Israel’s punishment has come; the day of payment is here. Soon Israel will know this all too well. Because of your great sin and hostility, you say, “The prophets are crazy and the inspired men are fools!”


book: Hos
contenido:
The prophet is a watchman over Israel for my God, yet traps are laid for him wherever he goes. He faces hostility even in the house of God.


book: Hos
contenido:
The things my people do are as depraved as what they did in Gibeah long ago. God will not forget. He will surely punish them for their sins.


book: Hos
contenido:
The Lord says, “O Israel, when I first found you, it was like finding fresh grapes in the desert. When I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the first ripe figs of the season. But then they deserted me for Baal-peor, giving themselves to that shameful idol. Soon they became vile, as vile as the god they worshiped.


book: Hos
contenido:
The glory of Israel will fly away like a bird, for your children will not be born or grow in the womb or even be conceived.


book: Hos
contenido:
Even if you do have children who grow up, I will take them from you. It will be a terrible day when I turn away and leave you alone.


book: Hos
contenido:
I have watched Israel become as beautiful as Tyre. But now Israel will bring out her children for slaughter.”


book: Hos
contenido:
O Lord, what should I request for your people? I will ask for wombs that don’t give birth and breasts that give no milk.


book: Hos
contenido:
The Lord says, “All their wickedness began at Gilgal; there I began to hate them. I will drive them from my land because of their evil actions. I will love them no more because all their leaders are rebels.


book: Hos
contenido:
The people of Israel are struck down. Their roots are dried up, and they will bear no more fruit. And if they give birth, I will slaughter their beloved children.”


book: Hos
contenido:
My God will reject the people of Israel because they will not listen or obey. They will be wanderers, homeless among the nations.


book: Hos
contenido:
The Lord’s Judgment against Israel How prosperous Israel is— a luxuriant vine loaded with fruit. But the richer the people get, the more pagan altars they build. The more bountiful their harvests, the more beautiful their sacred pillars.


book: Hos
contenido:
The hearts of the people are fickle; they are guilty and must be punished. The Lord will break down their altars and smash their sacred pillars.


book: Hos
contenido:
Then they will say, “We have no king because we didn’t fear the Lord. But even if we had a king, what could he do for us anyway?”


book: Hos
contenido:
They spout empty words and make covenants they don’t intend to keep. So injustice springs up among them like poisonous weeds in a farmer’s field.


book: Hos
contenido:
The people of Samaria tremble in fear for what might happen to their calf idol at Beth-aven. The people mourn and the priests wail, because its glory will be stripped away.


book: Hos
contenido:
This idol will be carted away to Assyria, a gift to the great king there. Ephraim will be ridiculed and Israel will be shamed, because its people have trusted in this idol.


book: Hos
contenido:
And the pagan shrines of Aven, the place of Israel’s sin, will crumble. Thorns and thistles will grow up around their altars. They will beg the mountains, “Bury us!” and plead with the hills, “Fall on us!”


book: Hos
contenido:
The Lord says, “O Israel, ever since Gibeah, there has been only sin and more sin! You have made no progress whatsoever. Was it not right that the wicked men of Gibeah were attacked?


book: Hos
contenido:
Now whenever it fits my plan, I will attack you, too. I will call out the armies of the nations to punish you for your multiplied sins.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Israel is like a trained heifer treading out the grain— an easy job she loves. But I will put a heavy yoke on her tender neck. I will force Judah to pull the plow and Israel to break up the hard ground.


book: Hos
contenido:
I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’


book: Hos
contenido:
“But you have cultivated wickedness and harvested a thriving crop of sins. You have eaten the fruit of lies— trusting in your military might, believing that great armies could make your nation safe.


book: Hos
contenido:
Now the terrors of war will rise among your people. All your fortifications will fall, just as when Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel. Even mothers and children were dashed to death there.


book: Hos
contenido:
You will share that fate, Bethel, because of your great wickedness. When the day of judgment dawns, the king of Israel will be completely destroyed.


book: Hos
contenido:
But the more I called to him, the farther he moved from me, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols.


book: Hos
contenido:
I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who took care of him.


book: Hos
contenido:
I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him.


book: Hos
contenido:
“But since my people refuse to return to me, they will return to Egypt and will be forced to serve Assyria.


book: Hos
contenido:
War will swirl through their cities; their enemies will crash through their gates. They will destroy them, trapping them in their own evil plans.


book: Hos
contenido:
For my people are determined to desert me. They call me the Most High, but they don’t truly honor me.


book: Hos
contenido:
“Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go? How can I destroy you like Admah or demolish you like Zeboiim? My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows.


book: Hos
contenido:
No, I will not unleash my fierce anger. I will not completely destroy Israel, for I am God and not a mere mortal. I am the Holy One living among you, and I will not come to destroy.


book: Hos
contenido:
For someday the people will follow me. I, the Lord, will roar like a lion. And when I roar, my people will return trembling from the west.


book: Hos
contenido:
Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt. Trembling like doves, they will return from Assyria. And I will bring them home again,” says the Lord.


book: Hos
contenido:
Charges against Israel and Judah Israel surrounds me with lies and deceit, but Judah still obeys God and is faithful to the Holy One.


book: Hos
contenido:
The people of Israel feed on the wind; they chase after the east wind all day long. They pile up lies and violence; they are making an alliance with Assyria while sending olive oil to buy support from Egypt.


book: Hos
contenido:
Now the Lord is bringing charges against Judah. He is about to punish Jacob for all his deceitful ways, and pay him back for all he has done.


book: Hos
contenido:
Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. There at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him—


book: Hos
contenido:
Israel boasts, “I am rich! I’ve made a fortune all by myself! No one has caught me cheating! My record is spotless!”


book: Hos
contenido:
“But I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt. And I will make you live in tents again, as you do each year at the Festival of Shelters.


book: Hos
contenido:
But the people of Gilead are worthless because of their idol worship. And in Gilgal, too, they sacrifice bulls; their altars are lined up like the heaps of stone along the edges of a plowed field.


book: Hos
contenido:
Then by a prophet the Lord brought Jacob’s descendants out of Egypt; and by that prophet they were protected.


book: Hos
contenido:
But the people of Israel have bitterly provoked the Lord, so their Lord will now sentence them to death in payment for their sins.


book: Hos
contenido:
The Lord’s Anger against Israel When the tribe of Ephraim spoke, the people shook with fear, for that tribe was important in Israel. But the people of Ephraim sinned by worshiping Baal and thus sealed their destruction.


book: Hos
contenido:
Now they continue to sin by making silver idols, images shaped skillfully with human hands. “Sacrifice to these,” they cry, “and kiss the calf idols!”


book: Hos
contenido:
Therefore, they will disappear like the morning mist, like dew in the morning sun, like chaff blown by the wind, like smoke from a chimney.


book: Hos
contenido:
“I have been the Lord your God ever since I brought you out of Egypt. You must acknowledge no God but me, for there is no other savior.


book: Hos
contenido:
Like a bear whose cubs have been taken away, I will tear out your heart. I will devour you like a hungry lioness and mangle you like a wild animal.


book: Hos
contenido:
Now where is your king? Let him save you! Where are all the leaders of the land, the king and the officials you demanded of me?


book: Hos
contenido:
Pain has come to the people like the pain of childbirth, but they are like a child who resists being born. The moment of birth has arrived, but they stay in the womb!


book: Hos
contenido:
“Should I ransom them from the grave? Should I redeem them from death? O death, bring on your terrors! O grave, bring on your plagues! For I will not take pity on them.


book: Hos
contenido:
Ephraim was the most fruitful of all his brothers, but the east wind—a blast from the Lord— will arise in the desert. All their flowing springs will run dry, and all their wells will disappear. Every precious thing they own will be plundered and carried away.


book: Hos
contenido:
The people of Samaria must bear the consequences of their guilt because they rebelled against their God. They will be killed by an invading army, their little ones dashed to death against the ground, their pregnant women ripped open by swords.”


book: Hos
contenido:
Healing for the Repentant Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for your sins have brought you down.


book: Hos
contenido:
Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord. Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises.


book: Hos
contenido:
Assyria cannot save us, nor can our warhorses. Never again will we say to the idols we have made, ‘You are our gods.’ No, in you alone do the orphans find mercy.”


book: Hos
contenido:
The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever.


book: Hos
contenido:
I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon.


book: Hos
contenido:
My people will again live under my shade. They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon.


book: Hos
contenido:
“O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me.”


book: Hos
contenido:
Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.


book: Joel
contenido:
Mourning over the Locust Plague Hear this, you leaders of the people. Listen, all who live in the land. In all your history, has anything like this happened before?


book: Joel
contenido:
Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation.


book: Joel
contenido:
After the cutting locusts finished eating the crops, the swarming locusts took what was left! After them came the hopping locusts, and then the stripping locusts, too!


book: Joel
contenido:
Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you wine-drinkers! All the grapes are ruined, and all your sweet wine is gone.


book: Joel
contenido:
A vast army of locusts has invaded my land, a terrible army too numerous to count. Its teeth are like lions’ teeth, its fangs like those of a lioness.


book: Joel
contenido:
It has destroyed my grapevines and ruined my fig trees, stripping their bark and destroying it, leaving the branches white and bare.


book: Joel
contenido:
For there is no grain or wine to offer at the Temple of the Lord. So the priests are in mourning. The ministers of the Lord are weeping.


book: Joel
contenido:
The fields are ruined, the land is stripped bare. The grain is destroyed, the grapes have shriveled, and the olive oil is gone.


book: Joel
contenido:
Despair, all you farmers! Wail, all you vine growers! Weep, because the wheat and barley— all the crops of the field—are ruined.


book: Joel
contenido:
The grapevines have dried up, and the fig trees have withered. The pomegranate trees, palm trees, and apple trees— all the fruit trees—have dried up. And the people’s joy has dried up with them.


book: Joel
contenido:
Dress yourselves in burlap and weep, you priests! Wail, you who serve before the altar! Come, spend the night in burlap, you ministers of my God. For there is no grain or wine to offer at the Temple of your God.


book: Joel
contenido:
Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting. Bring the leaders and all the people of the land into the Temple of the Lord your God, and cry out to him there.


book: Joel
contenido:
The day of the Lord is near, the day when destruction comes from the Almighty. How terrible that day will be!


book: Joel
contenido:
The seeds die in the parched ground, and the grain crops fail. The barns stand empty, and granaries are abandoned.


book: Joel
contenido:
How the animals moan with hunger! The herds of cattle wander about confused, because they have no pasture. The flocks of sheep and goats bleat in misery.


book: Joel
contenido:
Lord, help us! The fire has consumed the wilderness pastures, and flames have burned up all the trees.


book: Joel
contenido:
Even the wild animals cry out to you because the streams have dried up, and fire has consumed the wilderness pastures.


book: Joel
contenido:
Locusts Invade like an Army Sound the alarm in Jerusalem! Raise the battle cry on my holy mountain! Let everyone tremble in fear because the day of the Lord is upon us.


book: Joel
contenido:
It is a day of darkness and gloom, a day of thick clouds and deep blackness. Suddenly, like dawn spreading across the mountains, a great and mighty army appears. Nothing like it has been seen before or will ever be seen again.


book: Joel
contenido:
Fire burns in front of them, and flames follow after them. Ahead of them the land lies as beautiful as the Garden of Eden. Behind them is nothing but desolation; not one thing escapes.


book: Joel
contenido:
Look at them as they leap along the mountaintops. Listen to the noise they make—like the rumbling of chariots, like the roar of fire sweeping across a field of stubble, or like a mighty army moving into battle.


book: Joel
contenido:
The attackers march like warriors and scale city walls like soldiers. Straight forward they march, never breaking rank.


book: Joel
contenido:
They never jostle each other; each moves in exactly the right position. They break through defenses without missing a step.


book: Joel
contenido:
They swarm over the city and run along its walls. They enter all the houses, climbing like thieves through the windows.


book: Joel
contenido:
The earth quakes as they advance, and the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars no longer shine.


book: Joel
contenido:
The Lord is at the head of the column. He leads them with a shout. This is his mighty army, and they follow his orders. The day of the Lord is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can possibly survive?


book: Joel
contenido:
A Call to Repentance That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.


book: Joel
contenido:
Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.


book: Joel
contenido:
Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this curse. Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine to the Lord your God as before.


book: Joel
contenido:
Blow the ram’s horn in Jerusalem! Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting.


book: Joel
contenido:
Gather all the people— the elders, the children, and even the babies. Call the bridegroom from his quarters and the bride from her private room.


book: Joel
contenido:
Let the priests, who minister in the Lord’s presence, stand and weep between the entry room to the Temple and the altar. Let them pray, “Spare your people, Lord! Don’t let your special possession become an object of mockery. Don’t let them become a joke for unbelieving foreigners who say, ‘Has the God of Israel left them?’”


book: Joel
contenido:
The Lord’s Promise of Restoration Then the Lord will pity his people and jealously guard the honor of his land.


book: Joel
contenido:
The Lord will reply, “Look! I am sending you grain and new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy your needs. You will no longer be an object of mockery among the surrounding nations.


book: Joel
contenido:
I will drive away these armies from the north. I will send them into the parched wastelands. Those in the front will be driven into the Dead Sea, and those at the rear into the Mediterranean. The stench of their rotting bodies will rise over the land.” Surely the Lord has done great things!


book: Joel
contenido:
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Don’t be afraid, my people. Be glad now and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things.


book: Joel
contenido:
Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field, for the wilderness pastures will soon be green. The trees will again be filled with fruit; fig trees and grapevines will be loaded down once more.


book: Joel
contenido:
Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring.


book: Joel
contenido:
The threshing floors will again be piled high with grain, and the presses will overflow with new wine and olive oil.


book: Joel
contenido:
The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.


book: Joel
contenido:
Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the Lord your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced.


book: Joel
contenido:
Then you will know that I am among my people Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and there is no other. Never again will my people be disgraced.


book: Joel
contenido:
The Lord’s Promise of His Spirit “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.


book: Joel
contenido:
The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives.


book: Joel
contenido:
But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape, just as the Lord has said. These will be among the survivors whom the Lord has called.


book: Joel
contenido:
Judgment against Enemy Nations “At the time of those events,” says the Lord, “when I restore the prosperity of Judah and Jerusalem,


book: Joel
contenido:
I will gather the armies of the world into the valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will judge them for harming my people, my special possession, for scattering my people among the nations, and for dividing up my land.


book: Joel
contenido:
They threw dice to decide which of my people would be their slaves. They traded boys to obtain prostitutes and sold girls for enough wine to get drunk.


book: Joel
contenido:
“What do you have against me, Tyre and Sidon and you cities of Philistia? Are you trying to take revenge on me? If you are, then watch out! I will strike swiftly and pay you back for everything you have done.


book: Joel
contenido:
You have taken my silver and gold and all my precious treasures, and have carried them off to your pagan temples.


book: Joel
contenido:
You have sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, so they could take them far from their homeland.


book: Joel
contenido:
“But I will bring them back from all the places to which you sold them, and I will pay you back for everything you have done.


book: Joel
contenido:
I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the people of Arabia, a nation far away. I, the Lord, have spoken!”


book: Joel
contenido:
Say to the nations far and wide: “Get ready for war! Call out your best warriors. Let all your fighting men advance for the attack.


book: Joel
contenido:
Hammer your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Train even your weaklings to be warriors.


book: Joel
contenido:
Come quickly, all you nations everywhere. Gather together in the valley.” And now, O Lord, call out your warriors!


book: Joel
contenido:
“Let the nations be called to arms. Let them march to the valley of Jehoshaphat. There I, the Lord, will sit to pronounce judgment on them all.


book: Joel
contenido:
Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread the grapes, for the winepress is full. The storage vats are overflowing with the wickedness of these people.”


book: Joel
contenido:
Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision. There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.


book: Joel
contenido:
The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth will shake. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a strong fortress for the people of Israel.


book: Joel
contenido:
Blessings for God’s People “Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, live in Zion, my holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy forever, and foreign armies will never conquer her again.


book: Joel
contenido:
In that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. Water will fill the streambeds of Judah, and a fountain will burst forth from the Lord’s Temple, watering the arid valley of acacias.


book: Joel
contenido:
But Egypt will become a wasteland and Edom will become a wilderness, because they attacked the people of Judah and killed innocent people in their land.


book: Joel
contenido:
I will pardon my people’s crimes, which I have not yet pardoned; and I, the Lord, will make my home in Jerusalem with my people.”


book: Amos
contenido:
This message was given to Amos, a shepherd from the town of Tekoa in Judah. He received this message in visions two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam II, the son of Jehoash, was king of Israel.


book: Amos
contenido:
This is what he saw and heard: “The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem! The lush pastures of the shepherds will dry up; the grass on Mount Carmel will wither and die.”


book: Amos
contenido:
God’s Judgment on Israel’s Neighbors This is what the Lord says: “The people of Damascus have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They beat down my people in Gilead as grain is threshed with iron sledges.


book: Amos
contenido:
So I will send down fire on King Hazael’s palace, and the fortresses of King Ben-hadad will be destroyed.


book: Amos
contenido:
I will break down the gates of Damascus and slaughter the people in the valley of Aven. I will destroy the ruler in Beth-eden, and the people of Aram will go as captives to Kir,” says the Lord.


book: Amos
contenido:
This is what the Lord says: “The people of Gaza have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They sent whole villages into exile, selling them as slaves to Edom.


book: Amos
contenido:
I will slaughter the people of Ashdod and destroy the king of Ashkelon. Then I will turn to attack Ekron, and the few Philistines still left will be killed,” says the Sovereign Lord.


book: Amos
contenido:
This is what the Lord says: “The people of Tyre have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They broke their treaty of brotherhood with Israel, selling whole villages as slaves to Edom.


book: Amos
contenido:
This is what the Lord says: “The people of Edom have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They chased down their relatives, the Israelites, with swords, showing them no mercy. In their rage, they slashed them continually and were unrelenting in their anger.


book: Amos
contenido:
This is what the Lord says: “The people of Ammon have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! When they attacked Gilead to extend their borders, they ripped open pregnant women with their swords.


book: Amos
contenido:
So I will send down fire on the walls of Rabbah, and all its fortresses will be destroyed. The battle will come upon them with shouts, like a whirlwind in a mighty storm.


book: Amos
contenido:
This is what the Lord says: “The people of Moab have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They desecrated the bones of Edom’s king, burning them to ashes.


book: Amos
contenido:
So I will send down fire on the land of Moab, and all the fortresses in Kerioth will be destroyed. The people will fall in the noise of battle, as the warriors shout and the ram’s horn sounds.


book: Amos
contenido:
God’s Judgment on Judah and Israel This is what the Lord says: “The people of Judah have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They have rejected the instruction of the Lord, refusing to obey his decrees. They have been led astray by the same lies that deceived their ancestors.


book: Amos
contenido:
This is what the Lord says: “The people of Israel have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They sell honorable people for silver and poor people for a pair of sandals.


book: Amos
contenido:
They trample helpless people in the dust and shove the oppressed out of the way. Both father and son sleep with the same woman, corrupting my holy name.


book: Amos
contenido:
At their religious festivals, they lounge in clothing their debtors put up as security. In the house of their gods, they drink wine bought with unjust fines.


book: Amos
contenido:
“But as my people watched, I destroyed the Amorites, though they were as tall as cedars and as strong as oaks. I destroyed the fruit on their branches and dug out their roots.


book: Amos
contenido:
It was I who rescued you from Egypt and led you through the desert for forty years, so you could possess the land of the Amorites.


book: Amos
contenido:
I chose some of your sons to be prophets and others to be Nazirites. Can you deny this, my people of Israel?” asks the Lord.


book: Amos
contenido:
“But you caused the Nazirites to sin by making them drink wine, and you commanded the prophets, ‘Shut up!’


book: Amos
contenido:
Your fastest runners will not get away. The strongest among you will become weak. Even mighty warriors will be unable to save themselves.


book: Amos
contenido:
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The archers will not stand their ground. The swiftest runners won’t be fast enough to escape. Even those riding horses won’t be able to save themselves.


book: Amos
contenido:
On that day the most courageous of your fighting men will drop their weapons and run for their lives,” says the Lord.


book: Amos
contenido:
Listen to this message that the Lord has spoken against you, O people of Israel and Judah—against the entire family I rescued from Egypt:


book: Amos
contenido:
“From among all the families on the earth, I have been intimate with you alone. That is why I must punish you for all your sins.”


book: Amos
contenido:
Does a lion ever roar in a thicket without first finding a victim? Does a young lion growl in its den without first catching its prey?


book: Amos
contenido:
Does a bird ever get caught in a trap that has no bait? Does a trap spring shut when there’s nothing to catch?


book: Amos
contenido:
When the ram’s horn blows a warning, shouldn’t the people be alarmed? Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has planned it?


book: Amos
contenido:
Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.


book: Amos
contenido:
The lion has roared— so who isn’t frightened? The Sovereign Lord has spoken— so who can refuse to proclaim his message?


book: Amos
contenido:
Announce this to the leaders of Philistia and to the great ones of Egypt: “Take your seats now on the hills around Samaria, and witness the chaos and oppression in Israel.”


book: Amos
contenido:
“My people have forgotten how to do right,” says the Lord. “Their fortresses are filled with wealth taken by theft and violence.


book: Amos
contenido:
Therefore,” says the Sovereign Lord, “an enemy is coming! He will surround them and shatter their defenses. Then he will plunder all their fortresses.”


book: Amos
contenido:
This is what the Lord says: “A shepherd who tries to rescue a sheep from a lion’s mouth will recover only two legs or a piece of an ear. So it will be for the Israelites in Samaria lying on luxurious beds, and for the people of Damascus reclining on couches.


book: Amos
contenido:
“Now listen to this, and announce it throughout all Israel,” says the Lord, the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Amos
contenido:
“On the very day I punish Israel for its sins, I will destroy the pagan altars at Bethel. The horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.


book: Amos
contenido:
And I will destroy the beautiful homes of the wealthy— their winter mansions and their summer houses, too— all their palaces filled with ivory,” says the Lord.


book: Amos
contenido:
Israel’s Failure to Learn Listen to me, you fat cows living in Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, and who are always calling to your husbands, “Bring us another drink!”


book: Amos
contenido:
The Sovereign Lord has sworn this by his holiness: “The time will come when you will be led away with hooks in your noses. Every last one of you will be dragged away like a fish on a hook!


book: Amos
contenido:
You will be led out through the ruins of the wall; you will be thrown from your fortresses,” says the Lord.


book: Amos
contenido:
“Go ahead and offer sacrifices to the idols at Bethel. Keep on disobeying at Gilgal. Offer sacrifices each morning, and bring your tithes every three days.


book: Amos
contenido:
Present your bread made with yeast as an offering of thanksgiving. Then give your extra voluntary offerings so you can brag about it everywhere! This is the kind of thing you Israelites love to do,” says the Sovereign Lord.


book: Amos
contenido:
“I brought hunger to every city and famine to every town. But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord.


book: Amos
contenido:
“I kept the rain from falling when your crops needed it the most. I sent rain on one town but withheld it from another. Rain fell on one field, while another field withered away.


book: Amos
contenido:
People staggered from town to town looking for water, but there was never enough. But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord.


book: Amos
contenido:
“I struck your farms and vineyards with blight and mildew. Locusts devoured all your fig and olive trees. But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord.


book: Amos
contenido:
“I sent plagues on you like the plagues I sent on Egypt long ago. I killed your young men in war and led all your horses away. The stench of death filled the air! But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord.


book: Amos
contenido:
“I destroyed some of your cities, as I destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Those of you who survived were like charred sticks pulled from a fire. But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord.


book: Amos
contenido:
“Therefore, I will bring upon you all the disasters I have announced. Prepare to meet your God in judgment, you people of Israel!”


book: Amos
contenido:
For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals his thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of Heaven’s Armies is his name!


book: Amos
contenido:
“The virgin Israel has fallen, never to rise again! She lies abandoned on the ground, with no one to help her up.”


book: Amos
contenido:
The Sovereign Lord says: “When a city sends a thousand men to battle, only a hundred will return. When a town sends a hundred, only ten will come back alive.”


book: Amos
contenido:
Don’t worship at the pagan altars at Bethel; don’t go to the shrines at Gilgal or Beersheba. For the people of Gilgal will be dragged off into exile, and the people of Bethel will be reduced to nothing.”


book: Amos
contenido:
Come back to the Lord and live! Otherwise, he will roar through Israel like a fire, devouring you completely. Your gods in Bethel won’t be able to quench the flames.


book: Amos
contenido:
It is the Lord who created the stars, the Pleiades and Orion. He turns darkness into morning and day into night. He draws up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on the land. The Lord is his name!


book: Amos
contenido:
You trample the poor, stealing their grain through taxes and unfair rent. Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses, you will never live in them. Though you plant lush vineyards, you will never drink wine from them.


book: Amos
contenido:
For I know the vast number of your sins and the depth of your rebellions. You oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.


book: Amos
contenido:
Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed.


book: Amos
contenido:
Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice. Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will have mercy on the remnant of his people.


book: Amos
contenido:
Therefore, this is what the Lord, the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, says: “There will be crying in all the public squares and mourning in every street. Call for the farmers to weep with you, and summon professional mourners to wail.


book: Amos
contenido:
Warning of Coming Judgment What sorrow awaits you who say, “If only the day of the Lord were here!” You have no idea what you are wishing for. That day will bring darkness, not light.


book: Amos
contenido:
In that day you will be like a man who runs from a lion— only to meet a bear. Escaping from the bear, he leans his hand against a wall in his house— and he’s bitten by a snake.


book: Amos
contenido:
“I hate all your show and pretense— the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.


book: Amos
contenido:
I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.


book: Amos
contenido:
“Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings during the forty years in the wilderness, Israel?


book: Amos
contenido:
No, you served your pagan gods—Sakkuth your king god and Kaiwan your star god—the images you made for yourselves.


book: Amos
contenido:
So I will send you into exile, to a land east of Damascus,” says the Lord, whose name is the God of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Amos
contenido:
What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem, and you who feel secure in Samaria! You are famous and popular in Israel, and people go to you for help.


book: Amos
contenido:
But go over to Calneh and see what happened there. Then go to the great city of Hamath and down to the Philistine city of Gath. You are no better than they were, and look at how they were destroyed.


book: Amos
contenido:
You push away every thought of coming disaster, but your actions only bring the day of judgment closer.


book: Amos
contenido:
How terrible for you who sprawl on ivory beds and lounge on your couches, eating the meat of tender lambs from the flock and of choice calves fattened in the stall.


book: Amos
contenido:
You sing trivial songs to the sound of the harp and fancy yourselves to be great musicians like David.


book: Amos
contenido:
You drink wine by the bowlful and perfume yourselves with fragrant lotions. You care nothing about the ruin of your nation.


book: Amos
contenido:
The Sovereign Lord has sworn by his own name, and this is what he, the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, says: “I despise the arrogance of Israel, and I hate their fortresses. I will give this city and everything in it to their enemies.”


book: Amos
contenido:
And when a relative who is responsible to dispose of the dead goes into the house to carry out the bodies, he will ask the last survivor, “Is anyone else with you?” When the person begins to swear, “No, by . . . ,” he will interrupt and say, “Stop! Don’t even mention the name of the Lord.”)


book: Amos
contenido:
Can horses gallop over boulders? Can oxen be used to plow them? But that’s how foolish you are when you turn justice into poison and the sweet fruit of righteousness into bitterness.


book: Amos
contenido:
And you brag about your conquest of Lo-debar. You boast, “Didn’t we take Karnaim by our own strength?”


book: Amos
contenido:
“O people of Israel, I am about to bring an enemy nation against you,” says the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. “They will oppress you throughout your land— from Lebo-hamath in the north to the Arabah Valley in the south.”


book: Amos
contenido:
A Vision of Locusts The Sovereign Lord showed me a vision. I saw him preparing to send a vast swarm of locusts over the land. This was after the king’s share had been harvested from the fields and as the main crop was coming up.


book: Amos
contenido:
In my vision the locusts ate every green plant in sight. Then I said, “O Sovereign Lord, please forgive us or we will not survive, for Israel is so small.”


book: Amos
contenido:
A Vision of Fire Then the Sovereign Lord showed me another vision. I saw him preparing to punish his people with a great fire. The fire had burned up the depths of the sea and was devouring the entire land.


book: Amos
contenido:
A Vision of a Plumb Line Then he showed me another vision. I saw the Lord standing beside a wall that had been built using a plumb line. He was using a plumb line to see if it was still straight.


book: Amos
contenido:
And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” I answered, “A plumb line.” And the Lord replied, “I will test my people with this plumb line. I will no longer ignore all their sins.


book: Amos
contenido:
The pagan shrines of your ancestors will be ruined, and the temples of Israel will be destroyed; I will bring the dynasty of King Jeroboam to a sudden end.”


book: Amos
contenido:
Amos and Amaziah Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent a message to Jeroboam, king of Israel: “Amos is hatching a plot against you right here on your very doorstep! What he is saying is intolerable.


book: Amos
contenido:
He is saying, ‘Jeroboam will soon be killed, and the people of Israel will be sent away into exile.’”


book: Amos
contenido:
Then Amaziah sent orders to Amos: “Get out of here, you prophet! Go on back to the land of Judah, and earn your living by prophesying there!


book: Amos
contenido:
Don’t bother us with your prophecies here in Bethel. This is the king’s sanctuary and the national place of worship!”


book: Amos
contenido:
But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees.


book: Amos
contenido:
Now then, listen to this message from the Lord: “You say, ‘Don’t prophesy against Israel. Stop preaching against my people.’


book: Amos
contenido:
But this is what the Lord says: ‘Your wife will become a prostitute in this city, and your sons and daughters will be killed. Your land will be divided up, and you yourself will die in a foreign land. And the people of Israel will certainly become captives in exile, far from their homeland.’”


book: Amos
contenido:
A Vision of Ripe Fruit Then the Sovereign Lord showed me another vision. In it I saw a basket filled with ripe fruit.


book: Amos
contenido:
“What do you see, Amos?” he asked. I replied, “A basket full of ripe fruit.” Then the Lord said, “Like this fruit, Israel is ripe for punishment! I will not delay their punishment again.


book: Amos
contenido:
In that day the singing in the Temple will turn to wailing. Dead bodies will be scattered everywhere. They will be carried out of the city in silence. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”


book: Amos
contenido:
You can’t wait for the Sabbath day to be over and the religious festivals to end so you can get back to cheating the helpless. You measure out grain with dishonest measures and cheat the buyer with dishonest scales.


book: Amos
contenido:
And you mix the grain you sell with chaff swept from the floor. Then you enslave poor people for one piece of silver or a pair of sandals.


book: Amos
contenido:
Now the Lord has sworn this oath by his own name, the Pride of Israel: “I will never forget the wicked things you have done!


book: Amos
contenido:
The earth will tremble for your deeds, and everyone will mourn. The ground will rise like the Nile River at floodtime; it will heave up, then sink again.


book: Amos
contenido:
“In that day,” says the Sovereign Lord, “I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth while it is still day.


book: Amos
contenido:
I will turn your celebrations into times of mourning and your singing into weeping. You will wear funeral clothes and shave your heads to show your sorrow— as if your only son had died. How very bitter that day will be!


book: Amos
contenido:
“The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord.


book: Amos
contenido:
People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from border to border searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.


book: Amos
contenido:
And those who swear by the shameful idols of Samaria— who take oaths in the name of the god of Dan and make vows in the name of the god of Beersheba— they will all fall down, never to rise again.”


book: Amos
contenido:
A Vision of God at the Altar Then I saw a vision of the Lord standing beside the altar. He said, “Strike the tops of the Temple columns, so that the foundation will shake. Bring down the roof on the heads of the people below. I will kill with the sword those who survive. No one will escape!


book: Amos
contenido:
“Even if they dig down to the place of the dead, I will reach down and pull them up. Even if they climb up into the heavens, I will bring them down.


book: Amos
contenido:
Even if they hide at the very top of Mount Carmel, I will search them out and capture them. Even if they hide at the bottom of the ocean, I will send the sea serpent after them to bite them.


book: Amos
contenido:
Even if their enemies drive them into exile, I will command the sword to kill them there. I am determined to bring disaster upon them and not to help them.”


book: Amos
contenido:
The Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, touches the land and it melts, and all its people mourn. The ground rises like the Nile River at floodtime, and then it sinks again.


book: Amos
contenido:
The Lord’s home reaches up to the heavens, while its foundation is on the earth. He draws up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on the land. The Lord is his name!


book: Amos
contenido:
“Are you Israelites more important to me than the Ethiopians?” asks the Lord. “I brought Israel out of Egypt, but I also brought the Philistines from Crete and led the Arameans out of Kir.


book: Amos
contenido:
“I, the Sovereign Lord, am watching this sinful nation of Israel. I will destroy it from the face of the earth. But I will never completely destroy the family of Israel,” says the Lord.


book: Amos
contenido:
“For I will give the command and will shake Israel along with the other nations as grain is shaken in a sieve, yet not one true kernel will be lost.


book: Amos
contenido:
A Promise of Restoration “In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore its former glory.


book: Amos
contenido:
And Israel will possess what is left of Edom and all the nations I have called to be mine.” The Lord has spoken, and he will do these things.


book: Amos
contenido:
“The time will come,” says the Lord, “when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine!


book: Amos
contenido:
I will bring my exiled people of Israel back from distant lands, and they will rebuild their ruined cities and live in them again. They will plant vineyards and gardens; they will eat their crops and drink their wine.


book: Amos
contenido:
I will firmly plant them there in their own land. They will never again be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God.


book: Obad
contenido:
This is the vision that the Sovereign Lord revealed to Obadiah concerning the land of Edom. Edom’s Judgment Announced We have heard a message from the Lord that an ambassador was sent to the nations to say, “Get ready, everyone! Let’s assemble our armies and attack Edom!”


book: Obad
contenido:
The Lord says to Edom, “I will cut you down to size among the nations; you will be greatly despised.


book: Obad
contenido:
You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. ‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully.


book: Obad
contenido:
But even if you soar as high as eagles and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crashing down,” says the Lord.


book: Obad
contenido:
“If thieves came at night and robbed you (what a disaster awaits you!), they would not take everything. Those who harvest grapes always leave a few for the poor. But your enemies will wipe you out completely!


book: Obad
contenido:
“All your allies will turn against you. They will help to chase you from your land. They will promise you peace while plotting to deceive and destroy you. Your trusted friends will set traps for you, and you won’t even know about it.


book: Obad
contenido:
At that time not a single wise person will be left in the whole land of Edom,” says the Lord. “For on the mountains of Edom I will destroy everyone who has understanding.


book: Obad
contenido:
The mightiest warriors of Teman will be terrified, and everyone on the mountains of Edom will be cut down in the slaughter.


book: Obad
contenido:
Reasons for Edom’s Punishment “Because of the violence you did to your close relatives in Israel, you will be filled with shame and destroyed forever.


book: Obad
contenido:
When they were invaded, you stood aloof, refusing to help them. Foreign invaders carried off their wealth and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem, but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies.


book: Obad
contenido:
“You should not have gloated when they exiled your relatives to distant lands. You should not have rejoiced when the people of Judah suffered such misfortune. You should not have spoken arrogantly in that terrible time of trouble.


book: Obad
contenido:
You should not have plundered the land of Israel when they were suffering such calamity. You should not have gloated over their destruction when they were suffering such calamity. You should not have seized their wealth when they were suffering such calamity.


book: Obad
contenido:
You should not have stood at the crossroads, killing those who tried to escape. You should not have captured the survivors and handed them over in their terrible time of trouble.


book: Obad
contenido:
Edom Destroyed, Israel Restored “The day is near when I, the Lord, will judge all godless nations! As you have done to Israel, so it will be done to you. All your evil deeds will fall back on your own heads.


book: Obad
contenido:
Just as you swallowed up my people on my holy mountain, so you and the surrounding nations will swallow the punishment I pour out on you. Yes, all you nations will drink and stagger and disappear from history.


book: Obad
contenido:
“But Jerusalem will become a refuge for those who escape; it will be a holy place. And the people of Israel will come back to reclaim their inheritance.


book: Obad
contenido:
The people of Israel will be a raging fire, and Edom a field of dry stubble. The descendants of Joseph will be a flame roaring across the field, devouring everything. There will be no survivors in Edom. I, the Lord, have spoken!


book: Obad
contenido:
“Then my people living in the Negev will occupy the mountains of Edom. Those living in the foothills of Judah will possess the Philistine plains and take over the fields of Ephraim and Samaria. And the people of Benjamin will occupy the land of Gilead.


book: Obad
contenido:
The exiles of Israel will return to their land and occupy the Phoenician coast as far north as Zarephath. The captives from Jerusalem exiled in the north will return home and resettle the towns of the Negev.


book: Obad
contenido:
Those who have been rescued will go up to Mount Zion in Jerusalem to rule over the mountains of Edom. And the Lord himself will be king!”


book: Jonah
contenido:
“Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.”


book: Jonah
contenido:
But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.


book: Jonah
contenido:
But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart.


book: Jonah
contenido:
Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold.


book: Jonah
contenido:
So the captain went down after him. “How can you sleep at a time like this?” he shouted. “Get up and pray to your god! Maybe he will pay attention to us and spare our lives.”


book: Jonah
contenido:
Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit.


book: Jonah
contenido:
“Why has this awful storm come down on us?” they demanded. “Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?”


book: Jonah
contenido:
Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.”


book: Jonah
contenido:
The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned.


book: Jonah
contenido:
And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?”


book: Jonah
contenido:
“Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.”


book: Jonah
contenido:
Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn’t make it.


book: Jonah
contenido:
Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God. “O Lord,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.”


book: Jonah
contenido:
The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.


book: Jonah
contenido:
Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.


book: Jonah
contenido:
He said, “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me!


book: Jonah
contenido:
You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me; I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves.


book: Jonah
contenido:
Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’


book: Jonah
contenido:
I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death!


book: Jonah
contenido:
As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple.


book: Jonah
contenido:
But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”


book: Jonah
contenido:
This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all.


book: Jonah
contenido:
On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!”


book: Jonah
contenido:
The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.


book: Jonah
contenido:
When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes.


book: Jonah
contenido:
Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: “No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all.


book: Jonah
contenido:
People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence.


book: Jonah
contenido:
Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us.”


book: Jonah
contenido:
When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.


book: Jonah
contenido:
Jonah’s Anger at the Lord’s Mercy This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry.


book: Jonah
contenido:
So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.


book: Jonah
contenido:
Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see what would happen to the city.


book: Jonah
contenido:
And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant.


book: Jonah
contenido:
But God also arranged for a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away.


book: Jonah
contenido:
And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed.


book: Jonah
contenido:
Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?” “Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!”


book: Jonah
contenido:
Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly.


book: Jonah
contenido:
But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”


book: Mic
contenido:
The Lord gave this message to Micah of Moresheth during the years when Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah. The visions he saw concerned both Samaria and Jerusalem.


book: Mic
contenido:
Grief over Samaria and Jerusalem Attention! Let all the people of the world listen! Let the earth and everything in it hear. The Sovereign Lord is making accusations against you; the Lord speaks from his holy Temple.


book: Mic
contenido:
The mountains melt beneath his feet and flow into the valleys like wax in a fire, like water pouring down a hill.


book: Mic
contenido:
And why is this happening? Because of the rebellion of Israel— yes, the sins of the whole nation. Who is to blame for Israel’s rebellion? Samaria, its capital city! Where is the center of idolatry in Judah? In Jerusalem, its capital!


book: Mic
contenido:
“So I, the Lord, will make the city of Samaria a heap of ruins. Her streets will be plowed up for planting vineyards. I will roll the stones of her walls into the valley below, exposing her foundations.


book: Mic
contenido:
All her carved images will be smashed. All her sacred treasures will be burned. These things were bought with the money earned by her prostitution, and they will now be carried away to pay prostitutes elsewhere.”


book: Mic
contenido:
Therefore, I will mourn and lament. I will walk around barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and moan like an owl.


book: Mic
contenido:
For my people’s wound is too deep to heal. It has reached into Judah, even to the gates of Jerusalem.


book: Mic
contenido:
Don’t tell our enemies in Gath; don’t weep at all. You people in Beth-leaphrah, roll in the dust to show your despair.


book: Mic
contenido:
You people in Shaphir, go as captives into exile—naked and ashamed. The people of Zaanan dare not come outside their walls. The people of Beth-ezel mourn, for their house has no support.


book: Mic
contenido:
The people of Maroth anxiously wait for relief, but only bitterness awaits them as the Lord’s judgment reaches even to the gates of Jerusalem.


book: Mic
contenido:
Harness your chariot horses and flee, you people of Lachish. You were the first city in Judah to follow Israel in her rebellion, and you led Jerusalem into sin.


book: Mic
contenido:
Send farewell gifts to Moresheth-gath; there is no hope of saving it. The town of Aczib has deceived the kings of Israel.


book: Mic
contenido:
O people of Mareshah, I will bring a conqueror to capture your town. And the leaders of Israel will go to Adullam.


book: Mic
contenido:
Oh, people of Judah, shave your heads in sorrow, for the children you love will be snatched away. Make yourselves as bald as a vulture, for your little ones will be exiled to distant lands.


book: Mic
contenido:
Judgment against Wealthy Oppressors What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night, thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out, simply because you have the power to do so.


book: Mic
contenido:
When you want a piece of land, you find a way to seize it. When you want someone’s house, you take it by fraud and violence. You cheat a man of his property, stealing his family’s inheritance.


book: Mic
contenido:
But this is what the Lord says: “I will reward your evil with evil; you won’t be able to pull your neck out of the noose. You will no longer walk around proudly, for it will be a terrible time.”


book: Mic
contenido:
In that day your enemies will make fun of you by singing this song of despair about you: “We are finished, completely ruined! God has confiscated our land, taking it from us. He has given our fields to those who betrayed us.”


book: Mic
contenido:
Others will set your boundaries then, and the Lord’s people will have no say in how the land is divided.


book: Mic
contenido:
True and False Prophets “Don’t say such things,” the people respond. “Don’t prophesy like that. Such disasters will never come our way!”


book: Mic
contenido:
Should you talk that way, O family of Israel? Will the Lord’s Spirit have patience with such behavior? If you would do what is right, you would find my words comforting.


book: Mic
contenido:
Yet to this very hour my people rise against me like an enemy! You steal the shirts right off the backs of those who trusted you, making them as ragged as men returning from battle.


book: Mic
contenido:
You have evicted women from their pleasant homes and forever stripped their children of all that God would give them.


book: Mic
contenido:
Up! Begone! This is no longer your land and home, for you have filled it with sin and ruined it completely.


book: Mic
contenido:
Suppose a prophet full of lies would say to you, “I’ll preach to you the joys of wine and alcohol!” That’s just the kind of prophet you would like!


book: Mic
contenido:
Hope for Restoration “Someday, O Israel, I will gather you; I will gather the remnant who are left. I will bring you together again like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture. Yes, your land will again be filled with noisy crowds!


book: Mic
contenido:
Your leader will break out and lead you out of exile, out through the gates of the enemy cities, back to your own land. Your king will lead you; the Lord himself will guide you.”


book: Mic
contenido:
Judgment against Israel’s Leaders I said, “Listen, you leaders of Israel! You are supposed to know right from wrong,


book: Mic
contenido:
but you are the very ones who hate good and love evil. You skin my people alive and tear the flesh from their bones.


book: Mic
contenido:
Yes, you eat my people’s flesh, strip off their skin, and break their bones. You chop them up like meat for the cooking pot.


book: Mic
contenido:
Then you beg the Lord for help in times of trouble! Do you really expect him to answer? After all the evil you have done, he won’t even look at you!”


book: Mic
contenido:
This is what the Lord says: “You false prophets are leading my people astray! You promise peace for those who give you food, but you declare war on those who refuse to feed you.


book: Mic
contenido:
Now the night will close around you, cutting off all your visions. Darkness will cover you, putting an end to your predictions. The sun will set for you prophets, and your day will come to an end.


book: Mic
contenido:
Then you seers will be put to shame, and you fortune-tellers will be disgraced. And you will cover your faces because there is no answer from God.”


book: Mic
contenido:
But as for me, I am filled with power— with the Spirit of the Lord. I am filled with justice and strength to boldly declare Israel’s sin and rebellion.


book: Mic
contenido:
You rulers make decisions based on bribes; you priests teach God’s laws only for a price; you prophets won’t prophesy unless you are paid. Yet all of you claim to depend on the Lord. “No harm can come to us,” you say, “for the Lord is here among us.”


book: Mic
contenido:
Because of you, Mount Zion will be plowed like an open field; Jerusalem will be reduced to ruins! A thicket will grow on the heights where the Temple now stands.


book: Mic
contenido:
The Lord’s Future Reign In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of all— the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.


book: Mic
contenido:
The Lord will mediate between peoples and will settle disputes between strong nations far away. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.


book: Mic
contenido:
Everyone will live in peace and prosperity, enjoying their own grapevines and fig trees, for there will be nothing to fear. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has made this promise!


book: Mic
contenido:
Israel’s Return from Exile “In that coming day,” says the Lord, “I will gather together those who are lame, those who have been exiles, and those whom I have filled with grief.


book: Mic
contenido:
Those who are weak will survive as a remnant; those who were exiles will become a strong nation. Then I, the Lord, will rule from Jerusalem as their king forever.”


book: Mic
contenido:
As for you, Jerusalem, the citadel of God’s people, your royal might and power will come back to you again. The kingship will be restored to my precious Jerusalem.


book: Mic
contenido:
But why are you now screaming in terror? Have you no king to lead you? Have your wise people all died? Pain has gripped you like a woman in childbirth.


book: Mic
contenido:
Writhe and groan like a woman in labor, you people of Jerusalem, for now you must leave this city to live in the open country. You will soon be sent in exile to distant Babylon. But the Lord will rescue you there; he will redeem you from the grip of your enemies.


book: Mic
contenido:
Now many nations have gathered against you. “Let her be desecrated,” they say. “Let us see the destruction of Jerusalem.”


book: Mic
contenido:
But they do not know the Lord’s thoughts or understand his plan. These nations don’t know that he is gathering them together to be beaten and trampled like sheaves of grain on a threshing floor.


book: Mic
contenido:
“Rise up and crush the nations, O Jerusalem!” says the Lord. “For I will give you iron horns and bronze hooves, so you can trample many nations to pieces. You will present their stolen riches to the Lord, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.”


book: Mic
contenido:
Mobilize! Marshal your troops! The enemy is laying siege to Jerusalem. They will strike Israel’s leader in the face with a rod.


book: Mic
contenido:
A Ruler from Bethlehem But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.


book: Mic
contenido:
The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth. Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land.


book: Mic
contenido:
And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored around the world.


book: Mic
contenido:
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And he will be the source of peace. When the Assyrians invade our land and break through our defenses, we will appoint seven rulers to watch over us, eight princes to lead us.


book: Mic
contenido:
They will rule Assyria with drawn swords and enter the gates of the land of Nimrod. He will rescue us from the Assyrians when they pour over the borders to invade our land.


book: Mic
contenido:
The Remnant Purified Then the remnant left in Israel will take their place among the nations. They will be like dew sent by the Lord or like rain falling on the grass, which no one can hold back and no one can restrain.


book: Mic
contenido:
The remnant left in Israel will take their place among the nations. They will be like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a strong young lion among flocks of sheep and goats, pouncing and tearing as they go with no rescuer in sight.


book: Mic
contenido:
I will destroy all your idols and sacred pillars, so you will never again worship the work of your own hands.


book: Mic
contenido:
The Lord’s Case against Israel Listen to what the Lord is saying: “Stand up and state your case against me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaints.


book: Mic
contenido:
And now, O mountains, listen to the Lord’s complaint! He has a case against his people. He will bring charges against Israel.


book: Mic
contenido:
For I brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to help you.


book: Mic
contenido:
Don’t you remember, my people, how King Balak of Moab tried to have you cursed and how Balaam son of Beor blessed you instead? And remember your journey from Acacia Grove to Gilgal, when I, the Lord, did everything I could to teach you about my faithfulness.”


book: Mic
contenido:
What can we bring to the Lord? What kind of offerings should we give him? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves?


book: Mic
contenido:
Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?


book: Mic
contenido:
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.


book: Mic
contenido:
Israel’s Guilt and Punishment Fear the Lord if you are wise! His voice calls to everyone in Jerusalem: “The armies of destruction are coming; the Lord is sending them.


book: Mic
contenido:
What shall I say about the homes of the wicked filled with treasures gained by cheating? What about the disgusting practice of measuring out grain with dishonest measures?


book: Mic
contenido:
The rich among you have become wealthy through extortion and violence. Your citizens are so used to lying that their tongues can no longer tell the truth.


book: Mic
contenido:
You will eat but never have enough. Your hunger pangs and emptiness will remain. And though you try to save your money, it will come to nothing in the end. You will save a little, but I will give it to those who conquer you.


book: Mic
contenido:
You will plant crops but not harvest them. You will press your olives but not get enough oil to anoint yourselves. You will trample the grapes but get no juice to make your wine.


book: Mic
contenido:
You keep only the laws of evil King Omri; you follow only the example of wicked King Ahab! Therefore, I will make an example of you, bringing you to complete ruin. You will be treated with contempt, mocked by all who see you.”


book: Mic
contenido:
Misery Turned to Hope How miserable I am! I feel like the fruit picker after the harvest who can find nothing to eat. Not a cluster of grapes or a single early fig can be found to satisfy my hunger.


book: Mic
contenido:
The godly people have all disappeared; not one honest person is left on the earth. They are all murderers, setting traps even for their own brothers.


book: Mic
contenido:
Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil! Officials and judges alike demand bribes. The people with influence get what they want, and together they scheme to twist justice.


book: Mic
contenido:
Even the best of them is like a brier; the most honest is as dangerous as a hedge of thorns. But your judgment day is coming swiftly now. Your time of punishment is here, a time of confusion.


book: Mic
contenido:
For the son despises his father. The daughter defies her mother. The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law. Your enemies are right in your own household!


book: Mic
contenido:
As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.


book: Mic
contenido:
Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.


book: Mic
contenido:
I will be patient as the Lord punishes me, for I have sinned against him. But after that, he will take up my case and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies. The Lord will bring me into the light, and I will see his righteousness.


book: Mic
contenido:
Then my enemies will see that the Lord is on my side. They will be ashamed that they taunted me, saying, “So where is the Lord— that God of yours?” With my own eyes I will see their downfall; they will be trampled like mud in the streets.


book: Mic
contenido:
People from many lands will come and honor you— from Assyria all the way to the towns of Egypt, from Egypt all the way to the Euphrates River, and from distant seas and mountains.


book: Mic
contenido:
The Lord’s Compassion on Israel O Lord, protect your people with your shepherd’s staff; lead your flock, your special possession. Though they live alone in a thicket on the heights of Mount Carmel, let them graze in the fertile pastures of Bashan and Gilead as they did long ago.


book: Mic
contenido:
“Yes,” says the Lord, “I will do mighty miracles for you, like those I did when I rescued you from slavery in Egypt.”


book: Mic
contenido:
All the nations of the world will stand amazed at what the Lord will do for you. They will be embarrassed at their feeble power. They will cover their mouths in silent awe, deaf to everything around them.


book: Mic
contenido:
Like snakes crawling from their holes, they will come out to meet the Lord our God. They will fear him greatly, trembling in terror at his presence.


book: Mic
contenido:
Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.


book: Mic
contenido:
Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!


book: Mic
contenido:
You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago.


book: Nah
contenido:
The Lord’s Anger against Nineveh The Lord is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and continues to rage against his enemies!


book: Nah
contenido:
The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet.


book: Nah
contenido:
At his command the oceans dry up, and the rivers disappear. The lush pastures of Bashan and Carmel fade, and the green forests of Lebanon wither.


book: Nah
contenido:
In his presence the mountains quake, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles, and its people are destroyed.


book: Nah
contenido:
Who can stand before his fierce anger? Who can survive his burning fury? His rage blazes forth like fire, and the mountains crumble to dust in his presence.


book: Nah
contenido:
But he will sweep away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night.


book: Nah
contenido:
Why are you scheming against the Lord? He will destroy you with one blow; he won’t need to strike twice!


book: Nah
contenido:
His enemies, tangled like thornbushes and staggering like drunks, will be burned up like dry stubble in a field.


book: Nah
contenido:
This is what the Lord says: “Though the Assyrians have many allies, they will be destroyed and disappear. O my people, I have punished you before, but I will not punish you again.


book: Nah
contenido:
Now I will break the yoke of bondage from your neck and tear off the chains of Assyrian oppression.”


book: Nah
contenido:
And this is what the Lord says concerning the Assyrians in Nineveh: “You will have no more children to carry on your name. I will destroy all the idols in the temples of your gods. I am preparing a grave for you because you are despicable!”


book: Nah
contenido:
Look! A messenger is coming over the mountains with good news! He is bringing a message of peace. Celebrate your festivals, O people of Judah, and fulfill all your vows, for your wicked enemies will never invade your land again. They will be completely destroyed!


book: Nah
contenido:
The Fall of Nineveh Your enemy is coming to crush you, Nineveh. Man the ramparts! Watch the roads! Prepare your defenses! Call out your forces!


book: Nah
contenido:
Even though the destroyer has destroyed Judah, the Lord will restore its honor. Israel’s vine has been stripped of branches, but he will restore its splendor.


book: Nah
contenido:
Shields flash red in the sunlight! See the scarlet uniforms of the valiant troops! Watch as their glittering chariots move into position, with a forest of spears waving above them.


book: Nah
contenido:
The chariots race recklessly along the streets and rush wildly through the squares. They flash like firelight and move as swiftly as lightning.


book: Nah
contenido:
The king shouts to his officers; they stumble in their haste, rushing to the walls to set up their defenses.


book: Nah
contenido:
Nineveh’s exile has been decreed, and all the servant girls mourn its capture. They moan like doves and beat their breasts in sorrow.


book: Nah
contenido:
Nineveh is like a leaking water reservoir! The people are slipping away. “Stop, stop!” someone shouts, but no one even looks back.


book: Nah
contenido:
Loot the silver! Plunder the gold! There’s no end to Nineveh’s treasures— its vast, uncounted wealth.


book: Nah
contenido:
Soon the city is plundered, empty, and ruined. Hearts melt and knees shake. The people stand aghast, their faces pale and trembling.


book: Nah
contenido:
Where now is that great Nineveh, that den filled with young lions? It was a place where people—like lions and their cubs— walked freely and without fear.


book: Nah
contenido:
The lion tore up meat for his cubs and strangled prey for his mate. He filled his den with prey, his caverns with his plunder.


book: Nah
contenido:
“I am your enemy!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Your chariots will soon go up in smoke. Your young men will be killed in battle. Never again will you plunder conquered nations. The voices of your proud messengers will be heard no more.”


book: Nah
contenido:
The Lord’s Judgment against Nineveh What sorrow awaits Nineveh, the city of murder and lies! She is crammed with wealth and is never without victims.


book: Nah
contenido:
See the flashing swords and glittering spears as the charioteers charge past! There are countless casualties, heaps of bodies— so many bodies that people stumble over them.


book: Nah
contenido:
All this because Nineveh, the beautiful and faithless city, mistress of deadly charms, enticed the nations with her beauty. She taught them all her magic, enchanting people everywhere.


book: Nah
contenido:
“I am your enemy!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “And now I will lift your skirts and show all the earth your nakedness and shame.


book: Nah
contenido:
All who see you will shrink back and say, ‘Nineveh lies in ruins. Where are the mourners?’ Does anyone regret your destruction?”


book: Nah
contenido:
Are you any better than the city of Thebes, situated on the Nile River, surrounded by water? She was protected by the river on all sides, walled in by water.


book: Nah
contenido:
Ethiopia and the land of Egypt gave unlimited assistance. The nations of Put and Libya were among her allies.


book: Nah
contenido:
Yet Thebes fell, and her people were led away as captives. Her babies were dashed to death against the stones of the streets. Soldiers threw dice to get Egyptian officers as servants. All their leaders were bound in chains.


book: Nah
contenido:
All your fortresses will fall. They will be devoured like the ripe figs that fall into the mouths of those who shake the trees.


book: Nah
contenido:
Your troops will be as weak and helpless as women. The gates of your land will be opened wide to the enemy and set on fire and burned.


book: Nah
contenido:
Get ready for the siege! Store up water! Strengthen the defenses! Go into the pits to trample clay, and pack it into molds, making bricks to repair the walls.


book: Nah
contenido:
But the fire will devour you; the sword will cut you down. The enemy will consume you like locusts, devouring everything they see. There will be no escape, even if you multiply like swarming locusts.


book: Nah
contenido:
Your merchants have multiplied until they outnumber the stars. But like a swarm of locusts, they strip the land and fly away.


book: Nah
contenido:
Your guards and officials are also like swarming locusts that crowd together in the hedges on a cold day. But like locusts that fly away when the sun comes up, all of them will fly away and disappear.


book: Nah
contenido:
Your shepherds are asleep, O Assyrian king; your princes lie dead in the dust. Your people are scattered across the mountains with no one to gather them together.


book: Nah
contenido:
There is no healing for your wound; your injury is fatal. All who hear of your destruction will clap their hands for joy. Where can anyone be found who has not suffered from your continual cruelty?


book: Hab
contenido:
Habakkuk’s Complaint How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save.


book: Hab
contenido:
Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.


book: Hab
contenido:
The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.


book: Hab
contenido:
The Lord’s Reply The Lord replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.


book: Hab
contenido:
I am raising up the Babylonians, a cruel and violent people. They will march across the world and conquer other lands.


book: Hab
contenido:
Their horses are swifter than cheetahs and fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their charioteers charge from far away. Like eagles, they swoop down to devour their prey.


book: Hab
contenido:
“On they come, all bent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind, sweeping captives ahead of them like sand.


book: Hab
contenido:
They scoff at kings and princes and scorn all their fortresses. They simply pile ramps of earth against their walls and capture them!


book: Hab
contenido:
They sweep past like the wind and are gone. But they are deeply guilty, for their own strength is their god.”


book: Hab
contenido:
Habakkuk’s Second Complaint O Lord my God, my Holy One, you who are eternal— surely you do not plan to wipe us out? O Lord, our Rock, you have sent these Babylonians to correct us, to punish us for our many sins.


book: Hab
contenido:
But you are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil. Will you wink at their treachery? Should you be silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they?


book: Hab
contenido:
Then they will worship their nets and burn incense in front of them. “These nets are the gods who have made us rich!” they will claim.


book: Hab
contenido:
Will you let them get away with this forever? Will they succeed forever in their heartless conquests?


book: Hab
contenido:
I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint.


book: Hab
contenido:
The Lord’s Second Reply Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.


book: Hab
contenido:
This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.


book: Hab
contenido:
“Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.


book: Hab
contenido:
Wealth is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest. They open their mouths as wide as the grave, and like death, they are never satisfied. In their greed they have gathered up many nations and swallowed many peoples.


book: Hab
contenido:
“But soon their captives will taunt them. They will mock them, saying, ‘What sorrow awaits you thieves! Now you will get what you deserve! You’ve become rich by extortion, but how much longer can this go on?’


book: Hab
contenido:
Suddenly, your debtors will take action. They will turn on you and take all you have, while you stand trembling and helpless.


book: Hab
contenido:
Because you have plundered many nations, now all the survivors will plunder you. You committed murder throughout the countryside and filled the towns with violence.


book: Hab
contenido:
“What sorrow awaits you who build big houses with money gained dishonestly! You believe your wealth will buy security, putting your family’s nest beyond the reach of danger.


book: Hab
contenido:
Has not the Lord of Heaven’s Armies promised that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes? They work so hard, but all in vain!


book: Hab
contenido:
For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord.


book: Hab
contenido:
“What sorrow awaits you who make your neighbors drunk! You force your cup on them so you can gloat over their shameful nakedness.


book: Hab
contenido:
But soon it will be your turn to be disgraced. Come, drink and be exposed! Drink from the cup of the Lord’s judgment, and all your glory will be turned to shame.


book: Hab
contenido:
You cut down the forests of Lebanon. Now you will be cut down. You destroyed the wild animals, so now their terror will be yours. You committed murder throughout the countryside and filled the towns with violence.


book: Hab
contenido:
“What good is an idol carved by man, or a cast image that deceives you? How foolish to trust in your own creation— a god that can’t even talk!


book: Hab
contenido:
What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, ‘Wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say, ‘Rise up and teach us!’ Can an idol tell you what to do? They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside.


book: Hab
contenido:
I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.


book: Hab
contenido:
I see God moving across the deserts from Edom, the Holy One coming from Mount Paran. His brilliant splendor fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with his praise.


book: Hab
contenido:
His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise. Rays of light flash from his hands, where his awesome power is hidden.


book: Hab
contenido:
When he stops, the earth shakes. When he looks, the nations tremble. He shatters the everlasting mountains and levels the eternal hills. He is the Eternal One!


book: Hab
contenido:
Was it in anger, Lord, that you struck the rivers and parted the sea? Were you displeased with them? No, you were sending your chariots of salvation!


book: Hab
contenido:
The mountains watched and trembled. Onward swept the raging waters. The mighty deep cried out, lifting its hands to the Lord.


book: Hab
contenido:
The sun and moon stood still in the sky as your brilliant arrows flew and your glittering spear flashed.


book: Hab
contenido:
You went out to rescue your chosen people, to save your anointed ones. You crushed the heads of the wicked and stripped their bones from head to toe.


book: Hab
contenido:
With his own weapons, you destroyed the chief of those who rushed out like a whirlwind, thinking Israel would be easy prey.


book: Hab
contenido:
I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us.


book: Hab
contenido:
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,


book: Hab
contenido:
The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)


book: Zeph
contenido:
The Lord gave this message to Zephaniah when Josiah son of Amon was king of Judah. Zephaniah was the son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah.


book: Zeph
contenido:
Coming Judgment against Judah “I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” says the Lord.


book: Zeph
contenido:
“I will sweep away people and animals alike. I will sweep away the birds of the sky and the fish in the sea. I will reduce the wicked to heaps of rubble, and I will wipe humanity from the face of the earth,” says the Lord.


book: Zeph
contenido:
“I will crush Judah and Jerusalem with my fist and destroy every last trace of their Baal worship. I will put an end to all the idolatrous priests, so that even the memory of them will disappear.


book: Zeph
contenido:
For they go up to their roofs and bow down to the sun, moon, and stars. They claim to follow the Lord, but then they worship Molech, too.


book: Zeph
contenido:
And I will destroy those who used to worship me but now no longer do. They no longer ask for the Lord’s guidance or seek my blessings.”


book: Zeph
contenido:
Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign Lord, for the awesome day of the Lord’s judgment is near. The Lord has prepared his people for a great slaughter and has chosen their executioners.


book: Zeph
contenido:
“On that day of judgment,” says the Lord, “I will punish the leaders and princes of Judah and all those following pagan customs.


book: Zeph
contenido:
Yes, I will punish those who participate in pagan worship ceremonies, and those who fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit.


book: Zeph
contenido:
“On that day,” says the Lord, “a cry of alarm will come from the Fish Gate and echo throughout the New Quarter of the city. And a great crash will sound from the hills.


book: Zeph
contenido:
Wail in sorrow, all you who live in the market area, for all the merchants and traders will be destroyed.


book: Zeph
contenido:
“I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the Lord will do nothing to them, either good or bad.


book: Zeph
contenido:
So their property will be plundered, their homes will be ransacked. They will build new homes but never live in them. They will plant vineyards but never drink wine from them.


book: Zeph
contenido:
“That terrible day of the Lord is near. Swiftly it comes— a day of bitter tears, a day when even strong men will cry out.


book: Zeph
contenido:
It will be a day when the Lord’s anger is poured out— a day of terrible distress and anguish, a day of ruin and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness,


book: Zeph
contenido:
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a day of trumpet calls and battle cries. Down go the walled cities and the strongest battlements!


book: Zeph
contenido:
“Because you have sinned against the Lord, I will make you grope around like the blind. Your blood will be poured into the dust, and your bodies will lie rotting on the ground.”


book: Zeph
contenido:
Your silver and gold will not save you on that day of the Lord’s anger. For the whole land will be devoured by the fire of his jealousy. He will make a terrifying end of all the people on earth.


book: Zeph
contenido:
Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff. Act now, before the fierce fury of the Lord falls and the terrible day of the Lord’s anger begins.


book: Zeph
contenido:
Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you— protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.


book: Zeph
contenido:
And what sorrow awaits you Philistines who live along the coast and in the land of Canaan, for this judgment is against you, too! The Lord will destroy you until not one of you is left.


book: Zeph
contenido:
The Philistine coast will become a wilderness pasture, a place of shepherd camps and enclosures for sheep and goats.


book: Zeph
contenido:
The remnant of the tribe of Judah will pasture there. They will rest at night in the abandoned houses in Ashkelon. For the Lord their God will visit his people in kindness and restore their prosperity again.


book: Zeph
contenido:
Judgment against Moab and Ammon “I have heard the taunts of the Moabites and the insults of the Ammonites, mocking my people and invading their borders.


book: Zeph
contenido:
Now, as surely as I live,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, “Moab and Ammon will be destroyed— destroyed as completely as Sodom and Gomorrah. Their land will become a place of stinging nettles, salt pits, and eternal desolation. The remnant of my people will plunder them and take their land.”


book: Zeph
contenido:
They will receive the wages of their pride, for they have scoffed at the people of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Zeph
contenido:
The Lord will terrify them as he destroys all the gods in the land. Then nations around the world will worship the Lord, each in their own land.


book: Zeph
contenido:
Judgment against Ethiopia and Assyria “You Ethiopians will also be slaughtered by my sword,” says the Lord.


book: Zeph
contenido:
And the Lord will strike the lands of the north with his fist, destroying the land of Assyria. He will make its great capital, Nineveh, a desolate wasteland, parched like a desert.


book: Zeph
contenido:
The proud city will become a pasture for flocks and herds, and all sorts of wild animals will settle there. The desert owl and screech owl will roost on its ruined columns, their calls echoing through the gaping windows. Rubble will block all the doorways, and the cedar paneling will be exposed to the weather.


book: Zeph
contenido:
This is the boisterous city, once so secure. “I am the greatest!” it boasted. “No other city can compare with me!” But now, look how it has become an utter ruin, a haven for wild animals. Everyone passing by will laugh in derision and shake a defiant fist.


book: Zeph
contenido:
Jerusalem’s Rebellion and Redemption What sorrow awaits rebellious, polluted Jerusalem, the city of violence and crime!


book: Zeph
contenido:
No one can tell it anything; it refuses all correction. It does not trust in the Lord or draw near to its God.


book: Zeph
contenido:
Its leaders are like roaring lions hunting for their victims. Its judges are like ravenous wolves at evening time, who by dawn have left no trace of their prey.


book: Zeph
contenido:
Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain. Its priests defile the Temple by disobeying God’s instructions.


book: Zeph
contenido:
But the Lord is still there in the city, and he does no wrong. Day by day he hands down justice, and he does not fail. But the wicked know no shame.


book: Zeph
contenido:
“I have wiped out many nations, devastating their fortress walls and towers. Their streets are now deserted; their cities lie in silent ruin. There are no survivors— none at all.


book: Zeph
contenido:
I thought, ‘Surely they will have reverence for me now! Surely they will listen to my warnings. Then I won’t need to strike again, destroying their homes.’ But no, they get up early to continue their evil deeds.


book: Zeph
contenido:
Therefore, be patient,” says the Lord. “Soon I will stand and accuse these evil nations. For I have decided to gather the kingdoms of the earth and pour out my fiercest anger and fury on them. All the earth will be devoured by the fire of my jealousy.


book: Zeph
contenido:
On that day you will no longer need to be ashamed, for you will no longer be rebels against me. I will remove all proud and arrogant people from among you. There will be no more haughtiness on my holy mountain.


book: Zeph
contenido:
The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will never tell lies or deceive one another. They will eat and sleep in safety, and no one will make them afraid.”


book: Zeph
contenido:
Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!


book: Zeph
contenido:
For the Lord will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the Lord himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster.


book: Zeph
contenido:
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”


book: Zeph
contenido:
And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you. I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away. I will give glory and fame to my former exiles, wherever they have been mocked and shamed.


book: Zeph
contenido:
On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction, among all the nations of the earth, as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the Lord, have spoken!”


book: Hag
contenido:
A Call to Rebuild the Temple On August 29 of the second year of King Darius’s reign, the Lord gave a message through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.


book: Hag
contenido:
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The people are saying, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.’”


book: Hag
contenido:
You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!


book: Hag
contenido:
Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord.


book: Hag
contenido:
You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses.


book: Hag
contenido:
I have called for a drought on your fields and hills—a drought to wither the grain and grapes and olive trees and all your other crops, a drought to starve you and your livestock and to ruin everything you have worked so hard to get.”


book: Hag
contenido:
Obedience to God’s Call Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of God’s people began to obey the message from the Lord their God. When they heard the words of the prophet Haggai, whom the Lord their God had sent, the people feared the Lord.


book: Hag
contenido:
Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave the people this message from the Lord: “I am with you, says the Lord!”


book: Hag
contenido:
So the Lord sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God’s people. They began to work on the house of their God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,


book: Hag
contenido:
The New Temple’s Diminished Splendor Then on October 17 of that same year, the Lord sent another message through the prophet Haggai.


book: Hag
contenido:
“Say this to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of God’s people there in the land:


book: Hag
contenido:
‘Does anyone remember this house—this Temple—in its former splendor? How, in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all!


book: Hag
contenido:
But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Hag
contenido:
“For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land.


book: Hag
contenido:
I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Hag
contenido:
The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”


book: Hag
contenido:
Blessings Promised for Obedience On December 18 of the second year of King Darius’s reign, the Lord sent this message to the prophet Haggai:


book: Hag
contenido:
‘If one of you is carrying some meat from a holy sacrifice in his robes and his robe happens to brush against some bread or stew, wine or olive oil, or any other kind of food, will it also become holy?’” The priests replied, “No.”


book: Hag
contenido:
Then Haggai asked, “If someone becomes ceremonially unclean by touching a dead person and then touches any of these foods, will the food be defiled?” And the priests answered, “Yes.”


book: Hag
contenido:
Then Haggai responded, “That is how it is with this people and this nation, says the Lord. Everything they do and everything they offer is defiled by their sin.


book: Hag
contenido:
When you hoped for a twenty-bushel crop, you harvested only ten. When you expected to draw fifty gallons from the winepress, you found only twenty.


book: Hag
contenido:
I sent blight and mildew and hail to destroy everything you worked so hard to produce. Even so, you refused to return to me, says the Lord.


book: Hag
contenido:
“Think about this eighteenth day of December, the day when the foundation of the Lord’s Temple was laid. Think carefully.


book: Hag
contenido:
I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn. You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from this day onward I will bless you.”


book: Hag
contenido:
I will overthrow royal thrones and destroy the power of foreign kingdoms. I will overturn their chariots and riders. The horses will fall, and their riders will kill each other.


book: Hag
contenido:
“But when this happens, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, I will honor you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant. I will make you like a signet ring on my finger, says the Lord, for I have chosen you. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”


book: Zech
contenido:
A Call to Return to the Lord In November of the second year of King Darius’s reign, the Lord gave this message to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo:


book: Zech
contenido:
Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’


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contenido:
Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’


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contenido:
But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He has done what he said he would do.’”


book: Zech
contenido:
A Man among the Myrtle Trees Three months later, on February 15, the Lord sent another message to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo.


book: Zech
contenido:
In a vision during the night, I saw a man sitting on a red horse that was standing among some myrtle trees in a small valley. Behind him were riders on red, brown, and white horses.


book: Zech
contenido:
I asked the angel who was talking with me, “My lord, what do these horses mean?” “I will show you,” the angel replied.


book: Zech
contenido:
The rider standing among the myrtle trees then explained, “They are the ones the Lord has sent out to patrol the earth.”


book: Zech
contenido:
Then the other riders reported to the angel of the Lord, who was standing among the myrtle trees, “We have been patrolling the earth, and the whole earth is at peace.”


book: Zech
contenido:
Upon hearing this, the angel of the Lord prayed this prayer: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, for seventy years now you have been angry with Jerusalem and the towns of Judah. How long until you again show mercy to them?”


book: Zech
contenido:
Then the angel said to me, “Shout this message for all to hear: ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong.


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contenido:
But I am very angry with the other nations that are now enjoying peace and security. I was only a little angry with my people, but the nations inflicted harm on them far beyond my intentions.


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contenido:
“‘Therefore, this is what the Lord says: I have returned to show mercy to Jerusalem. My Temple will be rebuilt, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and measurements will be taken for the reconstruction of Jerusalem.’


book: Zech
contenido:
“Say this also: ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as his own.’”


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contenido:
“What are these?” I asked the angel who was talking with me. He replied, “These horns represent the nations that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.”


book: Zech
contenido:
“What are these men coming to do?” I asked. The angel replied, “These four horns—these nations—scattered and humbled Judah. Now these blacksmiths have come to terrify those nations and throw them down and destroy them.”


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contenido:
“Where are you going?” I asked. He replied, “I am going to measure Jerusalem, to see how wide and how long it is.”


book: Zech
contenido:
The other angel said, “Hurry, and say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem will someday be so full of people and livestock that there won’t be room enough for everyone! Many will live outside the city walls.


book: Zech
contenido:
Then I, myself, will be a protective wall of fire around Jerusalem, says the Lord. And I will be the glory inside the city!’”


book: Zech
contenido:
The Exiles Are Called Home The Lord says, “Come away! Flee from Babylon in the land of the north, for I have scattered you to the four winds.


book: Zech
contenido:
After a period of glory, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me against the nations who plundered you. For he said, “Anyone who harms you harms my most precious possession.


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contenido:
I will raise my fist to crush them, and their own slaves will plunder them.” Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me.


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contenido:
Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me to you.


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contenido:
The land of Judah will be the Lord’s special possession in the holy land, and he will once again choose Jerusalem to be his own city.


book: Zech
contenido:
Cleansing for the High Priest Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua.


book: Zech
contenido:
And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.”


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contenido:
So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.”


book: Zech
contenido:
Then I said, “They should also place a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the Lord stood by.


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contenido:
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here.


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contenido:
“Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of things to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.


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contenido:
Now look at the jewel I have set before Jeshua, a single stone with seven facets. I will engrave an inscription on it, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day.


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contenido:
“And on that day, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, each of you will invite your neighbor to sit with you peacefully under your own grapevine and fig tree.”


book: Zech
contenido:
A Lampstand and Two Olive Trees Then the angel who had been talking with me returned and woke me, as though I had been asleep.


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contenido:
“What do you see now?” he asked. I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl of oil on top of it. Around the bowl are seven lamps, each having seven spouts with wicks.


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contenido:
Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Zech
contenido:
Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’”


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contenido:
“Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me.


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contenido:
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)


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contenido:
Then he said to me, “They represent the two heavenly beings who stand in the court of the Lord of all the earth.”


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contenido:
“What do you see?” the angel asked. “I see a flying scroll,” I replied. “It appears to be about 30 feet long and 15 feet wide.”


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contenido:
Then he said to me, “This scroll contains the curse that is going out over the entire land. One side of the scroll says that those who steal will be banished from the land; the other side says that those who swear falsely will be banished from the land.


book: Zech
contenido:
And this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: I am sending this curse into the house of every thief and into the house of everyone who swears falsely using my name. And my curse will remain in that house and completely destroy it—even its timbers and stones.”


book: Zech
contenido:
A Woman in a Basket Then the angel who was talking with me came forward and said, “Look up and see what’s coming.”


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contenido:
“What is it?” I asked. He replied, “It is a basket for measuring grain, and it’s filled with the sins of everyone throughout the land.”


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contenido:
The angel said, “The woman’s name is Wickedness,” and he pushed her back into the basket and closed the heavy lid again.


book: Zech
contenido:
Then I looked up and saw two women flying toward us, gliding on the wind. They had wings like a stork, and they picked up the basket and flew into the sky.


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contenido:
He replied, “To the land of Babylonia, where they will build a temple for the basket. And when the temple is ready, they will set the basket there on its pedestal.”


book: Zech
contenido:
Four Chariots Then I looked up again and saw four chariots coming from between two bronze mountains.


book: Zech
contenido:
The angel replied, “These are the four spirits of heaven who stand before the Lord of all the earth. They are going out to do his work.


book: Zech
contenido:
The chariot with black horses is going north, the chariot with white horses is going west, and the chariot with dappled-gray horses is going south.”


book: Zech
contenido:
The powerful horses were eager to set out to patrol the earth. And the Lord said, “Go and patrol the earth!” So they left at once on their patrol.


book: Zech
contenido:
Then the Lord summoned me and said, “Look, those who went north have vented the anger of my Spirit there in the land of the north.”


book: Zech
contenido:
“Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah will bring gifts of silver and gold from the Jews exiled in Babylon. As soon as they arrive, meet them at the home of Josiah son of Zephaniah.


book: Zech
contenido:
Accept their gifts, and make a crown from the silver and gold. Then put the crown on the head of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.


book: Zech
contenido:
Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of the Lord.


book: Zech
contenido:
Yes, he will build the Temple of the Lord. Then he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne, and there will be perfect harmony between his two roles.’


book: Zech
contenido:
“The crown will be a memorial in the Temple of the Lord to honor those who gave it—Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Josiah son of Zephaniah.”


book: Zech
contenido:
People will come from distant lands to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. And when this happens, you will know that my messages have been from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. All this will happen if you carefully obey what the Lord your God says.


book: Zech
contenido:
A Call to Justice and Mercy On December 7 of the fourth year of King Darius’s reign, another message came to Zechariah from the Lord.


book: Zech
contenido:
The people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regemmelech, along with their attendants, to seek the Lord’s favor.


book: Zech
contenido:
They were to ask this question of the prophets and the priests at the Temple of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: “Should we continue to mourn and fast each summer on the anniversary of the Temple’s destruction, as we have done for so many years?”


book: Zech
contenido:
“Say to all your people and your priests, ‘During these seventy years of exile, when you fasted and mourned in the summer and in early autumn, was it really for me that you were fasting?


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contenido:
Isn’t this the same message the Lord proclaimed through the prophets in years past when Jerusalem and the towns of Judah were bustling with people, and the Negev and the foothills of Judah were well populated?’”


book: Zech
contenido:
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.


book: Zech
contenido:
“Your ancestors refused to listen to this message. They stubbornly turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing.


book: Zech
contenido:
They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear the instructions or the messages that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had sent them by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. That is why the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was so angry with them.


book: Zech
contenido:
“Since they refused to listen when I called to them, I would not listen when they called to me, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Zech
contenido:
As with a whirlwind, I scattered them among the distant nations, where they lived as strangers. Their land became so desolate that no one even traveled through it. They turned their pleasant land into a desert.”


book: Zech
contenido:
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Mount Zion is passionate and strong; I am consumed with passion for Jerusalem!


book: Zech
contenido:
“And now the Lord says: I am returning to Mount Zion, and I will live in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City; the mountain of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will be called the Holy Mountain.


book: Zech
contenido:
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Once again old men and women will walk Jerusalem’s streets with their canes and will sit together in the city squares.


book: Zech
contenido:
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impossible for me? says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Zech
contenido:
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: You can be sure that I will rescue my people from the east and from the west.


book: Zech
contenido:
I will bring them home again to live safely in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be faithful and just toward them as their God.


book: Zech
contenido:
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Be strong and finish the task! Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building.


book: Zech
contenido:
Before the work on the Temple began, there were no jobs and no money to hire people or animals. No traveler was safe from the enemy, for there were enemies on all sides. I had turned everyone against each other.


book: Zech
contenido:
“But now I will not treat the remnant of my people as I treated them before, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Zech
contenido:
For I am planting seeds of peace and prosperity among you. The grapevines will be heavy with fruit. The earth will produce its crops, and the heavens will release the dew. Once more I will cause the remnant in Judah and Israel to inherit these blessings.


book: Zech
contenido:
Among the other nations, Judah and Israel became symbols of a cursed nation. But no longer! Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing. So don’t be afraid. Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple!


book: Zech
contenido:
“For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: I was determined to punish you when your ancestors angered me, and I did not change my mind, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


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contenido:
But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace.


book: Zech
contenido:
Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord.”


book: Zech
contenido:
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The traditional fasts and times of mourning you have kept in early summer, midsummer, autumn, and winter are now ended. They will become festivals of joy and celebration for the people of Judah. So love truth and peace.


book: Zech
contenido:
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: People from nations and cities around the world will travel to Jerusalem.


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contenido:
The people of one city will say to the people of another, ‘Come with us to Jerusalem to ask the Lord to bless us. Let’s worship the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. I’m determined to go.’


book: Zech
contenido:
Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord of Heaven’s Armies and to ask for his blessing.


book: Zech
contenido:
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In those days ten men from different nations and languages of the world will clutch at the sleeve of one Jew. And they will say, ‘Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”


book: Zech
contenido:
Judgment against Israel’s Enemies This is the message from the Lord against the land of Aram and the city of Damascus, for the eyes of humanity, including all the tribes of Israel, are on the Lord.


book: Zech
contenido:
Doom is certain for Hamath, near Damascus, and for the cities of Tyre and Sidon, though they are so clever.


book: Zech
contenido:
But now the Lord will strip away Tyre’s possessions and hurl its fortifications into the sea, and it will be burned to the ground.


book: Zech
contenido:
The city of Ashkelon will see Tyre fall and will be filled with fear. Gaza will shake with terror, as will Ekron, for their hopes will be dashed. Gaza’s king will be killed, and Ashkelon will be deserted.


book: Zech
contenido:
I will grab the bloody meat from their mouths and snatch the detestable sacrifices from their teeth. Then the surviving Philistines will worship our God and become like a clan in Judah. The Philistines of Ekron will join my people, as the ancient Jebusites once did.


book: Zech
contenido:
I will guard my Temple and protect it from invading armies. I am watching closely to ensure that no more foreign oppressors overrun my people’s land.


book: Zech
contenido:
Zion’s Coming King Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.


book: Zech
contenido:
I will remove the battle chariots from Israel and the warhorses from Jerusalem. I will destroy all the weapons used in battle, and your king will bring peace to the nations. His realm will stretch from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.


book: Zech
contenido:
Because of the covenant I made with you, sealed with blood, I will free your prisoners from death in a waterless dungeon.


book: Zech
contenido:
Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope! I promise this very day that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles.


book: Zech
contenido:
Judah is my bow, and Israel is my arrow. Jerusalem is my sword, and like a warrior, I will brandish it against the Greeks.


book: Zech
contenido:
The Lord will appear above his people; his arrows will fly like lightning! The Sovereign Lord will sound the ram’s horn and attack like a whirlwind from the southern desert.


book: Zech
contenido:
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people, and they will defeat their enemies by hurling great stones. They will shout in battle as though drunk with wine. They will be filled with blood like a bowl, drenched with blood like the corners of the altar.


book: Zech
contenido:
On that day the Lord their God will rescue his people, just as a shepherd rescues his sheep. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.


book: Zech
contenido:
How wonderful and beautiful they will be! The young men will thrive on abundant grain, and the young women will flourish on new wine.


book: Zech
contenido:
The Lord Will Restore His People Ask the Lord for rain in the spring, for he makes the storm clouds. And he will send showers of rain so every field becomes a lush pasture.


book: Zech
contenido:
Household gods give worthless advice, fortune-tellers predict only lies, and interpreters of dreams pronounce falsehoods that give no comfort. So my people are wandering like lost sheep; they are attacked because they have no shepherd.


book: Zech
contenido:
“My anger burns against your shepherds, and I will punish these leaders. For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has arrived to look after Judah, his flock. He will make them strong and glorious, like a proud warhorse in battle.


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contenido:
They will be like mighty warriors in battle, trampling their enemies in the mud under their feet. Since the Lord is with them as they fight, they will overthrow even the enemy’s horsemen.


book: Zech
contenido:
“I will strengthen Judah and save Israel; I will restore them because of my compassion. It will be as though I had never rejected them, for I am the Lord their God, who will hear their cries.


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contenido:
The people of Israel will become like mighty warriors, and their hearts will be made happy as if by wine. Their children, too, will see it and be glad; their hearts will rejoice in the Lord.


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contenido:
When I whistle to them, they will come running, for I have redeemed them. From the few who are left, they will grow as numerous as they were before.


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contenido:
Though I have scattered them like seeds among the nations, they will still remember me in distant lands. They and their children will survive and return again to Israel.


book: Zech
contenido:
I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will resettle them in Gilead and Lebanon until there is no more room for them all.


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contenido:
They will pass safely through the sea of distress, for the waves of the sea will be held back, and the waters of the Nile will dry up. The pride of Assyria will be crushed, and the rule of Egypt will end.


book: Zech
contenido:
By my power I will make my people strong, and by my authority they will go wherever they wish. I, the Lord, have spoken!”


book: Zech
contenido:
Weep, you cypress trees, for all the ruined cedars; the most majestic ones have fallen. Weep, you oaks of Bashan, for the thick forests have been cut down.


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contenido:
Listen to the wailing of the shepherds, for their rich pastures are destroyed. Hear the young lions roaring, for their thickets in the Jordan Valley are ruined.


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contenido:
The Good and Evil Shepherds This is what the Lord my God says: “Go and care for the flock that is intended for slaughter.


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contenido:
The buyers slaughter their sheep without remorse. The sellers say, ‘Praise the Lord! Now I’m rich!’ Even the shepherds have no compassion for them.


book: Zech
contenido:
Likewise, I will no longer have pity on the people of the land,” says the Lord. “I will let them fall into each other’s hands and into the hands of their king. They will turn the land into a wilderness, and I will not rescue them.”


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contenido:
So I cared for the flock intended for slaughter—the flock that was oppressed. Then I took two shepherd’s staffs and named one Favor and the other Union.


book: Zech
contenido:
I got rid of their three evil shepherds in a single month. But I became impatient with these sheep, and they hated me, too.


book: Zech
contenido:
So I told them, “I won’t be your shepherd any longer. If you die, you die. If you are killed, you are killed. And let those who remain devour each other!”


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contenido:
Then I took my staff called Favor and cut it in two, showing that I had revoked the covenant I had made with all the nations.


book: Zech
contenido:
That was the end of my covenant with them. The suffering flock was watching me, and they knew that the Lord was speaking through my actions.


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contenido:
And I said to them, “If you like, give me my wages, whatever I am worth; but only if you want to.” So they counted out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.


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contenido:
And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent sum at which they valued me! So I took the thirty coins and threw them to the potter in the Temple of the Lord.


book: Zech
contenido:
Then I took my other staff, Union, and cut it in two, showing that the bond of unity between Judah and Israel was broken.


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contenido:
This illustrates how I will give this nation a shepherd who will not care for those who are dying, nor look after the young, nor heal the injured, nor feed the healthy. Instead, this shepherd will eat the meat of the fattest sheep and tear off their hooves.


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contenido:
“What sorrow awaits this worthless shepherd who abandons the flock! The sword will cut his arm and pierce his right eye. His arm will become useless, and his right eye completely blind.”


book: Zech
contenido:
Future Deliverance for Jerusalem This message concerning the fate of Israel came from the Lord: “This message is from the Lord, who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundations of the earth, and formed the human spirit.


book: Zech
contenido:
I will make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger when they send their armies to besiege Jerusalem and Judah.


book: Zech
contenido:
On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves.


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contenido:
“On that day,” says the Lord, “I will cause every horse to panic and every rider to lose his nerve. I will watch over the people of Judah, but I will blind all the horses of their enemies.


book: Zech
contenido:
And the clans of Judah will say to themselves, ‘The people of Jerusalem have found strength in the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, their God.’


book: Zech
contenido:
“On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a flame that sets a woodpile ablaze or like a burning torch among sheaves of grain. They will burn up all the neighboring nations right and left, while the people living in Jerusalem remain secure.


book: Zech
contenido:
“The Lord will give victory to the rest of Judah first, before Jerusalem, so that the people of Jerusalem and the royal line of David will not have greater honor than the rest of Judah.


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contenido:
On that day the Lord will defend the people of Jerusalem; the weakest among them will be as mighty as King David! And the royal descendants will be like God, like the angel of the Lord who goes before them!


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contenido:
“Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died.


book: Zech
contenido:
The sorrow and mourning in Jerusalem on that day will be like the great mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo.


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contenido:
“All Israel will mourn, each clan by itself, and with the husbands separate from their wives. The clan of David will mourn alone, as will the clan of Nathan,


book: Zech
contenido:
Each of the surviving clans from Judah will mourn separately, and with the husbands separate from their wives.


book: Zech
contenido:
A Fountain of Cleansing “On that day a fountain will be opened for the dynasty of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and impurity.


book: Zech
contenido:
“And on that day,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will erase idol worship throughout the land, so that even the names of the idols will be forgotten. I will remove from the land both the false prophets and the spirit of impurity that came with them.


book: Zech
contenido:
If anyone continues to prophesy, his own father and mother will tell him, ‘You must die, for you have prophesied lies in the name of the Lord.’ And as he prophesies, his own father and mother will stab him.


book: Zech
contenido:
“On that day people will be ashamed to claim the prophetic gift. No one will pretend to be a prophet by wearing prophet’s clothes.


book: Zech
contenido:
And if someone asks, ‘Then what about those wounds on your chest?’ he will say, ‘I was wounded at my friends’ house!’


book: Zech
contenido:
The Scattering of the Sheep “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, the man who is my partner,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Strike down the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn against the lambs.


book: Zech
contenido:
Two-thirds of the people in the land will be cut off and die,” says the Lord. “But one-third will be left in the land.


book: Zech
contenido:
I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”


book: Zech
contenido:
The Lord Will Rule the Earth Watch, for the day of the Lord is coming when your possessions will be plundered right in front of you!


book: Zech
contenido:
I will gather all the nations to fight against Jerusalem. The city will be taken, the houses looted, and the women raped. Half the population will be taken into captivity, and the rest will be left among the ruins of the city.


book: Zech
contenido:
On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south.


book: Zech
contenido:
You will flee through this valley, for it will reach across to Azal. Yes, you will flee as you did from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all his holy ones with him.


book: Zech
contenido:
yet there will be continuous day! Only the Lord knows how this could happen. There will be no normal day and night, for at evening time it will still be light.


book: Zech
contenido:
On that day life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean, flowing continuously in both summer and winter.


book: Zech
contenido:
And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshiped.


book: Zech
contenido:
All the land from Geba, north of Judah, to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem, will become one vast plain. But Jerusalem will be raised up in its original place and will be inhabited all the way from the Benjamin Gate over to the site of the old gate, then to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses.


book: Zech
contenido:
And the Lord will send a plague on all the nations that fought against Jerusalem. Their people will become like walking corpses, their flesh rotting away. Their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.


book: Zech
contenido:
On that day they will be terrified, stricken by the Lord with great panic. They will fight their neighbors hand to hand.


book: Zech
contenido:
Judah, too, will be fighting at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the neighboring nations will be captured—great quantities of gold and silver and fine clothing.


book: Zech
contenido:
This same plague will strike the horses, mules, camels, donkeys, and all the other animals in the enemy camps.


book: Zech
contenido:
In the end, the enemies of Jerusalem who survive the plague will go up to Jerusalem each year to worship the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and to celebrate the Festival of Shelters.


book: Zech
contenido:
Any nation in the world that refuses to come to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, will have no rain.


book: Zech
contenido:
If the people of Egypt refuse to attend the festival, the Lord will punish them with the same plague that he sends on the other nations who refuse to go.


book: Zech
contenido:
Egypt and the other nations will all be punished if they don’t go to celebrate the Festival of Shelters.


book: Zech
contenido:
On that day even the harness bells of the horses will be inscribed with these words: Holy to the Lord. And the cooking pots in the Temple of the Lord will be as sacred as the basins used beside the altar.


book: Zech
contenido:
In fact, every cooking pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. All who come to worship will be free to use any of these pots to boil their sacrifices. And on that day there will no longer be traders in the Temple of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Mal
contenido:
The Lord’s Love for Israel “I have always loved you,” says the Lord. But you retort, “Really? How have you loved us?” And the Lord replies, “This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob,


book: Mal
contenido:
but I rejected his brother, Esau, and devastated his hill country. I turned Esau’s inheritance into a desert for jackals.”


book: Mal
contenido:
Esau’s descendants in Edom may say, “We have been shattered, but we will rebuild the ruins.” But the Lord of Heaven’s Armies replies, “They may try to rebuild, but I will demolish them again. Their country will be known as ‘The Land of Wickedness,’ and their people will be called ‘The People with Whom the Lord Is Forever Angry.’


book: Mal
contenido:
When you see the destruction for yourselves, you will say, ‘Truly, the Lord’s greatness reaches far beyond Israel’s borders!’”


book: Mal
contenido:
Unworthy Sacrifices The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! “But you ask, ‘How have we ever shown contempt for your name?’


book: Mal
contenido:
“You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar. “Then you ask, ‘How have we defiled the sacrifices?’ “You defile them by saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect.


book: Mal
contenido:
When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Mal
contenido:
“Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you! But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all?” asks the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Mal
contenido:
“How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and I will not accept your offerings.


book: Mal
contenido:
But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Mal
contenido:
“But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it’s all right to defile the Lord’s table.


book: Mal
contenido:
You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the Lord.


book: Mal
contenido:
“Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!


book: Mal
contenido:
Listen to me and make up your minds to honor my name,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “or I will bring a terrible curse against you. I will curse even the blessings you receive. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you have not taken my warning to heart.


book: Mal
contenido:
I will punish your descendants and splatter your faces with the manure from your festival sacrifices, and I will throw you on the manure pile.


book: Mal
contenido:
Then at last you will know it was I who sent you this warning so that my covenant with the Levites can continue,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Mal
contenido:
“The purpose of my covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace, and that is what I gave them. This required reverence from them, and they greatly revered me and stood in awe of my name.


book: Mal
contenido:
They passed on to the people the truth of the instructions they received from me. They did not lie or cheat; they walked with me, living good and righteous lives, and they turned many from lives of sin.


book: Mal
contenido:
“The words of a priest’s lips should preserve knowledge of God, and people should go to him for instruction, for the priest is the messenger of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Mal
contenido:
But you priests have left God’s paths. Your instructions have caused many to stumble into sin. You have corrupted the covenant I made with the Levites,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Mal
contenido:
“So I have made you despised and humiliated in the eyes of all the people. For you have not obeyed me but have shown favoritism in the way you carry out my instructions.”


book: Mal
contenido:
A Call to Faithfulness Are we not all children of the same Father? Are we not all created by the same God? Then why do we betray each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors?


book: Mal
contenido:
Judah has been unfaithful, and a detestable thing has been done in Israel and in Jerusalem. The men of Judah have defiled the Lord’s beloved sanctuary by marrying women who worship idols.


book: Mal
contenido:
May the Lord cut off from the nation of Israel every last man who has done this and yet brings an offering to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Mal
contenido:
Here is another thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure.


book: Mal
contenido:
You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.


book: Mal
contenido:
Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.


book: Mal
contenido:
“For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”


book: Mal
contenido:
You have wearied the Lord with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. You have wearied him by saying that all who do evil are good in the Lord’s sight, and he is pleased with them. You have wearied him by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”


book: Mal
contenido:
The Coming Day of Judgment “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Mal
contenido:
“But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes.


book: Mal
contenido:
He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.


book: Mal
contenido:
Then once more the Lord will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.


book: Mal
contenido:
“At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Mal
contenido:
A Call to Repentance “I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.


book: Mal
contenido:
Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’


book: Mal
contenido:
“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.


book: Mal
contenido:
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!


book: Mal
contenido:
Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Mal
contenido:
“Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Mal
contenido:
“You have said terrible things about me,” says the Lord. “But you say, ‘What do you mean? What have we said against you?’


book: Mal
contenido:
“You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins?


book: Mal
contenido:
From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.’”


book: Mal
contenido:
The Lord’s Promise of Mercy Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.


book: Mal
contenido:
“They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.


book: Mal
contenido:
Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”


book: Mal
contenido:
The Coming Day of Judgment The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.


book: Mal
contenido:
“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.


book: Mal
contenido:
On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.


book: Mal
contenido:
“Remember to obey the Law of Moses, my servant—all the decrees and regulations that I gave him on Mount Sinai for all Israel.


book: Mal
contenido:
His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.”


book: Matt
contenido:
The Ancestors of Jesus the Messiah This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:


book: Matt
contenido:
Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.


book: Matt
contenido:
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram.


book: Matt
contenido:
Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon.


book: Matt
contenido:
Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse.


book: Matt
contenido:
Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).


book: Matt
contenido:
Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was the father of Abijah. Abijah was the father of Asa.


book: Matt
contenido:
Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram. Jehoram was the father of Uzziah.


book: Matt
contenido:
Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amon. Amon was the father of Josiah.


book: Matt
contenido:
After the Babylonian exile: Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel.


book: Matt
contenido:
Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud. Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor.


book: Matt
contenido:
Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob.


book: Matt
contenido:
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.


book: Matt
contenido:
All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.


book: Matt
contenido:
The Birth of Jesus the Messiah This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.


book: Matt
contenido:
Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.


book: Matt
contenido:
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.


book: Matt
contenido:
And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”


book: Matt
contenido:
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”


book: Matt
contenido:
Visitors from the East Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,


book: Matt
contenido:
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”


book: Matt
contenido:
He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”


book: Matt
contenido:
‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”


book: Matt
contenido:
Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.


book: Matt
contenido:
Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”


book: Matt
contenido:
After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.


book: Matt
contenido:
They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.


book: Matt
contenido:
When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.


book: Matt
contenido:
The Escape to Egypt After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”


book: Matt
contenido:
and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”


book: Matt
contenido:
Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.


book: Matt
contenido:
“A cry was heard in Ramah— weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.”


book: Matt
contenido:
The Return to Nazareth When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.


book: Matt
contenido:
“Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”


book: Matt
contenido:
But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee.


book: Matt
contenido:
So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”


book: Matt
contenido:
John the Baptist Prepares the Way In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was,


book: Matt
contenido:
The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”


book: Matt
contenido:
John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.


book: Matt
contenido:
People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John.


book: Matt
contenido:
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath?


book: Matt
contenido:
Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.


book: Matt
contenido:
Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.


book: Matt
contenido:
“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.


book: Matt
contenido:
He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”


book: Matt
contenido:
But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”


book: Matt
contenido:
But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.


book: Matt
contenido:
After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.


book: Matt
contenido:
The Temptation of Jesus Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.


book: Matt
contenido:
During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”


book: Matt
contenido:
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”


book: Matt
contenido:
and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”


book: Matt
contenido:
Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.


book: Matt
contenido:
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”


book: Matt
contenido:
The Ministry of Jesus Begins When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee.


book: Matt
contenido:
He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.


book: Matt
contenido:
“In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,


book: Matt
contenido:
the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”


book: Matt
contenido:
From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”


book: Matt
contenido:
The First Disciples One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.


book: Matt
contenido:
A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too.


book: Matt
contenido:
Crowds Follow Jesus Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.


book: Matt
contenido:
News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all.


book: Matt
contenido:
Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.


book: Matt
contenido:
The Sermon on the Mount One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him,


book: Matt
contenido:
The Beatitudes “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.


book: Matt
contenido:
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.


book: Matt
contenido:
Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.


book: Matt
contenido:
Teaching about Salt and Light “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.


book: Matt
contenido:
No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.


book: Matt
contenido:
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.


book: Matt
contenido:
Teaching about the Law “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.


book: Matt
contenido:
I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.


book: Matt
contenido:
So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.


book: Matt
contenido:
“But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!


book: Matt
contenido:
Teaching about Anger “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’


book: Matt
contenido:
But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.


book: Matt
contenido:
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,


book: Matt
contenido:
leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.


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“When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison.


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But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.


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So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.


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And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.


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Teaching about Divorce “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’


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But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.


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Teaching about Vows “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’


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And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.


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Teaching about Revenge “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’


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But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.


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Teaching about Love for Enemies “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy.


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In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.


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If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.


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Teaching about Giving to the Needy “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.


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When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.


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Teaching about Prayer and Fasting “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.


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But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.


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“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.


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“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.


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Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.


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Teaching about Money and Possessions “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.


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Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.


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“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.


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But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!


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“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.


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“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?


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Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?


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“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,


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And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?


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“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’


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These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.


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Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.


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“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.


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For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.


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How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?


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Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.


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“Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.


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Effective Prayer “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.


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For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.


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So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.


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The Golden Rule “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.


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The Narrow Gate “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.


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The Tree and Its Fruit “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.


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You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?


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True Disciples “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.


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On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’


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Building on a Solid Foundation “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.


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Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.


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But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.


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When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”


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Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”


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Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.


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Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”


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The Faith of a Roman Officer When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him,


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But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.


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I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”


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When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!


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And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.


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But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”


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Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.


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Jesus Heals Many People When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever.


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That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick.


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This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.”


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The Cost of Following Jesus When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.


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Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”


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But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”


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Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.


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Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.


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Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They lived in a cemetery and were so violent that no one could go through that area.


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They began screaming at him, “Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?”


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“All right, go!” Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.


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Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town.


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Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.”


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But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?”


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Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts?


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So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”


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Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority.


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Jesus Calls Matthew As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.


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Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.


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But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”


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Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”


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A Discussion about Fasting One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, “Why don’t your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?”


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Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.


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“Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.


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“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.”


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Jesus Heals in Response to Faith As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.”


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Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe,


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Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.


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After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up!


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Jesus Heals the Blind After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”


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They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”


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Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.”


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So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed.


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The Need for Workers Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.


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When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.


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Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.


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Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother),


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Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans,


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Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!


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Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.


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“Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town.


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If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.


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I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day.


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But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.


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You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.


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When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.


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“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed.


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And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.


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When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.


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Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!


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“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.


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What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!


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“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.


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What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.


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“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.


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‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.


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“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.


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If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs.


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And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”


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Jesus and John the Baptist When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.


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John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus,


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the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.


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As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind?


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Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces.


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John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’


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“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!


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And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.


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“To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,


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The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”


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Judgment for the Unbelievers Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God.


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“What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse.


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“And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today.


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Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.


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“My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”


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Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.


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Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.


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A Discussion about the Sabbath At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them.


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But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”


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Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry?


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He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat.


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And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath?


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But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’


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where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)


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And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would.


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And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”


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Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one!


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Jesus, God’s Chosen Servant But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them,


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“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.


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He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.


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Jesus and the Prince of Demons Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see.


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But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.”


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Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart.


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And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive.


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And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said.


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For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.


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“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.


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“So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven.


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Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.


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“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.


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You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.


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A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.


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The Sign of Jonah One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.”


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But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.


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For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.


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“The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.


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The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.


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Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order.


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Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.”


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The True Family of Jesus As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.


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Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake.


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A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore.


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He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds.


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As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them.


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Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.


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Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!


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He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.


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To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.


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That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.


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This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.


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For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’


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I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.


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The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.


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The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.


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But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.


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The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.


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The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”


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Parable of the Wheat and Weeds Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.


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But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away.


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“The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’


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Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”


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Parable of the Mustard Seed Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field.


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It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”


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Parable of the Yeast Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”


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Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.


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This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet: “I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.”


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Parable of the Wheat and Weeds Explained Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.”


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The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one.


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The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.


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The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.


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And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


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Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!


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Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.


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Parable of the Fishing Net “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind.


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When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away.


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That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous,


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Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”


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Jesus Rejected at Nazareth When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country.


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He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?”


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Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas.


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And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.”


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he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.”


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For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip).


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Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.


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Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.


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Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.


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Jesus Feeds Five Thousand As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns.


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Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.


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That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”


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Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people.


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They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.


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Jesus Walks on Water Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.


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After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.


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Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.


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When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”


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“Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.


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But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.


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Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”


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When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed.


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They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.


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Jesus Teaches about Inner Purity Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law now arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked him,


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“Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition? For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat.”


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For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’


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But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’


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In this way, you say they don’t need to honor their parents. And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition.


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It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”


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Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?”


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so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.”


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Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.”


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For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.


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The Faith of a Gentile Woman Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon.


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A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”


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But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”


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She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”


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“Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.


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A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all.


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The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel.


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Jesus Feeds Four Thousand Then Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.”


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The disciples replied, “Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?”


