WELS - Through My Bible on Streams

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0826db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 26 1 Thessalonians 2 Paul Defends His Ministry Among the Thessalonians 1 Indeed, brothers, you yourselves know that our visit to you was not a waste of time. 2 Even though we had suffered previously and were treated shamefully in Philippi (as you know), we were bold in our God to speak the gospel of God to you in the face of great opposition. 3 For our appeal does not come from error or impure motives, or by way of deceit. 4 Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts. 5 Indeed, as you know, we never at any time used flattering speech, nor did we act with greed as a motive. God is our witness. 6 Also, we did not seek the praise of people (neither yours nor anyone else’s), 7 even though we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles. On the contrary, we were gentle [1] among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 We yearned for you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 Surely, brothers, you remember our labor and hardship! We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you, while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devout, righteous, and blameless we were toward you who believe. 11 In the same way, you know that we treated each of you as a father deals with his own children: 12 encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who is calling you into his kingdom and glory. 13 There is also another reason we give thanks to God unceasingly, namely, when you received God’s word, which you heard from us, you did not receive it as the word of men but as the word of God (as it really is), which is now at work in you who believe. 14 Yes, brothers, you became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus, because you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and who severely persecuted us. They are not pleasing to God and are hostile to all people. 16 By hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved, they are always filling up the full measure of their sins. And the wrath has come upon them completely. [2] Paul’s Desire to See the Thessalonians 17 As for us, brothers, after we were separated from you like orphans for just a short time (in person, not in our heart), it was with great desire that we made every effort to see you again in person. 18 For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, wanted this, not just once, but twice), but Satan hindered us. 19 Indeed, who is our hope or joy or crown about which we boast before our Lord Jesus when he returns? Is it not you? 20 Yes, you are our glory and our joy. Footnotes 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Some witnesses to the text read infants. This would change the translation to: we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, but we were infants among you. Like a nursing mother taking care of her own children, 8 we yearned. . . 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or has come upon them at last The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0825db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 25 1 Thessalonians 1 Greeting 1 Paul, Silas, [1] and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians, which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [2] Thanksgiving for the Faith of the Thessalonians 2 We always give thanks to God for all of you as we make mention of you in our prayers, 3 because we constantly remember before God our Father your work produced by faith, your labor produced by love, and your patient endurance produced by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 Dear brothers, [3] loved by God, we know that God has chosen you, 5 because our gospel did not come to you with mere words, but with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction. You yourselves know very well what kind of people we proved to be for your sake, while we were with you. 6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you welcomed the word during a time of great affliction with the joy from the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. [4] 8 Indeed, the word of the Lord has resounded from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith in God has become known. As a result, we do not need to say anything, 9 because they themselves inform us about what kind of reception we received from you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. 10 They also report how you patiently wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, the one who is going to rescue us from the coming wrath. Footnotes 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Silvanus in Greek 1 Thessalonians 1:1 A few witnesses to the text omit from God. . . Jesus Christ. (“Witnesses to the text” mentioned in footnotes may include Greek manuscripts, lectionaries, translations, and quotations in the church fathers.) 1 Thessalonians 1:4 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female. 1 Thessalonians 1:7 Macedonia and Achaia were the two provinces comprising Greece. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0824db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 24 Psalm 28 – 29 Psalm 28 My Rock Heading By David. Protect Me From the Wicked 1 O Lord, I keep calling to you. My Rock, do not be deaf to me. If you remain silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit. 2 Hear the sound of my plea for mercy when I cry out to you, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary. 3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those evildoers. They speak peace to their neighbors but hide evil in their hearts. Punish the Wicked 4 Give to them what they have done to others. According to their evil actions, according to the deeds of their hands, punish them. Repay to them what they deserve. 5 Because they do not recognize the works of the Lord or the deeds of his hands, he will tear them down and not build them up. Then I Will Praise You 6 Blessed be the Lord, because he has heard the sound of my plea for mercy. 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield. In him my heart trusts, and I am helped. My heart also celebrates. With my song I will give thanks to him. 8 The Lord is their strength. He is a stronghold of salvation for his anointed king. 9 Save your people, and bless the people that belong to you. Shepherd them, and carry them forever. Psalm 29 The God of Glory Thunders Heading A psalm by David. The God of Glory Thunders 1 Ascribe to the Lord, you sons of God, [1] Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name. Bow down to the Lord in the splendor of holiness. 3 The voice of the Lord is heard over the waters. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders above the mighty waters. 4 The voice of the Lord thunders in power. The voice of the Lord thunders in majesty. 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars. The Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Mount Lebanon skip like a calf. Sirion [2] skips like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord slashes with flashes of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness. The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord destroys the oaks [3] and strips the forests bare. So in his temple they all say, “Glory!” 10 The Lord is seated over the flood. The Lord is seated as King forever. 11 The Lord gives strength to his people. The Lord blesses his people with peace. Footnotes Psalm 29:1 In this verse the Hebrew word translated God is elim rather than the usual elohim. Elim could also be translated mighty ones or heavenly beings. It seems to refer to the angels. Psalm 29:6 Sirion and Mount Lebanon are names for Mount Hermon. Psalm 29:9 Or makes the deer give birth. The Hebrew text provides vowels for the word as if it were the word for deer, rather than the word for oaks. Shattering oaks seems to fit the context and the parallelism better than makes the deer give birth. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0823db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 23 Psalm 27 Psalm 27 The Stronghold of My Life Heading By David. Safe in God’s Stronghold 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers advance against me to eat my flesh, when my foes and my enemies come against me, it is they who will stumble and fall. 3 If an army lines up against me, my heart will not fear. If war rises against me, even then I will keep trusting. Happy in God’s Temple 4 One thing I ask from the Lord. This is what I seek: that I live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,     to gaze on the beauty of the Lord,     and to seek him in his temple. [1] 5 Yes, he will hide me in his shelter on the day of trouble. He will hide me in his tent. He will set me high on a rock. 6 Then my head will be lifted up above the enemies who surround me. I will offer sacrifices at his tent with a joyful shout. I will sing and make music to the Lord. Confident in Prayer 7 Hear me, O Lord. With my voice I call. Be merciful to me and answer me. 8 When you say, “Seek my face,” my heart says to you,     “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” 9 Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God who saves me. 10 If my father and my mother abandoned me,     the Lord would take me in. Walking in God’s Path 11 Lord, teach me your way, and lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not give me up to the desire of my foes, because false witnesses rise up against me, and so do those who breathe out violence. At Home in God’s Land 13 Unless I was confident to see the goodness of the Lord     in the land of the living— [2] 14 Wait for the Lord. Be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord! Footnotes Psalm 27:4 The Hebrew word hekal, usually translated temple, means big house. It can refer to a palace or a temple. It can apply to the tent sanctuaries built by Moses and David and to the temple building constructed by Solomon. Psalm 27:13 As it stands, the Hebrew text is an incomplete sentence which calls for a conclusion such as “I would have lost hope.” As the text stands, the construction breaks off and jumps to a positive affirmation. Some Hebrew manuscripts omit the initial word unless and have a positive statement: I am confident that I will . . . The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0821db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 21 Psalm 25 Psalm 25 Teach Me Your Ways Heading By David. A Prayer for Protection 1 To you, O Lord, I will lift up my soul. 2 In you I have trusted, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame. Do not let my enemies triumph over me. 3 All who hope in you will never be put to shame, but those who are treacherous for no reason will be put to shame. A Prayer for Forgiveness 4 Make known to me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths. 5 Make me walk in your truth and teach me, because you are the God who saves me. In you I hope all day long. 6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and your mercy, for they are from eternity. [1] 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. According to your mercy remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. 8 Good and upright is the Lord. Therefore, he instructs sinners in the right way. 9 He directs the humble to what is just, and he teaches the humble his way. 10 All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth     for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For the sake of your name, O Lord, you forgive my guilt, although it is great. A Prayer for a Godly Life 12 Who, then, is the man who fears the Lord? The Lord will instruct him in the way he chooses. 13 That man will enjoy a good life, and his descendants will possess the land. 14 The guidance [2] of the Lord is with those who fear him. His covenant will give them knowledge. A Second Prayer for Protection 15 My eyes are always on the Lord, because he frees my feet from the net. 16 Turn toward me and be gracious to me, because I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The distress of my heart increases. [3] Bring me out of my anguish. 18 See my affliction and my trouble, and take away all my sins. 19 See my enemies— how they have increased, and how violently they hate me! 20 Guard my life and rescue me. Do not let me be put to shame, for I have taken refuge in you. 21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,     because I wait for you. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress! Footnotes Psalm 25:6 Or from of old Psalm 25:14 The Hebrew word used here implies the kind of advice given by a close friend and confidant. Psalm 25:17 Or, following an alternate reading of the Hebrew, relieve the distress of my heart The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0820db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 20 Psalm 23 – 24 Psalm 23 The King of Love My Shepherd Is Heading A psalm by David. The Shepherd Provides for His People 1 The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. 2 He causes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. The Shepherd Protects His People 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. The Royal Host Provides for His People 5 You set a table for me in the presence of my foes. You drench my head with oil. [1] My cup is overflowing. 6 Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. [2] Psalm 24 The King of Glory Heading By David. A psalm. The King of Glory Owns the Whole World 1 The earth is the Lord’s and everything that fills it, the world and all who live in it, 2 because he founded it on the seas, and he established it on the rivers. [3] The King of Glory Is Served by a Holy People 3 Who may go up to the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, whose soul is not set on what is false, who does not swear deceitfully. 5 He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God who saves him. 6 Such are the people of Jacob who look for the Lord, who seek your face. [4] Interlude The King of Glory Comes 7 Lift up your heads, you gates. Lift yourselves up, you ancient doors, and the King of Glory will come in. 8 Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, you gates. Lift up, you ancient doors, and the King of Glory will come in. 10 Who is he, this King of Glory? The Lord of Armies—he is the King of Glory. Interlude [5] Footnotes Psalm 23:5 Scenting someone with perfumed olive oil was a part of celebrations. The verb used here is not the verb used for anointing someone to an office. Psalm 23:6 Literally for length of days or for days without end Psalm 24:2 Or ocean currents Psalm 24:6 Literally this is the generation (or circle) of those who seek him, who seek your face Jacob. The syntax of the verse is difficult. It appears that in the Hebrew Jacob should be understood as an apposition to those who seek him. The Greek reads the generation of those who look for him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Psalm 24:10 The Hebrew selah seems to indicate a musical interlude for reflection. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0818db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 18 Psalm 22:1-21 Psalm 22 Psalm 22 Why Have You Forsaken Me? Heading For the choir director. According to “Doe of the Dawn.” [1] A psalm by David. Part One: The Messiah’s Suffering The Messiah’s Plea 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? My groaning does nothing to save me. 2 My God, I call out by day, but you do not answer. I call out by night, but there is no relief for me. [2] God’s Help in the Past 3 Yet you are seated as the Holy One, praised by Israel. 4 In you our fathers trusted. They trusted and you delivered them. 5 They cried out to you, and they were rescued. They trusted in you, and they were not disappointed. God’s Present Absence 6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me. They sneer. They shake their heads. 8 They say, “Trust in the Lord.” [3] “Let the Lord deliver him. Let him rescue him, if he delights in him.” [4] The Mutual Love of Father and Son 9 But you are the one who brought me out of the belly. You made me trust when I was at my mother’s breasts. 10 I was cast on you from the womb. From the belly of my mother you have been my God. 11 Do not be distant from me, for distress is near, and there is no one to help. The Power of His Enemies 12 Many bulls surround me. Strong bulls from Bashan encircle me. 13 Enemies open their mouths wide against me, like a lion that tears its prey and roars. 14 Like water I am poured out. All my bones are pulled apart. My heart has become like wax. It has melted in the middle of my chest. 15 My strength is dried up like broken pottery, and my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs have surrounded me. A band of evil men has encircled me. They have pierced [5] my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my garments among them. For my clothing they cast lots. The Greater Power of God 19 But you, O Lord, do not be distant. O my Strength, come quickly to help me. 20 Deliver my life from the sword, my only life from the power of the dog. 21 Save me from the mouth of the lion. From the horns of the wild oxen you have answered me. [6] Footnotes Psalm 22:1 This may be the name of the tune. An alternate reading is help at dawn. Psalm 22:2 Or I am never silent Psalm 22:8 Literally roll [your troubles] to the Lord Psalm 22:8 The first part of the quotation is addressed to the suffering Messiah. The second part is addressed to their fellow mockers, so they are marked as two separate quotations. Psalm 22:16 The reading they have pierced is found in some Hebrew manuscripts, including one of the oldest, as well as in other ancient versions. Most Hebrew manuscripts read like a lion instead of a verb. Psalm 22:21 Or answer me The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0817db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 17 Psalm 20 – 21 Psalm 20 A Prayer for Victory for the King Heading For the choir director. A psalm by David. The People’s Prayer 1 May the Lord answer you in the day of distress. May the name of the God of Jacob lift you up. 2 May he send you help from the holy place. May he support you from Zion. 3 May he remember all your sacrificial gifts. Interlude May he accept your burnt offerings. 4 May he give you whatever your heart desires. May he fulfill all your plans. 5 We will shout joyfully when God saves you. In the name of our God we will lift up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your prayers. The King’s Response 6 Now I know that the Lord saves his Anointed. [1] He answers him from his holy heavens     with powerful acts of salvation from his right hand. The People’s Prayer 7 Some rely on chariots, and some on horses, but we rely on the name of the Lord our God. 8 They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. 9 Lord, save the king! Answer us in the day we call! Psalm 21 Thanksgiving for Victory Heading For the choir director. A psalm by David. The People Thank the Lord for Victory 1 O Lord, the king rejoices in your strength. He joyfully celebrates salvation from you. 2 You have granted him what his heart desired. Interlude You have not denied the request from his lips. 3 Yes, you meet him to give him great blessings. You place a crown of pure gold on his head. 4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him— length of days, forever and ever. 5 He receives great glory through the salvation you gave. You bestow splendor and majesty on him. 6 Surely you grant him blessings forever. You make him glad with joy in your presence. 7 Surely the king trusts in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he will not be shaken. The People Assure the King of Future Victory 8 Your hand will reach all your enemies. Your right hand will reach those who hate you. 9 At the time when you appear, O Lord, you will make them like a blazing furnace. In his anger he will swallow them. Fire will consume them. 10 You will cause their fruit to perish from the earth, their seed [2] from among the children of Adam. 11 Indeed, they intend [3] evil against you. They plan wicked schemes, but they will not succeed, 12     because you will make them turn and run     when you get ready to aim your arrows at them. The People Praise the Lord 13 Rise up, O Lord, in your strength. We will sing and make music because of your might. Footnotes Psalm 20:6 That is, the king of Israel, who as a type of Christ was called by the title the Anointed Psalm 21:10 Fruit and seed refer to their descendants. Psalm 21:11 Literally stretch out The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0816db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 16 Psalm 19 Psalm 19 The Glory of God Is Revealed Heading For the choir director. A psalm by David. The Glory of God Revealed by Creation 1 The heavens tell about the glory of God. The expanse of the sky proclaims the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour out speech. Night after night they display knowledge. 3 They do not speak. They say no words. Their voice is not heard. [1] 4 Their voice [2] goes out into all the earth, and their word reaches the end of the world. God has pitched a tent for the sun in the heavens. 5 It comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy. It celebrates like a champion who has run his race. 6 It sets out from one end of the heavens. It runs until it reaches the other end. There is nowhere to hide from its heat. The Glory of God Revealed in His Word 7 The law [3] of the Lord is perfect. It revives the soul. The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy. It gives wisdom to the inexperienced. [4] 8 The precepts of the Lord are right. They give joy to the heart. The commandment of the Lord is bright. It gives light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure. It stands forever. The just decrees of the Lord are truth. They are altogether righteous. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even better than much pure gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the honeycomb. The Glory of God Revealed in the Believer’s Life 11 Yes, by them your servant is warned. In keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can recognize his own errors? Declare me innocent of hidden sins. 13 Restrain your servant also from deliberate sins. Do not let them rule over me. Then I will be blameless. Then I will be innocent of great rebellion. 14 May the speech from my mouth and the thoughts in my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Footnotes Psalm 19:3 Or there is no speech or language where their voice is not heard Psalm 19:4 The translation follows the Greek. The Hebrew reads their measuring line. Psalm 19:7 The Hebrew term torah, traditionally translated law, includes other forms of instruction besides laws. Here it refers to God’s whole word, including the gospel. Psalm 19:7 Or naïve The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0815db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 15 Psalm 18:31-50 Psalm 18 31 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? 32 This God wraps me with strength and makes my way perfect. [1] 33 By making my feet like those of a deer     he enables me to stand on high places. 34 Because he trains my hands for battle,     my arms can draw a bronze bow. 35 Then you give me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand sustains me, and you stoop down to lift me up. 36 You widen the path under my feet, so that my ankles do not give way. David’s Victories 37 I pursued my enemies, and I overtook them. So I did not turn back until they were wiped out. 38 I crushed them so that they could not rise again. They fell beneath my feet. 39 You wrapped me with strength for battle. You made those who rose up against me bow down to me. 40 You made my enemies turn their backs and flee. I destroyed those who hate me. 41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them. They cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them. 42 So I grind them as fine as dust blown by the wind. I dump them out like mud in the streets. 43 You delivered me from the accusations of the people. You made me the head of nations. A people I did not know serve me. 44 As soon as they hear me, they obey me. Foreigners cower before me. 45 Foreigners fall exhausted. They come trembling from their strongholds. Closing Words of Faith 46 The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! May the God who saves me be exalted! 47 The God who avenges me subdues peoples under me. 48 You delivered me from my enemies. Yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me. You rescued me from the violent man. 49 Therefore I will praise you among the nations, Lord. To your name I will make music. 50 By providing great salvation for his King, he shows mercy to his Anointed One, to David and to his Descendant [2] forever. Footnotes Psalm 18:32 Or smooth Psalm 18:50 Literally seed. The word seed connects this passage to the messianic promises given to Eve and to Abraham. By preserving David and his royal line, God carried on the messianic line that would reach its goal in Jesus. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0814db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 14 Psalm 18:1-30 Psalm 18 Psalm 18 Unfailing Kindness to David And to His Descendant Forever (2 Samuel 22) Heading For the choir director. By David, the servant of the Lord, who spoke the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the grasp of all his enemies, even from the grasp of Saul. Praise to the Rock of Salvation 1 Then he said: I love you, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rocky cliff, my stronghold, and my deliverer. My God is my rock. I take refuge in him. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my high fortress. 3 I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Deliverance From Death 4 The ropes of death entangled me. Floodwaters of destruction [1] rolled over me. 5 The ropes of the grave wrapped around me. The traps of death threatened me. 6 In my distress I called to the Lord. To my God I cried out. He heard my voice from his temple. My cry came before him. It reached his ears. The Greatness of the Deliverance 7 Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains [2] trembled. They shook because the Lord was angry. 8 Smoke rose from his nostrils, and fire from his mouth devoured. Coals were set on fire by it. 9 Then he tore open the heavens and came down. A dark cloud was under his feet. 10 He rode upon a cherub, [3] and he flew. He soared on the wings of the wind. 11 He made the darkness around him his hiding place. Dark rain clouds [4] surrounded him like a canopy. 12 Emerging from the brightness in front of him     his clouds passed by with hail and coals of fire. 13 Then the Lord thundered in the heavens. The Most High raised his voice with hail and coals of fire. [5] 14 Then he shot his arrows and scattered the enemy. He shot great lightning bolts and routed them. 15 Then the sources of water [6] were revealed, and the foundations of the world were uncovered     by your rebuke, O Lord,     by the breath of wind from your nostrils. 16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me. He drew me out of deep waters. 17 Because they were too strong for me, he rescued me from my powerful enemy, from those who hate me. 18 They confronted me on the day of my disaster, but the Lord supported me. 19 Then he brought me out into a wide-open space. He rescued me because he delighted in me. David’s Uprightness as a Basis for God’s Judgment 20 The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness. According to the cleanness of my hands he has repaid me, 21 for I have kept the ways of the Lord. I have not done evil and departed from my God. 22 So all his just decrees remain before me, and I have not turned his statutes away from me. 23 I have been blameless with him. I have kept myself from guilt. 24 The Lord has repaid me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. God’s Uprightness as a Basis for His Judgment 25 To the merciful you reveal yourself as merciful. To the blameless person you reveal yourself as blameless. 26 To the pure you reveal yourself as pure, but to the crooked you reveal yourself as crafty. 27 For you save humble people, but you bring low the eyes of the arrogant. 28 Yes, you light my lamp, O Lord. My God turns my darkness to light. 29 For with you I can charge against a battalion, and with my God I can jump over a wall. God Equips David for Victory 30 This God—his way is blameless. The speech of the Lord is pure. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Footnotes Psalm 18:4 Hebrew floodwaters of belial. Belial means worthless or unrestrained. It later became a name for Satan. Psalm 18:7 See 2 Samuel 22:8, which reads foundations of the heavens. Psalm 18:10 The cherubim are the powerful angels who serve as God’s honor guard. Psalm 18:11 Literally darkness of waters, clouds of a cloudy sky Psalm 18:13 The Greek text does not include hail and coals of fire in this verse. It may be an accidental repetition from the preceding verse. The parallel in 2 Samuel 22:14 does not have this repetition. Psalm 18:15 Sources of the sea is the reading in the parallel text in 2 Samuel 22:16. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0813db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 13 Psalm 17 Psalm 17 My Righteous Plea Heading A prayer by David. David’s Righteousness 1 Hear my righteous plea, O Lord. Pay attention to my outcry. Turn your ear to my prayer, which is not offered by deceitful lips. 2 May a just verdict for me come from you. May your eyes observe the things that are right. 3 You have tested my heart. You have visited me at night. You have refined me; you have found nothing wrong. I resolved that my mouth will not overstep its bounds. 4 As for the deeds of people:     by the words from your lips     I have kept myself from the ways of the violent. 5 Keep my footsteps on your paths. My steps have not slipped. God’s Love 6 Indeed, I call to you because you will answer me, O God. Turn your ear toward me. Hear what I say. 7 Perform wonders through your mercy. By your right hand save those who seek refuge     from those who rise up against them. 8 Guard me like the pupil of your eye. [1] In the shadow of your wings hide me 9     from the wicked who try to destroy me,     from those enemies of my life who surround me. The Enemies’ Ruthlessness 10 Their hearts are calloused. [2] Their mouths speak arrogantly. 11 Now they surround our steps. They watch us to throw us to the ground. 12 He is like a lion that is eager to tear, like a young lion crouching in its hiding place. 13 Rise, O Lord. Confront him. Bring him down. Save my life from the wicked by your sword. 14 Save me from such men by your hand, O Lord, from men of this world, whose reward is in this life. Closing Confidence 14b But you fill the stomachs of those whom you treasure. [3] Their children are satisfied, and they leave their wealth to their children. 15 Indeed, in righteousness I will view your face. When I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. Footnotes Psalm 17:8 Traditionally the apple of your eye Psalm 17:10 Literally they close their fat Psalm 17:14 Many translations join verse 14b with the first part of verse 14, understanding it as an observation about the worldly prosperity of the ungodly. They translate with your treasure you fill their stomachs. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0812db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 12 Psalm 15 – 16 Psalm 15 Who May Dwell in Your Sanctuary? Heading A psalm by David. The Question: Who May Dwell in Your Sanctuary? 1 Lord, who may be a guest in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain? The Answer: The One Who Does What Is Righteous 2 One who walks with integrity, who does what is righteous, and who speaks the truth in his heart. 3 He has no slander on his tongue. He does not harm his friend, and he does not defame his neighbor. 4 He despises everyone whom God rejects, but he honors those who fear the Lord. When he promises something,     he does not break his word     even though it costs him a lot. 5 He does not lend his money to get interest, [1] and he does not accept a bribe against the innocent. One who does these things will never be toppled. Psalm 16 You Will Not Abandon Me to the Grave Heading A miktam [2] by David. You Are My Lord 1 Guard me, O God, for I take refuge in you. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord. I have no good apart from you.” [3] 3 The holy ones who are in the land are glorious. All my delight is in them. 4 Those who chase after another god will increase their sorrows. I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood. I will not take up their names on my lips. You Will Not Abandon Me to the Grave 5 Lord, you are the cup that has been given to me. You have secured an allotment for me. 6 The property lines chosen for me fall in pleasant places. Yes, a delightful inheritance is mine. 7 I will bless the Lord, who guides me. Even at night my heart [4] instructs me. 8 I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being [5] rejoices. Even my flesh will dwell securely 10     because you will not abandon my life to the grave.     You will not let your favored one [6] see decay. 11 You have made known to me the path of life,     fullness of joy in your presence,     pleasures at your right hand forever. Footnotes Psalm 15:5 Or perhaps excessive interest Psalm 16:1 The meaning of miktam is uncertain. It may mean a golden psalm or a choice piece or a psalm inscribed on a tablet. Psalm 16:2 The Hebrew of verses 2–4 is difficult and may be understood in more than one way. Psalm 16:7 Literally kidneys. In Hebrew the word kidneys has some of the same connotations that heart does in English. Psalm 16:9 Literally my glory. A few manuscripts read liver, which in Hebrew idiom parallels heart as a center of emotion. Psalm 16:10 The Hebrew word hasid refers to a person who receives favor or distributes mercy. Here it refers to Christ, but it is not capitalized because it does not become one of his messianic titles. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0811db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 11 Psalm 13 – 14 Psalm 13 How Long, O Lord? Heading For the choir director. A psalm by David. Anguished Questions 1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I experience worries in my soul, sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy tower over me? An Urgent Prayer 3 Look at me. Answer me, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes     so I do not sleep in death, 4     so my enemy does not say, “I have overcome him,”     so my foes do not rejoice when I fall. A Solid Answer 5 But I trust in your mercy. My heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord     because he has accomplished his purpose for me. Psalm 14 The Fool (Psalm 53) Heading For the choir director. By David. A Description of the Fool 1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt. They do disgusting things. There is no one who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on all the children of Adam     to see if there is anyone who understands, anyone who seeks God. 3 Every one of them has turned away. Altogether they have become rotten. There is no one who does good. There is not even one. The Final Fate of the Fool 4 Don’t any of these evildoers understand, those who devour my people as if they were eating bread? They do not call on the Lord. 5 There they are! They are terrified     because God is present in the circle of the righteous. 6 You try to put the plans of the poor to shame, but the Lord is their refuge. Closing Prayer 7 Who will provide salvation for Israel from Zion? [1] When the Lord restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! Footnotes Psalm 14:7 Or Oh that salvation for Israel would come from Zion! The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0810db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 10 Hosea 13 – 14 Repentance or Disaster? Hosea 13 1 When Ephraim spoke, people would tremble. He was highly honored in Israel,     but he became guilty through worshipping Baal, so he died. 2 Now they sin more and more.     They make cast images for themselves,     idols skillfully made from their silver,     all of them the work of craftsmen.     It is said about them, “The ones who sacrifice are humans who kiss calves!” [1] 3 Therefore they will be like morning mist,     and like early dew that passes away,     like chaff that is blown away from the threshing floor,     and like smoke from a chimney. 4 But I have been the Lord your God since you left the land of Egypt.     You must not acknowledge any god except me.     There is no Savior except me. 5 I took care of you in the wilderness,     in a land burned by drought. 6 When they had pasture, they were satisfied.     When they were satisfied, their hearts became arrogant.     That is why they have forgotten me. 7 So I will be like a lion to them.     Like a leopard, I will lurk along the path. 8 I will come upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs.     I will tear the cover off their hearts.     Then I will devour them like a lioness.     The wild animals will rip them apart. 9 This is what has destroyed you, Israel:     the fact that you are against me, against your helper. [2] 10 So where is your king, so that he may save you in all your cities,     and your judges, whom you requested, saying, “Give me a king and officials”? 11 I gave you a king in my anger,     and I took him away in my wrath. 12 The guilt of Ephraim is wrapped up.     His sin is stored up. 13 Labor pains will come for him,     but he is not a wise son,     for when the time arrives,     he is not ready to be born. 14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave! [3]     I will redeem them from death!     Death, where are your plagues?     Grave, where is your destruction?     Compassion will be hidden from my eyes. 15 Although he flourishes as a son among brothers, [4]     an east wind will come.     The breath [5] of the Lord is coming up from the wilderness.     His spring will become dry.     His fountain will be dried up.     His treasury will be plundered of every precious article. 16 Samaria will be found guilty,     because she rebelled against her God.     The people will fall by the sword.     Their little children will be dashed to the ground,     and their pregnant women will be ripped open. [6] Return to the Lord! Hosea 14 1 Israel, return to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your guilt. 2 Take words with you [7] and return to the Lord.     Say to him, “Forgive all our guilt,     and receive us graciously,     and let us present the fruit of our lips as bulls. [8] 3 Assyria cannot save us.     We will not ride on horses.     We will no longer call the work of our hands our gods!     For in you the fatherless child finds compassion.” 4 I will cure them of their unfaithfulness.     I will love them freely,     for my anger has turned away from them. 5 I will be refreshing like dew to Israel.     It will blossom like a lily.     It will take root like a cedar of Lebanon. 6 Its young shoots will sprout.     Its beauty will be like an olive tree.     Its fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. 7 Those who live in Israel’s shade will once again grow grain.     They will blossom like a grape vine.     Its fame will be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 Ephraim, how much more do I have to put up with from idols?     I am the one who has answered, and I look after him.     I am like a fresh fir tree.     Your fruit comes from me. 9 Who is wise? Let him understand these things.     Who is discerning? Let him know them.     For the ways of the Lord are right,     and the righteous walk in them,     but the rebellious stumble in them. Footnotes Hosea 13:2 Or they offer human sacrifice and kiss calves. The line is difficult. Hosea 13:9 Or it has destroyed you, Israel, because it is from me, from your helper Hosea 13:14 Hebrew sheol Hosea 13:15 Or among the reeds. The translation above is a literal rendering of the Hebrew. Hosea 13:15 Or wind Hosea 13:16 English verse 13:16 is verse 14:1 in Hebrew. In chapter 14 the subsequent Hebrew verse numbers are one higher than the English numbers. Hosea 14:2 Or prepare a speech or take back your words Hosea 14:2 The text and meaning of this line are uncertain. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0809db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 09 Hosea 11 – 12 God’s Love for Israel Hosea 11 1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more I called to them,     the more they went away from me. [1]     They kept sacrificing to the Baals     and burning incense to idols. 3 Yet I was the one who taught Ephraim to walk.     I took them in my arms, [2]     but they did not realize that it was I who healed them. 4 I drew them with cords suitable for a man, [3] with ropes of love.     For them I became like someone who lifts a yoke off their neck,     and I bent down to feed them. 5 They will not [4] return into the land of Egypt.     Instead, an Assyrian will be their king,     because they refused to repent. 6 The sword will slash against their cities.     It will destroy the bars of their gates,     and it will devour them because of their plans. 7 My people are determined to turn away from me.     Though they call him the Most High, he certainly will not exalt them. 8 How can I give you up, Ephraim?     How can I hand you over, Israel?     How can I make you like Admah?     How can I treat you like Zeboiim? [5]     My heart is changed inside me.     All my compassion is stirred up. 9 I will not carry out my burning anger.     I will not destroy Ephraim again,     because I am God, and not man, the Holy One among you.     I will not enter a city. [6] 10 They will follow the Lord.     He will roar like a lion.     Yes, he will roar, and his children will come trembling from the west. 11 They will come trembling like a bird from Egypt,     and like a dove from the land of Assyria.     I will settle them in their houses, declares the Lord. Israel Must Repent 12 Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood,     and the house of Israel with deceit.     Judah still strays from [7] God,     even from the Holy One, who is faithful. [8] Hosea 12 1 Ephraim feeds on wind and chases the east wind all day.     He multiplies lies and violence.     They make a treaty with Assyria,     and olive oil is carried to Egypt. 2 The Lord has a case against Judah.     He will deal with Jacob according to his ways.     According to his deeds he will repay him. 3 In the womb Jacob grasped his brother by the heel,     and when he was a grown man, he struggled with God. 4 He wrestled with the Angel and prevailed.     He wept and sought his favor.     He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with him, [9] 5 namely, with the Lord, the God of Armies.     The Lord is the name by which he is to be remembered! 6 So return to your God.     Observe mercy and justice,     and wait for your God continually. 7 A merchant has fraudulent scales in his hand.     He loves to defraud others. 8 Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich.     I have secured wealth for myself.     Among all my possessions no one will find anything that makes me guilty of sin.” 9 But I have been the Lord your God from the time you left the land of Egypt.     I will make you dwell in tents again,     as in the days of the appointed festival. [10] 10 I have spoken to the prophets.     I have given numerous visions.     I taught meaningful lessons through the prophets. 11 Since Gilead is wicked,     it is certain that they are worthless.     In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls.     Yes, their altars are like piles of stones in the furrows of a field. 12 Jacob fled to the territory of Aram.     Israel worked as a servant to get a wife,     and for a wife, he took care of sheep. 13 By a prophet, the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt,     and by a prophet he took care of Israel. 14 Ephraim has provoked bitter anger.     Therefore his Lord will leave him bloodied by his guilt     and bring his disgrace back on him. Footnotes Hosea 11:2 A variant reading is the more they called them, the more they went away from them. Hosea 11:3 The text of the pronouns in this verse is uncertain. The translation follows the Greek Old Testament. Hosea 11:4 Literally cords of mankind. The words translated man and love have homonyms meaning leather, so there may be a play on words here. Hosea 11:5 Not is missing from some manuscripts. Hosea 11:8 Admah and Zeboiim were daughter cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Hosea 11:9 Or come in wrath. The Hebrew is difficult. Hosea 11:12 Literally wanders with. Translations disagree whether the term is negative or positive. Hosea 11:12 English verse 11:12 is verse 12:1 in Hebrew. In chapter 12 the subsequent Hebrew verse numbers are one higher than the English numbers. Hosea 12:4 Variant us Hosea 12:9 The Festival of Shelters in the autumn The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0808db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 08 Hosea 9 – 10 Days of Retribution Are Near Hosea 9 1 Do not rejoice, Israel, with excessive celebration like the nations, because you act promiscuously against your God.     You love the wages you can earn as a prostitute at every threshing floor for grain. 2 The threshing floor and winepress will not feed them,     and the new wine will fail for them. 3 They will not remain in the Lord’s land.     Ephraim will return to Egypt,     and they will eat unclean food in Assyria. 4 They will not pour out drink offerings of wine to the Lord.     Their sacrifices will not be pleasing to him.     For them, their bread will become like the bread eaten by mourners.     Everyone who eats it will be unclean.     This bread will only serve their own appetite.     It will not enter the House of the Lord. 5 What will you do on the day of the appointed festivals     and on the feast days of the Lord? 6 Know this! Even if they flee from destruction,     Egypt will gather them up.     Memphis will bury them.     Thistles will overgrow their silver treasures.     Thorns will grow inside their tents. 7 The days of reckoning have come.     The days of retribution have come.     Israel should know this! Israel Rejects the Prophets     The prophet is treated like a fool,     and the man of the Spirit is called crazy,     because your guilt is enormous,     and because your hostility is so great. 8 A prophet is to be a watchman over Ephraim for my God,     but a fowler’s snare is laid for him on all of Ephraim’s paths,     and he encounters hostility in the house of his God. [1] 9 They have become extremely corrupt,     as they were in the days of Gibeah.     God will remember their guilt.     He will punish them for their sins. Fertility Worship Brings No Fertility 10 I regarded Israel like grapes found in the wilderness.     I regarded your forefathers like the first ripe fruit on a fig tree in its first season,     but they went to Baal Peor, and they devoted themselves to a shameful thing,     and they became as disgusting as the thing they loved. 11 Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird—     no birth, no pregnancy, no conception! 12 Even if they bring up their children,     I will deprive them of each one.     Yes, woe to them when I depart from them! 13 I have seen Ephraim planted in a pleasant place like Tyre,     but Ephraim will bring its children out to the executioner. 14 Give to them, Lord—but what will you give?     Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts. 15 Because of all their evil in Gilgal,     I hated them there.     Because of their evil deeds,     I will drive them out of my house!     I will love them no more.     All their officials are rebels. 16 Ephraim has been struck down.     Their root has dried up.     They will bear no fruit.     Even if they give birth,     I will put their precious offspring to death. 17 My God will reject them, because they have not obeyed him.     They will be wanderers among the nations. Hosea 10 1 Israel was a spreading [2] vine. He produced fruit for himself.     The more fruit he produced, the more altars he made.     The richer the land became, the richer he made his sacred memorial stones. 2 Their hearts are insincere, [3]     so now they will suffer for their guilt.     The Lord will break down their altars     and destroy their sacred memorial stones. Kings Cannot Save You 3 Certainly now they will say, “We have no king     because we did not fear the Lord,     but what could such a king do for us anyway?” 4 They speak empty words.     With empty oaths, they make agreements.     That is why disputes sprout like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field. 5 The inhabitants of Samaria will be terrified because of the calf [4] of Beth Aven.     Yes, its people will mourn over it,     and its idolatrous priests will cry out over it,     over its lost glory, because it has gone into exile. 6 It will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the Great King. [5]     Ephraim will be gripped with shame,     and Israel will be ashamed of its own idol. [6] 7 Samaria, like her king, will be carried off     like a twig on the surface of the water. 8 The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will become unusable.     Thorns and thistles will grow on their altars.     They will say to the mountains, “Cover us!”     and to the hills, “Fall on us!” Learn the Lesson of Gibeah 9 Israel, you have sinned ever since the days of Gibeah,     where the evildoers took their stand.     The war against the evildoers caught up with them at Gibeah, did it not? 10 When I see fit, I will discipline them. [7]     Peoples will be gathered against them         to bind them for their double guilt. [8] 11 Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh.     I will put a yoke on her beautiful neck. [9]     I will harness Ephraim.     Judah will plow.     Jacob will break up the ground. 12 Sow righteousness for yourselves,     and reap mercy.     Break up your fallow ground.     It is time to seek the Lord,     until he comes and rains righteousness on you. 13 You have plowed wickedness.     You have reaped injustice.     You have eaten the fruit of your lies,     because you trusted in your own way,     in the large number of your strong warriors. 14 Therefore the roar of battle will rise against your people,     and all your fortresses will be destroyed,     as Shalman [10] devastated Beth Arbel on the day of battle.     Mothers were dashed to the ground with their children. 15 This is what will be done to you, Bethel,     because of your great wickedness.     At dawn the king of Israel will be completely destroyed. Footnotes Hosea 9:8 This verse is difficult. Hosea 10:1 The Hebrew word may have a negative connotation like invasive. Hosea 10:2 Or divided Hosea 10:5 Variant calves Hosea 10:6 The text of the last word of the line is uncertain. Hosea 10:6 Or plan. The meaning of the last word is uncertain. Hosea 10:10 The text of the line is uncertain. Hosea 10:10 Or two crimes. The text of the line is uncertain. Hosea 10:11 The text of the line is uncertain. Hosea 10:14 The king of Assyria The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0807db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 07 Hosea 5:15 – 8:14 Hosea 5 15 I will go. I will return to my place     until they admit their guilt and seek my face.     In their distress they will earnestly seek me. Israel’s Need to Return to the Lord 15 Come, let us return to the Lord. For he has torn us to pieces,     but he will heal us.     He has struck us,     but he will bandage our wounds. 2 After two days he will revive us.     On the third day he will raise us up,     so that we may live in his presence. 3 Let us acknowledge the Lord.     Let us pursue knowledge of the Lord.     As surely as the sun rises,     the Lord will appear.     He will come to us like a heavy rain,     like the spring rain that waters the earth. God’s Grief Over Israel’s Impenitence 4 What am I going to do with you, Ephraim?     What am I going to do with you, Judah?     For your faithfulness [1] is like a morning mist,     like early dew that disappears. 5 That is why I cut them to pieces by means of the prophets.     I killed them with the words of my mouth.     The judgments against you go forth like the light. 6 For I desire mercy, [2] and not sacrifice,     and the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings. 7 Like Adam, [3] they have broken the covenant.     They acted treacherously against me there. 8 Gilead is a city of evildoers,     stained with bloody footprints. 9 As gangs of robbers wait to ambush a man,     so do bands of priests.     They commit murder on the road to Shechem.     They have committed shameful crimes. 10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing.     Ephraim practices sexual immorality there.     Israel defiles itself. 11 Judah, also for you, a harvest has been appointed,     when I restore the fortunes of my people. [4] Israel’s Corruption 7 Whenever I want to heal Israel, the guilt of Ephraim is uncovered,     and the evil deeds of Samaria are exposed,     because they deal dishonestly.     Thieves come inside,     and bandits raid outside. 2 In their hearts Ephraim does not realize that I remember all their wickedness.     Now their deeds are all around them.     They are in front of my face. 3 The people of Ephraim make the king glad with their wickedness.     They make their officials happy with their lies. 4 They are all adulterers,     burning like an oven.     The baker does not need to stoke the fire     from the time the dough is kneaded until it is leavened. 5 On the day [5] of our [6] king, the officials became sick from the intoxicating wine.     He reaches out his hand to the blasphemers. 6 Indeed, their hearts are like an oven.     They approach him, while plotting against him.     Their anger sleeps all night,     but in the morning it burns like a blazing fire. 7 They are all hot as an oven.     They devour their rulers.     All their kings have fallen.     Not one of them calls on me. 8 Ephraim mixes itself with the nations.     Ephraim is a flatbread not turned over. 9 Strangers have devoured his strength,     but he does not realize it.     There are gray hairs on his head,     but he does not realize it. 10 The arrogance of Israel testifies against him,     yet they have not returned to the Lord their God,     and they have not sought him, despite all this. Israel’s Instability 11 Ephraim is like a gullible dove, without sense.     They call to Egypt.     Then they appeal to Assyria. 12 When they go out, I will spread my net over them.     I will bring them down like birds from the sky.     I will discipline them, on the basis of the report about their assembly. [7] 13 Woe to them,     because they have strayed from me!     Destruction comes upon them,     because they have rebelled against me!     I want to redeem them,     but they speak lies against me. 14 They do not cry out to me with their hearts,     but they howl on their beds.     They gather together [8] for grain and new wine.     They turn away from me. 15 Though I trained and strengthened their arms,     they plot evil against me. 16 They return, but not upward. [9]     They are like an unreliable bow.     Their officials will fall by the sword because of their angry tongues.     Because of this, they will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt. The Lord’s Anger Burns Against Israel 8 Raise a ram’s horn to your lips! A vulture is circling over [10] the Lord’s house,     because they have broken my covenant     and rebelled against my law. 2 Israel cries out to me,     “My God, we acknowledge [11] you!” 3 But, in fact, Israel has rejected what is good.     An enemy will pursue him. 4 They set up kings, but not with my approval.     They installed officials, but I did not choose [12] them.     From their silver and their gold they made idols for themselves,     so they will be cut off. 5 I reject [13] your calf idol, Samaria!     My anger burns against these people!     How long will they be incapable of innocence? 6 That thing sitting there is from Israel!     A craftsman made it, so it is not God.     Certainly that calf of Samaria will be smashed to pieces! 7 Because they sow the wind,     they will reap the whirlwind.     The standing grain forms no heads,     so it will yield no flour.     Even if it would yield flour, foreigners would swallow it up. 8 Israel is swallowed up.     Now among the nations they are like a pot no one wants. 9 For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey all by itself.     Ephraim has hired lovers. 10 Even though they hire lovers among the nations,     I will now gather them together.     They will begin to suffer in a little while,     because of oppression by a king with many officials. 11 Ephraim has multiplied his altars for sin offerings,     but for him they became altars for sinning. 12 Though I wrote many teachings from my law for them,     they regarded them as strange. 13 They offer sacrifices to me just to get the meat. [14]     They sacrifice flesh and eat it,     but the Lord is not pleased with them.     Now he will remember their guilt     and punish their sins.     They will return to Egypt. 14 Israel has forgotten its Maker and built palaces. [15]     Judah has multiplied its fortified cities,     but I will send fire on its cities,     which will devour its citadels. Footnotes Hosea 6:4 Or mercy Hosea 6:6 Or faithfulness Hosea 6:7 Or at Adam. We are aware of no act of covenant breaking at the city of Adam. Hosea 6:11 Or though I would rather restore my people from captivity. Some translations join this line with verse 7:1. Hosea 7:5 The birthday or the coronation day Hosea 7:5 The Targum reads their. Hosea 7:12 Or I will discipline them when I hear them flocking together. The meaning of the line is uncertain. Hosea 7:14 Or they cut themselves, a reference to heathen religious practices Hosea 7:16 Or not for the better. The translation above is literal. Many translations suggest the emendations return to the Most High or turn to Baal. Hosea 8:1 Or an eagle is about to swoop down on Hosea 8:2 Or know Hosea 8:4 Literally know Hosea 8:5 The Hebrew text reads he rejects. Ancient versions read reject! Sudden shifts of person are not unusual in Hosea. Hosea 8:13 The meaning of this line is uncertain. Hosea 8:14 Or temples The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0806db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 06 Hosea 4:1 – 5:14 The Lord’s Charges Against Israel and Its Priests Hosea 4 1 Hear the word of the Lord, you people of Israel,     because the Lord has charges to make against the inhabitants of the land,     because there is no truth,     there is no mercy,     and there is no knowledge of God in the land. 2 There is cursing, lying, murder, theft, and adultery.     They break out in violence, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. 3 Therefore the land mourns, [1]     and everyone who dwells in it wastes away     along with the wild animals and the birds in the sky.     Even the fish of the sea have been removed. 4 Yet no one should bring charges.     No one should accuse,     because your people are like those who dispute with a priest. [2] 5 You will stumble by day,     and the prophet will also stumble with you by night.     I will also destroy your mother. 6 My people have been destroyed because of lack of knowledge.     Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you     from serving as a priest for me.     Because you have forgotten the law of your God,     I also will forget your children. 7 The more they increased, the more they sinned against me.     I changed their glory into shame. [3] 8 They feed on the sin of my people.     They set their desire on things that make them guilty. 9 So it will be the same for people as for priests.     I will punish them for their ways.     I will repay them for their deeds. 10 They will eat, but not be satisfied.     They will engage in sexual immorality, but not increase.     This will take place because they have abandoned the Lord to devote themselves to 11 sexual sin. [4]     Wine and new wine take away their understanding. [5] 12 My people consult their wooden idol,     and their fortunetellers wand gives them information,     because a promiscuous spirit has led them astray,     and they behave like a whore instead of following their God. 13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops.     They burn incense on the hills, and under oaks, poplars, and terebinths,     because their shade is pleasant.     That is why your daughters commit fornication, [6]     and your brides commit adultery. 14 I will not punish your daughters when they commit fornication,     or your brides when they commit adultery,     because the men consort with prostitutes     and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes.     So the people without understanding will come to ruin. 15 Though you, Israel, practice sexual immorality,     Judah should not follow your guilty way.     Do not go to Gilgal.     Do not go up to Beth Aven.     Do not swear, “As surely as the Lord lives.” 16 For Israel has become as stubborn as a heifer.     How can the Lord feed them like a lamb in a meadow? 17 Ephraim is joined to idols.     Let him go his own way! 18 Their alcoholic drinks are used up,     but they keep practicing sexual immorality anyway.     Their rulers, who should be their shields, instead love shame. 19 The wings of the wind will sweep them away,     and they will be put to shame because of their sacrifices. Judgment on Israel’s Priests and Kings Hosea 5 1 Hear this, you priests! Pay attention, house of Israel!     Listen, O house of the king!     For this judgment applies to you,     because you were a trap at Mizpah     and a net spread out on Mount Tabor. 2 The rebels sink deeper into slaughter,     but I will discipline all of them. 3 I know Ephraim,     and Israel is not hidden from me.     Now, Ephraim, you still practice sexual immorality.     Israel is defiled. 4 Their deeds do not allow them to return to their God.     For a spirit of prostitution lies within them,     and they do not know the Lord. 5 The arrogance of Israel testifies against them.     Israel and Ephraim will stumble over their guilt.     Judah also will stumble with them. 6 They will go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord,     but they will not find him.     He has withdrawn from them. 7 They acted treacherously against the Lord.     They even gave birth to illegitimate children.     Now the new moon will devour them along with their allotted land. 8 Blow the ram’s horn in Gibeah     and the trumpet in Ramah!     Raise a battle cry at Beth Aven: “Lead the way, Benjamin!” 9 Ephraim will become desolate ruins on the day it is punished. [7]     What I have made known among the tribes of Israel will certainly happen. 10 The officials of Judah are like people who move a boundary stone.     I will pour out my wrath on them like water. 11 Ephraim is oppressed,     crushed in judgment,     because he was determined to pursue worthless idols. [8] 12 I am like a moth to Ephraim,     and like decay to the house of Judah. 13 When Ephraim saw his sickness,     and Judah saw his wound,     Ephraim went to Assyria     and sent to the Great King for help,     but he is not able to heal you,     and he will not cure your wound, 14 because I will be like a lion to Ephraim     and like a young lion to the house of Judah.     Yes, I will tear him to pieces and go away.     I will carry them off, and there will be no one who can rescue them. Footnotes Hosea 4:3 Or dries up Hosea 4:4 The verse is difficult. The translation follows the Hebrew and Greek texts. Translations that render the third line my contention is with you, O priest emend the text to obtain this rendering. The point of the verse seems to be that it is useless to bring charges against these people, because they would not accept the judgment even of a priest. Hosea 4:7 A Hebrew variant is they changed my glory for something shameful. Hosea 4:11 Or prostitution Hosea 4:11 The proper dividing point between verses 10 and 11 is uncertain. Though the words sexual sin are in verse 11 in the Hebrew text, these words belong with verse 10. Hosea 4:13 The same Hebrew word elsewhere translated sexual immorality or prostitution is used here in reference to unmarried girls, so it is translated fornication. Hosea 5:9 Or rebuked Hosea 5:11 The translation follows some ancient versions. The Hebrew reads human commands. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0805db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – August 05 Hosea 3 The Prophet’s Reconciliation With His Wife: A Picture of the Lord’s Love 1 The Lord said to me, “Go again. Show love to a woman who is loved by another man, a woman who keeps committing adultery. Show love just as the Lord loves the people of Israel, even though they keep turning to other gods and loving the raisin cakes.” [1] 2 So I bought her for myself for fifteen pieces of silver and nine bushels [2] of barley. 3 I said to her, “You will stay with me for many days. You must not be promiscuous. [3] You must not be with any other man, and I will also be for you.” 4 So the people of Israel will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred memorial stones, and without the special vest [4] or family idols. [5] 5 Afterward the people of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days. Footnotes Hosea 3:1 Raisin cakes were sometimes shaped into images of the goddess Asherah. Hosea 3:2 A homer and a lethek, that is, six bushels plus three bushels Hosea 3:3 Or engage in prostitution Hosea 3:4 Hebrew ephod Hosea 3:4 Hebrew teraphim The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

#top .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-f6da7065174951f8999a0e437a9926b9{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-f6da7065174951f8999a0e437a9926b9 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-f6da7065174951f8999a0e437a9926b9 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; } Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 28Acts 28:17-31 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – July 28 Acts 28:17-31 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0728db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Acts 28 17 Three days later, Paul called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Gentlemen, brothers, although I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was handed over as a prisoner from Jerusalem to the Romans. 18 After they interrogated me, they wanted to release me, because there were no grounds for the death penalty in my case. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—not that I had any charge to bring against my own people. 20 That is why I asked to see you and speak to you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” 21 They said to him, “We have not received any letters about you from Judea, and none of the brothers who came here has reported or said anything evil about you. 22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.” 23 They set a day to meet with Paul, and even more of them came to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and testified about the kingdom of God. He also tried to convince them about Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others continued in their unbelief. 25 They were arguing with one another and began to leave after Paul made this one statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your [1] fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26 Go to this people and say, You will keep hearing and yet never understand; you will keep seeing and yet never perceive. 27 For the heart of this people has grown dull, their ears are hard of hearing, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them. [2] 28 “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation from God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” [3] 30 For two whole years Paul stayed in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to visit him. 31 He was preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without anyone stopping him. Footnotes Acts 28:25 Some of the witnesses to the text read our. Acts 28:27 Isaiah 6:9-10 Acts 28:28 A few witnesses to the text add 29 After he spoke these words, the Jews departed, while having a long debate among themselves. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-aocsdx-89cb4ca21532423cf697fc393b6fcee0{ height:10px; } The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-4vzadh-3f04b370105df1fd314a2a9d83e55b26{ height:50px; } Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0727db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 27 Acts 28 Safe on Malta 1 Once we were safely on shore, we learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The natives showed us extraordinary kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all, because it had started to rain and was cold. 3 As Paul gathered a bundle of sticks and laid it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the natives saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he escaped from the sea, Justice [1] has not allowed him to live.” 5 However, Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was not harmed. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited for a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. 7 In the nearby vicinity was an estate that belonged to a man named Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably as his guests for three days. 8 The father of Publius happened to be sick in bed, suffering from a fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, laid his hands on him, and healed him. 9 After that happened, others on the island who were sick also came and were healed. 10 They honored us in many ways, and when we were going to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. On to Rome 11 After three months, we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island. Its figurehead was the Twin Brothers. [2] 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we sailed up the coast and arrived at Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers [3] and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers there heard the news about us and came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and was encouraged. God’s Witness Reaches Rome 16 When we entered Rome, [4] Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier who guarded him. Footnotes Acts 28:4 Or justice. They likely meant a Greek goddess called Justice. Acts 28:11 The Twin Brothers figurehead referred to Castor and Pollux, two sons of Zeus. Acts 28:14 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female. Acts 28:16 Some witnesses to the text add the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0726db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 26 Acts 27:21-44 Acts 27 21 After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice and not set sail from Crete and avoided this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because there will be no loss of life among you. Only the ship will be lost. 23 In fact, last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. And surely God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, because I believe God that it will be exactly the way I have been told. 26 However, we must run aground on some island.” The Shipwreck 27 When the fourteenth night came, while we were being driven back and forth in the Adriatic Sea, [1] about midnight the sailors suspected that they were approaching some land. 28 They took soundings and found it to be one hundred twenty feet deep. [2] After sailing a little farther, they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. [3] 29 Fearing that we would run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daybreak. 30 The sailors tried to escape from the ship and had let down the skiff into the sea, pretending they were going to put out anchors from the bow. 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “If these men do not stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut the ropes holding the skiff and let it fall away. 33 Just before daybreak, Paul urged them all to eat some food. He said, “This is the fourteenth day you have waited in suspense and have gone without food. You have eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food because this is important for your rescue. In fact, not a hair from any of your heads will be lost.” 35 After he said these things and had taken some bread, he gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and took some food themselves. 37 In all there were 276 of us on the ship. 38 When they had eaten all they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain overboard into the sea. 39 At daybreak, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, where they planned to run the ship aground if they could. 40 They cut off the anchors, leaving them in the sea, and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then, after hoisting the foresail to the wind, they headed for the beach. 41 But they struck a sandbar and ran the ship aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, while the stern began to break up from the pounding of the waves. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners so that no one would swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion wanted to save Paul and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make their way to land. 44 The rest were to follow, some on planks, and some on other pieces from the ship. In this way, all of them were brought safely onto land. Footnotes Acts 27:27 At that time, the Adriatic Sea included the present-day Adriatic plus a large section of the Mediterranean Sea south of it. Acts 27:28 Or twenty fathoms (a fathom is about six feet deep) Acts 27:28 Or fifteen fathoms The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0724db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 24 Acts 26:19-32 Acts 26 19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 Rather, I first told those in Damascus and Jerusalem about it, and then throughout the entire country of Judea and also the Gentiles. I told them that they should repent and turn to God, while also doing works that are consistent with repentance. 21 These are the reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 “But I have had help from God right up to this day, and so I stand testifying to both small and great. I am saying nothing other than what the prophets and Moses said would happen, 23 that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.” 24 While Paul was saying these things in his defense, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you insane.” 25 But Paul replied, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus, but I am clearly speaking words that are true and sensible. 26 Certainly the king to whom I am freely speaking knows about these things. Indeed, I cannot believe that any of these things has escaped his notice, because this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “In such a short time are you going to persuade me to become [1] a Christian?” 29 Paul replied, “I pray God, that whether in a short time or a long time, not only you, but also all those who are listening to me today would become what I am, except for these chains.” 30 After he had said these things, [2] the king stood up, along with the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 After they had left, they said to one another in private, “This man is doing nothing worthy of death or chains.” 32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Footnotes Acts 26:28 A few witnesses to the text read to make me. Acts 26:30 Some witnesses to the text omit After he had said these things. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0723db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 23 Acts 26:1-18 Acts 26 1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense. 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am going to make my defense before you today concerning all the things about which I am being accused by the Jews, 3 especially because you are an expert in all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently. 4 “All the Jews know the way I have lived from the earliest days of my youth, among my own people and in Jerusalem. 5 They have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest party of our religion. 6 “And now I stand on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 the promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain as they earnestly serve God night and day. I am being accused by the Jews concerning this hope, O King. 8 Why does it seem unbelievable to any of you that God raises the dead? 9 “I too was convinced that it was necessary to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 And that is what I did in Jerusalem. After receiving authority from the chief priests, I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 I often tried to make them blaspheme by punishing them throughout all the synagogues. Because I was so insanely angry with them, I even pursued them to foreign cities. 12 “That is how I came to be traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At noon along the road, O King, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, [1] ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ [2] 15 “Then I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “The Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 Now get up and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things you have seen [3] and to the things I will reveal to you. 17 I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles to whom I am sending you. 18 You are to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive the forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ Footnotes Acts 26:14 Or Aramaic. The Greek word is Hebrew but likely refers to the Aramaic dialect spoken by the Jews at that time and place. Acts 26:14 Goads are pointed sticks used to urge or direct an animal. To kick against the goads means to resist stubbornly. Acts 26:16 A few witnesses to the text add of me. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0722db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 22 Acts 25:13-27 Acts 25 Paul’s Hearing Before Agrippa 13 Some days later, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were going to stay there a number of days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king. He said, “There is a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix. 15 When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 “I answered them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over any man [1] before the accused has met the accusers face to face and has had an opportunity to make a defense against the accusation. 17 “Therefore, after they came back here with me, I did not delay. On the next day I took my place on the judicial bench and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 When the accusers stood up, they charged him with none of the crimes I was expecting. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who was dead, but who Paul claimed is alive. 20 Since I was at a loss how to investigate these issues, I asked if he was willing to go to Jerusalem to be tried there concerning these charges. 21 But when Paul appealed to be kept in custody until his majesty the emperor would decide his case, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you will hear him.” 23 So the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the courtroom together with the commanders and the most prominent men of the city. When Festus gave the order, Paul was brought in. 24 Festus said, “King Agrippa and all the men who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish crowd petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he has done nothing that deserves death. Yet, since he appealed to his majesty the emperor, I decided to send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore, I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this preliminary hearing I may have something to write. 27 Indeed, it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner without clearly indicating what the charges are against him.” Footnotes Acts 25:16 Some witnesses to the text add to die. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0721db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 21 Acts 24:22 – 25:12 Acts 24 22 Then Felix, [1] because he was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the proceedings. He said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to guard Paul, but to let him have some freedom and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs. 24 Several days later, Felix appeared in public with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 While Paul instructed him about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and replied, “Leave me for now, but when it is convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time, he was also hoping that Paul would give him money, [2] and for this reason he sent for him as often as possible and talked with him. 27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus. But because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. Paul on Trial Before Festus Acts 25 1 Three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 Then the high priests and the leaders of the Jews brought formal charges against Paul 3 and asked Festus for the favor of transferring Paul’s case to Jerusalem. Their plan was to ambush and kill Paul along the way. 4 However, Festus replied that Paul was being held in custody at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there soon. 5 “Therefore,” he said, “let some of your leaders go down with me and press charges against him, if there is anything evil about the man.” 6 After spending no more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea. The next day, he sat on the judicial bench and ordered Paul to be brought in. 7 When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him and brought many serious charges that they could not prove. 8 Paul said in his defense, “I have not committed any offense against the Jewish law, against the temple, or against Caesar.” 9 But since Festus wanted to do the Jews a favor, he said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s judicial bench, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as also you yourself know very well. 11 If I am guilty and have done something worthy of death, I am not trying to escape death. But if there is nothing to the charges they are making against me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” 12 After Festus conferred with his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!” Footnotes Acts 24:22 Some witnesses to the text add when he heard these things. Acts 24:26 A few witnesses to the text add in order that he might release him. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0720db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 20 Acts 24:1-21 Acts 24 Paul on Trial Before Felix 1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They brought formal charges against Paul to the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “We are enjoying a long period of peace because of you, most excellent Felix, and reforms are coming to this nation because of your foresight. 3 In every way and in every place, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. 4 But in order not to detain you any longer, I beg you in your kindness to give us a brief hearing. 5 For we have found this man to be a public menace, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the Nazarene sect. 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. [1] 8 By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these accusations we are bringing against him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so. 10 When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense. 11 You can verify for yourself that it was no more than twelve days ago when I went up to worship at Jerusalem. 12 They did not find me arguing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the accusations they are now making against me. 14 “But I do confess to you that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything written throughout the Law and in the Prophets; 15 and I have the same hope in God that these men have, that there is going to be a resurrection [2] of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 This is the reason I continue to do my best to have a clear conscience toward both God and people. 17 “After several years, I came to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 18 While I was doing these things, they found me ceremonially purified in the temple, without a crowd or disturbance. 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia who ought to be here before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me. 20 Or let these men here state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 unless this is about the one thing I shouted while standing in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’” Footnotes Acts 24:6 Some witnesses to the text add and wanted to judge him according to our law. 7 But Lysias the commander came and took him out of our hands with great force, 8 commanding his accusers to come to you. By. Acts 24:15 Some witnesses to the text add of the dead. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0716db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 16 Acts 21:37 – 22:16 Acts 21 Paul Makes His Defense 37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” He replied, “Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian who started a revolt some time ago and led four thousand men of the Assassins [1] into the wilderness?” 39 Paul said, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” 40 When the commander had given him permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people. When they were all silent, Paul addressed them in the Hebrew dialect. [2] Acts 22 1 “Gentlemen, brothers, and fathers, listen to my defense, which I am now going to make to you.” 2 When they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, [3] they became even more quiet. Then he said, 3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city and trained at the feet of Gamaliel, according to the strict ways of the law of our fathers. I am just as zealous for God as all of you are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, tying up and throwing both men and women into prisons, 5 as also the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. I even received letters from them to the brothers, and I was going to Damascus to bring back those who were there as prisoners to Jerusalem so that they could be punished. 6 “While I was on the way and approaching Damascus, about noon a very bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 “I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 “Those who were with me saw the light, [4] but they did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 “I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ “The Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus. There you will be told about everything you have been assigned to do.’ 11 Since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, those who were with me took me by the hand and led me into Damascus. 12 “A man named Ananias lived there. He was a devout observer of the law and highly recommended by all the Jews living there. 13 He came to me, and as he stood beside me, he said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ At that very moment I was able to see him. 14 “Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear the sound of his voice. 15 For you will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 Now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ Footnotes Acts 21:38 Or dagger men. This group of assassins was called the Sicarii, because of their use of the sicarius, which was a short dagger. Acts 21:40 Or Aramaic. The Greek word is Hebrew but likely refers to the Aramaic dialect spoken by the Jews at that time and place. Acts 22:2 Or Aramaic Acts 22:9 Some witnesses to the text add and were afraid. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0715db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 15 Acts 21:17-36 Acts 21 17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers gave us a warm welcome. 18 The next day, Paul went with us to see James, and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he reported in detail each of the things God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 When they heard this, they praised God. [1] Then they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and all of them are zealous observers of the law. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, since you are telling them not to circumcise their children or follow our customs. 22 So what is to be done? [2] They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 So do what we are going to tell you. “We have four men who have taken a vow. 24 Take them with you, go through the ceremony of purification with them, and pay their expenses so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is nothing to the reports that have been made about you, but that you yourself are carefully following the law. 25 As for the Gentiles who believe, we have sent them a letter about the resolution [3] that they should avoid food sacrificed to idols, blood, the meat of strangled animals, and sexual immorality.” 26 The next day, Paul took the men and went through the ceremony of purification with them. He entered the temple to announce the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them. Paul Is Arrested 27 When the seven days were almost over, Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28 shouting, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law, and against this place. And now he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.) 30 The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together as a mob. They seized Paul, dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were looking for a way to kill him, a report went up to the commander of the cohort [4] that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He immediately took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. When they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the commander approached Paul, arrested him, and gave an order that he should be bound with two chains. He asked who Paul was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing and some another. Since the commander could not find out the truth because of the uproar, he ordered his men to take Paul away to the barracks. 35 When he came to the steps, Paul had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob. 36 The large number of people that was following kept shouting, “Away with him!” Footnotes Acts 21:20 Some witnesses to the text read the Lord. Acts 21:22 Some witnesses to the text add A crowd is bound to come together, for they. Acts 21:25 Some witnesses to the text add that they should observe no such thing except. Acts 21:31 A cohort was a Roman military unit that usually consisted of six hundred men. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0714db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 14 Acts 21:1-16 Acts 21 To Tyre 1 After we [1] tore ourselves away from them and set sail, we headed straight to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 When we found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went on board and set sail. 3 After sighting Cyprus and passing by on its south side, we sailed to Syria and put in to port at Tyre, because there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 We located the disciples and stayed there seven days. Through the Spirit, they kept telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem. 5 When our time there came to an end, we left and went on our way. All of them, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city. We knelt down on the beach and prayed. 6 After saying good-bye to each other, we went on board the ship, and they returned home. To Caesarea 7 When we completed our voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. There we greeted the brothers [2] and stayed with them for one day. 8 The next day, we left and came to Caesarea. We entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four virgin daughters, who prophesied. 10 After we had stayed there for a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he came to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands with it, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘This is the way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, both we and the local residents urged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 Since he could not be persuaded, we said nothing more except, “May the Lord’s will be done.” In Jerusalem 15 After those days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us and brought us to Mnason, with whom we were to stay. He was from Cyprus and was one of the first disciples. Footnotes Acts 21:1 Luke is included. Acts 21:7 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0713db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 13 Acts 20:17-38 Acts 20 Paul Says Farewell to the Elders of Ephesus 17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 When they came to him, he said to them, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I set foot in the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with all humility, with tears, and with the trials that came to me due to the plots of the Jews. 20 You know how I did not hesitate to proclaim to you anything that would be beneficial for you or to teach you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have solemnly testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. [1] 22 “And you see, now I am going to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit keeps warning me in town after town that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. 24 However, I consider my life as of no great value to me, so that I may finish my race and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus—to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. 25 “Now take note of this too. I know that none of you among whom I went around preaching the kingdom of God will ever see my face again. 26 Therefore I solemnly declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 for I did not hesitate to proclaim to you the whole counsel of God. 28 “Always keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, [2] which he purchased with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves, who will not spare the flock, will come in among you. 30 Even from your own group men will rise up, twisting the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore be always on the alert! Remember that for three years, night and day, I never stopped warning each one of you with tears. 32 “And now I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which has power to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I did not covet anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs and for those who were with me. 35 In every way I gave you an example that, by working hard like this, we need to help the weak and to remember the words that the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 After Paul said these things, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept very much, as they threw their arms around Paul’s neck and kissed him. 38 They were most distressed over the statement he made, that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship. Footnotes Acts 20:21 A few witnesses to the text omit Christ. Acts 20:28 Some witnesses to the text read the Lord. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0712db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 12 Acts 20:1-16 Acts 20 To Macedonia and Greece 1 After the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and encouraged them. After saying good-bye, he left to go to Macedonia. 2 After he had gone through those areas and had spoken many words of encouragement to the people, he came to Greece 3 and stayed there three months. Because a plot was made against him by the Jews just as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4 He was accompanied [1] by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, along with Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us [2] at Troas. 6 We sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and within five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. Eutychus Raised From the Dead 7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul spoke to the people. Since he intended to leave the next day, he continued talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were gathered. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus. He was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul kept on talking for a long time. When he was sound asleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, bent over him, threw his arms around him, and said, “Do not be alarmed, because he is alive!” 11 Then he went upstairs, broke bread, and ate. After talking for a considerable time until dawn, he left. 12 They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted. On to Miletus 13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had arranged it this way, since he was intending to travel there by land. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 From there we set sail. We arrived off Chios the next day. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and [3] on the following day we came to Miletus. 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in the province of Asia. He was in a hurry to be in Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost. Footnotes Acts 20:4 Some witnesses to the text add as far as Asia. Acts 20:5 Luke is included. Acts 20:15 Some witnesses to the text add after staying at Trogyllium. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0711db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 11 Acts 19:21-41 Acts 19 21 After all this had happened, Paul resolved in his spirit [1] to go to Jerusalem by traveling through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must also see Rome.” 22 After sending two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, he stayed in the province of Asia for a while. The Riot in Ephesus 23 During that time there was more than a minor disturbance about the Way. 24 A certain silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little income for the craftsmen. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity comes from this income. 26 You also see and hear that not merely in Ephesus but throughout almost the entire province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a large number of people. He says that gods made by hands are not gods at all! 27 Not only is there danger that our trade may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be considered worthless. Then she will suffer the loss of her magnificence, although she is worshipped by the whole province of Asia and the world.” 28 When they heard this, they were filled with rage and began to shout, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 The city was filled with confusion, and with one goal in mind they rushed to the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions. 30 Paul wanted to enter the public assembly, but the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the provincial officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Some were shouting one thing, others another, because the assembly was in confusion. Most of them did not even know why they had come together. 33 They made Alexander come out of the crowd. [2] It was the Jews who pushed him forward. Alexander motioned with his hand and wanted to make his defense to the assembly. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single cry rose from all of them. For about two hours, they kept shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35 After the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the keeper of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image that fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you need to be quiet and not do anything rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our [3] goddess. 38 If Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another. 39 If you want to pursue something about other matters, [4] it should be settled in the legal assembly. 40 For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, because we will not be able to give any reason for this disorderly mob.” 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly. Footnotes Acts 19:21 Or in the Spirit Acts 19:33 A few witnesses to the text read Some in the crowd gave Alexander instructions. Acts 19:37 Some witnesses to the text read your. Acts 19:39 A few witnesses to the text read If there is anything further that you want. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0710db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 10 Acts 19:1-20 Acts 19 Paul Goes to Ephesus 1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior districts and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” “No,” they answered, “we have not even heard that the Holy Spirit was given.” 3 Paul asked, “What were you baptized into then?” They replied, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus. [1] 5 When they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.” [2] 6 When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in other languages and to prophesy. 7 There were about twelve men in all. 8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, leading discussions and trying to persuade them about [3] the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became hardened and refused to believe, even slandering the Way in front of the crowd, he left them. He took the disciples with him and led discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, with the result that all who lived in the province of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord. 11 God was doing extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick; their illnesses left them and the evil spirits went out of them. The Seven Sons of Sceva 13 Then some Jewish exorcists who went from place to place tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits. They said, “I command you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches to come out!” 14 It was the seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I am acquainted with Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them, overpowered them, and exercised such complete domination over all of them that they fled from that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. They were all overcome with fear, and they held the name of the Lord Jesus in high honor. 18 Also many of those who had become believers came forward, confessing and admitting their actions. 19 And a large number of those who had practiced magic arts [4] collected their books and burned them in front of everyone. They added up the cost of the books and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. [5] 20 In this way the word of the Lord was growing and gaining strength. Footnotes Acts 19:4 Some witnesses to the text add Christ. Acts 19:5 The translation treats this verse as a continuation of Paul’s words. With this understanding, Paul did not baptize these disciples. However, if the quotation marks are placed at the end of verse 4, Paul did baptize them. The quotation marks are not a part of the original text, so either is textually possible. Acts 19:8 Some witnesses to the text add things concerning. Acts 19:19 Or sorcery Acts 19:19 These pieces of silver were Greek drachmas, each worth about a day’s wage. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0709db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 09 Acts 18:18-28 Acts 18 Return to Antioch in Syria 18 After Paul stayed many more days, he said good-bye to the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchrea Paul had his head shaved, because he was keeping a vow. 19 Next they arrived at Ephesus, where he left Priscilla and Aquila. Paul himself went into the synagogue and led a discussion with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he declined. 21 But as he said good-bye, he told them, [1] “I will come back to you again if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church. Then he went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he set out, traveling through one place after another in the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Apollos 24 A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man and well versed in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. He spoke with burning zeal and taught the facts about Jesus [2] accurately, although he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 When he wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he provided much help to those who had become believers by grace, 28 because he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. Footnotes Acts 18:21 Some witnesses to the text add “By all means I must keep this coming festival in Jerusalem.” Acts 18:25 A few witnesses to the text read the Lord. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0708db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 08 Acts 18:1-17 Acts 18 In Corinth 1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them. 3 Because he had the same occupation, he stayed and worked with them, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 Every Sabbath he led a discussion in the synagogue, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was entirely devoted to preaching the word, [1] testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 But when they opposed Paul and slandered him, he shook out his clothes and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!” 7 He left that place and went to the house of a man named Titius [2] Justus, a worshipper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized. 9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid, but keep on speaking, and do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 He stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the judicial bench. 13 They said, “This man is persuading the people to worship God in a way that is against the law.” 14 But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, “If this were some kind of misdemeanor or vicious crime, I would formally accept the complaint of you Jews. 15 But since these are disputes about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I do not intend to be a judge of these things.” 16 So he drove them away from the judicial bench. 17 Then all the Greeks [3] seized Sosthenes, the synagogue leader, and beat him in front of the judicial bench. But none of these things concerned Gallio. Footnotes Acts 18:5 Some witnesses to the text read Paul was urged on in his spirit or urged on by the Spirit. Acts 18:7 Some witnesses to the text omit Titius. Acts 18:17 Some witnesses to the text omit the Greeks. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0707db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 07 Acts 17:16-34 Acts 17 In Athens 16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was very distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he led a discussion in the synagogue with the Jews and those who feared God, as well as with those who happened to be in the marketplace every day. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, “What is this seed picker [1] trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be someone who is proclaiming foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 They took him and brought him to the council of the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are talking about? 20 You seem to be bringing in some ideas that are strange to our ears, so we want to know what these things mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there enjoyed doing nothing more than telling or listening to something new.) 22 Then Paul stood up in front of the council of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. 23 For as I was walking around and carefully observing your objects of worship, I even found an altar on which had been inscribed, ‘To an unknown god.’ Now what you worship as unknown—this is what I am going to proclaim to you. 24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made with hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as if he needed anything, since he himself gives all people life and breath and everything they have. 26 From one man, [2] he made every nation of mankind to live over the entire face of the earth. He determined the appointed times and the boundaries where they would live. 27 He did this so they would seek God [3] and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ [4] As some of your own poets have said, ‘Indeed, we are also his offspring.’ [5] 29 “Therefore, since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by human skill and planning. 30 Although God overlooked the times of ignorance, he is now commanding all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has set a day on which he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he appointed. He provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” 32 When they heard about the resurrection from the dead, some of them started to scoff. But others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33 So Paul left the council. 34 However, some men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them were Dionysius (a member of the council of the Areopagus) and a woman named Damaris, as well as others with them. Footnotes Acts 17:18 That is, one who picks up various seeds of learning and thoughtlessly passes them on. Acts 17:26 Some witnesses to the text read blood. Acts 17:27 Some witnesses to the text read the Lord. Acts 17:28 This might be a quotation from Epimenides, who lived around 600 bc. Acts 17:28 This seems to be a quotation from Aratus, who wrote approximately 270 bc. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0706db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 06 Acts 17:1-15 Acts 17 In Thessalonica 1 When Paul and Silas had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went to the Jews, and on three Sabbath days he led them in a discussion from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. He also said, “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” 4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great number of God-fearing Greeks and more than a few of the prominent women. 5 But the Jews [1] became jealous and gathered from the marketplace some wicked men, who formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house and searched for Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the mob. 6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men, who have stirred up trouble all over the world, have come here too, 7 and Jason has welcomed them as guests! They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, Jesus!” 8 The crowd and the city officials were stirred up when they heard these things. 9 They took a security bond from Jason and the others and then let them go. In Berea 10 That same night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians. They received the word very eagerly and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them believed, along with more than a few prominent Greek women and men. 13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that the word of God was being proclaimed by Paul in Berea, they also went there to agitate and stir up the crowds. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul away to the seacoast, but Silas and Timothy stayed there. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him all the way to Athens. When they left, they received instructions for Silas and Timothy to join Paul as soon as possible. Footnotes Acts 17:5 Some witnesses to the text add who did not believe. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0705db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 05 Acts 16:16-40 Acts 16 Paul and Silas Put in Prison 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, a slave girl met us. She had a spirit that foretold the future, and she made a large profit for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 As she followed Paul and us, she kept crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you [1] the way to be saved.” 18 When she kept doing this for many days, Paul became so annoyed that he turned to the spirit and said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment. 19 When her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. 20 They had brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are throwing our city into a state of confusion. They are Jews, 21 and they are teaching customs that are not lawful for us to accept or practice, since we are Romans.” 22 When the crowd also joined in the attack against them, the magistrates tore off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had beaten them severely, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. 24 Because he received such a command, the jailer threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. The Earthquake and the Jailer’s Conversion 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Instantly all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw that the prison doors were opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, because he thought that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted with a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because we are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling in front of Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them outside and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus [2] and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his home. 33 At the same hour of the night, he took them and washed their wounds. Without delay, he and all his family were baptized. 34 Then he brought Paul and Silas into his house and set food before them. He rejoiced, because he and his whole household had come to believe in God. Released From Prison 35 At daybreak the magistrates sent officers, saying, “Release those men!” 36 The jailer reported these words to Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders that you should be released. So come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now they are releasing us secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out!” 38 The officers reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. As they escorted them out, they requested that they leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house. They saw the brothers, encouraged them, and then left. Footnotes Acts 16:17 Some witnesses to the text read us. Acts 16:31 Some witnesses to the text add Christ. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0704db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 04 Acts 16:6-15 Acts 16 The Call to Go to Macedonia (Europe) 6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, because they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they went as far as Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 A vision appeared to Paul during the night. A Macedonian man was standing there, urging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 As soon as he had seen the vision, we [1] immediately made plans to proceed to Macedonia, because we concluded that God [2] had called us to preach the good news to them. At Philippi 11 After we put out to sea from Troas, we sailed straight to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis. 12 From there we went to Philippi, which is a leading city in that part of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We stayed in this city for a number of days. 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate alongside the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer. [3] We sat down and began to talk to the women who had gathered there. 14 A woman named Lydia, who worshipped God, was listening. She was a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira. The Lord opened her heart to pay close attention to what Paul was saying. 15 When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. Footnotes Acts 16:10 Luke is included. Acts 16:10 Some witnesses to the text read the Lord. Acts 16:13 Some witnesses to the text read to the river, the customary place of prayer. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0703db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 03 Acts 15:35 – 16:5 Acts 15 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they, along with many others, kept on teaching and preaching the word of the Lord. Paul and Barnabas Go Separate Ways 36 After a time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the [1] brothers [2] in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, who is called Mark, along with them. 38 But Paul did not think it was a good idea to take him along, since he had deserted them in Pamphylia and did not continue to travel with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and set out, after being entrusted to the grace of the Lord [3] by the brothers. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Timothy Joins Paul and Silas Acts 16 1 Paul arrived in Derbe and in Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, who was the son of a believing Jewish woman, but his father was a Greek. 2 The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews who lived in those places, because they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled through the towns, they delivered the resolutions decided by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to keep. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number day by day. Footnotes Acts 15:36 A few witnesses to the text read our. Acts 15:36 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female. Acts 15:40 Some witnesses to the text read God. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Note: We are aware of missing verses from today’s reading in the audio version. Please refer to the complete reading in the text version. We appreciate your understanding. https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0702db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 01 Acts 15:13-34 Acts 15 13 After they finished speaking, James responded, “Gentlemen, brothers, listen to me. 14 Simon has reported how God for the first time has visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: 16 After these things I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord— even all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord who does these things. [1] 18 “Long ago he made these things known. 19 So it is my judgment that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write a letter telling them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient times Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, since he is being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” 22 Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, thought it would be best to choose men from their group to send to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leading men among the brothers. 23 They wrote this letter for them to deliver: From the apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the Gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 We heard that there were some who came from us without our authorization and caused you distress by unsettling your minds with what they said. [2] 25 So it seemed best to us, since we are of one mind, to choose some men to send to you, along with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will report these same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us to put no greater burden on you than these essentials: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you carefully avoid these things, you will do well. Farewell. 30 After they were sent on their way, they went down to Antioch. They gathered the congregation together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and rejoiced over its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who were prophets themselves, also said much that encouraged and strengthened the brothers. 33 After they had spent some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the greeting of peace to those who had sent them. [3] Footnotes Acts 15:17 Amos 9:11-12 quoted from the Septuagint Acts 15:24 Some witnesses to the text add telling you to be circumcised and to keep the law. Acts 15:33 Some witnesses to the text add verse 34: However, Silas decided to stay there. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0701db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – July 01 Acts 15:1-12 Acts 15 The Council at Jerusalem 1 Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised according to the law handed down by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Because this brought about a serious argument and debate between Paul and Barnabas and these men, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and some other men from the church to go up to Jerusalem, to see the apostles and the elders concerning this controversy. 3 After they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they described in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported everything God had done through them. 5 But some of the believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise the Gentiles and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.” 6 The apostles and the elders gathered together to look into this matter. 7 After there had been much discussion, Peter stood up and said to them, “Gentlemen, brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you, that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, testified on their behalf by giving them the Holy Spirit, exactly as he gave him to us. 9 He also showed that there is no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why are you testing God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary! We believe that we are saved in the same way they are—through the grace of our Lord Jesus.” 12 The whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul, who reported all the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0630db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – June 30 Acts 14:13-28 Acts 14 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and garlands to the city gates, because he wanted to offer sacrifices along with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Paul and Barnabas heard about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We too are men with the same nature as you. We are preaching the good news to you so that you turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without testimony of the good he does. He gives you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons. He fills you with food and fills your hearts with gladness.” 18 Even though they said these things, they had a hard time stopping the crowds from sacrificing to them. 19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and persuaded the crowds to stone Paul. When they thought he was dead, they dragged him out of the city. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he stood up and went into the city. The next day, he left with Barnabas for Derbe. The Return to Antioch 21 After they preached the good news in that city and had gathered many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. They told them, “We must go through many troubles on our way to the kingdom of God.” 23 They had elders elected [1] for them in every church, and with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they believed. 24 When they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the Word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been entrusted to the grace of God for the work they had just completed. 27 When they arrived and called the church together, they reported everything God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith for the Gentiles. 28 Then they stayed there a long time with the disciples. Footnotes Acts 14:23 Or They chose elders. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0629db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – June 29 Acts 14:1-12 Acts 14 In Iconium 1 The same thing happened in Iconium. Paul and Barnabas entered the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 Paul and Barnabas stayed there a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by granting them the ability to perform miraculous signs and wonders. 4 But the people of the city were divided. Some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When there was a plot by both Gentiles and Jews, together with their rulers, to mistreat and stone them, 6 they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside. 7 There they kept on preaching the good news. In Lystra and Derbe 8 In Lystra there was a man who was sitting down because he had no strength in his feet. He had never walked because he was lame from birth. 9 When he was listening to Paul as he was speaking, Paul looked at him closely and saw that he had faith to be healed. 10 Paul said in a loud voice, “Stand up on your feet!” And the man jumped up and began to walk. 11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form.” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the main speaker. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0628db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – June 28 Acts 13:44-52 Acts 13 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of God. [1] 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with envy and began to contradict what Paul was saying by slandering him. [2] 46 Then Paul and Barnabas responded fearlessly, “It was necessary that God’s word be spoken to you first. But since you reject it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, look: We are now turning to the Gentiles! 47 For this is what the Lord has instructed us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the end of the earth.” [3] 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were rejoicing and praising the word of the Lord. All who had been appointed for eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was being carried through the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their district. 51 So they shook the dust off their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 The disciples continued to be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Footnotes Acts 13:44 Some witnesses to the text read the Lord. Acts 13:45 Some witnesses to the text read and began speaking against the things spoken by Paul, by contradicting and slandering him. Acts 13:47 Isaiah 49:6 The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0627db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – June 27 Acts 13:13-43 Acts 13 At Pisidian Antioch 13 Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 But they went on from Perga and arrived at Antioch in Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Gentlemen, [1] brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 Then Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers and made them a great people during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with his uplifted arm, he led them out of it. 18 He put up with them [2] for about forty years in the wilderness. 19 Then he destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, and he gave their land to his people as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. After that, he gave them judges [3] until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 “Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 After removing him, he raised up David as their king. God testified about him: ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart. He will do all that I want him to do.’ [4] 23 “From this man’s descendants [5] God brought the Savior Jesus to Israel, in keeping with his promise. 24 Before he appeared publicly, John had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But look! That One is coming after me, and I am not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet.’ [6] 26 “Gentlemen, brothers, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, this message of salvation has been sent to you. [7] 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the statements of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they carried out everything that was written about him, they took him down from the cross [8] and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These same individuals are now his witnesses to the people. 32 “We are preaching to you the good news about the promise that was made to our fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this promise for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: You are my Son. Today I have begotten you. [9] 34 “That God would raise him from the dead never again to be subject to decay, God said in this way: I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David. [10] 35 “Therefore he also says in another place: You will not let your Holy One see decay. [11] 36 “For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, was laid to rest with his fathers, and saw decay. 37 But the One God raised did not see decay. 38 “So, gentlemen, brothers, let it be known to you that through this Jesus forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, also forgiveness from everything from which you could not be justified through the law of Moses. 39 In this Jesus, everyone who believes is justified. 40 So watch out that what is said in the prophets does not happen to you: 41 Look, you scoffers, be amazed and perish! For I am going to do something in your days, something you would never believe, even if someone were to explain it to you.” [12] 42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving, the people kept begging them to speak again on this same subject on the next Sabbath. 43 When the meeting of the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. Footnotes Acts 13:15 Literally Men Acts 13:18 Some witnesses to the text read He cared for them. Acts 13:20 Some witnesses to the text read After that he gave them judges for about 450 years. Acts 13:22 1 Samuel 13:14 Acts 13:23 Literally seed Acts 13:25 John 1:26-27 Acts 13:26 Some witnesses to the text read us. Acts 13:29 Or tree Acts 13:33 Psalm 2:7 Acts 13:34 Isaiah 55:3 Acts 13:35 Psalm 16:10 Acts 13:41 Habakkuk 1:5 The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0626db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – June 26 Acts 12:25 – 13:12 Acts 12 25 After Barnabas and Saul had completed their relief mission in Jerusalem, they returned [1] and brought along John, who is called Mark. The Holy Spirit Calls Paul and Barnabas Acts 13 1 Now in the church at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas; Simeon, who was called Niger; Lucius of Cyrene; Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch; and Saul. 2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, after they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them off. 4 So they were sent out by the Holy Spirit and went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their assistant. 6 When they had traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came across a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The proconsul summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God. 8 Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit and looking straight at him, 10 said, “You are full of every kind of deceit and fraud, you son of the Devil, you enemy of all righteousness! Will you never stop twisting the straight paths of the Lord? 11 Now look! The hand of the Lord is against you. You will be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he went around looking for someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what happened, he believed. He was amazed at the teaching of the Lord. Footnotes Acts 12:25 Some witnesses to the text read relief mission, they returned from Jerusalem. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0625db.mp3 Listen to Bible reading Through My Bible Yr 03 – June 25 Exodus 19 – 20 Israel at Sinai Exodus 19 1 In the third month after the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, on that same day of the month, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim and came to the Wilderness of Sinai, they camped in the wilderness. Israel camped there in front of the mountain. 3 Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you will carefully listen to my voice and keep my covenant, then you will be my special treasure out of all the nations, although the entire earth is mine. 6 You will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.” 7 Moses went and summoned the elders of the people, and he set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together, “Everything that the Lord has said, we will do.” Moses brought back the people’s words to the Lord. 9 The Lord said to Moses, “Look, I will come to you in a dense cloud so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and then they will always believe you.” Moses told the people’s words to the Lord. 10 The Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothes. 11 Be ready by the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 You shall set boundaries for the people all around the mountain. Tell them: ‘Be careful that you do not go up onto the mountain or touch the edge of it.’ Whoever touches the mountain must certainly be put to death. 13 No one’s hand is to touch such a person, but that person is to be stoned to death or shot with arrows. No such animal or person shall be allowed to live. But when the special ram’s horn sounds a long blast, the people may come up to the mountain.” 14 Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He consecrated the people, and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Do not come near a woman.” [1] 16 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was over the mountain, and there was a very loud blast of a ram’s horn. All the people in the camp trembled. 17 Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke from a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 19 When the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in the thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, at the top of the mountain. The Lord then called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 The Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the Lord. If they do, many of them will fall. 22 Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves so that the Lord does not break out against them.” 23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, because you warned, ‘Set boundaries around the mountain and treat it as holy.’” 24 The Lord said to him, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you, but the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the Lord, so that the Lord will not break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them these things. The Ten Commandments Exodus 20 1 Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, where you were slaves. [2] 3 You shall have no other gods beside me. [3] 4 You shall not make any carved image for yourself or a likeness of anything in heaven above, or on the earth below, or in the waters under the earth. 5 Do not bow down to them or be subservient to them, [4] for I the Lord your God am a jealous God. [5] I follow up on [6] the guilt of the fathers with their children, their grandchildren, and their great-grandchildren, if they also hate me. 6 But I show mercy to thousands who love me and keep my commandments. 7 You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not permit anyone who misuses his name to escape unpunished. 8 Remember the Sabbath day [7] by setting it apart as holy. 9 Six days you are to serve and do all your regular work, 10 but the seventh day shall be a sabbath rest to the Lord your God. Do not do any regular work, neither you, nor your sons or daughters, nor your male or female servants, nor your cattle, nor the alien who is residing inside your gates, 11 for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. In this way the Lord blessed the seventh day and made it holy. 12 Honor your father and your mother so that you may spend many days on the land that the Lord your God is giving to you. 13 You shall not commit murder. 14 You shall not commit adultery. 15 You shall not steal. 16 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor. [8] 18 All the people saw and heard the thunder and the lightning and the sound of the ram’s horn and the mountain smoking. The people saw, [9] and they trembled and stood far away. 19 Then they said to Moses, “Speak with us yourself, and we will listen, but do not let God speak with us, or we will die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you may always fear him, so that you do not sin.” 21 The people stayed at a distance, but Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. 22 Then the Lord told Moses to tell the people of Israel the following things: You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. 23 You shall not make gods of silver or gods of gold and place them beside me. You shall not make them for yourselves. 24 You are to make an altar of earth for me and to sacrifice your whole burnt offerings on it, as well as your fellowship offerings, your sheep, and your cattle. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered, I will come to you and I will bless you. 25 If you make a stone altar for me, you are not to build it out of cut stones, because by applying a tool to it you would pollute it. 26 You are not to go up to my altar by steps, so that your nakedness will not be uncovered upon it. Footnotes Exodus 19:15 The prohibition is not limited to sexual intercourse, because even touching a woman during her period made a man unclean. See Leviticus 15:19-24. Exodus 20:2 Literally the house of slaves Exodus 20:3 Literally against my face or besides me or before me or in my presence or because of my presence Exodus 20:5 The verb is not the normal form for serve but a special form that implies subservience. Exodus 20:5 That is, I am a God who demands exclusive loyalty Exodus 20:5 Or demand an accounting for. The Hebrew verb pachad has traditionally been translated visit, but in present-day English visit usually has a social connotation. The term, however, refers to an official visit to bring punishment or reward to someone. Exodus 20:8 That is, the day of rest Exodus 20:17 Another version of the Ten Commandments appears in Deuteronomy 5:1-21. Exodus 20:18 A variant in some ancient versions is feared. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.