Refocus

That Makes Sense: A Gentle Reflection on the Origins of Addiction, How to Understand It, and How to Offer Yourself Grace

Journey Through Isaiah & Micah

Temptation's 3 Stages: Where Most Christians Give Up

Win Your Child’s Heart

The Revelation of Jesus

Bible for Children 30 Day

The Path: What if the Way of Jesus Is Different Than You Thought?

Five Miracles of the Bible

Shining the Light on Mental Health - Film + Faith

New International Version

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkCOL">
      <div class="chapter ch2" data-usfm="COL.2.8">
         <div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="COL.2.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:8 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">the basic principles</span><span class="ft">; also in verse 20</span></span></span><span class="content"> of this world rather than on Christ.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="COL.2.8"><span class="content">  </span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
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The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bk2KI">
      <div class="chapter ch5" data-usfm="2KI.5">
         <div class="label">5</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Naaman Healed of Leprosy</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2KI.5.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">5:1 </span><span class="ft">The Hebrew for </span><span class="fq">leprosy </span><span class="ft">was used for various diseases affecting the skin; also in verses 3, 6, 7, 11 and 27.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2KI.5.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="2KI.5.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman&#8217;s wife. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="2KI.5.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">She said to her mistress, &#8220;If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="2KI.5.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="2KI.5.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="2KI.5.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">&#8220;By all means, go,&#8221; the king of Aram replied. &#8220;I will send a letter to the king of Israel.&#8221; So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">5:5 </span><span class="ft">That is, about 750 pounds or about 340 kilograms</span></span></span><span class="content"> of silver, six thousand shekels</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">5:5 </span><span class="ft">That is, about 150 pounds or about 69 kilograms</span></span></span><span class="content"> of gold and ten sets of clothing. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="2KI.5.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: &#8220;With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="2KI.5.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="2KI.5.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, &#8220;Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="2KI.5.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="2KI.5.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: &#8220;Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="2KI.5.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha&#8217;s house. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="2KI.5.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, &#8220;Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="2KI.5.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="2KI.5.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">But Naaman went away angry and said, &#8220;I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="2KI.5.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn&#8217;t I wash in them and be cleansed?&#8221; So he turned and went off in a rage.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="2KI.5.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="2KI.5.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Naaman&#8217;s servants went to him and said, &#8220;My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, &#8216;Wash and be cleansed&#8217;!&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="2KI.5.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="2KI.5.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="2KI.5.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, &#8220;Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="2KI.5.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="2KI.5.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">The prophet answered, &#8220;As surely as the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.&#8221; And even though Naaman urged him, he refused.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="2KI.5.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="2KI.5.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">&#8220;If you will not,&#8221; said Naaman, &#8220;please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="2KI.5.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">But may the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I have to bow there also&#8212;when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> forgive your servant for this.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="2KI.5.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="2KI.5.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">&#8220;Go in peace,&#8221; Elisha said.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="2KI.5.19"><span class="content">After Naaman had traveled some distance, </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2KI.5.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, &#8220;My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> lives, I will run after him and get something from him.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2KI.5.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2KI.5.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. &#8220;Is everything all right?&#8221; he asked.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2KI.5.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2KI.5.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">&#8220;Everything is all right,&#8221; Gehazi answered. &#8220;My master sent me to say, &#8216;Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">5:22 </span><span class="ft">That is, about 75 pounds or about 34 kilograms</span></span></span><span class="content"> of silver and two sets of clothing.&#8217;&#8198;&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2KI.5.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="2KI.5.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">&#8220;By all means, take two talents,&#8221; said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi. </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="2KI.5.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="2KI.5.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="2KI.5.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, &#8220;Where have you been, Gehazi?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="2KI.5.25"><span class="content">&#8220;Your servant didn&#8217;t go anywhere,&#8221; Gehazi answered.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="2KI.5.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="2KI.5.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">But Elisha said to him, &#8220;Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes&#8212;or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves? </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="2KI.5.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">Naaman&#8217;s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.&#8221; Then Gehazi went from Elisha&#8217;s presence and his skin was leprous&#8212;it had become as white as snow.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bk2KI">
      <div class="chapter ch6" data-usfm="2KI.6">
         <div class="label">6</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">An Axhead Floats</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2KI.6.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">The company of the prophets said to Elisha, &#8220;Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="2KI.6.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="2KI.6.2"><span class="content">And he said, &#8220;Go.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="2KI.6.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="2KI.6.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Then one of them said, &#8220;Won&#8217;t you please come with your servants?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="2KI.6.3"><span class="content">&#8220;I will,&#8221; Elisha replied. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="2KI.6.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">And he went with them.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="2KI.6.4"><span class="content">They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="2KI.6.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. &#8220;Oh no, my lord!&#8221; he cried out. &#8220;It was borrowed!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="2KI.6.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="2KI.6.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">The man of God asked, &#8220;Where did it fall?&#8221; When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="2KI.6.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">&#8220;Lift it out,&#8221; he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="2KI.6.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="2KI.6.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, &#8220;I will set up my camp in such and such a place.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="2KI.6.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="2KI.6.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: &#8220;Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="2KI.6.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="2KI.6.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="2KI.6.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, &#8220;Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="2KI.6.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="2KI.6.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">&#8220;None of us, my lord the king,&#8221; said one of his officers, &#8220;but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="2KI.6.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="2KI.6.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">&#8220;Go, find out where he is,&#8221; the king ordered, &#8220;so I can send men and capture him.&#8221; The report came back: &#8220;He is in Dothan.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="2KI.6.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="2KI.6.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="2KI.6.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. &#8220;Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?&#8221; the servant asked.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="2KI.6.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="2KI.6.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">&#8220;Don&#8217;t be afraid,&#8221; the prophet answered. &#8220;Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="2KI.6.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="2KI.6.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">And Elisha prayed, &#8220;Open his eyes, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, so that he may see.&#8221; Then the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> opened the servant&#8217;s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="2KI.6.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="2KI.6.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, &#8220;Strike this army with blindness.&#8221; So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="2KI.6.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="2KI.6.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Elisha told them, &#8220;This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.&#8221; And he led them to Samaria.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="2KI.6.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2KI.6.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">After they entered the city, Elisha said, &#8220;</span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, open the eyes of these men so they can see.&#8221; Then the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2KI.6.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2KI.6.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, &#8220;Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2KI.6.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2KI.6.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">&#8220;Do not kill them,&#8221; he answered. &#8220;Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="2KI.6.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel&#8217;s territory.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Famine in Besieged Samaria</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="2KI.6.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="2KI.6.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Some time later, Ben-Hadad king of Aram mobilized his entire army and marched up and laid siege to Samaria. </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="2KI.6.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">There was a great famine in the city; the siege lasted so long that a donkey&#8217;s head sold for eighty shekels</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">6:25 </span><span class="ft">That is, about 2 pounds or about 920 grams</span></span></span><span class="content"> of silver, and a quarter of a cab</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">6:25 </span><span class="ft">That is, probably about 1/4 pound or about 100 grams</span></span></span><span class="content"> of seed pods</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">6:25 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">of doves&#8217; dung</span></span></span><span class="content"> for five shekels.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">6:25 </span><span class="ft">That is, about 2 ounces or about 58 grams</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="2KI.6.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="2KI.6.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, &#8220;Help me, my lord the king!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="2KI.6.26"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="2KI.6.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">The king replied, &#8220;If the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> does not help you, where can I get help for you? From the threshing floor? From the winepress?&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="2KI.6.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">Then he asked her, &#8220;What&#8217;s the matter?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="2KI.6.28"><span class="content">She answered, &#8220;This woman said to me, &#8216;Give up your son so we may eat him today, and tomorrow we&#8217;ll eat my son.&#8217; </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="2KI.6.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I said to her, &#8216;Give up your son so we may eat him,&#8217; but she had hidden him.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="2KI.6.29"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="2KI.6.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">When the king heard the woman&#8217;s words, he tore his robes. As he went along the wall, the people looked, and they saw that, under his robes, he had sackcloth on his body. </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="2KI.6.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">He said, &#8220;May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders today!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="2KI.6.31"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="2KI.6.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, &#8220;Don&#8217;t you see how this murderer is sending someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold it shut against him. Is not the sound of his master&#8217;s footsteps behind him?&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="2KI.6.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">While he was still talking to them, the messenger came down to him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="2KI.6.33"><span class="content">The king said, &#8220;This disaster is from the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">. Why should I wait for the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> any longer?&#8221;</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPSA">
      <div class="chapter ch68" data-usfm="PSA.68">
         <div class="label">68</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 68</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft"><span class="heading">In Hebrew texts 68:1-35 is numbered 68:2-36.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="d"><span class="content">For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song.</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.68.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.68.1"><span class="content">may his foes flee before him.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.68.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.68.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">May you blow them away like smoke&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.68.2"><span class="content">as wax melts before the fire,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.68.2"><span class="content">may the wicked perish before God.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.68.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.68.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">But may the righteous be glad</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.68.3"><span class="content">and rejoice before God;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.68.3"><span class="content">may they be happy and joyful.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.68.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.68.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.68.4"><span class="content">extol him who rides on the clouds</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">68:4 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">name, / prepare the way for him who rides through the deserts</span></span></span><span class="content">;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.68.4"><span class="content">rejoice before him&#8212;his name is the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.68.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.68.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.68.5"><span class="content">is God in his holy dwelling.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.68.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.68.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">God sets the lonely in families,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">68:6 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">the desolate in a homeland</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.68.6"><span class="content">he leads out the prisoners with singing;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.68.6"><span class="content">but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.68.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.68.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">When you, God, went out before your people,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.68.7"><span class="content">when you marched through the wilderness,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">68:7 </span><span class="ft">The Hebrew has </span><span class="fqa">Selah </span><span class="ft">(a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 19 and 32.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.68.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.68.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.68.8"><span class="content">before God, the One of Sinai,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.68.8"><span class="content">before God, the God of Israel.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.68.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.68.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">You gave abundant showers, O God;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.68.9"><span class="content">you refreshed your weary inheritance.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.68.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.68.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Your people settled in it,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.68.10"><span class="content">and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.68.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.68.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">The Lord announces the word,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.68.11"><span class="content">and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.68.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.68.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">&#8220;Kings and armies flee in haste;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.68.12"><span class="content">the women at home divide the plunder.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.68.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.68.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Even while you sleep among the sheep pens,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">68:13 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">the campfires; </span><span class="ft">or </span><span class="fqa">the saddlebags</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.68.13"><span class="content">the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.68.13"><span class="content">its feathers with shining gold.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.68.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.68.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">When the Almighty</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">68:14 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Shaddai</span></span></span><span class="content"> scattered the kings in the land,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.68.14"><span class="content">it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.68.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.68.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Mount Bashan, majestic mountain,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.68.15"><span class="content">Mount Bashan, rugged mountain,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.68.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.68.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.68.16"><span class="content">at the mountain where God chooses to reign,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.68.16"><span class="content">where the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> himself will dwell forever?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.68.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.68.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">The chariots of God are tens of thousands</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.68.17"><span class="content">and thousands of thousands;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.68.17"><span class="content">the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">68:17 </span><span class="ft">Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text </span><span class="fqa">Lord is among them at Sinai in holiness</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.68.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.68.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">When you ascended on high,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.68.18"><span class="content">you took many captives;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.68.18"><span class="content">you received gifts from people,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.68.18"><span class="content">even from</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">68:18 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">gifts for people, / even</span></span></span><span class="content"> the rebellious&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.68.18"><span class="content">that you,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">68:18 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">they</span></span></span><span class="content">  </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> God, might dwell there.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.68.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.68.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.68.19"><span class="content">who daily bears our burdens.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.68.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PSA.68.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Our God is a God who saves;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PSA.68.20"><span class="content">from the Sovereign </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> comes escape from death.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PSA.68.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PSA.68.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PSA.68.21"><span class="content">the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PSA.68.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PSA.68.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">The Lord says, &#8220;I will bring them from Bashan;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PSA.68.22"><span class="content">I will bring them from the depths of the sea,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PSA.68.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PSA.68.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PSA.68.23"><span class="content">while the tongues of your dogs have their share.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PSA.68.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PSA.68.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Your procession, God, has come into view,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PSA.68.24"><span class="content">the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PSA.68.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PSA.68.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">In front are the singers, after them the musicians;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PSA.68.25"><span class="content">with them are the young women playing the timbrels.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PSA.68.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PSA.68.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">Praise God in the great congregation;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PSA.68.26"><span class="content">praise the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> in the assembly of Israel.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PSA.68.26"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PSA.68.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PSA.68.27"><span class="content">there the great throng of Judah&#8217;s princes,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PSA.68.27"><span class="content">and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PSA.68.27"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="PSA.68.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">Summon your power, God</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">68:28 </span><span class="ft">Many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts </span><span class="fqa">Your God has summoned power for you</span></span></span><span class="content">;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="PSA.68.28"><span class="content">show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="PSA.68.28"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="PSA.68.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">Because of your temple at Jerusalem</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="PSA.68.29"><span class="content">kings will bring you gifts.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="PSA.68.29"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="PSA.68.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">Rebuke the beast among the reeds,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="PSA.68.30"><span class="content">the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="PSA.68.30"><span class="content">Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="PSA.68.30"><span class="content">Scatter the nations who delight in war.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="PSA.68.30"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="PSA.68.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">Envoys will come from Egypt;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="PSA.68.31"><span class="content">Cush</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">68:31 </span><span class="ft">That is, the upper Nile region</span></span></span><span class="content"> will submit herself to God.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="PSA.68.31"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="PSA.68.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="PSA.68.32"><span class="content">sing praise to the Lord,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="PSA.68.32"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="PSA.68.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="PSA.68.33"><span class="content">who thunders with mighty voice.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="PSA.68.33"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="PSA.68.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">Proclaim the power of God,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="PSA.68.34"><span class="content">whose majesty is over Israel,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="PSA.68.34"><span class="content">whose power is in the heavens.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="PSA.68.34"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="PSA.68.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="PSA.68.35"><span class="content">the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="PSA.68.35"><span class="content">Praise be to God!</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkCOL">
      <div class="chapter ch2" data-usfm="COL.2">
         <div class="label">2</div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="COL.2.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="COL.2.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="COL.2.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="COL.2.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="COL.2.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Spiritual Fullness in Christ</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="COL.2.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="COL.2.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="COL.2.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="COL.2.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="COL.2.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:8 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">the basic principles</span><span class="ft">; also in verse 20</span></span></span><span class="content"> of this world rather than on Christ.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="COL.2.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="COL.2.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="COL.2.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="COL.2.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:11 </span><span class="ft">In contexts like this, the Greek word for </span><span class="fq">flesh </span><span class="ft">(<span class="tl">sarx</span>) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verse 13.</span></span></span><span class="content"> was put off when you were circumcised by</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:11 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">put off in the circumcision of</span></span></span><span class="content"> Christ, </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="COL.2.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="COL.2.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="COL.2.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:13 </span><span class="ft">Some manuscripts </span><span class="fqa">us</span></span></span><span class="content"> alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="COL.2.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="COL.2.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:15 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">them in him</span></span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Freedom From Human Rules</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="COL.2.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="COL.2.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="COL.2.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="COL.2.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="COL.2.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="COL.2.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="COL.2.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="COL.2.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">&#8220;Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!&#8221;? </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="COL.2.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="COL.2.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.</span></span></div>
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Find & Follow Jesus, Quarter 2Sample

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