Pastor: The Leadership Trap That Destroyed King Zedekiah (And How to Avoid It)

Beyond the Mirror: Finding Your True Worth

God’s Word Over Life’s Stress

Leading With Love and Authority: Balancing Grace and Truth as You Lead Your Children Toward Christ

Navigating Mental Challenges After Loss

3 - LORD'S PRAYER - the Lord´s Requirements

Faith @ Work

A Word From the Word - Godly Guidance

Seven Days of Prayers Inspired by the Psalms

Biblical Encouragement for Business Leaders

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 bkPSA">
      <div class="chapter ch79" data-usfm="PSA.79">
         <div class="label">79</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 79</span></div><div class="d"><span class="content">A psalm of Asaph.</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.79.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.79.1"><span class="content">they have defiled your holy temple,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.79.1"><span class="content">they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.79.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.79.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">They have left the dead bodies of your servants</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.79.2"><span class="content">as food for the birds of the sky,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.79.2"><span class="content">the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.79.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.79.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">They have poured out blood like water</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.79.3"><span class="content">all around Jerusalem,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.79.3"><span class="content">and there is no one to bury the dead.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.79.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.79.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.79.4"><span class="content">of scorn and derision to those around us.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.79.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.79.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">How long, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">? Will you be angry forever?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.79.5"><span class="content">How long will your jealousy burn like fire?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.79.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.79.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Pour out your wrath on the nations</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.79.6"><span class="content">that do not acknowledge you,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.79.6"><span class="content">on the kingdoms</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.79.6"><span class="content">that do not call on your name;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.79.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.79.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">for they have devoured Jacob</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.79.7"><span class="content">and devastated his homeland.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.79.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.79.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.79.8"><span class="content">may your mercy come quickly to meet us,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.79.8"><span class="content">for we are in desperate need.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.79.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.79.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Help us, God our Savior,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.79.9"><span class="content">for the glory of your name;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.79.9"><span class="content">deliver us and forgive our sins</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.79.9"><span class="content">for your name&#8217;s sake.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.79.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.79.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Why should the nations say,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.79.10"><span class="content">&#8220;Where is their God?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.79.10"><span class="content">Before our eyes, make known among the nations</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.79.10"><span class="content">that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.79.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.79.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">May the groans of the prisoners come before you;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.79.11"><span class="content">with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.79.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.79.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.79.12"><span class="content">the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.79.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.79.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.79.13"><span class="content">will praise you forever;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.79.13"><span class="content">from generation to generation</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.79.13"><span class="content">we will proclaim your praise.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

New International Version

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkACT">
      <div class="chapter ch21" data-usfm="ACT.21.27+ACT.21.28+ACT.21.29+ACT.21.30+ACT.21.31+ACT.21.32+ACT.21.33+ACT.21.34+ACT.21.35+ACT.21.36+ACT.21.37+ACT.21.38+ACT.21.39+ACT.21.40">
         <div class="p"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="ACT.21.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="ACT.21.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">shouting, &#8220;Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="ACT.21.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">(They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="ACT.21.29"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="ACT.21.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="ACT.21.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="ACT.21.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="ACT.21.32"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="ACT.21.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="ACT.21.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="ACT.21.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. </span></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="ACT.21.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="content">The crowd that followed kept shouting, &#8220;Get rid of him!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Paul Speaks to the Crowd</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="ACT.21.36"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="ACT.21.37"><span class="label">37</span><span class="content">As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, &#8220;May I say something to you?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="ACT.21.37"><span class="content">&#8220;Do you speak Greek?&#8221; he replied. </span></span><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="ACT.21.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">&#8220;Aren&#8217;t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="ACT.21.38"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="ACT.21.39"><span class="label">39</span><span class="content">Paul answered, &#8220;I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="ACT.21.39"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="ACT.21.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="content">After receiving the commander&#8217;s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">21:40 </span><span class="ft">Or possibly </span><span class="fqa">Hebrew</span><span class="ft">; also in 22:2</span></span></span><span class="content">:</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkACT">
      <div class="chapter ch22" data-usfm="ACT.22.1+ACT.22.2+ACT.22.3+ACT.22.4+ACT.22.5+ACT.22.6+ACT.22.7+ACT.22.8+ACT.22.9+ACT.22.10+ACT.22.11+ACT.22.12+ACT.22.13+ACT.22.14+ACT.22.15+ACT.22.16+ACT.22.17+ACT.22.18+ACT.22.19+ACT.22.20+ACT.22.21">
         <div class="nb"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ACT.22.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">&#8220;Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ACT.22.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ACT.22.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ACT.22.2"><span class="content">Then Paul said: </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ACT.22.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">&#8220;I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ACT.22.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ACT.22.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ACT.22.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ACT.22.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">&#8220;About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ACT.22.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8216;Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?&#8217;</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ACT.22.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ACT.22.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Who are you, Lord?&#8217; I asked.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ACT.22.8"><span class="content">&#8220; </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8216;I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,&#8217;</span></span><span class="content"> he replied. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ACT.22.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ACT.22.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ACT.22.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;What shall I do, Lord?&#8217; I asked.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ACT.22.10"><span class="content">&#8220; </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8216;Get up,&#8217;</span></span><span class="content"> the Lord said, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8216;and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.&#8217;</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ACT.22.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ACT.22.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ACT.22.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">&#8220;A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ACT.22.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">He stood beside me and said, &#8216;Brother Saul, receive your sight!&#8217; And at that very moment I was able to see him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ACT.22.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ACT.22.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">&#8220;Then he said: &#8216;The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ACT.22.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ACT.22.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ACT.22.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ACT.22.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">&#8220;When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ACT.22.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">and saw the Lord speaking to me. </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8216;Quick!&#8217;</span></span><span class="content"> he said. </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8216;Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.&#8217;</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ACT.22.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ACT.22.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Lord,&#8217; I replied, &#8216;these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ACT.22.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">And when the blood of your martyr</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">22:20 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">witness</span></span></span><span class="content"> Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ACT.22.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ACT.22.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">&#8220;Then the Lord said to me, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8216;Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.&#8217; </span></span><span class="content">&#8221;</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bk2KI">
      <div class="chapter ch4" data-usfm="2KI.4.38+2KI.4.39+2KI.4.40+2KI.4.41+2KI.4.42+2KI.4.43+2KI.4.44">
         <div class="p"><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="2KI.4.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">Elisha returned to Gilgal and there was a famine in that region. While the company of the prophets was meeting with him, he said to his servant, &#8220;Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these prophets.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="2KI.4.38"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="2KI.4.39"><span class="label">39</span><span class="content">One of them went out into the fields to gather herbs and found a wild vine and picked as many of its gourds as his garment could hold. When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. </span></span><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="2KI.4.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="content">The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, &#8220;Man of God, there is death in the pot!&#8221; And they could not eat it.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="2KI.4.40"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="2KI.4.41"><span class="label">41</span><span class="content">Elisha said, &#8220;Get some flour.&#8221; He put it into the pot and said, &#8220;Serve it to the people to eat.&#8221; And there was nothing harmful in the pot.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Feeding of a Hundred</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="2KI.4.41"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="2KI.4.42"><span class="label">42</span><span class="content">A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. &#8220;Give it to the people to eat,&#8221; Elisha said.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="2KI.4.42"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="2KI.4.43"><span class="label">43</span><span class="content">&#8220;How can I set this before a hundred men?&#8221; his servant asked.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="2KI.4.43"><span class="content">But Elisha answered, &#8220;Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> says: &#8216;They will eat and have some left over.&#8217;&#8198;&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v44" data-usfm="2KI.4.44"><span class="label">44</span><span class="content">Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<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>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bk2KI">
      <div class="chapter ch6" data-usfm="2KI.6.1+2KI.6.2+2KI.6.3+2KI.6.4+2KI.6.5+2KI.6.6+2KI.6.7+2KI.6.8+2KI.6.9+2KI.6.10+2KI.6.11+2KI.6.12+2KI.6.13+2KI.6.14+2KI.6.15+2KI.6.16+2KI.6.17+2KI.6.18+2KI.6.19+2KI.6.20+2KI.6.21+2KI.6.22+2KI.6.23">
         <div class="p"><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>
   </div>
</div>

Read the Bible in 1 Year With Layla Nahavandi Sample

Scripture

About this Plan

Related Plans