FruitFULL - Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control - the Mature Expression of Faith

Let Us Pray

Returning Home: A Journey of Grace Through the Parable of the Prodigal Son

Unapologetically Sold Out: 7 Days of Prayers for Millennials to Live Whole-Heartedly Committed to Jesus Christ

Judges | Chapter Summaries + Study Questions

Breath & Blueprint: Your Creative Awakening

Stormproof

Homesick for Heaven

Ruth | Chapter Summaries + Study Questions

Faith in Hard Times

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 bkEZR">
      <div class="chapter ch10" data-usfm="EZR.10">
         <div class="label">10</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The People&#8217;s Confession of Sin</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="EZR.10.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites&#8212;men, women and children&#8212;gathered around him. They too wept bitterly. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="EZR.10.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Then Shekaniah son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, said to Ezra, &#8220;We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="EZR.10.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="EZR.10.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="EZR.10.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="EZR.10.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">So Ezra rose up and put the leading priests and Levites and all Israel under oath to do what had been suggested. And they took the oath. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="EZR.10.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and went to the room of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. While he was there, he ate no food and drank no water, because he continued to mourn over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="EZR.10.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="EZR.10.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">A proclamation was then issued throughout Judah and Jerusalem for all the exiles to assemble in Jerusalem. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EZR.10.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Anyone who failed to appear within three days would forfeit all his property, in accordance with the decision of the officials and elders, and would himself be expelled from the assembly of the exiles.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EZR.10.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="EZR.10.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Within the three days, all the men of Judah and Benjamin had gathered in Jerusalem. And on the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people were sitting in the square before the house of God, greatly distressed by the occasion and because of the rain. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="EZR.10.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, &#8220;You have been unfaithful; you have married foreign women, adding to Israel&#8217;s guilt. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="EZR.10.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Now honor</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">10:11 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">Now make confession to</span></span></span><span class="content"> the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, the God of your ancestors, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the peoples around you and from your foreign wives.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="EZR.10.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="EZR.10.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">The whole assembly responded with a loud voice: &#8220;You are right! We must do as you say. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="EZR.10.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">But there are many people here and it is the rainy season; so we cannot stand outside. Besides, this matter cannot be taken care of in a day or two, because we have sinned greatly in this thing. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="EZR.10.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Let our officials act for the whole assembly. Then let everyone in our towns who has married a foreign woman come at a set time, along with the elders and judges of each town, until the fierce anger of our God in this matter is turned away from us.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="EZR.10.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah, supported by Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite, opposed this.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="EZR.10.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="EZR.10.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">So the exiles did as was proposed. Ezra the priest selected men who were family heads, one from each family division, and all of them designated by name. On the first day of the tenth month they sat down to investigate the cases, </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="EZR.10.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">and by the first day of the first month they finished dealing with all the men who had married foreign women.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Those Guilty of Intermarriage</span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="EZR.10.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EZR.10.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Among the descendants of the priests, the following had married foreign women:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EZR.10.18"><span class="content">From the descendants of Joshua son of Jozadak, and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib and Gedaliah. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EZR.10.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">(They all gave their hands in pledge to put away their wives, and for their guilt they each presented a ram from the flock as a guilt offering.)</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EZR.10.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EZR.10.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Immer:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EZR.10.20"><span class="content">Hanani and Zebadiah.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EZR.10.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="EZR.10.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Harim:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="EZR.10.21"><span class="content">Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel and Uzziah.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="EZR.10.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="EZR.10.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Pashhur:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="EZR.10.22"><span class="content">Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad and Elasah.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="EZR.10.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="EZR.10.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Among the Levites:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="EZR.10.23"><span class="content">Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is, Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah and Eliezer.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="EZR.10.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="EZR.10.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">From the musicians:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="EZR.10.24"><span class="content">Eliashib.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="EZR.10.24"><span class="content">From the gatekeepers:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="EZR.10.24"><span class="content">Shallum, Telem and Uri.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="EZR.10.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="EZR.10.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">And among the other Israelites:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="EZR.10.25"><span class="content">From the descendants of Parosh:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="EZR.10.25"><span class="content">Ramiah, Izziah, Malkijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malkijah and Benaiah.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="EZR.10.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="EZR.10.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Elam:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="EZR.10.26"><span class="content">Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth and Elijah.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="EZR.10.26"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="EZR.10.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Zattu:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="EZR.10.27"><span class="content">Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad and Aziza.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="EZR.10.27"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="EZR.10.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Bebai:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="EZR.10.28"><span class="content">Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai and Athlai.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="EZR.10.28"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="EZR.10.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Bani:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="EZR.10.29"><span class="content">Meshullam, Malluk, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal and Jeremoth.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="EZR.10.29"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="EZR.10.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Pahath-Moab:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="EZR.10.30"><span class="content">Adna, Kelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui and Manasseh.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="EZR.10.30"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="EZR.10.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Harim:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="EZR.10.31"><span class="content">Eliezer, Ishijah, Malkijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="EZR.10.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">Benjamin, Malluk and Shemariah.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="EZR.10.32"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="EZR.10.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Hashum:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="EZR.10.33"><span class="content">Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh and Shimei.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="EZR.10.33"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="EZR.10.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Bani:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="EZR.10.34"><span class="content">Maadai, Amram, Uel, </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="EZR.10.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">Benaiah, Bedeiah, Keluhi, </span></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="EZR.10.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="content">Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, </span></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="EZR.10.37"><span class="label">37</span><span class="content">Mattaniah, Mattenai and Jaasu.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="EZR.10.37"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="EZR.10.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Binnui:</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">10:37,38 </span><span class="ft">See Septuagint (also 1 Esdras 9:34); Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Jaasu </span><span class="fv">38 </span><span class="fqa">and Bani and Binnui,</span></span></span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="EZR.10.38"><span class="content">Shimei, </span></span><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="EZR.10.39"><span class="label">39</span><span class="content">Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, </span></span><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="EZR.10.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="content">Maknadebai, Shashai, Sharai, </span></span><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="EZR.10.41"><span class="label">41</span><span class="content">Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, </span></span><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="EZR.10.42"><span class="label">42</span><span class="content">Shallum, Amariah and Joseph.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="EZR.10.42"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="EZR.10.43"><span class="label">43</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Nebo:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="EZR.10.43"><span class="content">Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel and Benaiah.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="EZR.10.43"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v44" data-usfm="EZR.10.44"><span class="label">44</span><span class="content">All these had married foreign women, and some of them had children by these wives.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">10:44 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">and they sent them away with their children</span></span></span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkECC">
      <div class="chapter ch8" data-usfm="ECC.8">
         <div class="label">8</div><div class="q1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.8.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Who is like the wise?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.8.1"><span class="content">Who knows the explanation of things?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.8.1"><span class="content">A person&#8217;s wisdom brightens their face</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.8.1"><span class="content">and changes its hard appearance.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Obey the King</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.8.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.8.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Obey the king&#8217;s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.8.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Do not be in a hurry to leave the king&#8217;s presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.8.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Since a king&#8217;s word is supreme, who can say to him, &#8220;What are you doing?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.8.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.8.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.8.5"><span class="content">and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.8.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.8.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.8.6"><span class="content">though a person may be weighed down by misery.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.8.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.8.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Since no one knows the future,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.8.7"><span class="content">who can tell someone else what is to come?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.8.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.8.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">As no one has power over the wind to contain it,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.8.8"><span class="content">so</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">8:8 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">over the human spirit to retain it, / and so</span></span></span><span class="content"> no one has power over the time of their death.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.8.8"><span class="content">As no one is discharged in time of war,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.8.8"><span class="content">so wickedness will not release those who practice it.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.8.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.8.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">8:9 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">to their</span></span></span><span class="content"> hurt. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.8.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Then too, I saw the wicked buried&#8212;those who used to come and go from the holy place and receive praise</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">8:10 </span><span class="ft">Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint (Aquila); most Hebrew manuscripts </span><span class="fqa">and are forgotten</span></span></span><span class="content"> in the city where they did this. This too is meaningless.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.8.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.8.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people&#8217;s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong. </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.8.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.8.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.8.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.8.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.8.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.8.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.8.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the labor that is done on earth&#8212;people getting no sleep day or night&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.8.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkACT">
      <div class="chapter ch12" data-usfm="ACT.12">
         <div class="label">12</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Peter&#8217;s Miraculous Escape From Prison</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ACT.12.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ACT.12.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ACT.12.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ACT.12.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ACT.12.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ACT.12.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ACT.12.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ACT.12.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ACT.12.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. &#8220;Quick, get up!&#8221; he said, and the chains fell off Peter&#8217;s wrists.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ACT.12.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ACT.12.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Then the angel said to him, &#8220;Put on your clothes and sandals.&#8221; And Peter did so. &#8220;Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,&#8221; the angel told him. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ACT.12.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ACT.12.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ACT.12.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ACT.12.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Then Peter came to himself and said, &#8220;Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod&#8217;s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ACT.12.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ACT.12.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ACT.12.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ACT.12.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">When she recognized Peter&#8217;s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, &#8220;Peter is at the door!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ACT.12.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ACT.12.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">&#8220;You&#8217;re out of your mind,&#8221; they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, &#8220;It must be his angel.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ACT.12.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ACT.12.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ACT.12.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. &#8220;Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,&#8221; he said, and then he left for another place.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ACT.12.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ACT.12.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ACT.12.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Herod&#8217;s Death</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ACT.12.19"><span class="content">Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ACT.12.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king&#8217;s country for their food supply.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ACT.12.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ACT.12.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="ACT.12.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">They shouted, &#8220;This is the voice of a god, not of a man.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="ACT.12.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="ACT.12.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="ACT.12.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Barnabas and Saul Sent Off</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="ACT.12.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="ACT.12.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">12:25 </span><span class="ft">Some manuscripts </span><span class="fqa">to</span></span></span><span class="content"> Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.</span></span></div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bk1PE">
      <div class="chapter ch3" data-usfm="1PE.3">
         <div class="label">3</div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="1PE.3.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="1PE.3.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="1PE.3.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="1PE.3.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God&#8217;s sight. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="1PE.3.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1PE.3.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1PE.3.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1PE.3.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Suffering for Doing Good</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1PE.3.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1PE.3.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="1PE.3.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1PE.3.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">For,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1PE.3.10"><span class="content">&#8220;Whoever would love life</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1PE.3.10"><span class="content">and see good days</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1PE.3.10"><span class="content">must keep their tongue from evil</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1PE.3.10"><span class="content">and their lips from deceitful speech.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1PE.3.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1PE.3.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">They must turn from evil and do good;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1PE.3.11"><span class="content">they must seek peace and pursue it.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1PE.3.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="1PE.3.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="1PE.3.12"><span class="content">and his ears are attentive to their prayer,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="1PE.3.12"><span class="content">but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">3:12 </span><span class="ft">Psalm 34:12-16</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="1PE.3.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="1PE.3.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="1PE.3.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. &#8220;Do not fear their threats</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">3:14 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">fear what they fear</span></span></span><span class="content">; do not be frightened.&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">3:14 </span><span class="ft">Isaiah 8:12</span></span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="1PE.3.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="1PE.3.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="1PE.3.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">For it is better, if it is God&#8217;s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="1PE.3.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="1PE.3.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">After being made alive,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">3:18,19 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">but made alive in the spirit, </span><span class="fv">19 </span><span class="fqa">in which also</span></span></span><span class="content"> he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="1PE.3.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="1PE.3.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also&#8212;not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">3:21 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">but an appeal to God for a clear conscience</span></span></span><span class="content"> It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="1PE.3.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">who has gone into heaven and is at God&#8217;s right hand&#8212;with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.</span></span></div>
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