WELS Through my Bible in Three Years

Through My Bible Yr 02 – December 10Daniel 5 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – December 10 Daniel 5 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1210db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible The Handwriting on the Wall at Belshazzar’s Banquet 1 King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and in front of the thousand he drank wine. 2 When he had tasted the wine, Belshazzar said to bring the gold and silver vessels that his father [1] Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines could drink from them. 3 Then they brought the gold vessels that they had taken from the temple, that is, the House of God in Jerusalem. So the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone. 5 At that moment the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, opposite the lampstand, and the king saw the back of the hand that was writing. 6 Then the king’s cheerful appearance changed, his face grew pale, [2] and his thoughts troubled him. His legs went limp, and his knees knocked together. 7 The king called out loudly to bring the spell casters, the astrologers, and the diviners. The king said to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever is able to read this writing and explain its meaning will be clothed in purple, with a gold chain around his neck, and he will rule as third highest in the kingdom.” 8 Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they were not able to read the writing or tell the king what it meant. 9 Then King Belshazzar was really terrified. He grew even paler, and his nobles were perplexed. 10 The queen [3] came to the drinking party [4] because of the words of the king and his nobles. The queen said, “Your Majesty, may you live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, and do not look so frightened. 11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is a spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, enlightenment, insight, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. So King Nebuchadnezzar your father, your father the king, appointed him chief of the magicians, spell casters, astrologers, and diviners, 12 because an outstanding spirit and knowledge and insight in interpreting dreams and explaining riddles and solving knotty problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be summoned, and he will explain the meaning of the writing.” Daniel Interprets the Writing 13 Then Daniel was brought before the king. The king said to Daniel, “Are you Daniel, one of the Judean exiles whom my father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard about you that a spirit of the gods is in you, and enlightenment and insight and outstanding wisdom are found in you. 15 Now, those wise men who are the spell casters were brought before me to read this writing and to make its meaning known to me, but they were not able to explain the meaning of the message. 16 Yet I have heard about you that you are able to explain meanings clearly and to solve knotty problems. Therefore, if you are able to read the writing and make its meaning known to me, you will be clothed in purple, with a gold chain around your neck, and you will rule as the third in the kingdom.” 17 Then Daniel answered the king: Keep your gifts for yourself, or give your rewards to someone else! Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king, and I will make its meaning known to him. 18 As for you, Your Majesty—the Most High God gave the kingdom, greatness, splendor, and glory to Nebuchadnezzar, your father. 19 So because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and were afraid in his presence. He killed whomever he wanted, and he let live whomever he wanted. Also, he promoted anyone he wanted, and he demoted anyone he wanted. 20 But when he thought too much of himself, and his spirit became hardened in pride so that he acted arrogantly, he was deposed from the throne of his kingdom, and his splendor was taken away from him. 21 He was driven away from humans, and his mind was changed to that of an animal. So his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass as bulls are fed, and his body was wet with dew from the sky, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdoms of men, and he raises up over them anyone he desires. 22 But you, his son, Belshazzar, did not humble your heart although you knew all this. 23 Instead, you lifted yourself against the Lord of Heaven. The vessels from his house were brought before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. Then you praised the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, who do not see and do not hear and do not know. But you did not honor the God who holds your breath in his hand and who controls all your ways. 24 So the back of the hand was sent by him, and this writing was inscribed. 25 Now this is the writing that was inscribed: mene mene tekel and parsin 26 This is the meaning of the message: Mene [5] means that God has counted up your kingdom and paid it out or spent it. 27 Tekel [6] means that you have been weighed in the scales, and you are too light. 28 Parsin [7] means that your kingdom has been broken in two and given to the Medes and the Persians. 29 Then Belshazzar spoke, and they dressed Daniel in purple, with a gold chain around his neck, and they made him the third highest ruler in the kingdom. Darius Receives the Kingdom 30 That very night, King Belshazzar the Chaldean was killed. 31 Then Darius the Mede received the kingdom, when he was about sixty-two years old. [8] Footnotes Daniel 5:2 That is, his royal predecessor, not his physical father Daniel 5:6 Literally his brightness changed Daniel 5:10 Perhaps the king’s mother or grandmother, a daughter or granddaughter of Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 5:10 Literally house of drinking Daniel 5:26 Mene means “measured” or “counted” and suggests mina, a unit for weighing money. Daniel 5:27 Tekel means “weighed” and suggests shekel, a unit for weighing money. Daniel 5:28 Parsin means “divided” and suggests half shekel. It also sounds like the word “Persians.” Daniel 5:31 English verse 5:31 is 6:1 in Hebrew. Throughout the rest of chapter 6, the English verse numbers are one number lower than the Hebrew numbers. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – December 09Daniel 4 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – December 09 Daniel 4 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1209db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Nebuchadnezzar’s Letter 1 From King Nebuchadnezzar: [1] To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell on the entire earth: May your peace and prosperity increase. 2 It seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God did for me. 3 How great are his signs!     How mighty are his wonders!     His kingdom is an eternal kingdom,     and his dominion extends from generation to generation. Nebuchadnezzar Seeks the Meaning of His Dream 4 When I, Nebuchadnezzar, was carefree in my house and prospering in my palace, 5 I saw a dream that frightened me. The images I saw while I was on my bed and the visions in my head alarmed me. 6 So I issued a decree to bring before me all of the wise men of Babylon so that they could give the interpretation of the dream and make it known to me. 7 Then the magicians, the spell casters, the astrologers, and the diviners came, and I told them the dream. However, they could not make its meaning known to me. 8 Afterward, Daniel came before me (whose name is Belteshazzar, like the name of my god, and a spirit of the holy gods dwells in him), and I told him the dream. 9 Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that a spirit of the holy gods dwells in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you, take a look at the dream I saw and interpret it for me. 10 I was seeing visions in my head while I was on my bed: There was a tree standing in the middle of the earth, [2] and its height was great. 11 The tree grew and became strong. Its height reached to heaven, and it was visible to the ends of the whole earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, and its fruit was plentiful. On it there was enough food for all. Under the tree the wild animals had shade, and the birds of the air lived in its branches. All living creatures fed themselves from it. 13 I was on my bed, watching the visions in my head, and I saw a watcher, [3] who was a holy one, come down from heaven. 14 He called out loudly, and this is what he said: Chop down the tree and cut off its branches. Strip its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it, and the birds from its branches. 15 However, leave the stump with its root in the ground, with an iron and bronze band around it. Leave it with the grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew from the sky. Let its place be with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let its mind be changed from that of a human, let the mind of an animal be given to it, and let seven times pass over it. 17 The proclamation is a decree of the watchers, and the matter is a command of the holy ones, so that all the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdoms of men. He gives them to whomever he wishes, and he appoints the lowliest men over them. 18 This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now, you, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, because none of the wise men of my kingdom are able to make the meaning known to me. But you are able, because a spirit of the holy gods is in you. Daniel Explains Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream 19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was horrified for a moment, and his thoughts troubled him. The king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream and its meaning trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My Lord, if only the dream were about your enemies and its meaning about your foes!” 20 The tree which you saw grew and became strong. Its height reached to heaven, and it was visible to the whole earth. 21 Its leaves were beautiful, and its fruit was abundant. On it there was food for all. The wild animals lived under it, and the birds of the air lived in its branches. 22 You are the tree, Your Majesty. For you have grown, and you have become great. Your greatness has increased and reached to heaven. Your dominion reaches to the ends of the earth. 23 And you, Your Majesty, saw a watcher, who was a holy one, coming down from heaven, and he said, “Chop down the tree and destroy it. However, leave the stump with its roots in the ground, with an iron and bronze band around it. Let it be with the grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew from the sky. Its place will be with the wild animals, until seven times pass over it.” 24 This is the interpretation, Your Majesty: It is a decree of the Most High that has come upon my lord, the king. 25 You will be driven away from humans, and your dwelling will be with the wild animals. You will have to eat plants as bulls do, and you will be wet with the dew from the sky. Seven times will pass over you until you know that the Most High rules the kingdoms of men, and he gives them to whomever he wishes. 26 Because they said to leave the stump with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will remain yours when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, let my advice be pleasing to you. Break away from your sins with righteousness and from your guilty deeds by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps your prosperity will be extended. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream Is Fulfilled 28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on top of the palace of his kingdom in Babylon. 30 The king said, “Isn’t this the great Babylon that I built for a royal residence by my mighty power and my majestic glory?” 31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice came down from heaven. It said, “It is announced to you, King Nebuchadnezzar: The kingdom has been taken away from you. 32 You will be driven away from humans, and your dwelling will be with the wild animals. Grass will be fed to you as grass is fed to bulls, and seven times will pass over you until you know that the Most High rules the kingdoms of men, and he gives them to whomever he wishes.” 33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar, and he was driven away from humans. So he ate grass as bulls do, and his body was wet with the dew from the sky until his hair grew long like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. 34 At the end of the set time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me. So I blessed the Most High, and I praised and glorified the one who lives forever, because his dominion is an eternal dominion, and his kingdom lasts forever and ever. 35 All of the inhabitants of the earth are considered to be nothing, and he does as he wishes with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. So there is no one who can hold back the hand of the Most High and say to him, “What have you done?” 36 At that time my reason [4] returned to me, and my splendor and glory returned to me for the honor of my kingdom. So my advisors and nobles looked for me. I was reinstated over my kingdom, and I became even more majestic than I was before. 37 Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of Heaven, because all his works are true, and his ways are just. All those who walk in arrogance he is able to humble. Footnotes Daniel 4:1 English 4:1-3 corresponds to 3:31-33 in Hebrew. English 4:4-18 corresponds to 4:1-15 in Hebrew. Daniel 4:10 Or land Daniel 4:13 That is, an angel Daniel 4:36 Or sanity The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – December 08Daniel 3 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – December 08 Daniel 3 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1208db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Nebuchadnezzar’s Command to Worship His Idol 1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue. It was ninety feet tall and nine feet wide. [1] He set it up in the plain of Dura [2] in the province of Babylon. 2 King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all of the rulers of the provinces [3] to come to the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all of the rulers of the provinces assembled for the dedication of King Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. They stood in front of the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 The herald called out loudly, “To you peoples, nations, and languages, this command is given: 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, the flute, the lyre, the harp, the triangular harp, the drum, [4] and all kinds of musical instruments, [5] you will fall down and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.” 7 Therefore, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, the flute, the lyre, the harp, the triangular harp, and all kinds of musical instruments, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshipped the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. The Young Men Remain Faithful 8 At that time, some Chaldeans approached the king and maliciously accused the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your Majesty, [6] may you live forever! 10 You, Your Majesty, gave an order that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, the flute, the lyre, the harp, the triangular harp, the drum, and all kinds of musical instruments must fall down and worship the golden statue, 11 and whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace. 12 There are Jews whom you appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely, Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego. These men do not pay attention to you, Your Majesty. They do not serve your gods, and they do not worship the gold statue that you set up.” 13 Then in a furious rage Nebuchadnezzar said to bring Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods and that you do not worship the golden statue that I set up? 15 Now, if you are ready, at the time when you hear the sound of the horn, the flute, the lyre, the harp, the triangular harp, the drum, and all kinds of musical instruments, you must fall down and worship the statue I made. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace. What god will be able to save you from my hands?” 16 Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “We have no need to answer you about this matter. 17 Since our God, whom we serve, does exist, he is able to save us from the blazing fiery furnace. So, he may save us from your hand, Your Majesty. [7] 18 But if he does not, you should know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods, and we will not worship the golden statue that you set up.” The Young Men Are Miraculously Saved by God 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed against Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego. He said to heat the furnace seven times hotter than it was usually heated. 20 He ordered some men, who were soldiers from his army, to bind Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego in order to throw them into the blazing fiery furnace. 21 So these men were bound in their coats, their pants, their turbans, and their other clothing, and they were thrown into the middle of the blazing fiery furnace. 22 Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace was extremely hot, those men who carried Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego were killed by the intense heat of the fire. 23 But these three men, Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego, who had been tied up, fell into the blazing fiery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was startled and immediately stood up. He said to his advisors, “Didn’t we throw three men, who had been tied up, into the middle of the fire?” They answered the king, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men, who are untied and walking around in the middle of the fire, unharmed. What is more, the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the blazing fiery furnace. He said, “Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!” Then Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego came out from the middle of the furnace. 27 The satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the royal advisors gathered together and looked at these men. The fire had no power over their bodies. Not a hair on their head was singed, their robes were not damaged, and the smell of fire had not stuck to them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego, who sent his angel and saved his servants, who trusted in God and ignored the king’s command. They gave up their bodies and did not pay homage or worship any god except their God. 29 So I have issued an order that every people, nation, and language that speaks any blasphemy against the God of Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego shall be cut to pieces, and his house shall be turned into a pile of rubble, because there is no other god who is able to save like this.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. Footnotes Daniel 3:1 Literally sixty cubits and six cubits Daniel 3:1 Or in the niche in the city wall Daniel 3:2 The precise distinctions between these Aramaic and Persian titles for government officials are uncertain. Daniel 3:5 Or a type of pipe or bagpipes Daniel 3:5 The identification of some of these instruments is uncertain. Daniel 3:9 Literally O King Daniel 3:17 The translation of this verse is difficult. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – December 07Daniel 2:31-49 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – December 07 Daniel 2:31-49 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1207db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Daniel 2 31 You, Your Majesty, were looking, and there was a very great statue. That statue, which was large and extremely bright, was standing in front of you. Its appearance was frightening. 32 The statue looked like this: Its head was fine gold, its chest and its arms were silver, its abdomen and its thighs were bronze, 33 its shins were iron, and its feet were partly iron and partly fired clay. 34 You continued to watch until a stone was cut, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet that were iron and clay, and it smashed them. 35 Then all at once the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed and became like the chaff on the threshing floors of summer. The wind carried them away, and no trace of them could be found. However, the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the entire earth. 36 This is the dream. So now we will interpret its meaning for Your Majesty. 37 You, Your Majesty, are the king of kings to whom the God of Heaven has given a kingdom, power, strength, and glory. 38 Wherever there are people, wild animals, and birds of the air, God has given them into your hand, and he has made you ruler over all of them. You are the head of gold. 39 After you another kingdom will arise that will be inferior to yours. Then another kingdom, a third kingdom of bronze will arise. This kingdom will rule the entire earth. 40 A fourth kingdom will be as strong as iron, since iron crushes and shatters everything. So, like iron that smashes, it will crush and smash all of these other kingdoms. 41 Because you saw feet and toes partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, this will be a divided kingdom. It will have some of the hardness of iron, because you saw iron mixed with common clay. [1] 42 What is more, the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay. This means that part of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will be brittle. 43 You saw iron mixed with common clay. This means that the different parts of the kingdom will be a mixture of different races of people, [2] and they will not remain united to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. 44 In the days of those kings, the God of Heaven will establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not be left to another race of people. It will crush and put an end to all of these kingdoms, but it will stand forever, 45 just as you saw that a stone was cut from the mountain, but not by human hands, and it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to Your Majesty what will happen after this. The dream is sure, and its interpretation is certain. 46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell facedown and paid homage to [3] Daniel. He commanded that a sacrificial gift and incense be offered to him. 47 The king said, “Truly your God is the God of Gods, the Lord of Kings, and the Revealer of Mysteries, because you were able to reveal this mystery.” 48 Then the king promoted Daniel to a high position and gave him many valuable gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 When Daniel requested it, the king appointed Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego over the administration of the province of Babylon. Daniel remained in the royal court. Footnotes Daniel 2:41 Common clay is literally clay of clay, with two different Aramaic words for clay. Daniel 2:43 Literally will be mixed among the seed of man Daniel 2:46 Or worshipped The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – December 06Daniel 2:1-30 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – December 06 Daniel 2:1-30 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1206db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Daniel 2 Nebuchadnezzar Challenges the Wise Men to Explain His Dream 1 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream. His spirit was troubled, but he fell back to sleep again. 2 The king gave orders to summon the magicians, the spell casters, the sorcerers, and the astrologers [1] to relate the king’s dream to him. So they came and stood before the king. 3 The king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit was troubled because I did not understand the dream.” 4 The astrologers said to the king in Aramaic, [2] “Your Majesty, [3] may you live forever! Tell the dream to your servants, and we will explain its meaning.” 5 The king answered the astrologers, “My decision is final. If you do not tell me the dream and what it means, your body shall be cut to pieces, and your houses will be made into a pile of rubble. 6 However, if you explain the dream and its meaning, you will receive gifts, a reward, and great honor from me. So, explain to me the dream and its meaning!” 7 They responded a second time and said, “Let the king tell the dream to his servants, and we will explain its meaning.” 8 The king answered, “Now I know for sure that you are buying time because you see that my decision is final. 9 If you do not make the dream known to me, there is only one decree for you. You have conspired to give me a lying and cheating response until the situation changes. So, tell me the dream, and I will know that you are also able to explain its meaning to me.” 10 The astrologers responded to the king, “There is no person on earth who is able to reveal what the king wants. No great and powerful king has ever asked for a thing like this from any magician, spell caster, or astrologer. 11 The thing that the king is asking is difficult. There is no one who can reveal it to the king except the gods, who do not dwell with mortal flesh.” 12 Because of this the king became very angry. He was enraged and gave orders to put the wise men of Babylon to death. 13 The decree was issued that all the wise men were to be executed. So executioners looked for Daniel and his companions to execute them. God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream to Daniel 14 Then Daniel responded with good judgment and tact to Ariok, the chief of the king’s executioners, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon. 15 He said to Ariok, the king’s officer, “Why is the decree from the king so harsh?” So Ariok explained the situation to Daniel. 16 Daniel then entered the court and asked the king to give him time so that he could reveal the interpretation to the king. 17 Next, Daniel went to his house and explained the situation to Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, his companions. 18 They were to seek mercy from the God of Heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions would not be put to death with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision at night, and Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. [4] 20 Daniel said, May the name of God be blessed forever and ever, because wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and eras. He removes kings, and he brings kings to power. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have good judgment. 22 He reveals deep things and hidden things. He knows what is in the dark, and the light dwells with him. 23 To you, God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, because you have given me wisdom and power. Now you have made known to me what we requested from you, because you have made known to us the thing the king asked about. Daniel Explains Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream 24 As a result of this, Daniel went to Ariok, whom the king had assigned to put the wise men of Babylon to death. Daniel went and said this to him: “Do not put the wise men of Babylon to death. Bring me before the king, and I will explain the meaning to the king.” 25 Then Ariok immediately brought Daniel before the king. This is what Ariok said to the king: “I have found a man from among the Judean exiles who will make the interpretation known to the king.” 26 The king said to Daniel (whose name was Belteshazzar), “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I saw and its meaning?” 27 Daniel answered the king, “The mystery that the king is asking about, no wise men, spell casters, magicians, or diviners are able to explain it to the king. 28 However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. This is your dream; the visions in your head while you were on your bed were this: 29 For you, Your Majesty, while you were on your bed, thoughts arose about things that will come after this, and the Revealer of Mysteries made known to you what will happen. 30 But the reason that this mystery was revealed to me was not because I have more wisdom in me than any other living being. Rather, it was revealed to me so that the meaning could be made known to Your Majesty and so that you may know the thoughts of your heart. Footnotes Daniel 2:2 In the book of Daniel there are two homonyms, both pronounced kasdim. One word refers to a type of astronomer/astrologer. The other word refers to the Chaldeans, the ethnic group that ruled Babylon. In most cases the context indicates the correct meaning. Daniel 2:4 The text of Daniel is written in Aramaic from this point through the end of chapter 7. Daniel 2:4 Literally O King Daniel 2:19 The God of Heaven is the common title for the Lord in Daniel. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – December 05Daniel 1 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – December 05 Daniel 1 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1205db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Daniel Is Taken to Babylon 1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand, along with some of the vessels of the House of God, and he brought them to the land of Shinar, [1] into the house of his god. He brought the vessels into the treasury of his god. 3 The king told Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, [2] to bring some young Israelite men from the royal family or from the nobility. 4 He was to choose young men who had no blemish, who were good looking, who had insight into all kinds of wisdom, who possessed knowledge, understanding, and learning, and who were capable of serving in the king’s palace, in order to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. [3] 5 The king assigned them daily rations from the special royal food and from the king’s own wine. He ordered that they should be trained for three years. At the end of training they were to serve the king. 6 In this group of young men were the Judeans Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 The chief of the officials gave them new names. He gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar, Hananiah the name Shadrak, Mishael the name Meshak, and Azariah the name Abednego. The Young Men Are Steadfast in Their Faith 8 Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the special food of the king or with the wine that he drank. So he sought permission from the chief official, so that he would not have to defile himself. 9 God made the chief of the officials favorable and sympathetic toward Daniel. 10 Then the chief of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink. Why should he see your faces looking less healthy than those of the other young men who are your age? You put my life at risk before the king.” 11 Daniel said to the superintendent whom the chief of the officials had placed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days. Tell them to give us only vegetables, and we will eat them and drink water. 13 Observe our appearance and the appearance of the young men who eat the special royal food. Then deal with your servants based on what you see.” 14 So he listened to what they said about this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days, their appearance was noticeably better than that of the others. They were healthier than any of the young men who had been eating the special royal food. 16 So the superintendent permanently took away the special royal food and the wine they were to drink and gave them only vegetables. 17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and insight into all kinds of literature, as well as wisdom. In addition, Daniel also understood every kind of vision and dream. 18 At the end of the time which the king had set for them to be brought to him, the chief of the officials brought them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king spoke with them, and none of the others were found to be comparable to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they served the king. 20 In every matter concerning wisdom and understanding that the king sought from them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians [4] and spell casters in his entire kingdom. 21 So Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. Footnotes Daniel 1:2 That is, Babylon Daniel 1:3 The term may refer to eunuchs, but it is not limited to this meaning. Daniel 1:4 The Chaldeans were the ethnic group ruling Babylon. Daniel 1:20 The distinctions between the various kinds of occult practitioners are unclear. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – December 04Jude 1:17-25 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – December 04 Jude 1:17-25 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1204db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Jude 1 Keep Yourselves in God’s Love 17 But you, dear friends, remember the words that were spoken earlier by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers who follow their own ungodly lusts.” [1] 19 These are the people who cause divisions. They are worldly because they do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, continue to build yourselves up in your most holy faith as you keep praying in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God’s love as you continue to wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, which results in eternal life. 22 Show mercy to those who are wavering. [2] 23 Save others by snatching them out of the fire. Show mercy to still others with fear, [3] hating even the clothing that is stained by the flesh. 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you faultless in the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only [4] God, our Savior, be glory, majesty, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all time, now, and to all eternity. Amen. Footnotes Jude 1:18 See 2 Peter 3:3; also 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Jude 1:22 Or disputing, or doubting Jude 1:23 A few witnesses to the text omit Show mercy to still others with fear. Jude 1:25 A few witnesses to the text add wise. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – December 03Jude 1:1-16 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – December 03 Jude 1:1-16 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1203db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Jude 1 Greeting Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, who are loved [1] in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Ungodly Teachers Who Slipped In Secretly 3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you concerning the salvation we share, I felt it was necessary for me to write, to urge you to continue to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once and for all. 4 For certain individuals slipped in secretly, about whom it was written some time ago that they are condemned. They are ungodly people who turn the grace of our God into a license for sin and deny our only Master [2] and Lord, Jesus Christ. 5 I want to remind you, though you already know all these things, that after the Lord [3] rescued his people out of the land of Egypt, he later destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their position of authority but left their own dwelling place behind—God has kept them in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day. 7 Like Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who in a similar way indulged in extreme sexual immorality and pursued homosexual perversion, [4] they serve as an example of those who are going to suffer the punishment of eternal fire. 8 Yet, in the very same way, these dreamers are defiling the flesh, despising authority, and blaspheming glorious ones. 9 But when the archangel Michael was disputing with the Devil and arguing about the body of Moses, he did not dare to bring a blasphemous condemnation against him. Instead he said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these people do not understand what they are blaspheming. They are being destroyed by the very things that they know by instinct (like unreasoning animals). 11 Woe to them! They have gone the way of Cain. They have abandoned themselves for hire to the error of Balaam. They perished in Korah’s rebellion. 12 These people are filthy stains on [5] your love feasts when they eat with you without fear, shepherding themselves. They are clouds without rain, being driven along by the winds. They are autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots. 13 They are wild waves of the sea piling up the foam of their own shame. They are wandering stars for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved for eternity. 14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied about these people, saying, “Look, the Lord is going to come with tens of thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment against all of them and to convict every soul concerning all their ungodly deeds, which they did in an ungodly way, and concerning all the harsh words that ungodly sinners spoke against him.” 16 These are discontented grumblers, who walk according to their lusts, and their mouths speak boastful things as they flatter others to take advantage of them. Footnotes Jude 1:1 A few witnesses to the text read sanctified. (“Witnesses to the text” mentioned in footnotes may include Greek manuscripts, lectionaries, translations, and quotations in the church fathers.) Jude 1:4 A few witnesses to the text add God. Jude 1:5 A few witnesses to the text read Jesus. Jude 1:7 Or went after unnatural flesh. See Genesis 19:4-9. Jude 1:12 Or hidden hazards at The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – December 022 Peter 3:11-18 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – December 02 2 Peter 3:11-18 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1202db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible 2 Peter 3 11 Therefore, [1] since all these things will be destroyed, what kind of people ought you to be, living in holiness and godliness, 12 as you look forward to and hasten the coming of the day of God? That day will cause the heavens to be set on fire and destroyed, and the elements to melt as they burn with great heat. 13 But according to his promise we look forward to new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, dear friends, as you look forward to these things, make every effort to be found in peace, spotless and blameless in his sight. 15 Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our dear brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom that was given to him. 16 He spoke about these things the same way in all of his letters. There are some matters that are hard to understand in his letters, which the ignorant and unstable distort, as they also do with the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Conclusion 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you do not fall from your own firm position by being led astray through the error of the wicked. 18 Instead grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, both now and forever. Amen. Footnotes 2 Peter 3:11 Some witnesses to the text omit Therefore and read in this way after destroyed. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – December 012 Peter 3:1-10 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – December 01 2 Peter 3:1-10 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1201db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible 2 Peter 3 The Destruction of the World Is Coming 1 Dear friends, this is now the second letter that I have written to you. I wrote both of them to stir up your sincere mind with a reminder 2 for you to remember the words spoken earlier by the holy prophets and the command of the Lord and Savior through your apostles. 3 First, know this: In the last days scoffers will come with their mocking, following their own lusts. 4 They will say, “Where is this promised coming of his? For from the time that our fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they have from the beginning of the creation.” 5 You see, what they are intentionally forgetting is that the heavens came into existence long ago by the word of God and that the earth came together out of the water and between the waters. [1] 6 Through these waters the former world perished, when it was flooded with water. 7 And now, by that same word, the heavens and earth have been stored up for fire, since they are being kept until the day of judgment and the destruction of the ungodly. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: For the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to do what he promised, as some consider slowness. Instead, he is patient for your sakes, [2] not wanting anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance. Live a Holy Life 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. [3] On that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, the elements will be dissolved as they burn with great heat, and the earth and what was done on it will be burned up. [4] Footnotes 2 Peter 3:5 See Genesis 1:7; 7:11. 2 Peter 3:9 Some witnesses to the text read with you; other witnesses read with us. 2 Peter 3:10 A few witnesses to the text add in the night. 2 Peter 3:10 Some witnesses to the text read will be exposed. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – November 302 Peter 2 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – November 30 2 Peter 2 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1130db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible A Warning About False Teachers 1 There were false prophets also among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved ways, and because of them the way of the truth will be blasphemed. 3 In their greed they will exploit you with fabricated messages. Their condemnation announced long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. God Will Punish These False Teachers 4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned but handed them over to chains [1] of darkness by casting them into hell, to be kept under guard for judgment; 5 and if God did not spare the ancient world but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, along with seven others when he brought a flood on the world of ungodly people; 6 and if God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, [2] by turning them into ashes when he made them an example of things to come for the ungodly; [3] 7 and if he rescued righteous Lot, who was very distressed by the unrestrained immorality of the wicked people 8 (while that righteous man was living among them, he was tormented in his righteous soul day after day by the lawless deeds he saw and heard); 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to keep the unrighteous under guard until the day of judgment, in order to punish them. 10 This is especially true of those who follow the defiling lust of the flesh and who despise authority. Daring and arrogant, they do not tremble when they blaspheme glorious beings, 11 whereas angels, even though they are greater in strength and power, do not bring a slanderous judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these people blaspheme in matters about which they are ignorant, just like unreasoning creatures that live by instinct and are born to be captured and destroyed. So they too will be destroyed as a consequence of their destructive activity. 13 They will be paid back [4] for the harm they cause. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, who take delight in their deceitful pleasures [5] while they feast with you. 14 They have eyes full of longing for adulterous women and sins that never stop. They seduce unstable souls. They have trained their hearts for greed. They are children who are cursed. 15 They left the right way and went astray, following the path of Balaam, son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. 16 (He was rebuked for his disobedience. A donkey, which does not talk, spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.) 17 These men are wells without water, clouds driven away by a windstorm, for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved. [6] 18 For by uttering arrogant, empty words, they use the depraved lusts of the flesh to seduce those who are barely [7] escaping from those who live in error. 19 While they promise these people freedom, they themselves are slaves to corruption, for a person is a slave to what has control of him. The Tragedy of Being Led Back Into a Sinful Life 20 Indeed, if, after escaping the defiling things of the world through the knowledge of our [8] Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and controlled by them again, they are worse off than they were at first. 21 In fact, it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command passed on to them. 22 They demonstrate the truth of the proverb: “A dog returns to its own vomit,” [9] and a washed sow returns to wallowing in the mud. Footnotes 2 Peter 2:4 Some witnesses to the text read dungeons. 2 Peter 2:6 A few witnesses omit to destruction. 2 Peter 2:6 Some witnesses to the text read an example of the people who are going to be ungodly. 2 Peter 2:13 A few witnesses to the text read They will suffer harm as the wages. 2 Peter 2:13 A few witnesses to the text read their love feasts. 2 Peter 2:17 Some witnesses to the text add forever. 2 Peter 2:18 Some witnesses to the text read actually. 2 Peter 2:20 Some witnesses to the text omit our. It would be replaced by the. 2 Peter 2:22 Proverbs 26:11 The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – November 292 Peter 1:12-21 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – November 29 2 Peter 1:12-21 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1129db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible 2 Peter 1 12 That is why I intend [1] always to keep reminding you of these things, even though you already know them and are established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to keep you wide awake by reminding you, 14 because I know that the putting off of my tent is going to happen soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 I will also make every effort so that after my departure you always have a reminder of these things. We Have God’s Inspired Word 16 To be sure, we were not following cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the powerful appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father, when the voice came to him from within the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” [2] 18 We heard this voice, which came out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 We also have the completely reliable prophetic word. You do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts, 20 since we know this above all else: No prophecy of Scripture comes about from someone’s own interpretation. 21 In fact, no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but men spoke from God [3] as they were being carried along by the Holy Spirit. Footnotes 2 Peter 1:12 A few witnesses to the text read I will not neglect. 2 Peter 1:17 Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35 2 Peter 1:21 Some witnesses to the text read holy men of God spoke. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – November 282 Peter 1:1-11 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – November 28 2 Peter 1:1-11 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1128db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible 2 Peter 1 Greeting 1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained the same kind of faith as ours in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus [1] our Lord. Keep on Growing 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own [2] glory and excellence. 4 Through these he has given us his precious and great promises so that through them you may share in the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that sinful lust causes in the world. 5 And, for this very reason, after applying every effort, add moral excellence to your faith. To moral excellence, add knowledge. 6 To knowledge, add self-control. To self-control, add patient endurance. To patient endurance, add godliness. 7 To godliness, add brotherly affection. And to brotherly affection, add love. 8 For if you have these qualities and they are increasing, they are going to keep you from being idle or unfruitful in regard to your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 Indeed, the person who lacks these qualities is shortsighted and, in fact, blind, because he has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Make Your Calling and Election Sure 10 Therefore, brothers, [3] be more eager to make your calling and election sure for yourselves. [4] For if you do these things, you will never stumble. 11 In fact, in this way you will be richly supplied with an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Footnotes 2 Peter 1:2 Some witnesses to the text add Christ. (“Witnesses to the text” mentioned in footnotes may include Greek manuscripts, lectionaries, translations, and quotations in the church fathers.) 2 Peter 1:3 Some witnesses to the text omit his own. 2 Peter 1:10 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female. 2 Peter 1:10 Some witnesses to the text add by good works. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – November 27Song of Songs 8:5-14 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – November 27 Song of Songs 8:5-14 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1127db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Song of Songs 8 The Friends 5 5a Who is this woman coming up from the wilderness,     leaning on her lover? The Wealth of Our House The Woman 5b Under the apple tree I roused you. There your mother conceived you. There she who gave birth to you was in labor. 6 Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm, because love is as strong as death. Its passion is as relentless as the grave. Its flames are flames of fire, a mighty blaze. [1] 7 Many waters cannot quench such love. Rivers cannot wash it away. If a man were to offer all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned. The Brothers. . .Decorated With Silver The Brothers 8 We have a little sister. She has no breasts. What shall we make for our sister     on the day she is spoken for? 9 If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar. My Own Vineyard The Woman 10 I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes     like one who delivers contentment. 11 Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon. He leased his vineyard to tenants. Each was to bring for its fruit     a thousand shekels of silver. 12 But my own vineyard is before me. The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit. The Last Call to Love The Man 13 You who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice! Run Away With Me The Woman 14 Run away, my love, and be like a gazelle, or like a young buck on the mountains of spices. Footnotes Song of Songs 8:6 With alternate word division the text may be read the blaze of Yah. Yah is a short form of the divine name often written Yahweh. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – November 26Song of Songs 6:4 – 8:4 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – November 26 Song of Songs 6:4 – 8:4 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1126db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Song of Songs 6 You Are Beautiful The Man 4 You are as beautiful, my darling, as Tirzah, [1] lovely as Jerusalem, majestic as troops with banners. 5 Turn your eyes away from me, because they arouse me. Your hair is like a flock of goats flowing down from Gilead. 6 Your teeth are like a flock of ewes coming up from the washing. Each has its twin. Not one of them is alone. 7 Your cheeks behind your veil are like the halves of a pomegranate. 8 There may be sixty queens, and eighty concubines, and virgins beyond number, 9 but my dove, my perfect one, is one of a kind. She is the only daughter of her mother, pure to the one who bore her. The girls saw her and called her blessed. The queens and concubines also praised her. The Friends 10 Who is this woman that appears like the dawn, beautiful as the moon, clear as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession? A Puzzling Interlude The Woman or The Man [2] 11 I went down to the grove of nut trees, to look at the new growth in the valley, to see whether the vines had budded,     whether the pomegranates had blossomed. 12 Before I realized it, my desire set me among the chariots of my willing people. [3] Beautiful From Bottom to Top The Friends 13 Turn back, turn back, O Shulammite. Turn back, turn back, so that we may look at you! [4] The Woman [5] Song of Songs 7 1 Why would you look at the Shulammite.     as at the dance of Mahanaim? [6] The Friends or The Man 2 How beautiful are your feet in sandals,     O prince’s daughter! Your hips are curved like a necklace, the work of the hands of a craftsman. 3 Your navel is a round mixing bowl. It never lacks blended wine. Your belly is a mound of wheat, encircled by lilies. 4 Your two breasts are like two fawns,     twins of a gazelle. 5 Your neck is like an ivory tower. Your eyes are the pools in Heshbon,     by the gate of Bat Rabbim. [7] Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon,     overlooking Damascus. 6 Your head rises above you like Mount Carmel. The flowing hair of your head is like purple. The king is captivated by its curls. The Man 7 How beautiful you are and how pleasing, O loved one, daughter of delights! [8] 8 Your height is like that of the date palm, and your breasts like clusters of fruit. 9 I said, “I will climb the date palm. I will take hold of its bunches of fruit.” May your breasts be like the clusters of the vine, the fragrance of your breath like apples, 10a and your mouth like the best wine— The Woman 10b —flowing to my lover, gliding smoothly over lips and teeth. [9] 11 I belong to my lover, and his desire is for me. 12 Come, my lover, let us go to the fields. Let us spend the night in the villages. 13 Let us go early to the vineyards. We will see if the vines have budded, if their blossoms have opened, if the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give my love to you. The mandrakes send out their fragrance. At our door is every delicacy, new as well as old, that I have stored up for you, my lover. He Embraces Me The Woman Song of Songs 8 1 I wish that you were like a brother to me, who was nursed at my mother’s breasts. Then if I would meet you in public, I could kiss you, and no one would despise me. 2 I would lead you. I would bring you to my mother’s house     where she used to teach me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the juice of my pomegranates. 3 His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me. 4 Daughters of Jerusalem, you must swear that you will not arouse or awaken love     until it so desires. Footnotes Song of Songs 6:4 Tirzah is a city in Israel. Its name means delightful. Song of Songs 6:11 The identity of the speaker of these verses is uncertain. Song of Songs 6:12 This is a difficult verse of uncertain meaning. Song of Songs 6:13 English verse 6:13 is 7:1 in Hebrew. In the rest of chapter 7, the English verse numbers are one lower than the Hebrew verse numbers. Song of Songs 7:1 The identity of the speaker of this verse is uncertain. Song of Songs 7:1 Mahanaim is the name of a city. It means two camps. Here the term may refer to two lines of dancers. Song of Songs 7:5 Bat Rabbim means Daughter of Nobles. Song of Songs 7:7 The translation follows a textual variant supported by the ancient versions. The Hebrew text reads O love, with delights. Song of Songs 7:10 The reading lips and teeth is well attested by the ancient versions. The Hebrew reads lips of sleepers. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – November 25Song of Songs 5:2 – 6:3 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – November 25 Song of Songs 5:2 – 6:3 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1125db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Song of Songs 5 At Night. . .the Watchmen The Woman 2 I was sleeping but my heart was awake. A sound! My lover is knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my perfect one, because my head is soaked with dew, my locks with the dampness of the night.” 3 “I have taken off my robe. Why should I get dressed again? I have washed my feet. Why should I get them dirty again?” 4 My lover thrust his hand through the opening in the door. My feelings were aroused for him. 5 I arose to open for my lover. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with flowing myrrh, on the handles of the lock. 6 I opened for my lover, but my lover had left. He was gone. My spirits sank when he left. [1] I looked for him but did not find him. I called him, but he did not answer. 7 The watchmen who patrol the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. They took my shawl away from me,     those watchmen of the walls! 8 Daughters of Jerusalem, you must swear to me— if you find my lover— what will you tell him? —that I am sick with love. The Friends 9 What makes your lover better than any other lover, most beautiful of women? What makes your lover better than any other lover, that you make us swear in this way? My Lover Is Radiant The Woman 10 My lover is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand. 11 His head is the best gold, the purest gold. His locks are wavy, black as a raven. 12 His eyes are like doves by streams of water. They are washed in milk. They are set in sockets. 13 His cheeks are like a bed of spice, like towers of perfumes. His lips are lilies, dripping with liquid myrrh. 14 His arms are rods of gold, set with topaz. [2] His stomach is like polished ivory, decorated with sapphires. [3] 15 His thighs are pillars of marble, [4] set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as cedars. 16 His mouth is so sweet. He is completely desirable. This is my lover. This is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. The Friends Song of Songs 6 1 Where has your lover gone, most beautiful of women? Where did your lover turn? We will look for him with you. I Am His. He Is Mine. The Woman 2 My lover has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to browse in the gardens, and to gather lilies. 3 I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine. He browses among the lilies. Footnotes Song of Songs 5:6 Or when he spoke Song of Songs 5:14 The identification of this gem is uncertain. Song of Songs 5:14 Perhaps lapis lazuli Song of Songs 5:15 Or alabaster The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – November 24Song of Songs 3:6 – 5:1 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – November 24 Song of Songs 3:6 – 5:1 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1124db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Song of Songs 3 Who Is This? The Friends and Other Bystanders 6 Who is this woman coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and with incense, made from all the fragrant powders of the merchant? 7 Look! It’s Solomon’s own carriage. [1] Sixty warriors surround it, the most heroic of Israel, 8 all of them wearing a sword, all trained for battle, each man with his sword at his side, ready for the terrors of the night. 9 This palanquin [2] King Solomon made for himself     out of wood from Lebanon. 10 Its posts he made of silver. Its base he made of gold. Its seat was upholstered with purple. Its interior was inlaid with love [3]     by the daughters of Jerusalem. 11 Come out, you daughters of Zion, and look at King Solomon wearing the crown, the crown with which his mother crowned him     on the day of his wedding,     on the day his heart rejoiced. Beautiful From Top to Bottom The Man Song of Songs 4 1 Look at you. You are beautiful, my darling! Look at you. You are beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats which flows down from Mount Gilead. 2 Your teeth are like a flock, ready to be sheared, which comes up from the washing. Each is a twin. Not one of them is left by itself. 3 Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon. Your mouth is lovely. Your cheeks behind your veil are like the halves of a pomegranate. 4 Like the tower of David, your neck is adorned with rows of stones. [4] A thousand shields hang on it, all of them the equipment of warriors. 5 Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, that browse among the lilies. 6 Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, I will go to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of incense. 7 You are altogether beautiful, my darling. There is no flaw in you. Spices and Wine, Milk and Honey The Man 8 Come with me from Lebanon, my bride. With me from Lebanon, come. Descend from the top of Amana, from the top of Senir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, and from the mountains of the leopards. 9 You have stirred my heart, my sister, my bride. You have stirred my heart     with one, just one of your eyes,     with one jewel of your necklace. 10 How delightful it is to experience your love,     my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice! 11 Your lips drip like a honeycomb, my bride. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments     is like the fragrance of Lebanon. 12 You are an enclosed garden, my sister, my bride. You are an enclosed spring, [5] a sealed fountain. 13 Your plants are an orchard, pomegranates with other choice fruits, henna with nard, 14 nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices. 15 You are a garden fountain, a well of water flowing and streaming down from Lebanon. Come Into Your Garden The Woman 16 Arise, north wind! Come, south wind! Blow on my garden, so that its spices spread abroad. Let my lover come into his garden, and eat its choice fruits. I Have Come Into My Garden The Man Song of Songs 5 1 I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice. I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey. I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat and Drink The Friends Address the Couple [6] Eat, friends! Drink! Be intoxicated with love! Footnotes Song of Songs 3:7 Carriage here does not refer to a wheeled vehicle but to a portable chair or couch carried by porters. Song of Songs 3:9 A palanquin is a fancy chair or couch on which a dignitary is carried. The Hebrew word is as exotic as palanquin is. Song of Songs 3:10 Or perhaps the term refers to a type of leather. Song of Songs 4:4 Or adorned with elegance. The meaning is uncertain. Song of Songs 4:12 The meaning of the word gal translated spring is uncertain. The parallelism with fountain supports the translation spring. Song of Songs 5:1 The identity of the speaker and addressees is uncertain. Perhaps the man is speaking to some bystanders. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – November 23Song of Songs 2:8 – 3:5 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – November 23 Song of Songs 2:8 – 3:5 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1123db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Song of Songs 2 Let Us Go to the Country The Woman 8 Listen! It’s my lover! Look! Here he comes, leaping on the mountains, bounding over the hills. 9 My lover is like a gazelle, or like a young buck. Look! There he is, standing behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peeking through the lattice. 10 My lover responded and said to me, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come.” The Man 11 Look! Winter is over. The rainy season has come to an end. 12 Flowers appear in the land. The season of singing has arrived. The cooing of the turtledove is heard in our land. 13 The fruit of the fig tree is beginning to ripen. The grapevines are in blossom. They spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling. My beautiful one, come. Let Me See You! The Man 14 My dove is in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside. Let me see how you look. Let me hear your voice, because your voice is pleasant, and you are lovely to look at. Foxes in Our Vineyard To the Workers 15 Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in blossom. My Lover Is Mine The Woman 16 My lover is mine and I am his. He browses among the lilies. 17 Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, turn, my lover, and be like a gazelle, or like a young buck on the divided mountains. [1] At Night The Woman Song of Songs 3 1 All night long on my bed I sought the one my soul loves. I sought him, but I did not find him. 2 I will get up now and go around the city. I will go through its markets and squares. I will seek the one my soul loves. I sought him, but I did not find him. 3 The watchmen who patrol the city found me. “Have you seen the one my soul loves?” 4 I had hardly passed them, when I found the one my soul loves. I held him and would not let him go, until I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the room of the one who conceived me. 5 Daughters of Jerusalem, you must swear to me by the gazelles, and by the does of the field, that you will not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. Footnotes Song of Songs 2:17 The term divided mountains may refer to a part of the woman’s body. Some translations avoid the issue by transliterating as mountains of Bether. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – November 22Song of Songs 1:1 – 2:7 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – November 22 Song of Songs 1:1 – 2:7 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1122db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Title Song of Songs 1 1 The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s. Anticipation—Take Me Away The Woman 2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth. Experiencing your love is better than wine. 3 Your perfumes are fragrant. Your name is perfume poured out. [1] That is why the virgins love you! 4 Carry me away with you—let us run. Let the king bring me into his chambers. Best Wishes to the Man The Friends We rejoice and are happy because of you. We celebrate your expressions of love more than we celebrate wine. How right the virgins [2] are to love you! My Own Vineyard The Woman 5 Dark am I, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, dark like the tents of Kedar, like the tent curtains of Solomon. 6 Do not stare at me because I am dark     because the sun gazed at me. My mother’s sons were angry with me. They made me take care of the vineyards. I could not take care of my own vineyard. Escape to the Country The Woman 7 You whom my soul loves, tell me where you pasture your flock, where you rest your sheep at noon. Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your companions? A Reply to the Woman 8 If you do not know, most beautiful of women, go out and follow the tracks of the flock and graze your young goats     by the dwellings of the shepherds. Most Beautiful of Women The Man 9 My darling, I compare you to a mare among the chariots of Pharaoh. 10 Your cheeks are adorned with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels. 11 We will make for you gold earrings decorated with silver. The Woman 12 While the king was at his couch, my nard [3] gave off its fragrance. 13 My lover is to me a sachet of myrrh,     spending the night between my breasts. 14 My lover is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi. Our House The Man 15 How beautiful you are, my darling! How beautiful! Your eyes are doves. The Woman 16 How beautiful you are, my lover. How delightful! Yes, our bed is fresh. 17 The beams of our house are cedar. Our rafters are fir. The Woman Song of Songs 2 1 I am a wildflower [4] of Sharon, [5] a lily of the valleys. The Man 2 Like a lily among thorns, so is my darling among the girls. He Embraces Me The Woman 3 Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my lover among the boys. I desire to sit in his shade. His fruit is sweet to my taste. 4 He has brought me to the reception hall, [6] and his banner over me is love. [7] 5 Strengthen me with raisin cakes. Refresh me with apples, for I am weak from love. 6 His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me. 7 Daughters of Jerusalem, you must swear to me by the gazelles, or by the does of the field, that you will not arouse or awaken love     until it so desires. Footnotes Song of Songs 1:3 The meaning of the Hebrew term oil of Turuq is uncertain. The ancient versions support the meaning oil which is poured out. Song of Songs 1:4 The noun virgins is supplied from verse 3 to make it clear that the man is being addressed. Song of Songs 1:12 Nard, myrrh, and henna are expensive fragrances and cosmetics. Song of Songs 2:1 Traditionally translated rose, but more likely a crocus, daffodil, or lotus. Song of Songs 2:1 Sharon is a region on the coast of Israel. Song of Songs 2:4 Literally house of wine, an expression that speaks of drink more than food Song of Songs 2:4 The meaning of the line is uncertain. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Through My Bible Yr 02 – November 21Ecclesiastes 11:9 – 12:14 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – November 21 Ecclesiastes 11:9 – 12:14 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1121db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Ecclesiastes 11 Advice to the Young 9 Young man, be happy while you are a child, and let your heart make you glad during the days of your youth. Walk down the roads on which your heart leads you and on the way your eyes see—but know that for all these, God will bring you into judgment. 10 Put frustration out of your mind, and ignore the troubles of your body, because youth and the dawn of life are vapor. [1] Ecclesiastes 12 1 So remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the bad days come and the years arrive when you will say,     “I have no delight in them,” 2 before the sun and the light of the moon and the stars are darkened, before the clouds return after the rain, 3 before the day when the watchmen of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent over, and the women who grind grain cease because they are few, and those watching through the windows can barely see. 4 Then the double doors to the street are shut,     as the grinding of the mill grows quiet. A person wakes up at the sound of a bird, but all the sounds of music are muffled. 5 Then they fear heights and terrors along the road. The almond blossoms become white. The grasshopper drags himself along, and the caperberry has no effect. [2] Why? Because the man is heading to his eternal home. Then the wailing mourners will go around in the street. 6 Remember your Creator     before the silver cord is snapped,     and the golden bowl is broken,     before the jar is shattered by the spring,     and the waterwheel is broken by the well, 7     and the dust goes back into the ground—just as it was before,     and the spirit goes back to God who gave it. 8 “Nothing but vapor,” said Ecclesiastes, the speaker. [3] “It is all vapor.” 9 Besides being wise, Ecclesiastes taught the people knowledge, and he weighed, collected, and arranged many proverbs. 10 Ecclesiastes searched to find just the right words. What was written was honest—they were true words. 11 Sayings of wise men are like cattle prods, and those sayings collected by experts are like firmly fixed nails, given by one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything in addition to these. There is no end of making many books, and much study wears out the body. 13 This is the conclusion of the matter. Everything has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments. For mankind, this is everything. [4] 14 Yes, God will bring everything that is done into judgment, including everything that is hidden, whether good or evil. Footnotes Ecclesiastes 11:10 Or because both youth and the coming darkness are vapor Ecclesiastes 12:5 Or the caperberry shrivels up. The caperberry was associated with sexual vitality. Ecclesiastes 12:8 Ecclesiastes is not a personal name, but a title for a person who gathers a group of people to speak to them. The Hebrew word qoheleth here has the definite article, showing that it is a title. Ecclesiastes 12:13 Or this applies to everyone The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo