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  • NL-Day185 1 Kings 19-20; Psalm 121; John 9

    NL-Day185 1 Kings 19-20; Psalm 121; John 9

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    1KINGS 19-20:
    The story we read yesterday in this book is one of the most dramatic in all of Scripture: The time the prophet Elijah confronted King Ahab. Remember that in the New Testament James used this story to encourage us that we are no different than Elijah and that we should pray fervently like him.

    PSALM 121:
    This is another psalm that is frequently sung, even today. Often this whole psalm is set to music. As Olsen says, this psalm lifts the fog from our eyes.

    Re-reading JOHN 9:
    Remember that in John 8 there was a tense standoff between Jesus and the religious leaders. The people took up stones to kill Jesus. John places this story here to illustrate again the opposition to Jesus.

    One of the hardest verses to translate is the very last one in this chapter. That is Jesus’ answer when the Pharisees give this incredulous or rebuking response, “Surely you don't mean that we are blind, too?” The Greek can be translated as in literal versions, “If you were blind, you would have no [sin//guilt]... To say someone has no sin, in English, would mean that they are totally sinless, and that is NOT what Jesus was meaning.

    41 [based on NLT: Jesus replied, “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty [of still sinning], but you remain guilty because you claim you can see.//GNT Jesus answered, “If you were blind, then you would not [be sinning now//be guilty]; but since you claim that you can see, this means that you are [still guilty of sinning//still guilty].”]

    NLT Translation note:
    1Kings 19:10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served [You,/the] LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
    ====
    John 9:28 They [hurled insults at//cursed] him and said, “You are that fellow's disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.
    34 “You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “[And now you think you are smart enough to teach us!//Are you trying to teach us?]” And they threw him out of the synagogue.
    37 “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you [now]!”
    39 Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment— [to cause the blind to see, and to cause those who think that they can see to become blind.”//to give sight to the blind and to _show_ those who think they see that they are blind.”]
    [The word ‘show’ is not in the Greek, and I do not agree with adding it. Unfortunately, on earth at least, only a percentage are shown that they are spiritually blind. The blind often take their blindness to the grave. That is the danger that Jesus is warning the Pharisees about.]
    40 Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and [replied/asked], “Are you saying we’re blind?”
    41 “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty [of still sinning],” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day184 1 Kings 17-18; Psalm 120; John 9

    NL-Day184 1 Kings 17-18; Psalm 120; John 9

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    1KINGS 17-18:
    We've arrived at the narrative of the different kings of Judah (which now includes the smaller tribe of Benjamin) and the kings of Israel (consisting of the 10 other tribes, sometimes called the Northern Kingdom). The kings on Israel’s side changed more rapidly and were 100% bad, while there was a mixed record among the kings of Judah. It will help your understanding to observe the section headings (which I normally do not read), and to try to remember which kingdom is being talked about. Note in yesterday's reading how prophecy was fulfilled again and again. And although Baasha fulfilled the murderous prophecy against the house of Jeroboam, in chapter 16 verse 7, in God’s view the murders he committed were still counted against Baasha as sin. God’s sovereignty and omniscience does not conflict with our own personal responsibility for sin.

    PSALM 120:
    Psalm 120 is the first of the Songs of Ascent. The HCSB Study Bible says this about the Songs of Ascent:

    These psalms were designed for pilgrimage processions to celebrate seasonal feasts in Jerusalem. The hymns contain numerous references to Jerusalem or Zion, the temple, Israel, peace, and adversity. The 15 songs, adapted from ancient hymns heralding the blessings and salvation of Zion, may have been sung on the 15 steps leading up to the temple.

    JOHN 9:
    Ever since I was in high school this has been my favorite chapter of the Bible. This dates from the time that I found a tract from the American Bible Society in the rack in the foyer of our church. So in Indonesia also, I have made this chapter into a little book containing our translation. I like giving this chapter out to people I meet. Why? It is not because it answers people’s questions. It is because this chapter makes people ask the most important questions.

    NLT Translation notes:
    John 9:22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from [all] the synagogue[s].
    23 That’s why they said, “He is old enough. Ask him.”
    26 “But what did he do [to you]?” they asked. “How did he heal you?”
    28 Then they [hurled insults at//cursed] him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses!
    33 If this man were not from God, he couldn’t [do anything like this!//have done it.]”
    34 “You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “[And now you think you are smart enough to teach us!//Are you trying to teach us?]” And they threw him out of the synagogue.
    37 “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you [now]!”
    39 Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment— [to cause the blind to see, and to cause those who think that they can see to become blind.”//to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”]
    [The word ‘show’ is not in the Greek, and I do not agree with adding it. Unfortunately, on earth at least, only a percentage are shown that they are spiritually blind. The blind often take their blindness to the grave. That is the danger that Jesus is warning the Pharisees about.]
    40 Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and [replied/asked], “Are you saying we’re blind?”
    41 “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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  • NL-Day183 1 Kings 15-16; Psalm 119:161-176; John 8:28-59

    NL-Day183 1 Kings 15-16; Psalm 119:161-176; John 8:28-59

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    1KINGS 15-16:
    I think yesterday's story of the ‘man of God from Judah’ and the ‘old prophet from Bethel’ to be one of the most fascinating in the Bible. Prophets who lie will certainly be judged harshly by God! And we will see in 2nd Kings that the prophecy of the unnamed man of God from Judah was completely fulfilled. Also in yesterday’s reading, we heard Ahijah's prophecy against Jeroboam. We also heard of the end of the reign of Rehoboam, Solomon's son. And do you think that Shishak took the ark of the covenant to Egypt?

    PSALM 119:161-176:
    This our last reading in this Psalm. I marked the last two verses from yesterday’s reading:

    Ps. 119:159 See how I love your instructions, Lord.
    Your love never changes, so save me!
    160 GNT The heart of your law is truth,
    and all your righteous judgments are eternal.
    //NLT The very essence of your words is truth;
    all your just regulations will stand forever.

    JOHN 8b:
    The story of the woman caught in adultery shows so many things: Jesus' authority, his wisdom in defeating the Pharisees, his mercy, and that being forgiven does not give one license to continue in sin. Yesterday we also read one of Jesus' seven great ‘I am’ statements found in this Gospel: “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

    NLT Translation notes:
    John 8:9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left [[0//in the middle of the crowd] with the woman.
    [This was new to me today! This is the first time I have noticed that perhaps not everyone left (as I have seen in the movies), but just the accusers. This makes good sense, actually. According to the grammar of Greek, I believe that the previous speakers (the Pharisees) would be the logical subject of ‘hearing this’.]
    28 So Jesus said, “[I am the Son of Man, and] When you have lifted [Me] up [0//the Son of Man] on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he.g I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.
    43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even [listen to//hear me!

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day182 1 Kings 13-14; Psalm 119:145-160; John 8:1-30

    NL-Day182 1 Kings 13-14; Psalm 119:145-160; John 8:1-30

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    1KINGS 13-14:
    Solomon was the wisest of men. So how could he make such stupid choices?! Part of the answer is the corruption caused when one has too much power. And there is something truly sticky about sexual sin. The Lord’s judgment is evident in what happened with the division of the country, and what happened in the northern kingdom. Note also how the people Judah followed all the bad parts of Solomon’s example, which again will lead to judgment.

    PSALM 119:145-160:
    I like the last three verses of yesterday’s reading:

    Ps. 119:142 Your righteousness will last forever,
    and your law is always true.
    143 I am filled with trouble and anxiety,
    but your commandments bring me joy.
    144 Your instructions are always just;
    give me understanding, and I shall live.

    JOHN 8a:
    The temple guards were ordered to arrest Jesus, but when they came back empty handed they simply said, “We have never heard anyone speak like this.”

    NLT Translation notes:
    1Kings 13:15 Then [the old prophet//he] said to the man of God, “Come home with me and eat some food.”
    29 So the [old] prophet laid the body of the man of God on the donkey and took it back to the town to mourn over him and bury him.
    31 Afterward the [old] prophet said to his sons, “When I die, bury me in the grave where the man of God is buried. Lay my bones beside his bones.
    ====
    John 8:9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left [[0//in the middle of the crowd] with the woman.
    [This was new to me today! This is the first time I have noticed that perhaps not everyone left (as I have seen in the movies), but just the accusers. This makes good sense, actually. According to the grammar of Greek, I believe that the previous speakers (the Pharisees) would be the logical subject of ‘hearing this’.]
    28 So Jesus said, “[I am the Son of Man, and] When you have lifted [Me] up [0//the Son of Man] on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.
    43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even [listen to//hear me!

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day181 1 Kings 11-12; Psalm 119:129-144; John 7:25-53

    NL-Day181 1 Kings 11-12; Psalm 119:129-144; John 7:25-53

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    1KINGS 11-12:
    Yesterday we heard interesting glimpses of Solomon's international relations and commerce. Notably, the queen of Sheba came to listen to Solomon's wisdom and to ask questions of him.

    PSALM 119:129-144:
    How precious the Word of God is to us! A favorite verse from yesterday’s portion is verse 127: “I love your commands more than gold, more than the finest gold.

    JOHN 7b:
    We left the story in John 7 yesterday with Jesus already having some hot exchanges with the people at the Festival of Shelters. Today we will hear Jesus shouting to the crowds at the festival, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” It is likely that Jesus waited for the climax of the festival to give that message— when water was poured out before the Lord.

    NLT Translation note:
    John 7:33 But Jesus told [the crowd//them], “I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me.

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day180 1 Kings 9-10; Psalm 119:113-128; John 7:1-24

    NL-Day180 1 Kings 9-10; Psalm 119:113-128; John 7:1-24

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    1KINGS 9-10:
    The temple was completed! And yesterday we heard Solomon’s very wise prayer asking God to fulfill his promises and help the people of Israel. In his prayer, he recognized that the people of Israel would not be able to remain faithful to the Lord, but that they would sin and then need to repent. Solomon asked God to forgive and to hear the people in situations of sin and desperation because of the Lord's punishment upon them.

    PSALM 119:113-128:
    Yesterday we read one of the frequently memorized verses from this psalm:

    Ps. 119:105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
    and a light for my path.

    JOHN 7a:
    I hope you noticed the deep meaning in John 6:56 and the application which Jesus’ listeners could not understand— that is to the Lord's Supper. Jesus says,

    “Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains [joined to//united with//in] me, and I [remain joined to//united with//in] him.” (NLT)

    This is the same meaning of ‘in Him’ that we will see in John chapter 15. And Jesus also said,

    58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but [anyone who eats this bread] will live forever.”

    And Peter made one of his best and most quotable statements when Jesus asked the twelve if they also would leave:

    68 
 Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

    NLT Translation note:
    John 7:33 But Jesus told [the crowd//them], “I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me.

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day179 1 Kings 8; Psalm 119:97-112; John 6:25-71

    NL-Day179 1 Kings 8; Psalm 119:97-112; John 6:25-71

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    1KINGS 8:
    Yesterday we heard lots and lots of details about the building of the temple. A man from Tyre, Huram, must have been an efficient and artistic technician in working with bronze casting. He corresponds to the two craftsmen who designed and constructed the first tabernacle.

    PSALM 119:97-112:
    Again we are focussing on what God’s Word means to us. A favorite verse from yesterday’s portion is verse 89:

    Ps. 119:89 “Your word, O Lord, will last forever; it is eternal in heaven.”

    JOHN 6b:
    There is an important play on words between Jesus and the crowd in Capernaum which does not come out clearly in either the NLT or the GNT. It involves the word ‘work’. Observe verses 27-29:

    John 6:27 NLT [Don’t//But don’t] be so concerned about perishable things like food. [Work instead to gain//Spend your energy seeking] the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

    John 6:27 GNT Do not work for food that spoils; instead, work for the food that lasts for eternal life. This is the food which the Son of Man will give you, because God, the Father, has put his mark of approval on him.”
    28So they asked him, “What [work] can we do in order to do [the work//what] God wants us to do?”
    29 Jesus answered, “[The work//What] God wants you to do is to believe in [me,] the one [whom] he sent.”

    The irony captured in this play on words is that normally the act of believing is not considered a ‘work’. In fact, in later NT writings there is a strong contrast between working for salvation vs. believing for salvation. (As we have said before, this is not really a contradiction.) I bring this up to remind us that ‘believing’ is an act of the will. It is something one can choose to do, and therefore it can be called a ‘work’.

    NLT Translation notes:
    John 6:27 [Don’t//But don’t] be so concerned about perishable things like food. [Work instead to gain//Spend your energy seeking] the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
    53 So Jesus said again, “I [, the Son of Man,] tell you the truth, unless you eat [my flesh//the flesh of the Son of Man] and drink [My/his] blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.
    56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains [joined to//in] me, and I [remain joined to//in] him.
    62 Then what will you think if you see [Me, the Son of Man, ascending//the Son of Man ascend] to heaven again?
    68 Simon [who is also called] Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
    71 He was speaking of Judas, son of [the] Simon [that was from the village of Cariot//Iscariot], one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day178 1 Kings 6-7; Psalm 119:81-96; John 6:1-40

    NL-Day178 1 Kings 6-7; Psalm 119:81-96; John 6:1-40

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    1KINGS 6-7:
    Yesterday we heard of the incredible size and wealth of Solomon's dominion. His wisdom in organization is evident. During his reign, Israel was prosperous as never before or afterward. Solomon contracted with King Hiram of Sidon to get the materials needed for the construction of the temple.

    PSALM 119.81-96:
    God is telling us how important His Word is! Here are two favorite verses from yesterday’s reading:

    Ps. 119:72 The law that you gave means more to me than all the money in the world.
    78 May the proud be ashamed for falsely accusing me; as for me, I will meditate on your instructions.

    JOHN 6a:
    In John yesterday we heard of Jesus' relationship with God, His Father, and that God has given authority to the Son to judge all mankind. The Son has also been given the authority to give life after death. Jesus talked about the various entities who witness or give testimony about Himself. This is important because in Jewish Law and culture, assertions needed to be supported by at least two witnesses. The witnesses who support Jesus are John the Baptist, his miracles, his teachings, and in the background, his Father and Moses.

    GNT Translation notes:
    John 6:28 Jesus answered, “What God wants you to do is to believe in [Me,] the one He sent.”

    NLT Translation notes:
    John 6:27 [Don’t//But don’t] be so concerned about perishable things like food. [Work instead to gain//Spend your energy seeking] the eternal life that the Son of Manf can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
    53 So Jesus said again, “I [, the Son of Man,] tell you the truth, unless you eat [my flesh//the flesh of the Son of Man] and drink [My/his] blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.
    56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains [joined to//in] me, and I [remain joined to//in] him.
    62 Then what will you think if you see [Me, the Son of Man, ascending//the Son of Man ascend] to heaven again?
    68 Simon [who is also called] Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
    71 He was speaking of Judas, son of [the] Simon [that was from the village of Cariot//Iscariot], one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day177 1 Kings 4-5; Psalm 119:65-80; John 5:24-47

    NL-Day177 1 Kings 4-5; Psalm 119:65-80; John 5:24-47

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    1KINGS 4-5:
    Yesterday we heard David's final instructions to Solomon. They contained a few messy details, and Solomon managed to finish all of those issues. David noted Solomon's wisdom as he gave him those instructions, and later Solomon (at his finest hour) asked God for wisdom to rule the nation of Israel well, and God gave it to him.

    PSALM 119:65-80:
    God is telling us how important His Word is! I highlight this verse (62) from yesterday’s portion, “In the middle of the night I wake up to praise you for your righteous judgments.”

    JOHN 5b:
    Yesterday we heard of Jesus healing a man who had been sick for 38 years. Persecution ramped up because this healing was done on the Sabbath. Jesus replied to his critics, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”

    NLT Translation notes:
    1Kings 4:9 Ben-deker, in Makaz, [including] Shaalbim, Beth-shemesh, and Elon-bethhanan.
    12 Baana son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo, [including] all of Beth-shan near Zarethan below Jezreel, and all the territory from Beth-shan to Abel-meholah and over to Jokmeam.
    ====
    John 5:19 So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, [I, as the Son//the Son] can do nothing by [myself//himself]. [I only do what I see//He does only what he sees] the Father doing. Whatever [my//the] Father does, [I also do//the Son also does].
    [It is very unnatural in almost every language to have someone talking about himself using ‘he/him’ instead of ‘I/me/my’. In some languages this is flat out ungrammatical. This is why a Bible translator is justified in changing the pronouns and footnoting the fact that he has made these changes. We should observe that there were special reasons why Jesus was both concealing and revealing his identity when talking of himself as the Son of Man. It is, however, impossible to duplicate this in the minds of the modern translation’s readers. ]
    20 For [my//the] Father loves [Me//the Son] and shows [Me//him] everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will [involve Me in doing//show him how to do] even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished.
    21 For just as [my//the] Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so [I, his Son give//the Son gives] life to anyone [I want//he wants].
    22 In addition, [my//the] Father judges no one. Instead, he has given [Me//the Son] absolute authority to judge,
    23 so that everyone will honor [Me as his//the] Son, just as they honor [my/the] Father. Anyone who does not honor [Me as his//the] Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent [Me/him].
    25 “And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live.
    26 The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to [Me,] his Son.
    27 And he has given [Me/him] authority to judge everyone because [I am//he is] the Son of Man.
    28 Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear [my voice,] the voice of God’s Son,
    29 and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.
    30 I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day176 1 Kings 2-3; Psalm 119:49-64; John 5:1-30

    NL-Day176 1 Kings 2-3; Psalm 119:49-64; John 5:1-30

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    1KINGS 2-3:
    Yesterday we heard of Adonijah’s almost successful bid to become the next king. The prophet Nathan’s intervention saved the day.

    PSALM 119:49-64:
    God is telling us how important His Word is! In yesterday’s reading I find NLT’s rendering of this verse interesting:

    Ps. 119:45 I will walk in freedom,
    for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

    Note that following God’s commandments does not violate freedom.

    JOHN 5a:
    In John 4:36, about the spiritual harvest, Jesus said, “The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike.” I want to add my testimony as a missionary, who has sometimes worked as a planter and other times as a harvester. God has been faithful in always supplying all that we have needed. Our wages on earth have indeed been good, and I can only imagine the joy of rejoicing together with so many friends in heaven.

    About the meeting between Jesus and the official, I want to give this observation: Observe how often it happens that Jesus speaks about or encourages believing in Him before his miracles of healing. The implication is clear: Belief is important in healing.

    NLT Translation notes:
    John 5:19 So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, [I, as the Son//the Son] can do nothing by [myself//himself]. [I only do what I see//He does only what he sees] the Father doing. Whatever [my//the] Father does, [I also do//the Son also does].
    [It is very unnatural in almost every language to have someone talking about himself using ‘he/him’ instead of ‘I/me/my’. In some languages this is flat out ungrammatical. This is why a Bible translator is justified in changing the pronouns and footnoting the fact that he has made these changes. We should observe that there were special reasons why Jesus was both concealing and revealing his identity when talking of himself as the Son of Man. It is, however, impossible to duplicate this in the minds of the modern translation’s readers. ]
    20 For [my//the] Father loves [Me//the Son] and shows [Me//him] everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will [involve Me in doing//show him how to do] even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished.
    21 For just as [my//the] Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so [I, his Son give//the Son gives] life to anyone [I want//he wants].
    22 In addition, [my//the] Father judges no one. Instead, he has given [Me//the Son] absolute authority to judge,
    23 so that everyone will honor [Me as his//the] Son, just as they honor [my/the] Father. Anyone who does not honor [Me as his//the] Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent [Me/him].
    25 “And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live.
    26 The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to [Me,] his Son.
    27 And he has given [Me/him] authority to judge everyone because [I am//he is] the Son of Man.
    28Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear [my voice,] the voice of God’s Son,
    29 and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.
    30 I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day175 1 Kings 1; Psalm 119:33-48; John 4:25-54

    NL-Day175 1 Kings 1; Psalm 119:33-48; John 4:25-54

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    1KINGS 1:
    Like 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles were originally each one book instead of two. The books of Kings and Chronicles have many similarities. One difference is that the books of Kings seem a bit more secular in their outlook, whereas Chronicles seems to have been written by a priest. Henrietta Mears says that both sets have these things in common: 1. They begin with King David and end with the king of Babylon. 2. They open with the building of the Temple and end with the burning of the Temple. 3. They open with David’s first successor to the throne, Solomon, and end with David’s last successor, Jehoiachin, released from captivity by the king of Babylon.

    Mears also gives these three rather odd meta messages in these books. I think they might be interesting to look for as we go through:

    God does not show favoritism. Acts 10:34 When our all is on the altar, God never keeps us waiting for the fire. The final captivity was because of disobedience to God. This was clearly prophesied long before.

    PSALM 119:33-48:
    God is telling us how important His Word is! A favorite verse from yesterday’s reading is verse 18: “Open my eyes, so that I may see the wonderful truths in your law.”

    JOHN 4b:
    When I am in Indonesia and given opportunities to pray a blessing over people, I often have prayed John 4:14 for them. Jesus said, “those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

    So I pray for the fresh bubbling spring to be within them. And John 7 says: “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”

    NLT Translation notes:
    John 4:21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, [0//dear woman], the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.
    [I don’t think there is any good equivalent in English for the Greek here. One option runs the risk of sounding terribly rude, and this one runs the risk of misunderstanding the ‘dear’ness of the woman to Jesus.]
    27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to [him//her]?”
    45 Yet [, suprisingly,] the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there.
    48 Jesus [said//asked], “Will you [people] never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”
    [It is important to show that the Greek is you-plural here, otherwise Jesus seems overly frustrated with just the one man.]

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day174 2 Samuel 24; Psalm 119:17-32; John 4:1-26

    NL-Day174 2 Samuel 24; Psalm 119:17-32; John 4:1-26

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    2SAMUEL 24:
    Yesterday we heard David’s final words and the listing of the 38 mighty warriors who loyally helped David in his victories. Note that Uriah the Hittite was so poignantly included at the end of the list. And this 24th chapter seems like a postscript.

    PSALM 119:17-32:
    Yesterday’s reading included two of the most famous verses from this psalm:

    9 NLT How can a young person stay pure?
    By obeying your word.
    11 I have hidden your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.

    JOHN 4:
    Yesterday in John 3 we heard the words of John the Baptist at what I consider his finest hour. That was where he said, “He (Jesus) must grow greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” This is a worthy goal for all of us.

    NLT Translation notes:
    2Sam. 24:16 But as the [death//0] angel was preparing to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD relented and said to the [0/death] angel, “Stop! That is enough!” At that moment the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
    ====
    John 4:21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, [0//dear woman], the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.
    [I don’t think there is any good equivalent in English for the Greek here. One option runs the risk of sounding terribly rude, and this one runs the risk of misunderstanding the ‘dear’ness of the woman to Jesus.]
    27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to [him//her]?”
    45 Yet [, suprisingly,] the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there.
    48 Jesus [said//asked], “Will you [people] never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”
    [It is important to show that the Greek is you-plural here, otherwise Jesus seems overly frustrated with just the one man.]

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day173 2 Samuel 23; Psalm 119:1-16; John 3

    NL-Day173 2 Samuel 23; Psalm 119:1-16; John 3

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    2SAMUEL 23:
    Yesterday we read David’s long poem of praise for God giving him victory and deliverance from his enemies.

    PSALM 119a:
    This psalm is famous for being the longest chapter in the Bible, and it is an acrostic psalm with a difference. In this psalm, every line of each stanza starts with the same letter of the alphabet, instead of every line with a different letter. The psalm has 22 stanzas, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. And this psalm has a clear theme: God’s Word— or a synonym for it, is mentioned in almost every verse.

    Re-reading JOHN 3:
    One of the features of John's Gospel is that he breaks in with commentary without warning. Because of the lack of quote marks in ancient Greek, there were no overt signs marking the end of Jesus' speech and John's comment, or at the end of this chapter, John the Baptist's speech and John's comment. I personally don't think that John 3:16 is Jesus' words about himself, but is the start of John's explanation of Jesus' enigmatic words: “as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so [I,] the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in [Me/him] will have eternal life.” We have read that story in Numbers 21. Imagine that all one had to do to be healed of a snake bite was to look at the bronze snake which Moses had put up on a pole. Do you think any of the people who were bitten refused to look up at that bronze snake? (Don’t miss that the shape this cast would have been very much like the shape of a cross.)

    NLT Translation notes:
    John 3:11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you [refuse to//continue to//won’t] believe our testimony.
    13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But [I,] the Son of Man[, have// has] come down from heaven.
    14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so [I,] the Son of Man must be lifted up,
    15 so that everyone who believes in [Me/him] will have eternal life.
    16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
    [Exegetes and commentators disagree on where to stop Jesus’ quote. I believe that verse 16 and following is John’s narration. John suddenly breaking in with narration is a frequent feature of his Gospel. There is another example in this chapter. I think that John the Baptist’s quote ends at verse 30 not at the end of the chapter. So I differ with NLT’s quote marks for the last paragraph.]
    18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in [the Son//him]. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.
    29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I [(like the best man)] am filled with joy at [Jesus’//his] success.
    30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. [end quote]
    [Ancient Greek has no quote marks. I feel John the Baptist’s quote ends at verse 30, and 31-36 are the writer’s narration.]
    34 For [Jesus, the One//he is] sent by God[, //. He] speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit.
    36 [0/And] anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day172 2 Samuel 22; John 3

    NL-Day172 2 Samuel 22; John 3

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    2SAMUEL 22:
    We near the end of David’s story. God gave him victory over Sheba and the house of Saul. The killing of seven of the descendants of Saul seems harsh and past the ‘statute of limitations’ to us. But God arranged that revenge in response to untold injustices that were wreaked by Saul against the Gibeonites. Note: God takes notice of covenants made and wants us to do what we promise in His name.

    David’s song of praise in chapter 22 closely follows Psalm 18. Because of this long poetic section today, we skip a day reading from the Psalms.

    JOHN 3:
    John’s Gospel is unique in having the story of the wedding at Cana, which we heard yesterday in chapter 2. The coming to Galilee and working a miracle there seems to have been significant for John, as he later highlights when this happens a second time. John moved the story of the cleansing of the temple to the beginning of his Gospel. I think that a likely reason for this is because he wanted to highlight the conflicts between Jesus and ‘the Jews’, as John calls the religious leaders. Note that in verse 19, Jesus doesn't say, “I will destroy this temple 
” but “Destroy” (imperative), as a challenge to the Jewish leaders. At the time the challenge was given, no one in the audience understood the figurative meaning, that the temple He intended was his own body.

    NLT Translation notes:
    2Sam.22:35 He trains my hands for battle;
    he strengthens my arm [enabling me] to draw a bronze bow.
    42They looked for help, but no one came to their rescue.
    They even cried to [You,/the] LORD, but [You/he] refused to answer.
    ====
    John 3:11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you [refuse to//continue to//won’t] believe our testimony.
    13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But [I,] the Son of Man[, have// has] come down from heaven.
    14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so [I,] the Son of Man must be lifted up,
    15 so that everyone who believes in [Me/him] will have eternal life.
    16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
    [Exegetes and commentators disagree on where to stop Jesus’ quote. I believe that verse 16 and following is John’s narration. John suddenly breaking in with narration is a frequent feature of his Gospel. There is another example in this chapter. I think that John the Baptist’s quote ends at verse 30 not at the end of the chapter. So I differ with NLT’s quote marks for the last paragraph.]
    18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in [the Son//him]. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.
    29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I [(like the best man)] am filled with joy at [Jesus’//his] success.
    30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. [end quote]
    [Ancient Greek has no quote marks. I feel John the Baptist’s quote ends at verse 30, and 31-36 are the writer’s narration.]
    34 For [Jesus, the One//he is] sent by God[, //. He] speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit.
    36 [0/And] anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day171 2 Samuel 21; Psalm 118:14-29; John 2

    NL-Day171 2 Samuel 21; Psalm 118:14-29; John 2

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    2SAMUEL 21:
    The story of David being welcomed back ended poorly with arguments. Sheba attempted to mount a revolt. He died even though surrounded by his clan members because there was a wise woman in the town where he had taken refuge.

    Before that, David had decided to promote national reconciliation by appointing Amasa as military commander. But Joab, who had grown too powerful, shamefully put an end to Amasa's career.

    Re-reading PSALM 118:
    This is an antiphonal psalm. Imagine a leader and a chorus of voices saying a series of refrains. Today we will hear verse 22, which is the Old Testament verse most frequently quoted about the Messiah in the New Testament. And I have quoted verse 23 at the beginning of a number of podcasts.

    Re-reading John 2:
    In chapters 1-2, John has already started to tell us what Jesus was like. He was able to enter in fully in a wedding feast, he was stern about not turning the temple into a marketplace, and he miraculously knew about people. In chapter 1 verse 24 in the NLT says that he knew “all about people.” The GNT is closer to the Greek with “He knew them all.” Jesus had a miraculous knowledge about people, like we have seen in chapter 1 with Nathanael.

    NLT Translation note:
    Ps. 118:7 Yes, the LORD is [on my side//for me]; he will help me.
    I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
    ====
    John 2:24 But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew [all people//human nature].
    [I believe that John is telling us something miraculous about Jesus here. He wasn’t just a good student of ‘human nature’! He actually knew everyone, just like he knew the Samaritan woman whom we will hear about. ]
    25 No one needed to tell him what [anyone was//mankind is] really like.

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day170 2 Samuel 20; Psalm 118:1-16; John 2

    NL-Day170 2 Samuel 20; Psalm 118:1-16; John 2

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    2SAMUEL 20:
    Yesterday we heard the story of how David sent out his army under three commanders, Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. He gave them orders to deal gently with Absalom. Joab— who was always pragmatic, didn't do this. Along with Absalom, 20,000 men died in the civil war. Joab stopped David’s mourning for his son and ordered him to go out to encourage his troops. And finally the people decided to bring David back as their king.

    PSALM 118a:
    This is one of the antiphonal psalms. Imagine a leader and all the congregation saying the refrain. One of the most often quoted verses about the Messiah is found in verse 22. And I have quoted verse 24 at the beginning of a number of podcasts.

    JOHN 2:
    John uses simple words, such as light, word, lamb, and door. But the concepts he deals with are anything but simple. The meaning goes deep— so deep that you could spend a lifetime studying the prologue in chapter one alone and never get to the bottom of it. Note also that John very artistically makes use of double meaning— using a word with two meanings simultaneously.

    Note how Jesus (and the writer, John) artfully hint at the story of Jacob. Jesus calls Nathanael a true son of Israel. Israel is one of Jacob’s name, and Jacob’s name means ‘cheater’. And then Jesus paradoxically calls Nathanael a man of complete integrity. Finally Jesus didn’t need to make it obvious to his hearers and John didn’t need to explain to his readers that Jesus was quoting from the Jacob’s Ladder story. Just a few words and the previous hint were plenty to imply this: Jesus is claiming to be the Way/Ladder to the Father. The way, the truth, and the life.

    NLT Translation note:
    Ps. 118:7 Yes, the LORD is [on my side//for me]; he will help me.
    I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
    ====
    John 2:24 But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew [all people//human nature].
    [I believe that John is telling us something miraculous about Jesus here. He wasn’t just a good student of ‘human nature’! He actually knew everyone, just like he knew the Samaritan woman whom we will hear about. ]
    25 No one needed to tell him what [anyone was//mankind is] really like.

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day169 2 Samuel 18-19; Psalm 117; John 1:24-51

    NL-Day169 2 Samuel 18-19; Psalm 117; John 1:24-51

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    2SAMUEL 18-19:
    Civil war might have been avoided, but Absalom didn’t choose wisely. And I observe that my being bald has advantages in some situations! But seriously, all of the terrible things that happened here are the consequences of David’s sin.

    PSALM 117:
    This is a doxology that one day the whole world will sing.

    JOHN 1b:
    John consciously made an original account, and very consciously left out things that are included in the three Synoptic Gospels. Where he does include things the others wrote about, he includes details that the others didn’t mention. Those stories are made to fit his themes. His gospel is thematically arranged, not chronologically arranged.

    In John’s poetic opening to this Gospel, he calls Jesus ‘the Word’. ‘Word’ in Greek (logos) usually means more than just one word. Among its several meanings, in this place its meaning is ‘communication’. Jesus is God’s personal communication or message to the world. And ‘full of grace and truth’ in more traditional translations means that Jesus is all about bringing undeserved kindness (grace) to us and true teachings that are totally worthy of being believed. And this theme is shown again in what Jesus said to Nathanael.

    NLT Translation notes:
    2Sam 18:22 “Whatever happens,” Ahimaaz said again, “I want to go.” 

    23 Joab finally said, “All right, go ahead.” So Ahimaaz took the [flatter//less demanding] route by way of the plain and ran to Mahanaim ahead of the Ethiopian.
    ====
    John 1:31 [Before now] I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”
    33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest [upon, He] is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
    34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is [God’s Chosen One.//the Chosen One of God.]l”
    45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very [one/person] Moseso and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”
    50 Jesus [responded//asked him], “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.”
    [I don’t think we use ‘asked’ to introduce rhetorical questions in English. And Greek doesn’t use this verb either.]
    51 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see [“]heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on[” Me,] the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.
    [It is often necessary in other languages to include ‘I/Me’, because in most languages one just doesn’t talk of oneself using the third person, he. This is not grammatical in most languages.]

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day168 2 Samuel 17; Psalm 116; John 1:1-34

    NL-Day168 2 Samuel 17; Psalm 116; John 1:1-34

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    2SAMUEL 17:
    Yesterday we heard how Saul's servant, Ziba, showed his loyalty and helped David on his way. And how Shimei from Saul's family cursed and persecuted David all along the way. No wonder David was exhausted after that hike. David refused to put him to death or to punish him. (But we find out later that he didn't forget about Shimei.) David's friend, Hushai, joined himself to Absalom, as David asked him to do. And Nathan’s prophecy to David was unknowingly fulfilled through Ahithophel’s advice to Absolom.

    PSALM 116:
    This is a poem sharing personal experience. Though this poem is not attributed to David, what we read here could be his prayer during and following what we are reading about in 2nd Samuel 17-18.

    John 1a:
    I always look forward each year to reading the Gospel of John. John’s Gospel is different from all the other gospels. John was probably very young when he became Jesus’ follower, perhaps 25 years old. But he seems to have waited until very late in life to begin writing, perhaps when he was 85 years old. This was long after the other Gospels and even the epistles were written. The title he gives himself in this book is ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’. This doesn’t mean that Jesus didn’t love the other 11!

    NLT Translation notes:
    [I changed the whole of Ps. 116 to become a prayer to God, like has been done in the CEV. This prayer is a prayer directly to God. Note that the first verse starts, “I love Yahweh hear sound supplication.” One can see that using the proper name (and with no pronoun ‘he’ actually there in the second phrase), that this is easy to understand as a prayer to God. But the standard translation of Yahweh is ‘the Lord’, so that ‘he’ is added in the second phase. That is why most translation sound like this is a poem talking about the Lord, not a prayer directed to Him. It is actually proper and better to understand this as a prayer, so nearly every verse changed. I note here only a few verses where I made special comments.]
    Ps. 116:4 Then I called on [You, Lord://the name of the LORD:]
    “[Lord, please//Please, LORD,] save me!”
    [This use of ‘the name’ is a metonymy based on the Jewish avoidance of actually saying the Lord’s name. ‘The name’ stands for the whole person of the Lord. In English, calling on a name is quite unnatural. I would never call on Chad’s name. I would just call Chad or call on Chad. See v.13.]
    13 I will [pour out an offering of wine to You giving thanks for Your saving me//lift up the cup of salvation]
    [Before looking into this while I was recording, I wrongly guessed at the meaning of ‘lift up the cup of salvation’, as “I will drink a toast to God because of my salvation.” As it happens, that is kind of what The Message has. This just shows what happens when modern readers confront a literal translation of such a figure. And note that NLT is inconsistent in reverting to a literal translation here, while most of the time translating in a meaning-based way.]
    and [I will] praise [You//the LORD’s name for saving me].
    [Like we saw in verse 4, if we were really going to literally ‘praise the Lord’s name’— meaning just his name, and not praise His person, it appears like idolatry to me. (I do hear people saying things like that, but when they do I take it that they are parodying Bible language.) How often do we hear people using a phrase like, “They praised Obama’s name for his speech at
” I think almost always, when people say things like that about our president, they just praise Obama and leave his name out of it.]
    17 [[[I will offer a sacrifice of thankful prayers to You.////
    I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving
    [and I will give thankful prayers to You.//and call on You, Lord,
    because of your wonderful reputation// and call on the name of the LORD].]]]
    [Note here that “sacrifice of thanksgiving” is ambiguous in English. It could mean that his offering will consist of thanksgiving, or that he will offer an animal sacrifice as an act of thanksgiving. It is likely that the former is the meaning here. And if the two halves of the parallelism in this verse are mutually completing, then the meaning could be boiled down to this: Thankful prayers will be the sacrifice that I will offer continually to you.]
    ====
    John 1:2 He [(that is the One I am calling ‘the Word’)] existed in the beginning with God.
    5 [That//The] light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it.
    13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth [which is the result of//resulting from] human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
    14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and [He is worthy of being fully believed//faithfulness].e And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
    16 From [the abundance of Him who we call ‘the Word’//his abundance] we have all received one gracious blessing after another.
    17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and [true teachings that are worthy of full belief//faithfulness] came through [Christ Jesus//Jesus Christ].
    [Verse 14 and 17 represent quite a challenge for the translator. The word ‘truth’ in Greek should be taken to mean the same thing in both verses. I think the translators desired to find one word that would work here, but I feel that ‘faithfulness’ shifts the meaning from what John intended.]
    19 This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “[Whose place are you claiming to fulfill?//Who are you?]”
    20 He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”
    21“Well then, [whose place are you taking?//who are you?]” they asked. “Are you [taking Elijah’s place//Elijah]?”
    “No,” he replied.
    “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”
    “No.”
    22 “Then [who gave you any authority to work like this?//who are you?] We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
    23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:
    “I am [the/a] voice shouting in the wilderness,
    ‘Clear the way for the LORD’s coming!’”
    31[Before now] I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”
    33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest [upon, He] is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
    34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is [God’s Chosen One.//the Chosen One of God.]”
    45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very [one/person] Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”
    50 Jesus [responded//asked him], “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.”
    [I don’t think we use ‘asked’ to introduce rhetorical questions in English. And Greek doesn’t use this verb either.]
    51 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see [“]heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on[” Me,] the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.
    [It is often necessary in other languages to include ‘I/Me’, because in most languages one just doesn’t talk of oneself using the third person, he. This is not grammatical in most languages.]

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day167 2 Samuel 16; Psalm 115; Romans 16

    NL-Day167 2 Samuel 16; Psalm 115; Romans 16

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    2SAMUEL 16:
    Absolom first stole the hearts of all Israel by being a shrewd politician. Then he mounted a rebellion against his own father. David fled Jerusalem to avoid bloodshed, and as he left, he planted several carefully chosen people to work for him.

    PSALM 115:
    I know I have said it a lot, but can’t help saying it again: This is one of my favorite psalms. Our God is so different than idols. He is in heaven and does whatever He pleases.

    ROMANS 16:
    Having told of his plans to visit Rome on his way to Spain, and how he must first go to Jerusalem, Paul now turns to greeting his friends in Rome. I really enjoy this section! There is real closeness in the family of God. When we call each other ‘brother’ or ‘sister’, we really mean it. And our love and bonds of fellowship often span long distances. I enjoy seeing this in every phrase in this chapter.

    NLT Translation note:
    Ps. 115:8 And those who make idols [will be//are] just like them,
    as [so will be//are] all who trust in them.

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • NL-Day166 2 Samuel 15; Psalm 114; Romans 15

    NL-Day166 2 Samuel 15; Psalm 114; Romans 15

    · Daily Bible Reading Podcast

    2SAMUEL 15:
    In our last reading, we heard how Joab creatively arranged to persuade David to bring Absalom back from exile. And how eventually David agreed to let Absolom meet him directly.

    PSALM 114:
    This poem praises God for the miraculous deliverance from Egypt.

    Re-reading ROMANS 15:
    Chapter 15 of Romans comes to this summary sentence in verse 13: “May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your [believing//faith] in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

    NLT Translation notes:
    Rom. 15:6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord [Christ Jesus//Jesus Christ]. (similarly in 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 18, 27)
    13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you [fully believe//trust] in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
    22 In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in [those//these] places.
    23 But now I have finished my work in [those//these] regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you.
    30 Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord [Christ Jesus//Jesus Christ] to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.

    Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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