Bible Reading Plan

Chapter 14

Idolaters Condemned

¹ Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me.^{(a) 2} Then the word of the Lord came to me: ³ "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts^(b) and put wicked stumbling blocks^(c) before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?^{(d) 4} Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I the Lord will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry. ⁵ I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted^(e) me for their idols.'^(f)

⁶ "Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent!^(g) Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!^(h)

⁷ "‘When any of the Israelites or any foreigner⁽ⁱ⁾ residing in Israel separate themselves from me and set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block^(j) before their faces and then go to a prophet to inquire^(k) of me, I the Lord will answer them myself. ⁸ I will set my face against^(l) them and make them an example^(m) and a byword.⁽ⁿ⁾ I will remove them from my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord .^(o)

⁹ "‘And if the prophet^(p) is enticed^(q) to utter a prophecy, I the Lord have enticed that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him and destroy him from among my people Israel.^{(r) 10} They will bear their guilt—the prophet will be as guilty as the one who consults him. ¹¹ Then the people of Israel will no longer stray^(s) from me, nor will they defile themselves anymore with all their sins. They will be my people,^(t) and I will be their God, declares the Sovereign Lord .^(u)'"

Jerusalem's Judgment Inescapable

¹² The word of the Lord came to me: ¹³ "Son of man, if a country sins^(v) against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply^(w) and send famine upon it and kill its people and their animals,^{(x) 14} even if these three men—Noah,^(y) Daniel^[a](z) and Job^(aa)—were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness,^(ab) declares the Sovereign Lord .

¹⁵ "Or if I send wild beasts^(ac) through that country and they leave it childless and it becomes desolate so that no one can pass through it because of the beasts,^{(ad) 16} as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord , even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved, but the land would be desolate.^(ae)

¹⁷ "Or if I bring a sword^(af) against that country and say, ‘Let the sword pass throughout the land,' and I kill its people and their animals,^{(ag) 18} as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord , even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved.

¹⁹ "Or if I send a plague into that land and pour out my wrath^(ah) on it through bloodshed,^(ai) killing its people and their animals,^{(aj) 20} as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord , even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness.^(ak)

²¹ "For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem my four dreadful judgments^(al)—sword^(am) and famine^(an) and wild beasts and plague^(ao)—to kill its men and their animals!^{(ap) 22} Yet there will be some survivors^(aq)—sons and daughters who will be brought out of it.^(ar) They will come to you, and when you see their conduct^(as) and their actions, you will be consoled^(at) regarding the disaster I have brought on Jerusalem—every disaster I have brought on it. ²³ You will be consoled when you see their conduct and their actions, for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the Sovereign Lord .^(au)"

Chapter 5

^1 1 Follow God's example,^(a) therefore, as dearly loved children^{(b) 2} and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(c) and gave himself up for us^(d) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(e)

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,^(f) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,^(g) because these are improper for God's holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk^(h) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.^{(i) 5} For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater^(j)—has any inheritance^(k) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^{[a](l) 6} Let no one deceive you^(m) with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath⁽ⁿ⁾ comes on those who are disobedient.^{(o) 7} Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once^(p) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^{(q) 9} (for the fruit^(r) of the light consists in all goodness,^(s) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.^{(t) 11} Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(u) but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light^(v) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live^(z)—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity,^(aa) because the days are evil.^{(ab) 17} Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.^{(ac) 18} Do not get drunk on wine,^(ad) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^{(ae) 19} speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.^(af) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks^(ag) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.