Joshua 22, Acts 2, Jeremiah 11, Matthew 25

Joshua 22,

1 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh
 
2 and said to them, "You have done all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded.
 
3 For a long time now-to this very day-you have not deserted your brothers but have carried out the mission the LORD your God gave you.
 
4 Now that the LORD your God has given your brothers rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side of the Jordan.
 
5 But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."
 
6 Then Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their homes.
 
7 (To the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given land in Bashan, and to the other half of the tribe Joshua gave land on the west side of the Jordan with their brothers.) When Joshua sent them home, he blessed them,
 
8 saying, "Return to your homes with your great wealth-with large herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze and iron, and a great quantity of clothing-and divide with your brothers the plunder from your enemies."
 
9 So the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh left the Israelites at Shiloh in Canaan to return to Gilead, their own land, which they had acquired in accordance with the command of the LORD through Moses.
 
10 When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan.
 
11 And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side,
 
12 the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.
 
13 So the Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to the land of Gilead-to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
 
14 With him they sent ten of the chief men, one for each of the tribes of Israel, each the head of a family division among the Israelite clans.
 
15 When they went to Gilead-to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh-they said to them:
 
16 "The whole assembly of the LORD says: 'How could you break faith with the God of Israel like this? How could you turn away from the LORD and build yourselves an altar in rebellion against him now?
 
17 Was not the sin of Peor enough for us? Up to this very day we have not cleansed ourselves from that sin, even though a plague fell on the community of the LORD!
 
18 And are you now turning away from the LORD ? " 'If you rebel against the LORD today, tomorrow he will be angry with the whole community of Israel.
 
19 If the land you possess is defiled, come over to the LORD's land, where the LORD's tabernacle stands, and share the land with us. But do not rebel against the LORD or against us by building an altar for yourselves, other than the altar of the LORD our God.
 
20 When Achan son of Zerah acted unfaithfully regarding the devoted things, did not wrath come upon the whole community of Israel? He was not the only one who died for his sin.' "
 
21 Then Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh replied to the heads of the clans of Israel:
 
22 "The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD! He knows! And let Israel know! If this has been in rebellion or disobedience to the LORD, do not spare us this day.
 
23 If we have built our own altar to turn away from the LORD and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the LORD himself call us to account.
 
24 "No! We did it for fear that some day your descendants might say to ours, 'What do you have to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?
 
25 The LORD has made the Jordan a boundary between us and you-you Reubenites and Gadites! You have no share in the LORD.' So your descendants might cause ours to stop fearing the LORD.
 
26 "That is why we said, 'Let us get ready and build an altar-but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.'
 
27 On the contrary, it is to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the LORD at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, 'You have no share in the LORD.'
 
28 "And we said, 'If they ever say this to us, or to our descendants, we will answer: Look at the replica of the LORD's altar, which our fathers built, not for burnt offerings and sacrifices, but as a witness between us and you.'
 
29 "Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD and turn away from him today by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings and sacrifices, other than the altar of the LORD our God that stands before his tabernacle."
 
30 When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of the community-the heads of the clans of the Israelites-heard what Reuben, Gad and Manasseh had to say, they were pleased.
 
31 And Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, said to Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, "Today we know that the LORD is with us, because you have not acted unfaithfully toward the LORD in this matter. Now you have rescued the Israelites from the LORD's hand."
 
32 Then Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, and the leaders returned to Canaan from their meeting with the Reubenites and Gadites in Gilead and reported to the Israelites.
 
33 They were glad to hear the report and praised God. And they talked no more about going to war against them to devastate the country where the Reubenites and the Gadites lived.
 
34 And the Reubenites and the Gadites gave the altar this name: A Witness Between Us that the LORD is God.

Acts 2,

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
 
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
 
3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
 
4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
 
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
 
6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
 
7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?
 
8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?
 
9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
 
10 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome
 
11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"
 
12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
 
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."
 
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
 
15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning!
 
16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
 
17 " 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
 
18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
 
19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
 
20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
 
21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
 
22 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
 
23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
 
24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
 
25 David said about him: " 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
 
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope,
 
27 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
 
28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'
 
29 "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.
 
30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.
 
31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.
 
32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.
 
33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
 
34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, " 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand
 
35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." '
 
36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
 
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
 
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
 
39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call."
 
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
 
41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
 
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
 
43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
 
44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.
 
45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
 
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
 
47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Jeremiah 11,

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD :
 
2 "Listen to the terms of this covenant and tell them to the people of Judah and to those who live in Jerusalem.
 
3 Tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Cursed is the man who does not obey the terms of this covenant-
 
4 the terms I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the iron-smelting furnace.' I said, 'Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God.
 
5 Then I will fulfill the oath I swore to your forefathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey'-the land you possess today." I answered, "Amen, LORD."
 
6 The LORD said to me, "Proclaim all these words in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem: 'Listen to the terms of this covenant and follow them.
 
7 From the time I brought your forefathers up from Egypt until today, I warned them again and again, saying, "Obey me."
 
8 But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts. So I brought on them all the curses of the covenant I had commanded them to follow but that they did not keep.' "
 
9 Then the LORD said to me, "There is a conspiracy among the people of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem.
 
10 They have returned to the sins of their forefathers, who refused to listen to my words. They have followed other gods to serve them. Both the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their forefathers.
 
11 Therefore this is what the LORD says: 'I will bring on them a disaster they cannot escape. Although they cry out to me, I will not listen to them.
 
12 The towns of Judah and the people of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they burn incense, but they will not help them at all when disaster strikes.
 
13 You have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah; and the altars you have set up to burn incense to that shameful god Baal are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.'
 
14 "Do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their distress.
 
15 "What is my beloved doing in my temple as she works out her evil schemes with many? Can consecrated meat avert your punishment ? When you engage in your wickedness, then you rejoice. "
 
16 The LORD called you a thriving olive tree with fruit beautiful in form. But with the roar of a mighty storm he will set it on fire, and its branches will be broken.
 
17 The LORD Almighty, who planted you, has decreed disaster for you, because the house of Israel and the house of Judah have done evil and provoked me to anger by burning incense to Baal.
 
18 Because the LORD revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing.
 
19 I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, "Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more."
 
20 But, O LORD Almighty, you who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause.
 
21 "Therefore this is what the LORD says about the men of Anathoth who are seeking your life and saying, 'Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD or you will die by our hands'-
 
22 therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I will punish them. Their young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters by famine.
 
23 Not even a remnant will be left to them, because I will bring disaster on the men of Anathoth in the year of their punishment.' "

Matthew 25

1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
 
2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
 
3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.
 
4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
 
5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
 
6 "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
 
7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
 
8 The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'
 
9 " 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
 
10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
 
11 "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'
 
12 "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'
 
13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
 
14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.
 
15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
 
16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.
 
17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.
 
18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
 
19 "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
 
20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
 
21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
 
22 "The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'
 
23 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
 
24 "Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
 
25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
 
26 "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?
 
27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
 
28 " 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.
 
29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
 
30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
 
31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.
 
32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
 
33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
 
34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
 
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
 
36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
 
37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
 
38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
 
39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
 
40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
 
41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
 
42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
 
43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
 
44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
 
45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
 
46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."