Daily Readings

¹ Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,² Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.³ Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.⁴ And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.⁵ Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.⁶ And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.⁷ Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;⁸ Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.⁹ And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,¹⁰ Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.¹¹ All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.

¹ Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;² Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mizpar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:³ The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.⁴ The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.⁵ The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.⁶ The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.⁷ The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.⁸ The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.⁹ The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.¹⁰ The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.¹¹ The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.¹² The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.¹³ The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.¹⁴ The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.¹⁵ The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.¹⁶ The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.¹⁷ The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.¹⁸ The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve.¹⁹ The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.²⁰ The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.²¹ The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.²² The men of Netophah, fifty and six.²³ The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.²⁴ The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.²⁵ The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.²⁶ The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.²⁷ The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two.²⁸ The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.²⁹ The children of Nebo, fifty and two.³⁰ The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six.³¹ The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.³² The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.³³ The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.³⁴ The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.³⁵ The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.³⁶ The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.³⁷ The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.³⁸ The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.³⁹ The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.⁴⁰ The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.⁴¹ The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight.⁴² The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.⁴³ The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,⁴⁴ The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,⁴⁵ The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,⁴⁶ The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan,⁴⁷ The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,⁴⁸ The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,⁴⁹ The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,⁵⁰ The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim,⁵¹ The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,⁵² The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,⁵³ The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,⁵⁴ The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.⁵⁵ The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,⁵⁶ The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,⁵⁷ The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.⁵⁸ All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.⁵⁹ And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:⁶⁰ The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.⁶¹ And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:⁶² These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.⁶³ And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.⁶⁴ The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,⁶⁵ Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.⁶⁶ Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;⁶⁷ Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.⁶⁸ And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:⁶⁹ They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.⁷⁰ So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

¹ Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.² And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all.³ I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.⁴ They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.⁵ And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity: Judah also shall fall with them.⁶ They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.⁷ They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.⁸ Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin.⁹ Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.¹⁰ The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.¹¹ Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.¹² Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.¹³ When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.¹⁴ For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.¹⁵ I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

¹ And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:² And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.³ Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.⁴ And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.⁵ And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.⁶ And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.⁷ And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.⁸ And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.⁹ And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.¹⁰ And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.¹¹ And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.¹² And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.¹³ Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.¹⁴ And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.¹⁵ And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.¹⁶ There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.¹⁷ And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.¹⁸ And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.¹⁹ And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.²⁰ And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:²¹ And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.²² What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.²³ Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;²⁴ Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.²⁵ As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.²⁶ Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.²⁷ And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,²⁸ Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.²⁹ (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)³⁰ And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.³¹ And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.³² Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.³³ Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.³⁴ And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.³⁵ And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.³⁶ For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.³⁷ And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?³⁸ Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?³⁹ But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.⁴⁰ And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

¹ Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.² (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)³ I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.⁴ And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.⁵ As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.⁶ And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.⁷ And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?⁸ And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.⁹ And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.¹⁰ And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.¹¹ And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.¹² And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,¹³ Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.¹⁴ And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.¹⁵ For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.¹⁶ And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.¹⁷ And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;¹⁸ And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.¹⁹ And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:²⁰ And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.²¹ And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.²² And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.²³ And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,²⁴ The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.²⁵ And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?²⁶ When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.²⁷ Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.²⁸ And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.²⁹ Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.³⁰ On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.