Now the earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep. God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.

God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

God saw the light, and saw that it was good. God divided the light from the darkness.

God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." There was evening and there was morning, one day.

God said, "Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters."

God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so.

God called the expanse "sky." There was evening and there was morning, a second day.

God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear"; and it was so.

God called the dry land "earth," and the gathering together of the waters he called "seas." God saw that it was good.

God said, "Let the earth yield grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with its seed in it, on the earth"; and it was so.

The earth yielded grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with its seed in it, after their kind; and God saw that it was good.

There was evening and there was morning, a third day.

God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years;

and let them be for lights in the expanse of sky to give light on the earth"; and it was so.

God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars.

God set them in the expanse of sky to give light to the earth,

and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good.

There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.

God said, "Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of sky."

God created the large sea creatures, and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good.

God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."

There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.

God said, "Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the earth after their kind"; and it was so.

God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind. God saw that it was good.

God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

God blessed them. God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

God said, "Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food.

To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so.

God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.

The heavens and the earth were finished, and all their vast array.

On the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work which he had created and made.

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit, and ate; and she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate.

There was also born a son to Seth, and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on Yahweh’s name.

Whoever sheds man’s blood, his blood will be shed by man, for God made man in his own image.

The whole earth was of one language and of one speech.

They said one to another, "Come, let’s make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." They had brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar.

They said, "Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let’s make ourselves a name, lest we be scattered abroad on the surface of the whole earth."

Yahweh came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built.

Yahweh said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is what they begin to do. Now nothing will be withheld from them, which they intend to do.

Come, let’s go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech."

So Yahweh scattered them abroad from there on the surface of all the earth. They stopped building the city.

Therefore its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh confused the language of all the earth. From there, Yahweh scattered them abroad on the surface of all the earth.

This is the history of the generations of Shem. Shem was one hundred years old and became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood.

Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldees.

Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife. They went from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan. They came to Haran and lived there.

Now Yahweh said to Abram, "Get out of your country, and from your relatives, and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.

Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.

Abraham complained to Abimelech because of a water well, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.

Abraham took sheep and cattle, and gave them to Abimelech. Those two made a covenant.

Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, "My father and my brothers, with their flocks, their herds, and all that they own, have come out of the land of Canaan; and behold, they are in the land of Goshen."

Joseph fell on his father’s face, wept on him, and kissed him.

Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

You shall not do so to Yahweh your God: for every abomination to Yahweh, which he hates, have they done to their gods; for even their sons and their daughters do they burn in the fire to their gods.

Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in Yahweh’s^a law. On his law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.

The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?

"Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us."

He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord^b will have them in derision.

Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath:

"Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion."

Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.

You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel."

Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Give sincere homage to the Son ^c, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.

^a Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor?
Will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood?

Selah.

But know that Yahweh has set apart for himself him who is godly:
Yahweh will hear when I call to him.

Stand in awe, and don’t sin.
Search your own heart on your bed, and be still.

Selah.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness.
Put your trust in Yahweh.

Many say, "Who will show us any good?"
Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us.

You have put gladness in my heart,
more than when their grain and their new wine are increased.

In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep,
for you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety.

The arrogant shall not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity.

^a Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, who has set your glory above the heavens!

From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained;

For you have made him a little lower than God ^b, and crowned him with glory and honor.

All sheep and cattle, yes, and the animals of the field,

The birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Yahweh examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates.

I hate those who regard lying vanities ^a, but I trust in Yahweh.

For he flatters himself in his own eyes, too much to detect and hate his sin.

Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb.

he will make your righteousness go forth as the light, and your justice as the noon day sun.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret, it leads only to evildoing.

The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming.

The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously.

A man’s goings are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way.

I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.

You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

^a Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man?
God’s loving kindness endures continually.

Your tongue plots destruction,
like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

You love evil more than good,
lying rather than speaking the truth.

Selah.

You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue.

God will likewise destroy you forever.
He will take you up,
and pluck you out of your tent,
and root you out of the land of the living.

Selah.

The righteous also will see it, and fear,
and laugh at him, saying,

"Behold, this is the man who didn’t make God his strength,
but trusted in the abundance of his riches,
and strengthened himself in his wickedness."

But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in God’s house. I trust in God’s loving kindness forever and ever.

I will give you thanks forever,
because you have done it.
I will hope in your name, for it is good,
in the presence of your saints.

Do you indeed speak righteousness, silent ones? Do you judge blamelessly, you sons of men?

No, in your heart you plot injustice. You measure out the violence of your hands in the earth.

The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies.

Their poison is like the poison of a snake; like a deaf cobra that stops its ear,

which doesn’t listen to the voice of charmers, no matter how skillful the charmer may be.

Break their teeth, God, in their mouth. Break out the great teeth of the young lions, Yahweh.

Let them vanish as water that flows away. When they draw the bow, let their arrows be made blunt.

Let them be like a snail which melts and passes away, like the stillborn child, who has not seen the sun.

Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns, whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!

The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked;

so that men shall say, "Most certainly there is a reward for the righteous. Most certainly there is a God who judges the earth."

They pour out arrogant words. All the evildoers boast.

Shall the throne of wickedness have fellowship with you, which brings about mischief by statute?

^a I will sing of loving kindness and justice. To you, Yahweh, I will sing praises.

I will set no vile thing before my eyes. I hate the deeds of faithless men. They will not cling to me.

Yahweh, remember David and all his affliction,

My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding:

A wise son listens to his father‘s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.

Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

A glad heart makes a cheerful face; but an aching heart breaks the spirit.

Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.

An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.

He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.

He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.

A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.

A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.

The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.

A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.

When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you;

Don’t be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them:

for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief.

Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;

by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.

The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.

My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:

for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous"; peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him–

but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.

He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.

When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.

Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.

A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.

"Surely I am the most ignorant man, and don’t have a man’s understanding.

"Many women do noble things, but you excel them all."

Seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, "We will eat our own bread, and wear our own clothing: only let us be called by your name. Take away our reproach."

In that day, Yahweh’s branch will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the beauty and glory of the survivors of Israel.

It will happen, that he who is left in Zion, and he who remains in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even everyone who is written among the living in Jerusalem;

when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from its midst, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of burning.

Yahweh will create over the whole habitation of Mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy.

There will be a pavilion for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a refuge and for a shelter from storm and from rain.

The burden of Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap.

The cities of Aroer are forsaken. They will be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

At that time, Merodach Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah; for he heard that he had been sick, and had recovered.

Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, and all the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah didn’t show them.

‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried to Babylon. Nothing will be left,’ says Yahweh.

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "Yahweh’s word which you have spoken is good." He said moreover, "For there will be peace and truth in my days."

Thus says Yahweh, "Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce, with which I have put her away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities were you sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away.

Why, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it can’t redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stink, because there is no water, and die for thirst.

I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering."

The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary: he wakens morning by morning, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.

The Lord Yahweh has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward.

I gave my back to the strikers, and my cheeks to those who plucked off the hair; I didn’t hide my face from shame and spitting.

For the Lord Yahweh will help me; therefore I have not been confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be disappointed.

He is near who justifies me; who will bring charges against me? Let us stand up together: who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.

Behold, the Lord Yahweh will help me; who is he who shall condemn me? Behold, they all shall wax old as a garment, the moth shall eat them up.

Who is among you who fears Yahweh, who obeys the voice of his servant? He who walks in darkness, and has no light, let him trust in the name of Yahweh, and rely on his God.

Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who adorn yourselves with torches around yourselves; walk in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that you have kindled. You shall have this of my hand; you shall lie down in sorrow.

Who has believed our message? To whom has the arm of Yahweh been revealed?

For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no good looks or majesty. When we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns.

The nations shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of Yahweh shall name.

You shall also be a crown of beauty in the hand of Yahweh, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

You shall no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall your land any more be termed Desolate: but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for Yahweh delights in you, and your land shall be married.

For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons shall marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you.

I have set watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day nor night: you who call on Yahweh, take no rest,

and give him no rest, until he establishes, and until he makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Yahweh has sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, "Surely I will no more give your grain to be food for your enemies; and foreigners shall not drink your new wine, for which you have labored:

but those who have garnered it shall eat it, and praise Yahweh; and those who have gathered it shall drink it in the courts of my sanctuary."

Go through, go through the gates;
prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
clear it of stones;
lift up a signal over the peoples.

Behold, Yahweh has proclaimed to the end of the earth, "Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your salvation comes. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.’"

They shall call them The holy people, The redeemed of Yahweh: and you shall be called Sought out, A city not forsaken.

The hand of Yahweh was on me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of Yahweh, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.

He caused me to pass by them all around: and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and behold, they were very dry.

He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I answered, “Lord Yahweh, you know.“

Again he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, ‘You dry bones, hear the word of Yahweh.’ ”

Thus says the Lord Yahweh to these bones: “Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.”

I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am Yahweh.

I saw, and, behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them.

In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,

"Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!"

Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

" Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.

His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire."

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception, and kill him.

For they said, "Not during the feast, because there might be a riot of the people."

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.

Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God.

So Pilate then took Jesus, and flogged him.

Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly.

He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.

When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread.

When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him.

The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, "Stand up quickly!" His chains fell off from his hands.

The angel said to him, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." He did so. He said to him, "Put on your cloak, and follow me."

And he went out and followed him. He didn’t know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.

When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

When Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting."

When she recognized Peter’s voice, she didn’t open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate.

They said to her, "You are crazy!" But she insisted that it was so. They said, "It is his angel."

But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed.

But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, "Tell these things to James, and to the brothers." Then he departed, and went to another place.

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.

When Herod had sought for him, and didn’t find him, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. He went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus, the king’s personal aide, their friend, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food.

The people shouted, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!"

Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn’t give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.

But the word of God grew and multiplied.

Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.

For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same,

for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony,"^[a] "You shall not covet," ^[b] and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." ^[c]

Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.

The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the works of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light.

Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.

For there are certain men who crept in secretly, even those who were long ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into indecency, and denying our only Master, God, and Lord, Jesus Christ.

The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!"

I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image, ^a and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.

I heard a loud voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God on the earth!"

After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated with his glory.