Numbers 32

• 1. Now the tribes of Reuben and Gad owned vast numbers of livestock. So when they saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were ideally suited for their flocks and herds,
• 2. they came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the other leaders of the people. They said,
• 3. "Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon--
• 4. the LORD has conquered this whole area for the people of Israel. It is ideally suited for all our flocks and herds.
• 5. If we have found favor with you, please let us have this land as our property instead of giving us land across the Jordan River."
• 6. "Do you mean you want to stay back here while your brothers go across and do all the fighting?" Moses asked the Reubenites and Gadites.
• 7. "Are you trying to discourage the rest of the people of Israel from going across to the land the LORD has given them?
• 8. This is what your ancestors did when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land.
• 9. After they went up to the valley of Eshcol and scouted the land, they discouraged the people of Israel from entering the land the LORD was giving them.
• 10. Then the LORD was furious with them, and he vowed,
• 11. `Of all those I rescued from Egypt, no one who is twenty years old or older will ever see the land I solemnly promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for they have not obeyed me completely.
• 12. The only exceptions are Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, for they have wholeheartedly followed the LORD.'
• 13. "The LORD was furious with Israel and made them wander in the wilderness for forty years until the whole generation that sinned against him had died.
• 14. But here you are, a brood of sinners, doing exactly the same thing! You are making the LORD even angrier with Israel.
• 15. If you turn away from him like this and he abandons them again in the wilderness, you will be responsible for destroying this entire nation!"
• 16. But they responded to Moses, "We simply want to build sheepfolds for our flocks and fortified cities for our wives and children.
• 17. Then we will arm ourselves and lead our fellow Israelites into battle until we have brought them safely to their inheritance. Meanwhile, our families will stay in the fortified cities we build here, so they will be safe from any attacks by the local people.
• 18. We will not return to our homes until all the people of Israel have received their inheritance of land.
• 19. But we do not want any of the land on the other side of the Jordan. We would rather live here on the east side where we have received our inheritance."
• 20. Then Moses said, "If you keep your word and arm yourselves for the LORD's battles,
• 21. and if your troops cross the Jordan until the LORD has driven out his enemies,
• 22. then you may return when the land is finally subdued before the LORD. You will have discharged your duty to the LORD and to the rest of the people of Israel. And the land on the east side of the Jordan will be your inheritance from the LORD.
• 23. But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the LORD, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.
• 24. Go ahead and build towns for your families and sheepfolds for your flocks, but do everything you have said."
• 25. Then the people of Gad and Reuben replied, "We are your servants and will follow your instructions exactly.
• 26. Our children, wives, flocks, and cattle will stay here in the towns of Gilead.
• 27. But, sir, all who are able to bear arms will cross over to fight for the LORD, just as you have said."
• 28. So Moses gave orders to Eleazar, Joshua, and the tribal leaders of Israel.
• 29. He said, "If all the men of Gad and Reuben who are able to fight the LORD's battles cross the Jordan with you, then when the land is conquered, you must give them the land of Gilead as their property.
• 30. But if they refuse to cross over and march ahead of you, then they must accept land with the rest of you in the land of Canaan."
• 31. The tribes of Gad and Reuben said again, "Sir, we will do as the LORD has commanded!
• 32. We will cross the Jordan into Canaan fully armed to fight for the LORD, but our inheritance of land will be here on this side of the Jordan."
• 33. So Moses assigned to the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the territory of King Sihon of the Amorites and the land of King Og of Bashan--the whole land with its towns and surrounding lands.
• 34. The people of Gad built the towns of Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer,
• 35. Atroth-shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah,
• 36. Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran. These were all fortified cities with sheepfolds for their flocks.
• 37. The people of Reuben built the towns of Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim,
• 38. Nebo, Baal-meon, and Sibmah. They changed the names of some of the towns they conquered and rebuilt.
• 39. Then the descendants of Makir of the tribe of Manasseh went to Gilead and conquered it, and they drove out the Amorites, who were living there.
• 40. So Moses gave Gilead to the Makirites, descendants of Manasseh, and they lived there.
• 41. The people of Jair, another clan of the tribe of Manasseh, captured many of the towns in Gilead and changed the name of that region to the Towns of Jair.
• 42. Meanwhile, a man named Nobah captured the town of Kenath and its surrounding villages, and he renamed that area Nobah after himself.

Psalms 76

• 1. God is well known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
• 2. Jerusalem is where he lives; Mount Zion is his home.
• 3. There he breaks the arrows of the enemy, the shields and swords and weapons of his foes.
• 4. You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains.
• 5. The mightiest of our enemies have been plundered. They lie before us in the sleep of death. No warrior could lift a hand against us.
• 6. When you rebuked them, O God of Jacob, their horses and chariots stood still.
• 7. No wonder you are greatly feared! Who can stand before you when your anger explodes?
• 8. From heaven you sentenced your enemies; the earth trembled and stood silent before you.
• 9. You stand up to judge those who do evil, O God, and to rescue the oppressed of the earth.
• 10. Human opposition only enhances your glory, for you use it as a sword of judgment.
• 11. Make vows to the LORD your God, and fulfill them. Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One.
• 12. For he breaks the spirit of princes and is feared by the kings of the earth.

Isaiah 24

• 1. Look! The LORD is about to destroy the earth and make it a vast wasteland. See how he is scattering the people over the face of the earth.
• 2. Priests and laypeople, servants and masters, maids and mistresses, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, bankers and debtors--none will be spared.
• 3. The earth will be completely emptied and looted. The LORD has spoken!
• 4. The earth dries up, the crops wither, the skies refuse to rain.
• 5. The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted the instructions of God, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant.
• 6. Therefore, a curse consumes the earth and its people. They are left desolate, destroyed by fire. Few will be left alive.
• 7. All the joys of life will be gone. The grape harvest will fail, and there will be no wine. The merrymakers will sigh and mourn.
• 8. The clash of tambourines will be stilled; the happy cries of celebration will be heard no more. The melodious chords of the harp will be silent.
• 9. Gone are the joys of wine and song; strong drink now turns bitter in the mouth.
• 10. The city writhes in chaos; every home is locked to keep out looters.
• 11. Mobs gather in the streets, crying out for wine. Joy has reached its lowest ebb. Gladness has been banished from the land.
• 12. The city is left in ruins, with its gates battered down.
• 13. Throughout the earth the story is the same--like the stray olives left on the tree or the few grapes left on the vine after harvest, only a remnant is left.
• 14. But all who are left will shout and sing for joy. Those in the west will praise the LORD's majesty.
• 15. In eastern lands, give glory to the LORD. In the coastlands of the sea, praise the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
• 16. Listen to them as they sing to the LORD from the ends of the earth. Hear them singing praises to the Righteous One! But my heart is heavy with grief. I am discouraged, for evil still prevails, and treachery is everywhere.
• 17. Terror and traps and snares will be your lot, you people of the earth.
• 18. Those who flee in terror will fall into a trap, and those who escape the trap will step into a snare. Destruction falls on you from the heavens. The world is shaken beneath you.
• 19. The earth has broken down and has utterly collapsed. Everything is lost, abandoned, and confused.
• 20. The earth staggers like a drunkard. It trembles like a tent in a storm. It falls and will not rise again, for its sins are very great.
• 21. In that day the LORD will punish the fallen angels in the heavens and the proud rulers of the nations on earth.
• 22. They will be rounded up and put in prison until they are tried and condemned.
• 23. Then the LORD Almighty will mount his throne on Mount Zion. He will rule gloriously in Jerusalem, in the sight of all the leaders of his people. There will be such glory that the brightness of the sun and moon will seem to fade away.

New Living Translation: 143 of 365 days.