1 Chronicles 11

• 1. Then all Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, "We are all members of your family.
• 2. For a long time, even while Saul was our king, you were the one who really led Israel. And the LORD your God has told you, `You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be their leader.'"
• 3. So there at Hebron David made a covenant with the leaders of Israel before the LORD. They anointed him king of Israel, just as the LORD had promised through Samuel.
• 4. Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (or Jebus, as it used to be called), where the Jebusites, original inhabitants of the land, lived.
• 5. The people of Jebus said to David, "You will never get in here!" But David captured the fortress of Zion, now called the City of David.
• 6. David had said to his troops, "Whoever leads the attack against the Jebusites will become the commander of my armies!" And Joab, the son of David's sister Zeruiah, led the attack, so he became the commander of David's armies.
• 7. David made the fortress his home, and that is why it is called the City of David.
• 8. He extended the city from the Millo to the surrounding area, while Joab rebuilt the rest of Jerusalem.
• 9. And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD Almighty was with him.
• 10. These are the leaders of David's mighty men. Together with all Israel, they determined to make David their king, just as the LORD had promised concerning Israel.
• 11. Here is the record of David's mightiest men: The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was commander of the Three--the three greatest warriors among David's men. He once used his spear to kill three hundred enemy warriors in a single battle.
• 12. Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah.
• 13. He was with David in the battle against the Philistines at Pas-dammim. The battle took place in a field full of barley, and the Israelite army fled.
• 14. But Eleazar and David held their ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the LORD saved them by giving them a great victory.
• 15. Once when David was at the rock near the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty--an elite group among David's fighting men) went down to meet him there.
• 16. David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem.
• 17. David remarked longingly to his men, "Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well in Bethlehem, the one by the gate."
• 18. So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But David refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out before the LORD.
• 19. "God forbid that I should drink this!" he exclaimed. "This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me." So David did not drink it. This is an example of the exploits of the Three.
• 20. Abishai, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the Thirty. He once used his spear to kill three hundred enemy warriors in a single battle. It was by such feats that he became as famous as the Three.
• 21. Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty and was their commander, though he was not one of the Three.
• 22. There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two of Moab's mightiest warriors. Another time he chased a lion down into a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it.
• 23. Another time, armed with only a club, he killed an Egyptian warrior who was seven and a half feet tall and whose spear was as thick as a weaver's beam. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with it.
• 24. These are some of the deeds that made Benaiah as famous as the Three.
• 25. He was more honored than the other members of the Thirty, though he was not one of the Three. And David made him commander of his bodyguard.
• 26. These were also included among David's mighty men: Asahel, Joab's brother; Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;
• 27. Shammah from Harod; Helez from Pelon;
• 28. Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa; Abiezer from Anathoth;
• 29. Sibbecai from Hushah; Zalmon from Ahoah;
• 30. Maharai from Netophah; Heled son of Baanah from Netophah;
• 31. Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah (from the tribe of Benjamin); Benaiah from Pirathon;
• 32. Hurai from near Nahale-gaash; Abi-albon the Arbathite;
• 33. Azmaveth from Bahurim; Eliahba from Shaalbon;
• 34. the sons of Jashen from Gizon; Jonathan son of Shagee from Harar;
• 35. Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar; Eliphal son of Ur;
• 36. Hepher from Mekerah; Ahijah from Pelon;
• 37. Hezro from Carmel; Paarai son of Ezbai;
• 38. Joel, the brother of Nathan; Mibhar son of Hagri;
• 39. Zelek from Ammon; Naharai from Beeroth (Joab's armor bearer);
• 40. Ira from Jattir; Gareb from Jattir;
• 41. Uriah the Hittite; Zabad son of Ahlai;
• 42. Adina son of Shiza, the Reubenite leader who had thirty men with him;
• 43. Hanan son of Maacah; Joshaphat from Mithna;
• 44. Uzzia from Ashtaroth; Shama and Jeiel, the sons of Hotham, from Aroer;
• 45. Jediael son of Shimri; Joha, his brother, from Tiz;
• 46. Eliel from Mahavah; Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam; Ithmah from Moab;
• 47. Eliel and Obed; Jaasiel from Zobah.

1 Chronicles 12

• 1. The following men joined David at Ziklag while he was hiding from Saul son of Kish. They were among the warriors who fought beside David in battle.
• 2. All of them were expert archers, and they could shoot arrows or sling stones with their left hand as well as their right. They were all relatives of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin.
• 3. Their leader was Ahiezer son of Shemaah from Gibeah; his brother Joash was second-in-command. These were the other warriors: Jeziel and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth; Beracah and Jehu from Anathoth;
• 4. Ishmaiah from Gibeon, a famous warrior and leader among the Thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad from Gederah;
• 5. Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah from Haruph;
• 6. Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, who were Korahites;
• 7. Joelah and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham from Gedor.
• 8. Some brave and experienced warriors from the tribe of Gad also defected to David while he was at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were expert with both shield and spear, as fierce as lions and as swift as deer on the mountains.
• 9. Ezer was their leader. Obadiah was second. Eliab was third.
• 10. Mishmannah was fourth. Jeremiah was fifth.
• 11. Attai was sixth. Eliel was seventh.
• 12. Johanan was eighth. Elzabad was ninth.
• 13. Jeremiah was tenth. Macbannai was eleventh.
• 14. These warriors from Gad were army commanders. The weakest among them could take on a hundred regular troops, and the strongest could take on a thousand!
• 15. They crossed the Jordan River during its seasonal flooding at the beginning of the year and drove out all the people living in the lowlands on both the east and west banks.
• 16. Others from Benjamin and Judah came to David at the stronghold.
• 17. David went out to meet them and said, "If you have come in peace to help me, we are friends. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when I am innocent, then may the God of our ancestors see and judge you."
• 18. Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who later became a leader among the Thirty, and he said, "We are yours, David! We are on your side, son of Jesse. Peace and prosperity be with you, and success to all who help you, for your God is the one who helps you." So David let them join him, and he made them officers over his troops.
• 19. Some men from Manasseh defected from the Israelite army and joined David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. But as it turned out, the Philistine leaders refused to let David and his men go with them. After much discussion, they sent them back, for they said, "It will cost us our lives if David switches loyalties to Saul and turns against us."
• 20. Here is a list of the men from Manasseh who defected to David as he was returning to Ziklag: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai. Each commanded a thousand troops from the tribe of Manasseh.
• 21. They helped David chase down bands of raiders, for they were all brave and able warriors who became commanders in his army.
• 22. Day after day more men joined David until he had a great army, like the army of God.
• 23. These are the numbers of armed warriors who joined David at Hebron. They were all eager to see David become king instead of Saul, just as the LORD had promised.
• 24. From the tribe of Judah, there were 6,800 warriors armed with shields and spears.
• 25. From the tribe of Simeon, there were 7,100 warriors.
• 26. From the tribe of Levi, there were 4,600 troops.
• 27. This included Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, who had 3,700 under his command.
• 28. This also included Zadok, a young warrior, with twenty-two members of his family who were all officers.
• 29. From the tribe of Benjamin, Saul's relatives, there were 3,000 warriors. Most of the men from Benjamin had remained loyal to Saul until this time.
• 30. From the tribe of Ephraim, there were 20,800 warriors, each famous in his own clan.
• 31. From the half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan, 18,000 men were sent for the express purpose of helping David become king.
• 32. From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the temper of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.
• 33. From the tribe of Zebulun, there were 50,000 skilled warriors. They were fully armed and prepared for battle and completely loyal to David.
• 34. From the tribe of Naphtali, there were 1,000 officers and 37,000 warriors armed with shields and spears.
• 35. From the tribe of Dan, there were 28,600 warriors, all prepared for battle.
• 36. From the tribe of Asher, there were 40,000 trained warriors, all prepared for battle.
• 37. From the east side of the Jordan River--where the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh lived--there were 120,000 troops armed with every kind of weapon.
• 38. All these men came in battle array to Hebron with the single purpose of making David the king of Israel. In fact, all Israel agreed that David should be their king.
• 39. They feasted and drank with David for three days, for preparations had been made by their relatives for their arrival.
• 40. And people from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. Vast supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine, olive oil, cattle, and sheep were brought to the celebration. There was great joy throughout the land of Israel.

Hebrews 13

• 1. Continue to love each other with true Christian love.
• 2. Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
• 3. Don't forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies.
• 4. Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
• 5. Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you."
• 6. That is why we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"
• 7. Remember your leaders who first taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do.
• 8. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
• 9. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your spiritual strength comes from God's special favor, not from ceremonial rules about food, which don't help those who follow them.
• 10. We have an altar from which the priests in the Temple on earth have no right to eat.
• 11. Under the system of Jewish laws, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, but the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp.
• 12. So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates in order to make his people holy by shedding his own blood.
• 13. So let us go out to him outside the camp and bear the disgrace he bore.
• 14. For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come.
• 15. With Jesus' help, let us continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by proclaiming the glory of his name.
• 16. Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.
• 17. Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
• 18. Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.
• 19. I especially need your prayers right now so that I can come back to you soon.
• 20. And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
• 21.
• 22. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, please listen carefully to what I have said in this brief letter.
• 23. I want you to know that our brother Timothy is now out of jail. If he comes here soon, I will bring him with me to see you.
• 24. Give my greetings to all your leaders and to the other believers there. The Christians from Italy send you their greetings.
• 25. May God's grace be with you all.

Amos 7

• 1. The Sovereign LORD showed me a vision. I saw him preparing to send a vast swarm of locusts over the land. This was after the king's share had been harvested from the fields and as the main crop was coming up.
• 2. In my vision the locusts ate everything in sight that was green. Then I said, "O Sovereign LORD, please forgive your people! Unless you relent, Israel will not survive, for we are only a small nation."
• 3. So the LORD relented and did not fulfill the vision. "I won't do it," he said.
• 4. Then the Sovereign LORD showed me another vision. I saw him preparing to punish his people with a great fire. The fire had burned up the depths of the sea and was devouring the entire land.
• 5. Then I said, "O Sovereign LORD, please don't do it. Unless you relent, Israel will not survive, for we are only a small nation."
• 6. Then the LORD turned from this plan, too. "I won't do that either," said the Sovereign LORD.
• 7. Then he showed me another vision. I saw the Lord standing beside a wall that had been built using a plumb line. He was checking it with a plumb line to see if it was straight.
• 8. And the LORD said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" I answered, "A plumb line." And the Lord replied, "I will test my people with this plumb line. I will no longer ignore all their sins.
• 9. The pagan shrines of your ancestors and the temples of Israel will be destroyed, and I will bring the dynasty of King Jeroboam to a sudden end."
• 10. But when Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, heard what Amos was saying, he rushed a message to King Jeroboam: "Amos is hatching a plot against you right here on your very doorstep! What he is saying is intolerable. It will lead to rebellion all across the land.
• 11. He is saying, `Jeroboam will soon be killed and the people of Israel will be sent away into exile.'"
• 12. Then Amaziah sent orders to Amos: "Get out of here, you seer! Go on back to the land of Judah and do your preaching there!
• 13. Don't bother us here in Bethel with your prophecies, especially not here where the royal sanctuary is!"
• 14. But Amos replied, "I'm not one of your professional prophets. I certainly never trained to be one. I'm just a shepherd, and I take care of fig trees.
• 15. But the LORD called me away from my flock and told me, `Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.'
• 16. "Now then, listen to this message from the LORD! You say, `Don't prophesy against Israel. Stop preaching against my people. '
• 17. But this is what the LORD says: Because you have refused to listen, your wife will become a prostitute in this city, and your sons and daughters will be killed. Your land will be divided up, and you yourself will die in a foreign land. And the people of Israel will certainly become captives in exile, far from their homeland."

New Living Translation: 322 of 365 days.