Isaiah 65 - 66 - Legacy Standard Bible

Isaiah 65 - 66

Judgment and Salvation

“I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me;

I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me.

I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’

To a nation which did not call on My name.

I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,

Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts,

A people who continually provoke Me to My face,

Offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on bricks,

Who sit among graves and spend the night in secret places,

Who eat swine’s flesh,

And the broth of offensive meat is in their pots,

Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me,

For I am holier than you!’

These are smoke in My nostrils,

A fire that burns all the day.

Behold, it is written before Me:

I will not keep silent, but I will repay;

I will even repay into their bosom,

Both their own iniquities and the iniquities of their fathers together,” says Yahweh.

“Because they have burned incense on the mountains

And reproached Me on the hills,

Therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom.”

8 Thus says Yahweh,

“As the new wine is found in the cluster,

And one says, ‘Do not make it a ruin, for there is benefit in it,’

So I will act on behalf of My slaves

In order not to make all of them a ruin.

I will bring forth a seed from Jacob,

And a possessor of My mountains from Judah;

Even My chosen ones shall possess it,

And My slaves will dwell there.

Sharon will be a pasture land for flocks,

And the valley of Achor a resting place for herds,

For My people who seek Me.

But you who forsake Yahweh,

Who forget My holy mountain,

Who set a table for Fortune,

And who fill cups with mixed wine for Destiny,

I will destine you for the sword,

And all of you will bow down to the slaughter,

Because I called, but you did not answer;

I spoke, but you did not hear.

And you did what was evil in My eyes

And chose that in which I was not pleased.”

13 Therefore, thus says Lord Yahweh,

“Behold, My slaves will eat, but you will be hungry.

Behold, My slaves will drink, but you will be thirsty.

Behold, My slaves will be glad, but you will be put to shame.

Behold, My slaves will shout joyfully with a merry heart,

But you will cry out with a pained heart,

And you will wail with a broken spirit.

You will leave your name for a curse to My chosen ones,

And Lord Yahweh will put you to death.

But My slaves will be called by another name,

Because he who is blessed in the earth

Will be blessed by the God of truth,

And he who swears in the earth

Will swear by the God of truth;

Because the former distresses are forgotten,

And because they are hidden from My sight!

New Heavens and a New Earth

“For behold, I am creating a new heavens and a new earth;

And the former things will not be remembered or come upon the heart.

But be joyful and rejoice forever in what I create;

For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing

And her people for joy.

I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be joyful in My people;

And there will no longer be heard in her

The voice of weeping and the voice of crying.

No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days,

Or an old man who does not fulfill his days;

For the youth will die at the age of one hundred,

And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred

Will be thought accursed.

They will build houses and inhabit them;

They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

They will not build and another inhabit;

They will not plant and another eat;

For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people,

And My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands.

They will not labor in vain,

Or bear children for terror;

For they are the seed of those blessed by Yahweh,

And their offspring with them.

24 And it will be that before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil nor act corruptly in all My holy mountain,” says Yahweh.

Heaven Is Yahweh’s Throne

Thus says Yahweh,

“Heaven is My throne, and the earth is the footstool of My feet.

Where then is a house you could build for Me?

And where is a place that I may rest?

For My hand made all these things,

Thus all these things came into being,” declares Yahweh.

“But to this one I will look,

To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.

“But he who slaughters an ox is the one who strikes down a man;

He who sacrifices a lamb is the one who breaks a dog’s neck;

He who offers a grain offering is the one who offers swine’s blood;

He who offers a memorial offering of frankincense is the one who blesses wickedness.

As they have chosen their own ways,

And their soul takes pleasure in their detestable things,

So I will choose their punishments

And will bring on them what they dread,

Because I called, but no one answered;

I spoke, but they did not listen.

And they did what was evil in My eyes

And chose that in which I did not take pleasure.”

Hear the word of Yahweh, you who tremble at His word:

“Your brothers who hate you, who exclude you for My name’s sake,

Have said, ‘Let Yahweh be glorified, that we may see your gladness.’

But they will be put to shame.

A voice of rumbling from the city, a voice from the temple,

The voice of Yahweh who is paying recompense to His enemies.

“Before she was in labor pains, she gave birth;

Before her pangs came, she delivered a male child.

Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things?

Can a land be brought forth through labor pains in one day?

Can a nation be born all at once?

As soon as Zion was in labor pains, she also gave birth to her sons.

Shall I bring to the point of breaking forth and not cause birth?” says Yahweh.

“Or shall I who causes birth shut the womb?” says your God.

Joy in Jerusalem’s Future

“Be glad with Jerusalem and rejoice for her, all you who love her;

Be exceedingly joyful with her, all you who mourn over her,

That you may nurse and be satisfied with her comforting breasts,

That you may suck and be delighted with her bountiful bosom.”

For thus says Yahweh, “Behold, I stretch out peace to her like a river,

And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;

And you will be nursed; you will be carried on the hip and played with on the knees.

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;

And you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”

Then you will see this, and your heart will be joyful,

And your bones will flourish like the new grass;

And the hand of Yahweh will be made known to His slaves,

But He will be indignant toward His enemies.

For behold, Yahweh will come in fire

And His chariots like the whirlwind,

To return His anger with wrath,

And His rebuke with flames of fire.

For Yahweh will execute judgment by fire

And by His sword on all flesh,

And those slain by Yahweh will be many.

“Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go to the gardens,

Following one in the center,

Who eat swine’s flesh, detestable things, and mice,

Will come to an end altogether,” declares Yahweh.

18 “And I know their works and their thoughts; the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My glory. 19 I will set a sign among them and will send those who have escaped from them to the nations: Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal, and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have neither heard My report nor seen My glory. And they will declare My glory among the nations. 20 Then they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as a grain offering to Yahweh, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says Yahweh, “just as the sons of Israel bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of Yahweh. 21 I will also take some of them for priests and for Levites,” says Yahweh. 22

“For just as the new heavens and the new earth

Which I make will endure before Me,” declares Yahweh,

“So your seed and your name will endure.

And it shall be from new moon to new moon

And from sabbath to sabbath,

All mankind will come to worship before Me,” says Yahweh.

“Then they will go forth and look

On the corpses of the men

Who have transgressed against Me.

For their worm will not die

And their fire will not be quenched;

And they will be an object of contempt to all mankind.”

Acts 5 - 6

Ananias and Sapphira

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge. And bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your authority? Why is it that you laid this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard. 6 And the young men rose up and wrapped him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him. 7 Now there was an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you were paid this much for the land?” And she said, “Yes, that much.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard these things. 12 Now at the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were happening among the people, and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Portico. 13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people were holding them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers in the Lord were added to their number, multitudes of men and women, 15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. 16 Also the multitude from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

The Apostles Jailed and Freed

17 But the high priest rose up and those with him (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18 And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, and taking them out, he said, 20 “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest and those with him came, they called the Sanhedrin together, even all the Council of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the jailhouse for them to be brought. 22 But the officers who came did not find them in the prison, and they returned and reported back, 23 saying, “We found the jailhouse locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors, but we opened it and found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. 25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned). 27 And when they had brought them, they stood them before the Sanhedrin. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly commanded you not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you put to death by hanging Him on a tree. 31 This One God exalted to His right hand as a Leader and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God gave to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Counsel

33 But when they heard this, they became furious and intended to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who were following him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all those who were following him were scattered. 38 So in the present case, I also say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or you may even be found fighting against God.” 40 So they followed his advice. And after calling the apostles in and beating them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for the Name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Selection of the Seven

Now in those days, while the disciples were multiplying in number, there was grumbling from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not pleasing to God for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this need. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.” 5 And this word pleased the whole congregation, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they stood before the apostles, and after praying, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God kept on spreading, and the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and were arguing with Stephen. 10 But they were unable to oppose the wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they came up to him, dragged him away, and brought him to the Sanhedrin. 13 And they put forward false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases speaking words against this holy place and the Law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” 15 And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face like the face of an angel.

Psalm 81 - 82

Oh That My People Would Listen to Me

For the choir director. According to the Gittith. Of Asaph.

Sing for joy to God our strength;

Make a loud shout to the God of Jacob.

Lift up a song of praise, strike the tambourine,

The sweet sounding lyre with the harp.

Blow the trumpet at the new moon,

At the full moon, on our feast day.

For it is a statute for Israel,

A judgment of the God of Jacob.

He established it for a testimony in Joseph

When he went forth over the land of Egypt.

I heard a language that I did not know:

“I relieved his shoulder of the burden,

His hands were freed from the basket.

You called in distress and I rescued you;

I answered you in the hiding place of thunder;

I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

Hear, O My people, and I will testify against you;

O Israel, if you would listen to Me!

Let there be no strange god among you;

And you shall not worship a foreign god.

I am Yahweh your God,

Who brought you up from the land of Egypt;

Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

“But My people did not listen to My voice,

And Israel was not willing to obey Me.

So I released them over to the stubbornness of their heart,

That they would walk in their own devices.

Oh that My people would listen to Me,

That Israel would walk in My ways!

I would quickly subdue their enemies

And I would turn My hand against their adversaries.

Those who hate Yahweh would cower before Him,

And their time of punishment would be forever.

But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat,

And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

God Stands in Judgment

A Psalm of Asaph.

God takes His stand in the congregation of God;

He judges in the midst of gods.

How long will you judge unrighteously

And show partiality to the wicked? Selah.

Give justice to the poor and the orphan;

Justify the afflicted and destitute.

Protect the poor and needy;

Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.

They do not know and do not understand;

They walk about in darkness;

All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

I said, “You are gods,

And all of you are sons of the Most High.

Nevertheless you will die like men

And you will fall like any one of the princes.”

Arise, O God, judge the earth!

For it is You who will inherit all the nations.