1 CHRONICLES 19

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The Ammonites Disgrace David’s Men  19:1 Now after this Nahash the king of the Ammonites died, and his son reigned in his place. 2 And David said, “I will deal kindly with Hanun the son of Nahash, for his father dealt kindly with me.” So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. And David’s servants came to the land of the Ammonites to Hanun to console him. 3 But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Have not his servants come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?” 4 So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved them and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away; 5 and they departed. When David was told concerning the men, he sent messengers to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.”
    6 When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent 1,000 talents of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia, from Aram-maacah, and from Zobah. 7 They hired 32,000 chariots and the king of Maacah with his army, who came and encamped before Medeba. And the Ammonites were mustered from their cities and came to battle. 8 When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men. 9 And the Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the city, and the kings who had come were by themselves in the open country. Ammonites and Syrians Defeated10 When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. 11 The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and they were arrayed against the Ammonites. 12 And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you. 13 Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” 14 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near before the Syrians for battle, and they fled before him. 15 And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, Joab’s brother, and entered the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.
    16 But when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the Euphrates, with Shophach the commander of the army of Hadadezer at their head. 17 And when it was told to David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan and came to them and drew up his forces against them. And when David set the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him. 18 And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David killed of the Syrians the men of 7,000 chariots and 40,000 foot soldiers, and put to death also Shophach the commander of their army. 19 And when the servants of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Syrians were not willing to save the Ammonites anymore.

1 CHRONICLES 20

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The Capture of Rabbah  20:1 In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army and ravaged the country of the Ammonites and came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab struck down Rabbah and overthrew it. 2 And David took the crown of their king from his head. He found that it weighed a talent of gold, and in it was a precious stone. And it was placed on David’s head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount. 3 And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and axes. And thus David did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. Philistine Giants Killed4 And after this there arose war with the Philistines at Gezer. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Sippai, who was one of the descendants of the giants, and the Philistines were subdued. 5 And there was again war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair struck down Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 6 And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 7 And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, struck him down. 8 These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

PROVERBS 28

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28:1

The wicked flee when no one pursues,

but the righteous are bold as a lion. 2

When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,

but with a man of understanding and knowledge,

its stability will long continue. 3

A poor man who oppresses the poor

is a beating rain that leaves no food. 4

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,

but those who keep the law strive against them. 5

Evil men do not understand justice,

but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. 6

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity

than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. 7

The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,

but a companion of gluttons shames his father. 8

Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit

gathers it for him who is generous to the poor. 9

If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,

even his prayer is an abomination. 10

Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way

will fall into his own pit,

but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance. 11

A rich man is wise in his own eyes,

but a poor man who has understanding will find him out. 12

When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,

but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves. 13

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. 14

Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,

but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. 15

Like a roaring lion or a charging bear

is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16

A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,

but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. 17

If one is burdened with the blood of another,

he will be a fugitive until death;

let no one help him. 18

Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered,

but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall. 19

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,

but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. 20

A faithful man will abound with blessings,

but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. 21

To show partiality is not good,

but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong. 22

A stingy man hastens after wealth

and does not know that poverty will come upon him. 23

Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor

than he who flatters with his tongue. 24

Whoever robs his father or his mother

and says, “That is no transgression,”

is a companion to a man who destroys. 25

A greedy man stirs up strife,

but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched. 26

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,

but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. 27

Whoever gives to the poor will not want,

but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. 28

When the wicked rise, people hide themselves,

but when they perish, the righteous increase.

EPHESIANS 6

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Children and Parents  6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Bondservants and Masters5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. The Whole Armor of God10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Final Greetings21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
    23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.